Cruise trip Part 3: St. Petersburg, Russia

by Helen Pierce

Church of the Spilled Blood
by Jane McElvany Coonce

by Janet Coe

by Gale Sivis

by Sheila Lyons

This was probably the most difficult lesson I taught on the cruise ship.  First of all, architecture is never easy.  Plus, there was only had an hour to teach the class and have them complete the lesson.  However, I have to say, my students stepped up to the plate and blew me away with what they did.  Keep in mind, most of these people had never painted before.  One fellow, Don Dale, had worked in oil before, but never in watercolor.  He did the lesson in class and then, went back to his cabin, and did it a 2nd time.  He had learned what not to do with the first painting.  The 2nd one was much better.  I was really proud that these students went back and painted in their cabins.  A lot of them did this.  They were truly amazing.

by Kate Fandetti

by Rita

by Don Dale

Cruise Report: Copenhagen, Denmark

The Little Mermaid
by Jane McElvany Coonce

One of the cities we visited on the  cruise was Copenhagen.  This is a beautiful city.  The Little Mermaid is something everyone recognizes that represents this town.  So this is what I chose for my students to paint.  In painting this, the artist has to capture the rocks that the sculpture sits on as well as the bronze look of the sculpture itself.  I think my students did an amazing job.  Here are a few of the ones that were brave enough to put their paintings up on the wall so I could photograph them.  These are all first time watercolorists.  It's interesting how each artist interprets what they see in a different way!

by Kate Fandetti

by Gail Sivis

by Don Dale

by Helen Pierce

Cruise to Scandinavia and Russia - Part 1: Amsterdam

Sorry it's taken me so long to post about the teaching cruise I just finished.  Unfortunately, life got in the way.  But I'm getting back on my feet and ready to blog.

Windmills of Amsterdam
by Jane McElvany Coonce

We flew to Amsterdam a few days ahead of time to adjust to the jet lag.  We visited the Rijks Museum that has a great collection of paintings including The Night Watch by Rembrandt.  On Saturday, Aug 24,we boarded the Celebrity Constellation and began our journey for Scandinavia and Russia.  The first day at sea, I taught my first class.  We did "The Windmills of Amsterdam."  Most of the students had never painted before.  What they did was incredible.

by Don Dale

by Janet Coe

By Ellen Borkenhagen

I was very impressed what these students accomplished in one hour.  I will be putting up a selection of paintings from throughout the trip in the next couple of days.  I hope the students are checking my blog and getting to see their work knowing that people around the world are looking at their success!

Tribute to Seamus

Life of the Party
by Jane McElvany Coonce

Our family really misses Seamus who departed this world on Monday night.  I thought I'd share a painting I did for my son, Nicholas.  It's in the trompe l'oeil fashion so it's not really framed; the "frame" is painted on the canvas.

I did this painting of Seamus breaking through a painting of dogs playing cards.  He's looking for where the party is, just like his master, Nicholas, did all through college.

This painting was a labor of love.  Painting that frame to make it look like the painting has a frame on it was probably the hardest part.

I don't do many trompe l'oeil paintings any more because they do take so much time.  However, they sure are fun to paint.

My next blog will be about my trip to Scandinavia and Russia and I will share some of the paintings that my students did on the ship.  Stay tuned.  They really did a fantastic job.

Sept 2013 Art League Show

Hide and Seek
by Jane McElvany Coonce

 For the September Art League show, I submitted "Hide and Seek", one of the paintings from my crab series.  As I've mentioned before, entering The Art League shows is like playing the lotto.  You keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.  I was one of the lucky ones this month.  My piece was selected for the show!  I was in Europe when I got the news, so it made my day!  The show will be up for the month of September, so if you are looking for something fun to do, visit Old Town Alexandria and go into the Torpedo Factory.  The Art League Gallery is on the first floor.  I haven't gone yet, but I plan to go down and see it this week.  It's always and interesting show.

Be Square Reception Tonight

Tonight from 5 - 8 pm, there is a reception for the Be Square show at the Gallery Underground in Crystal City.  I hope all of you are planning on coming.  I went over to see it today, and it's very beautifully hung.  There are some great pieces.  I will be there having just returned from Scandinavia and Russia.  Just got back yesterday, and I will be putting up some blogs about the trip.  So stay tuned.  In the meantime, come have a glass of wine with me tonight.

Neon Nights
by Jane McElvany Coonce