Tuesday 13 April 2010

Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries

"Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries"
Original Watercolour by Jean Haines
From my first book " How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour"

This time last week I had taken my first Spring 2010 Watercolour Workshop and met so many wonderful people. Some for the first time and some had returned to me from last year. In the room sat my publisher and editor ; the day started and ended with such enthusiasm but flew by far too quickly. In fact the whole week did and I would do anything to turn back the clock and start all over again. I know I am so lucky in that I always seem to meet wonderful artists and new friends on my sessions. Maybe sharing our passion for watercolour brings us together with keen eagerness to capture each new subject in a unique way. Indeed I was very sad on Saturday to see the last of my workshop visitors leave.

I had a full week taking the daily workshops followed by a painting day at my cottage for those who had travelled a long way to be here. Among all the  wonderful artists who came Debbie will be flying back to South Africa, Marina to France and Jane to Italy, if we hadn't had sunshine today I may have wished to be packed in their suitcases!

I then took paintings to London for yet another show and now I am preparing for next week for another London exhibition coming up. I found it hard at first to settle in my studio this morning but  I had been given all of the paintings from my book back last week by my publisher so I opened the box they were contained in to look inside at each one. I felt like a child at Christmas taking each painting out of the box and looking at it closely. I have changed in so many ways from when I painted them last year. I have grown as an artist and as a person and my book is full of special memories from all over the world. Just like my workshops it will have an international flavour.

The painting of cherries above was painted in France whilst we were there for a wonderful friends wedding last year. A pretty bowl full of fruit was placed on the table in the garden but before anyone could eat a single piece I had raced for my brushes. I was so happy painting in the sunshine and so joyous for my friend who made such a beautiful bride. I had looked back to when we all first met years ago and thought of all the happy memories we have since shared.

I believe people come into our lives for a reason,season or for a lifetime and my techniques seem to be the same in my watercolour journey. The early first  steps I took holding my brush helped me to where I am today.The brushmarks I make now lead me to a better tomorrow. Building on each positive technique and holding onto each  meaningful friendship is such a lovely outlook on life.

So to everyone who came to my workshops last week and to those coming to  my next session, and to everyone who reads my blog thank you so much for sharing my art journey and I hope yours too is filled with joy,excitement and most of all

Love.

Happy Painting!

******************************

3 comments:

Marie Theron said...

A lovely story and a beautiful image, Jean. Wow, have you got energy. I usually fell ill after teaching a week-long course, it was so intense!

Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...

Hello Marie,

In truth I don't have time to be tired. I move soon to the beautiful cottage we have been renovating for the last twelve months. Taking friends to see the changes last week was so thrilling and now I am looking at the landscaping of the garden.For me this is setting up the art event for next year when several artists will be demonstrating not just myself. I need to be ready well in advance for such a wonderful project for friends and artists from all over the world to enjoy.

I also have exhibitions I need to work ahead for. Yesterday for a brief moment I sat still and listened to birdsong and wondered what my life would be like if I didn't hold such a strong passion for painting. I would garden, focus on my photography and possibly interior design. I know where ever life takes me it won't be to sitting still for long and I have lovely friends around me who simply egg me on in my enthusiasm and zest for loving every minute I am alive!

And I am very grateful for meeting wonderful people like you in it.

Jean

Sandra Busby said...

Hi Jean.
I just LOVE the way you paint. I have looked through some of your blog (working my way through, bit by bit) and There isn't a single painting I wouldn't want on my wall! This bowl of cherries has to be one of my absolute favorites.
I struggle to paint or draw loosely - I keep on producing 'polished' drawings, and even in my ongoing struggle to learn to 'sketch' my sketches always seem so 'laboured'. I am sure I could learn a lot from you and would dearly love to attend one of your workshops. Where abouts in the UK do you hold them, and how would I go about this?