Healing through Art

[dannyboybell]

Dear Grace...

"The Scala Choir from Sweden took a popular song and re-made it. I think both versions are Fantastic, but here is the one from the Choir!
"


I know to some of my fellow world-citizens situated in the part called America, the rest of the planet & Europe is quite a blur and sort of floats together but the Scala Choir is actually from Belgium

Scala & Kolacny Brothers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Belgium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Danny

[nadine]

Pamela, your pictures are beautiful!!! They send shivers down my spine!! I hope that is the reaction you are looking for!

Sallyjane, your fairies are so much fun....the truck is neat to, but you can tell you love doing the faries....there is so much talent here it is amazing

[Pamela]

Okay...I'm back...

Okay, Dear Keoi...I'm back to answer your question...But first...

I would like to say to all of you Beauties who posted such delightful comments about my painting! The fact that you all took the time to tell me that you have been moved by my work means the world to me and I am honored by your thoughts!

And Dear Grace...Thanks to you for posting the images of Jan's work! I was unable to open them when he posted them on the CEM thread, so this was my first chance to look to them. Jan...What wonderful work! I am so intrigued by the process of what I am seeing in these impressive images. I would LOVE it if you posted more!

And My Maggie... I want to tell you that I ADORE your precious poem! Your gift with words ALWAYS evokes emotional responses from by being and this one brings to mind the wonderful feelings from my past New England holidays. Thank You, Dear Maggie, for continuing to bless us all by sharing your incredible talent here on this thread!

Okay, Keoi... Here are my recommendations for watercolor supplies for your Granddaughter...

PAINT

I suggest "professional" grade transparent watercolors rather than the "student" grade as it is apparent that your very talented Granddaughter is on an artistic path that will continue. The pigment contained in the professional watercolors are finely ground and exquisitally concentrated so they will last longer and therefore be more cost effective in the long run. There are several wonderful brands (Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith, Art Spectrum, MaimeriBlu, Schmincke among others) and her best bet would be to get a starter set and then add tubes as she goes along. I do suggest that she gets Alizarin Crimson, New Gamboge (yellow), Winsor Green, Phthalo Blue, and Ultramarine Blue if they are not included in her starter set. If the starter set comes with a black, throw it out (it's flat and ugly and most artists NEVER use it) and instead mix a beautiful shimmering black with Winsor Green, Alizarin Crimson and a touch of the Phthalo Blue. Starting this way may be a wee bit pricy to begin with, but these paints will last for a long time and adding a tube here and there is much fun as well as easy on the pocketbook!

PAPER

Never skimp on paper! An inferior watercolor paper will cause Major Frustration! I find that Arches Cold Pressed 100% cotton is the finest. It is available in blocks of 20 sheets in several sizes. The "blocks" are gummed around the edges which eliminates the time consuming process of "stretching" the paper before beginning work. The blocks will stay quite flat and not buckle. Once the work is completed and dry, a dull knife can be inserted in a special little opening to peel off and remove the top sheet revealing the new sheet underneath. This paper is very pricy in retail stores, but if purchased online (Dick Blick is a great dealer) you can save almost half the cost.

BRUSHES

Watercolor brushes are also VERY important and I can guarantee you that an inferior brush will make an artist crazy!!!

Sable brushes are by far the very best, but they are also VERY expensive! I use DaVinci sable brushes and I LOVE them, but you can find some very wonderful synthetic round brushes that are very reasonably priced. I find that Lowe-Cornell makes the best synthetic brushes. They won't last as long as the sable ones, but they have a good snap and point. I usually use sizes 00, 2, 4, and 8, but I will use a larger round now and then for big washes on large areas. Judging from your Granddaughter's work, it seems that she resonates to detail, so those little ones will be good for her. If you do purchase the synthetic ones in a retail store, test them first by asking the clerk for a cup of water, dip the brush in the water and flick the brush hairs with your finger. If the brush hairs snap back to a nice point, then you can be assurred that it will not cause that very naughty artistic frustration!

So there you have it for basic supplies, Dear Keoi! There are other products that she can look to as she goes along and I will be more than happy to help her in any way that I can! In the meantime....MUAH!!!!

With Much Love and Gratitude,

Pamela

[Grace]

Thank You Danny!

"The Scala Choir from Sweden took a popular song and re-made it. I think both versions are Fantastic, but here is the one from the Choir!
"


I know to some of my fellow world-citizens situated in the part called America, the rest of the planet & Europe is quite a blur and sort of floats together but the Scala Choir is actually from Belgium

Scala & Kolacny Brothers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Belgium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Danny

Hi Danny,

Once again, thank you so much for enlightening me!! I wonder why I thought The Scala Choir was from Sweden?!

However your post did inspire me to review the world map I have hanging on the wall in my son's room!

[Aaron]

incredible

Lots of beautiful art and a beautiful song too!

[Keoi]

Oh Pamela

Pamela, Thank you for the clear and detailed information on what we should start with. luckily, I have not completed her Christmas shopping yet. I am copying this post to take with me so I can get the right tools. I also want to say I very much understand that even though the supplies may seem expensive to start with, I can see in the long run that it really will be a savings! I will keep you posted here in how it goes with my shopping for these items and how she is doing. I think she also has some other question to ask, I will talk to her and find out. Oh and one more question just how long have you been an art teacher anyway?? Thank you again!!!

Sally Jane, thanks for the info. Below I have included a link to some of my granddaughters work so far. She is starting to move into other types of medium. She has been especially inspired by our one and only MS Pamela here!!! Isn't that so cool!!!

KannaMoako's deviantART Gallery

[Pamela]

Wait...I Gotta Think...

Hi Dear Keoi,

Okay, Honey... Now I gotta think... Let's see... I started teaching art as a full-time permanent substitute for grades 5-8 in 1987 and that position lasted for two years. Since I enjoyed teaching so much, I decided to go back to college and I earned my degree in Art Education at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1991. After that, I moved here to Connecticut where I taught art in a public high school for several years. Then I taught public school art to the little ones (pre-K- grade 5) until I "retired" from that position to paint full-time in 2002. Throughout all those years, I spent the summers teaching ceramics to gifted and talented students of all ages and I still will occasionally teach private classes here at my home. I have always found great joy and fullfillment in watching the eyes of my students light up when they experience the wonderous process of creating!

With Much Love and Gratitude,

Pamela

[Sharyn]

Catching Up!!

Pamela,
I am so impressed with your new emerging style in your two latest beautiful paintings that I just had to comment. As you know, I'm generally not a fan of abstract paintings but your work connects with me on a deep level & reveals so much of your inner self. I find delving into the depth of them absolutely fascinating.

Although I love all of your work I believe these watercolors are now my favorites & I can't wait until you have a whole collection to view.

Maggie, I also loved your Xmas poems & as always deeply appreciate the memories that they evoke.

Thank you for sharing!


Love, Light & Blessings to You Both

Sharyn

[Sharyn]

Keoi,

I have greatly enjoyed looking through your grand daughter's website & think that she is very talented for her age. I think I remember you mentioning earlier that she was somewhere in her teens & still at school? Is she studying Graphics or Art?

I look forward to seeing which direction she moves into next & seeing more of her work.


Love, Light & Blessings

Sharyn

[vineyardnancy]

PAMELA!!!

Knowing" is just spectacular! I totally love this new, abstract, in depth style that you have developed. So lush and lovely!

It is so special to see your works growing and evolving!

Vineyard Nancy

[Keoi]

Wow Pamela,
Again I want to thank you again I am so grateful that you are so willing to help my granddaughter in this way . With your extensive background and of course your amazing talents. Thank you again!!!!!!!!


Sharyn, Thank you so much for your sweet comments about my grand daughter's talent. She has not taken any type of art training at all so far. But she is planning on doing a career in art and college for that. There is artistic types in the family though. My husband her Grand Father, great uncle was an illustrator for Post Magazine and the New York Times, he got full front page notice when he passed in the New York Times Newspaper back in the 40's. Also, my husband brother is very talented all though he never did anything with it. Also, my older brother could draw or paint anything... and then there was my Mother...ok...ok...enough LOL
I just meant to say thanks

[Keoi]

Anoter question

Pamela,
My granddaughter, Conna asked me how you get you pics to look so good when they are uploaded here. She has been scanning hers and then uploading them to her web site, often with blurry effects. I told her I know you took photos of them and then uploaded your pics. She wanted to know if there was any special tricks, you used to get clearer images?


Oh and Sharyn, I forgot to answer one of your question, Conna is 15 years old.

[Pamela]

Holy Moly!

Holy Moly, My Keoi!!!

I completely missed your post! I was just popping in today to post a pic of my newest painting and I just saw your question! So sorry for the delay in answering...I guess I have been immersing myself so much in my painting that things are getting by me!!!

Okay, Honey...as you know, I am pretty much a computer dufus , but my photographer friend helped me with this a few years ago. After I take a pic of my paintings with my little Kodak digital camera, (and I do this utilizing some kind of "close up" function that the camera has), I put them into the computer and run them through Adobe Photoshop. I crop them, adjust the colors if necessary and then usually reduce the DPI size to 72. Then I do this "save for web" thingy where I can "optimize to file size" and they usually come out looking pretty good.

Let me know if your very talented Conna can get the Photoshop program, okay? I am sure she will LOVE IT!!!

And Dearest Nancy and Sharyn... Your beautiful comments about my painting bring me Much Joy!!! Thank You SO Much for Blessing me with your thoughts!

With Much Love and Gratitude,

Pamela

[Pamela]

A little less abstract...

Hi My Sweeties,

Here is the newest painting... This one is a little less abstract than the last, but I found much fulfillment in creating it. I hope you enjoy looking to it!

Twin Flames 20x15 Watercolor on Paper



With Much Love and Gratitude,

Pamela

[Sharyn]

Wow!!

Pamela, You leave me speechless!!

Your painting is truly magnificent!! I love the composition & colors & the water droplets are inspired, they are so realistic!

You never cease to amaze me with your talent!!



Love, Light & Blessings to You,
Sharyn