New Orleans, Arizona and Florida. February/March 2017

"Purrfect Intention"

 Tomorrow I leave UK and head to USA for my Spring Tour. I am just about packed and ready to go but  I must  admit that my blog posts may be few and far between whilst I am on this trip.

I will be in New Orleans first, then I head for Tucson in Arizona and finally I will be in Florida. 

These are all new workshop locations for me and I can't wait to be there.

Its' going to be a very exciting few weeks with totally inspirational painting ideas being shared to motivate attending artists to a great high level of enthusiasm to set us all up for the year ahead.

If you are on one of my courses this month and next I look forward to meeting you.

And I will be giving presentations in Tucson and Florida where everyone is welcome to attend.

What a brilliant start to 2017!

I will try to give updates throughout my tour here, if I can!

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Primroses in Watercolour 2017

"Tumbling Clusters"

Primroses in Watercolour 2017 

( Copyright Jean Haines )

Its' Spring and my heart is singing with the colours of the season. Primroses are flowering early in my cottage garden so I have managed to pick a few and paint them but in the warmth of my studio rather than outside in the cold.

Every year I paint primroses but this year there is an added excitement about my aiming to capture them in watercolour. I have time to paint on my own, discovering what I can achieve if I give myself the rare luxury of creating minus distractions of constantly teaching, travelling or giving presentations. Although I will be on tour in USA as from next week.

I decided this was my year. My time to paint alone and work, aiming to improve my own techniques so that I have more to offer when I am teaching and that luxury of  time for me has been worth it. Which is wonderful considering it is only January, the first month of the year.

I have so much to look forward to. So much to work on and so much to share as the months ahead pass.

This new painting of primroses,seen above, sings to my soul. It is exactly what I was aiming for. Before I leave my studio tonight I will be creating two large washes of floral scenes yet to be created and I cannot wait for the morning to see how they  have dried.

Giving ourselves new challenges, new subjects and new colours to try especially at the beginning of a new year is worth it because then we can work towards reaching our goals. By the end of this year I want to look back and see how far I have come. 

What about you? 

Artists Tips

1) Set yourself a goal of painting something you have painted before but try to better how you last painted it.

2) Give yourself the luxury of time to paint without distraction at least once a week.

3) Treat yourself to one new colour a month.

Happy painting!

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Les Fleur De Noel

"Les Fleur De Noel"

I have been excited. Enjoying new techniques, new colours and new subjects. This is the year where a change in direction hits my art and I can feel this in my soul.

I have no idea why this has happened now but over the last few months I have had the most incredible dreams. Starting with humming birds until more recently involving bright lights and glowing colours. Am I going crazy? I think not. I have read about many artists who this has happened to. Rather than ignore the dreams I am welcoming them and I am aiming to re create what I am seeing in them. Starting with this piece. White flowers  peeping out of the ground that is covered with ice.

I feel inspired and energised.

 I want forty eight hour days to pack all these new ideas in. There are never enough hours to paint. And far too many wonderful things to paint when I do pick up a brush.

Roll on to tomorrow and tomorrows' experiments. I can't wait to see where they will lead me.

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A Breath Of Fresh Air

"A Breath of Spring"

 I wandered around my cottage garden this morning and admired the early daffodils that are braving the cold weather to bloom. I love them. They are a sign of things to come and my year has started so amazingly that I know 2017 is going to be very magical in so many ways.

At the moment I have a lot on as I am judging a major watercolour show, being interviewed for international magazines and working on an exciting new project. Plus preparing for my Spring USA tour. I promised myself that no matter what my own painting came first this year. Which is why I am painting daffodils, a flower I adore as its' one of the first to bloom each year in our garden, reminding me that more glorious colour is on its' way and soon.

I wear many hats as an artist. I teach watercolour, I judge, I write ,I film,  I tour, and I exhibit. I try new products. In fact the invitations I receive now on a daily basis are phenomenal. But my heart lies in moving my brushes. And this year will see me doing more personal creating than ever before. I feel alive. Excited. Even more passionate about the medium I work with if that is possible. You would imagine that after all this time I would be bored of painting in watercolour but its' fascination for me continues to grow. I love it and I am so happy that it is part of my life. It brings me joy, lifts my spirits, energises my soul, calms me down and even acts as a distraction when I need one, as we all do at times.

So today I have been painting the rather delicate daffodils that are growing near my studio and studying their form and colouring.

Looking at them is like that breath of fresh air you need when winter has been cold and grey. A blast of something new, something vibrant, something hopeful.

A new day, a new painting and an  energised life!

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Life and Chores

 Sweet Scented Narcissus

Work in Progress

 I am the same as everyone else. I have daily chores and responsibilities that keep me away from painting at times, even when my heart is desperately screaming for me to ignore them and get on with just painting. But as much as it would be a possible way to diet, I do need to eat and so does my husband.  And so shopping for food supplies is part of my routine. But don't you find chores can be so boring when your heart isn't in them?

I knew I wanted to paint spring flowers today and I knew I would be racing around the shops as fast as possible so that I could return to my studio. And that is exactly what I did. But I am so glad I went out. I had a much needed break from constantly working and I saw many flowers  on display which were tempting to my artists soul. And I bought myself several!

I honestly couldn't wait to get into my peaceful painting zone which my mind had reached long before my body had today. I was painting flowers all the time I was choosing fruit and vegetables.

I created an early start in a new painting  of some sweet scented narcissus first. As I worked I tried to breath life into my painting. I love how some of the tiny flowers are already bursting into life in this new piece. While this work in progress is drying I thought I would share the early stage on my blog. With you.

These narcissus have clusters of small flowers on one stem. Alone in a vase they look lost so I have added some greenery from my garden, and this addition aided my composition too with ideas for background brushstrokes.

I will add detail to some of the petals next and possibly add some more greenery when that is done.

The upper section seen below is enchanting. I loved it as it came to life.

 

 Upper section of my work in progress.

 The full painting can be seen below. I have tiny buds on the stem I am using to work from. These I may or may not add. A painting evolves and often tells you what it needs, if you have patience and learn to listen to it you will understand what I mean. By not racing to complete my work I can add or not, as my heart dictates.

Full painting of sweet scented narcissus waiting for the next brush strokes.

Work in progress.

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Artists Tip for the day?

Do those boring chores so that they are out of the way and you can then paint with a free mind and clear conscience!

But make those chores fun by continually thinking about what you will paint next.

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Christmas Roses : 2017

"Christmas Roses"

2017

Despite the cold weather I wandered around our cottage garden this afternoon and was thrilled to see the Christmas Roses in full bloom. These flowers have always fascinated me. They tend to grow with their heads facing downwards so their inner beauty is often hidden. Maybe like people, where our hearts tshine but others can't see how good they are. Or how kind.

I picked a few of the flowers and brought them into my studio to paint. My flowers have unfortunately been hit by frost, but to me this adds to the colour choices available to me to paint white subjects. I created a floral arrangement to work from using stems and twigs and began painting.

This is my first painting of Christmas Roses this year but it definitely won't be my last. In fact I have three washes right now painted with these beautiful floral subjects in mind and I am going to work on them, taking my time to enjoy what I am seeing in full view.

A lovely way to spend an afternoon. But thank heavens my studio is warm as it is freezing cold outside! 

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Spring Energy 2017

 Close up of one of my daffodil paintings, a section from a larger composition.

I have no idea what it is but at this time of year I always feel as though I am going through a magical transformation.  It is the energy I feel from the season waiting ahead of me. Spring. I love it and I adore all the Spring flowers that come with it.

Daily I am walking with my husband who has recently had full knee replacement surgery and as we left our cottage this week, one morning we were both delighted to see the first daffodil in bloom in our garden. These flowers have been in shops for some time now but nothing seems more fabulous than watching a bud appear followed by a full flower. From a bulb that you have planted yourself.

And as I already had a painting of daffodils on my easel it was easy to add the " treasure" I had witnessed from my morning walk to the existing and evolving glowing composition. So in this full scene of daffodils, seen below, I now have flowers in full bloom and a few buds appearing.

I have been Spring cleaning in our cottage. I started yesterday with the kitchen which was a massive and daunting task and it took me away from painting. But it was a job that needed to be done. I emptied every single cupboard, cleaned it out and washed and put back every single dish, plate and pan etc that we own. My husband walked in once or twice and made encouraging comments but I think to be honest he was fascinated.

Spring is a nesting season for wildlife. And I think humans catch that fever too. So today I am sat here feeling quite pleased with myself for yesterdays achievement. But that break from my studio effected my mind set for painting.

I am facing 2017 with an artistic soul bursting with energy to write and share new ideas and because of this my own art is moving forward. And in a thrilling new direction. There are no strings holding me back from flying into a new year with all the excitement and passion I can muster. And there isn't anything holding you back from having a great year of painting ahead too.

So I suggest you cut away any negative thoughts right now. Think positive and fly with me.

Lets' see what we can achieve by the end of this year art wise.

Are you with me?

Its' time to fly!

Daffodil painting

Evolving brush stroke by brushstroke

 

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Glorious Day : Daffodils in Watercolour

 "Spring Celebration"

Its' never too early for daffodils! 

After such a fabulous day filled with painting and then great news of my books being published in both Chinese and French , I am feeling so happy that it is impossible to sit still.

I grabbed a piece of paper today after receiving copies of my books in the different languages and covered each with colours that were in tune with my happy mood. Glowing, glorious, yellow shades ran together and merged with green.

 A daffodil painting coming to life on my easel

I am from Wales, where the daffodil is the national flower. On St Davids Day it is traditional to have bunches of daffodils in your home or wear one. For me, I simply look at a daffodil and feel terrific. How can you feel miserable when faced with glowing yellow as a vibrant, cheery colour?

In this afternoons painting session I have literally allowed the yellow shades to play and merge on paper. Then I  added centres for my flowers and a few negative edges. A work in progress and something to leave on my easel to return to in the morning, eagerly wanting to finish this painting.

As always there is a painting hidden within a painting. And here it is, my favourite section so far.

 A painting hidden within a painting.

A close up section of my composition looks really lovely so far.

Is this my favourite section, seen above?

Actually this other section seen below looks pretty too.

Second close up section of my composition, seen on my easel in full above, at the top of this blog post.

When I am happy, I paint in cheerful colours .

When I am tired , I paint to  energise my soul

When I am low, I paint to lift my spirits.

There isn't a single emotion that cannot be improved by painting.

My motto?

Just paint!

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Paint Yourself Calm : Published in French 2017

 "Paint Yourself Calm"

Published in French

I think I must be dreaming because I recieved a delivery today and in the box were copies of my book "Colour and Light" in Chinese. I have longed to be published in Chinese for such a long time. because I lived in China and studied and bought many Chinese art books there.

But I also lived in France and was given many gorgeous French art books at the time from French artists. Two in particular changed my life art wise. One by Madam Blanche Odin and one by Jean Louis Morelle. I adore these books and still treasure them.

So on my wish list was to one day be published in French.

My dream came true today. In fact two dreams came true today.

I'm actually so happy and thrilled. Dreams coming true at any time of life is wonderful. But most importantly we should all have dreams to long for .

It is time for me to create some new dreams!

One very happy author here today!

"Paint Yourself Calm" can be purchased in English from Amazon.com via this link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Paint-Yourself-Colourful-Creative-Mindfulness-Through-Watercolour/1782212825 

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Published in Chinese! Exciting Start to 2017

 Colour and Light in Watercolour

Published in Chinese

I am over the moon. I heard a little while ago that there was interest in my books from China and today I recieved a wonderful parcel. In it were copies of my book "Colour and Light in Watercolour" published in Chinese. I am thrilled. Why?  Because I lived in Asia and studied Chinese brushwork there. In fact it is because of my time living in China and painting with Chinese artists that my career took a new path.

I cannot believe I am holding one of my books, as a Chinese publication knowing that they will be hopefully inspiring others in the way that I was enchanted buying books when I lived there. I have quite a collection. All in Chinese with no English text but the art is incredible.

This is such an incredible way to start 2017. I can't help but wonder what will happen next.

I have a belief that if you dream about something for long enough your dream will come true.

One of my biggest dreams just came true and I am so very happy

Colour and Light in Watercolour. 

The new expanded edition now avialable in Chinese.

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The English version of this book is available from Amazon.com

Via this link 

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jean-Haines-Colour-Light-Watercolour/dp/1782212612/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Beating The Blues 2017

 My easel this morning.

Beating the Blues Jean Haines Style!

My word I feel energised! I do. I can't help it. Its' a whole new year ahead to look forward to filled with promise, excitement and challenges. And the first thing I aim to do is set myself some new challenges. And if you are reading my blog, the bad news is you have to as well. That is, set yourself some new challenges. Or follow mine. Like this one.

Okay, so  lets' start with a really easy challenge.

Its' January. So this months challenge is finding a new blue shade that you really love. Perhaps you need to scour the catalogues of art supplies to find one. Or perhaps like me you have a box of unused colours that just sit there dormant never being opened or worked with? This month is the month for an art clear out. Lets' get all those unused tubes out and get experimenting.

I started my day as always with three washes. I limited my palette to blue shades but yes, a violet crept in gradually! 

Wash number 1. 

 

 

Three new blues to me and I have a feeling they won't be guessed easily! One has a French sounding name but it isn't French Ultramarine Blue. Another sounds Dutch. Another has a stunning name. All three shades have sat waiting for me to play with them and oh boy, I did today. I love the movement in this piece and I have an idea of what it might be but I didn't have a subject in my mind when I created it. I start my days painting for fun always.

Wash number 2

 Salt effects can be seen in this wash result of course and aren't they lovely. I play with salt application to gain feathered and varied results. I discovered on my workshops so many artists literally just dropped salt onto their washes and expected great results automatically. You need to experiment with salt to gain gorgeous patterns and I have a lovely result here. What will this be? I will think about it before working further.

Wash number 3.

 Positive or negative?

This simple wash is fascinating me because I can see the dark outline surrounding a white plant. Or I can alternatively see a dark plant against a paler background. Great fun so I will play with this piece further too , as with the other three washes.

What is the point of these washes?

1) They get me painting with no pressure to achieve a masterpiece.

2) I use colours that have been long forgotten or new shades added to my collection.

3) I practise and improve  my watercolour techniques.

But if you own my books you will know exactly why I do them, the above reasons and far more.

But mainly they make me feel happy. What better way to beat the blues if you are feeling low or despondent?

If you have read my latest book " Paint Yourself Calm" you will understand this blog post. If you haven't read it yet? Get a copy for the New Year and join me with each new challenge I set on my blog. 

 January Challenge 2017

So what new blue shade will you discover for my January Challenge? And can you guess what any of the blue shades are that I have used? None have been mentioned in my books or DVDs. These are completely new to my favourite blue shades!

Please leave a reply to this post if you join in and please let me know what your new favourite blue shade is.

Come on, lets start the new year as we mean to go  on. Trying new ideas and getting to the end of this year with a feeling of satisfaction that we did something special!

Happy painting!

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P.S. I must admit I am thrilled to see so many artists on social media who have been to my workshops, read my books or are now teaching themselves creating washes and sharing them. Its' fabulous to see these fun experimental washes is taking off so well.

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We Are Family : Elephants in Watercolour 2017

"We Are Family"

Elephants in the wild.

I rarely take paintings with me on my workshop tours which amazes the attending artists. But my main goal of teaching is to do just that. Teach. Not sell my paintings. I show in galleries who represent me so all work I create goes to these wonderful supporters and representatives of my art.

Long before I set out for my watercolour tours I often receive emails from artists asking me if I will have paintings to sell on my workshops, and are any of my favourite subjects to be included in my "for sale" collection. I tend to regularly disappoint as I have to reply that I don't arrive armed with work to sell as my focus is on the artists in the room and what they can achieve. 

But I do work on my demonstration pieces and programme ideas before my tours. And what I wish to achieve from each course. I must confess. I loved my workshops so much last year that I felt totally inspired myself after teaching each one. I also felt very envious of the artists in the room attending each course. We had so much fun, and I often felt so highly motivated that I wanted to sit down and paint with the groups rather than walk around the room giving teaching instruction and advise!

So as mentioned in my previous blog post. This year is my time. Time for me to see how well I can paint when allowed to do so minus distractions of travelling, teaching, and continually packing and unpacking my art materials so much.  It isn't the actual workshops that take my time. I put so much effort into planning each programme so that they are packed full of information and I organise each tour so that they are full of new ideas.

Right now my mind is on my upcoming workshop tour to USA. This February I will be teaching in Arizona, Florida and New Orleans. The above elephant painting will come with me I think as its a great introduction to a new way I open my classes. I love how artists who have been to me before confidently think they know what is coming in my sessions. I love surprising everyone so this years' workshops are totally new, full of exciting ideas to be raise enthusiasm for painting to a fabulous high level. They should get everyone attending racing for their brushes.

We, as artists no matter what level we are at in our art journey are family. We understand the highs and lows of painting. The good days, and the not so good days. The trials when things go wrong and the positives when things make us feel so happy we could be flying without wings.

I will be inspiring on my blog as often as possible this year to make up for the fewer workshops I will be physically teaching.

Do watch this space if you want to be inspired on a regular basis!

After all.

We are family!

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DVD : Watercolor Mindfulness

 "Heard it on the Grapevine"

SOLD

I am delighted to share the news that a film clip of my DVD "Watercolor Mindfulness" is now available to view on the Artist NetworkTV.com web site.

You can purchase the DVD or download it, making it a simply wonderful way to paint with me, relax and unwind. I am told its' like bing on a real workshop with me. But in the comfort of your own home.

The tips in this DVD are from my latest and popular book "Paint Yourself Calm" which is fast becoming a best seller.

 "Paint Yourself Calm"

My latest book available from Amazon.com and leading art suppliers

Here is a link so you can watch me painting to relax

https://www.artistsnetwork.tv/courses/watercolor-mindfulness

And here is the cover of my DVD. I loved creating this film. It has so many tips from my latest book and the filming was superb showing you how much water and pigment I use when painting. 

Watercolor Mindfulness DVD

by Jean Haines 

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Happy New Year 2017 : Workshops UK & USA

"A New Morn" 

First Rooster of 2017

I have been away celebrating the New Year with friends in Vienna. Its' been a wonderful break and a fantastic start to welcome 2017. But now I am happily back in my studio preparing for the year ahead. I have a lot on this year starting with my USA Tour next month which will take me to Arizona and Florida. With several workshops in New Orleans also. 

I will be judging several major art exhibitions  and art competitions this year . Starting this month with pre selection  tasks.

I am also exhibiting throughout the year having accepted several invitations to show.  On top of this I have accepted a fabulous new major project which will keep me incredibly busy over the next twelve months. I am not  going to be idle this year for sure!

I have to admit that as much as I adore teaching my now highly popular workshops,  I am missing quality studio time to paint. So this year I have prioritised my own studio time, for the first time in such a long while.  I have given so much over the last twenty or so years teaching techniques in watercolour and loved every second. But last year I taught so much that I missed painting for my own satisfaction. In fact I almost fitted in painting for galleries in between workshops as opposed to putting the wonderful galleries who represent me first.

And so I have come to a decision that this year it is time to fill up my own " creative tank" and paint more here. in my studio.

UK Workshops

I have received many emails enquiring about my workshops, particularly in UK but as yet no dates have been released.  With my husband recently having been in hospital and my own art commitments I have not had time to arrange any as yet.  This does not mean there won't be any. Please can I ask all artists interested in my UK courses to now follow my blog as the system for booking workshops with me has changed. From here in all workshops in UK, as with those in USA, will be announced on my blog.  Once the dates and locations have been announced please contact me as I will be working on a first come, first booked system.  In the past there has been a system where artists on previous courses received early notification by email. This time consuming work was handled by my fabulous PA, Christine who has now retired. I am afraid I don't have time to contact the long list of artists wanting to book. So to be fair to everyone, artists who have come to me before and new artists who have yet to get their foot in the door on a course at all I will announce all art events here, on my blog, so that everyone has the same opportunity of booking a place.

USA Workshops 

All my 2017 USA workshops are now fully booked however cancellations often occur so names can be added to the waiting lists.

Here is my itinerary for USA and Canada 2017

February and March 2017

Arizona

New Orleans

Florida

October/November 2017

Seattle

Vancouver

Oregon 

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My Personal Teaching Ethics and Mission

I have always wanted to ensure that each of my workshops is memorable , giving as much of my time to each artist attending as possible. My goal is that everyone who comes to me to share my passion and enthusiasm for watercolour, leaves my courses feeling 100% inspired. I have never been driven to teach for financial gain or fame. For me sharing my love for this medium so that others enjoy it too is all that matters. I want artists who come to me to reach their own personal dreams. Whether it be exhibiting, teaching themselves or simply loving creating. This is what matters to me most and right now I am facing a new year with so much more that is exciting to share. But I wish to fine tune my new techniques before passing them on in my classes.

Please know, as soon as I have time, my new workshops, locations and dates announced will be worth the wait as I intend to make them my best yet.

So please watch this space!

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