Friday, January 31, 2014

Thailand and Vietnam: Class 1

It's been quite a while since I posted on my blog.  I have been away for 3 weeks on one of the most awesome trips I've ever taken.  I had another teaching cruise to Thailand and Vietnam.  We started out in Singapore.  Tom and I went a few days early so that we could see Singapore.  It's a very clean city (chewing gum is illegal- they don't want gum on their streets or under tables).  It is also very hot and humid.  Lots of high rises among the lush vegetation.  We boarded the Azamara Cruise ship and set sail for Thailand.  Our first stop was Ko Samui, an island in the south of Thailand.  Besides going to a beautiful beach , we went to a coconut farm where they domonstrated how they train monkeys to climb the trees and spin the coconuts until the vine beaks and they fall to the ground.  It was quite ingenious.
Ko Samui, Thailand
by Jane McElvany Coonce

by Sue Stuart
by Barbara Coates
One of my students, Barabara Coates, said she had painted before but had been very dissatisfied with the results.  I told her to give my class a try.  She used the fan brush to make the fronds of the coconut tree and was thrilled.  She came to every class!
by Aliana Turkel
Another student, Mike Beckingsale, said his wife had given him a watercolor set 5 years ago and he had never used it.  They both came to my classes, and now he's hooked.  Hopefully, he's back at home in Australia painting up a storm!

Most of my students were total novices.  Look at these paintings they did.  Wait to you see how they progressed throughout the cruise.  I'll have more in my next update.
by Mike Beckingsale
by Barbara Beckingsale