Getting Ready to Teach on a Cruise Ship

Colon, Panama

Some of you may not know this about me, but every year I teach painting on a cruise ship.  It's a great way to see the world and have fun teaching at the same time.  I love it!

This spring, I will be teaching on a Celebrity Cruise line.  The trip goes through the Panama Canal.  We start off in San Diego, go to two places in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama , Columbia, and end up in Ft. Lauderdale.

I am required to teach an hour each day that we are at sea, but I'm free when we are in port.  It takes a lot of preparation because I have to plan out each lesson.  I like to do an example of what everyone will be painting.  I also write up the directions in case they forget after I demonstrate how to paint the different parts of the painting.  It takes hours of preparation so that once we are on the ship, things go smoothly.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Most of the people who take the class on the ship have never painted before.  So I have to teach very basic things.  Also, only having an hour a day, it's hard to finish a painting with so little time.  I actually wish they would let me teach for 2 hours.  It would be less stressful.
But the people seem to love it and they come back each day and bring a friend.  By the end of the week, the class is packed!

Here are two examples of what I will be teaching.  I always try to pick out a scene from where we are going so that they have a souvenir of their trip.

I also can't wait to experience some hot weather.  I have almost forgotten what that feels like.
Can't wait!

"Walk on the Wild Side" Selection

Zebra Stripes
(oil on canvas)
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Zebra Stripes was accepted into the juried show "Walk on the Wild Side" which begins in April at the Gallery Underground.  Not only did it get into the show, it also won an honorable mention!  It always makes an artist feel good when you get into a juried show, but even better when you win a prize.
The show will run from April 8 to May 4.  There will be a reception on Friday, April 12 from 5 - 8 pm.
It's a fundraiser for the Arlington Animal Welfare League.  So come out and support the animal shelter and the arts!  Part of the sales proceeds will go to the animal welfare league.  The gallery is located in Crystal City at 20th and Crystal Drive.  Free Parking!  Hope to see you there.

Reception at Gallery Underground: March 16, 2013

Brush with the Past
by Jane McElvany Coonce

I want to invite everyone to the Gallery Underground on Saturday Night from 6 - 10 pm.  This is a kick off reception to celebrate the new happenings at Crystal City Underground.  The gallery, formerly known as the Northern Virginia Art Center, has changed it's name.  It has opened up artists studio and you will be able to see them at the beginning stages.  There will be refreshments and art demonstrations.  It's all free.  Please join us for this exciting adventure.

Gallery Underground is located at 2100 Crystal Dr. in Arlington.  Free parking in the garage on 20th St.

Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek
by Jane McElvany Coonce

This weekend, I went to Woodstock, Va. for my annual retreat.  I'm part of a group that has been meeting for years. Quite a few still lifes are set up at the 7East Art Gallery, and we paint for 3 days.  That's the  gallery where my solo show, "A Slice of Life," is this month.

Here's what I worked on all weekend. It's called "Hide and Seek".  It's part of my crab series.  My crab series will be featured at my solo show in May at the Gallery Underground in Crystal City.  More to come about that show, but I have quite a collection of crab paintings that haven't been displayed anywhere before. Put May 10 on your calendar.  That's the reception night for the show.  It's a Friday night and will be from 5-8. But it's a ways off so I have time to do one or two more before then.

Painting on a Snow Day

Umbrian Passageway
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Yesterday was supposed to be the big snow storm of the year.  Arlington County Schools were closed so I couldn't teach since  my class was canceled.  I decided to start working on some Umbrian scenes.

 Last summer, we went to Italy and I took thousands of pictures.  Next May, I will teach a plein air art class there.  I need to make a brochure to advertise the class and wanted to do some paintings that I could use in the brochure.

I sketched this scene out Tuesday night and started painting. On Wednesday, I worked all day, waiting for the snow to hit. Needless to say, we didn't get any snow.   I did a few touch ups  on the painting today. So here is the first painting of my Umbrian series!!!!

The phantom snow storm gave me a whole day to focus on my painting!  Maybe we need a few more of those.  I'm sure the grocery stores love it.