We started our Sunday afternoon watercolor classes, this past Sunday. I had eight beautiful and creative women trying their hand at painting with watercolors. We used contour drawing and watercolor techniques to create these pieces from my old bottle collection. Each piece was unique and a reflection of the person who created it. It is such a pleasure to share this journey with these ladies, they are each so much fun to work with. Our next class will be Sunday February 5th. If you would like to be a part of the class, email me at sharen@sharenchatterton.com

I often get asked what is Art Journaling. The answer to that is as varied as there are folks who art journal. For me I do a couple of different types of art journaling.

One type that I engage in is visual art journaling where I create visually appealing journal pages, sometimes theme based, sometimes not. I use different types of media, such as shiva oil sticks, pan pastels, acrylics, acrylic inks, different types of collage materials, and more. For me this type of journaling is more experimental, it gives me the opportunity to use and experiment with different media to create art. I utilize these journals to create pages that I may or may not use at a later date to inspire a new canvas piece.

I also create art pages for journaling. On these pages, I create backgrounds, using different techniques; then I journal over them or do paintings etc. on them. In nature art journaling, I concentrate on my surroundings, focusing on aspects in nature. It might be a texas sage plant, onions in the garden, a wren in my back yard, or something else that I am observing and painting. I do nature art journaling, visual art journaling and journaling on art pages on a regular bases. There are so many variations on art journaling, what is most important is to find something that works for you and helps you get to whatever place you want to be. It may be that you need a kick start in your creative process, a chance to experiment with new media or techniques, maybe you want to be more observant of your surroundings, maybe you need a creative outlet for stress relief. Art journaling allows you the freedom to create without worrying about doing something a right or wrong way; you just do it your way and have fun!

If you haven’t been out to the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve, you should really take a short trip out there. Set in the heart of Southlake it is a beautiful 76 acre example of the Cross Timbers ecosystem. There are hiking trails, birds, and wildlife to be discovered and explored. Ever couple of months we put up a new exhibit in the Nature Center building, right now it is all about hummingbirds, but soon will be replaced by creatures of the night. On Saturday, November 5th from 7pm until 10pm they will have have their major fund raiser “Naturally Sweet” this years theme is “Creatures of the Night. The event is $50.00 per person which gives you

Unlimited Dessert & Savory Samplings
Complimentary Wine
Sweet & Savory Tastings from North Tarrant County Chefs
Silent Auction and Themed Gift Baskets
Gallery Offerings from Local Artists

Not to mention you will be supporting the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve. I will be one of the Local Artists at the Event, buy a ticket and come on out!

Bob Jones Nature Center

Pamela and Jane

Below is a sample of some of my work, Collen’s, Donna’s, Jane’s and Tess’s work below that.

We spent one morning at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Jane gave us a lesson on sketching and watercolor on site.

Here are some of the pieces created from our outing

We hiked to some cairnes created on adjacent lands.

We also created a cache to hold all of our creations, there were some absolutely beautiful boxes created by all.

Pete’s cache

Stacey’s cache

We stayed and worked in Pamela’s beautiful Studio built specifically for retreats.

I meet twelve creative women on the first day, by the end of the retreat I had made twelve fast friends, who enriched my life with their hearts and their art.

The demo Monday night at the September Trinity Art Guild meeting was so inspiring. James Tennison, is not only an accomplished artist, he is such an inspiring person. I don’t do portraits, nor do I work in oils, but I was so captivated by his techniques, his words of wisdom, often quoted from his mentors/admired artists, and his passion for his art. He is a genuine person and such a humble man. Not only is he an accomplished portrait artist (he did the portrait of Prior Texas Governor Ann Richards), but he is doing a Year in Fort Worth, “Tennison’s Take on Cowtown”.  He is documenting the people, places, events and culture of Cowtown.  His exploration will culminate in an exhibition at Galerie Kornye West in 2012 and a book depicting his experience and resulting paintings. You can get updates and more information from Tennison’s blog www.ayearinfortworth.com.

On another small note, my painting “Industrial Butterfly One”, won second place in the painting of the month at the TAG meeting, thank you to Asel Art for the gift certificate.