Glimpses of our essence

I think photographs are glimpses of the entire essence of a day. A string of images that somehow capture the daily magic I feel here-I hope you can here not only the silence of some of these moments-for that is calming-but also listen for the squeals of pigs, wings of birds flipping over head, a snort from a horse, or water being sucked down the long throat of the old goose.

The juxtapositions of the different species always makes the Dr. Doolittle quality of my life here seem bigger than any movie could ever be.

Capture the essence with us

I am having so much fun communing and drawing with my animals as I get the Online Workshop ready for the mid September launch. I haven't sat and just drawn, in one color, without the need to assess, adjust or tweak the piece for certain results, in so long and I forgot how peaceful drawing is.

Drawing these "gestural" to capture the motion from one pose to another is a calming experience, although it also is an active experience and takes energy. Once you do these drawings of any given creature [that includes all living friends like trees and such] you begin a relationship with them, and you open the door to finding their essence.

I like to think of these as my eye relating to the animal and my hand is relating to my eye. But both parties end up with their heart on the paper.

There are other exercises in the Workshop to bring out your inner child [yes, an overused phrase but many have shut that child out]to tell stories, share feelings and relate to memories.

Essence of old goose

I've been very busy working on getting the online workshop all put together. It is a lot of work - really like writing my first book in many ways. But this time it involves writing and filming, quite a challenge when the subject matter are moving, living creatures at your feet.

In order to make the movies and lessons, I have to draw! And it has been intense, but so fulfilling. I haven't sat and drawn like this for a long time. I am getting to focus on animals I don't normally draw - Stevie, the pig...and more.

I was taking footage in the barnyard for one of the gestural lessons and came upon the old goose Priscilla. She is so beautiful. I drew a quick gestural and sketch of her later in the day. Sixty seconds of chalk on paper and it brought the elegance of her neck from my eye, to paper, back into my heart.

Read more about the workshop here.

Early Hen Registration!! Cluck!

As I've already written, the hens get extremely agitated when the term "Early Bird" is used.

"It is we, the hens, who are often up before the birds, hard at work pushing and pontificating while our eggs stretch our bottoms," Florence told me.

Florence almost always speaks for the coop when it involves direct opinion - she's quite stern.

Visit this link to read the Lesson Outline/FAQ's and pay online.

Ends soon! Early Hen Cost: $99.00 [sign up before June 1, 2012] Early Henners also will be sent an art card.

Sort-Of Early Hen Cost: $129.00 [sign up from June 2-July 1]

Regular cost: $149.00 [sign up from July 2nd - ongoing]

New! Online Workshop!

I'm really excited to announce - after being enticed by various people over the last couple years - that I am finally doing an Online Workshop. This will be for artists and non artists of any level, animal lovers, barn-want-oners, dreamers, or dreamers who are stuck not dreaming.

Have you had a loss lately? The donkeys and creatures are healing as can be, and even though you won't be here in person, my videos will aim to let you feel their essence, and recapture it in your heart and then on to paper.

The workshop will focus on seeing, feeling, capturing the essence of animals and moments - and looking for your own story to tell. We'll draw, but we'll also explore story ideas, patterns, shapes, feelings and stuffed emotions. And I have some fun stuff in store too- which you'll just have to wait and see.

There is an Early Hen Registration. Don't I mean "Early Bird"?

The hens get extremely agitated with the term "Early Bird" is used.

"It is we, the hens, who are often up before the birds, hard at work pushing and pontificating while our eggs stretch our bottoms," Florence told me.

Florence almost always speaks for the coop when it involves direct opinion - she's quite stern.

So, I'm so excited for September, and so excited some have already joined in. It's going to be fun!

In late August I will be back in touch - so make sure to keep me posted if your email changes.

Visit this link to read the Lesson Outline/FAQ's and pay online.

Regular cost: $149.00 [sign up from July 2nd - ongoing]
Early Hen Cost: $99.00 [sign up before June 1, 2012] Early Henners also will be sent an art card.
Sort-Of Early Hen Cost: $129.00 [sign up from June 2-July 1]

Course lessons and private course blog will be live in September. You can start anytime after that, and finish anytime at your own pace.