there's an artist inside every one of us!

 

Sometimes passions are discovered almost by accident!  

Two winters ago, when I first picked up an artists' paint brush and stood staring at that big canvas in front of me, Michael Carlisle simply said "get some paint on it!", and so that's what I did.

 

Picasso, I am not. What I am is very eager to paint whenever I get a moment (which always turns into hours) to do so! That first trip to a studio, after talking a couple friends into going to a "Go-Big" painting workshop with me, really hooked us all, so every winter now when I am in Mexico, I will be painting :)

 

My friend Pat hadn't told me that she used to teach watercolors! Her paintings are incredible. My Firend Judy had never picked up a paintbrush either, and she is creating wonderfully whimsical, precious roosters. Michael Carlisle's are over-the-top exquisite and he is unbelievably versatile... from serene, misty landscapes to paintings of buildings that are so perfect you swear it's a photograph, to his unique abstract mexican women acrylics. He is climbing in the art world, and I feel I am learning from someone about to become famous.  Michael's fun, exuberant wife Floydilou was painting crazy pop-art when we started; what a joy it's been to watch her "bloom". This woman is prolifically painting some knock-down-gorgeous, irreverant florals as well as fun contemporary artwork. WOW!

 

Me? I try to paint a differnt style each time, wanting to learn so much more... about technique, 

freedom on the canvas and just to further challenge myself. Pat says I have natural talent, that

I have my own style already. I don't see it, but maybe I do in a way because even as I try to paint

something different each time, they all end up looking a bit the same to me!  

Oh, the plight of an artist...