USA Watercolour Workshops 2018/2019

 "Impressions of Monet"

Waterlilies in Watercolour

Original Art by Jean Haines

 Watercolour Workshops USA 2018/2019

I am sharing an update on my USA workshops for 2018 and 2019. Please note,I can't guarantee I will be giving any more tours next year so these dates are really important if anyone in USA would like to attend one of my watercolour workshops.

I am now fully sold out in most locations but there are still a few last places in Bonita Springs, Florida and bookings have now opened for the Caliornia Watercolor Association.

Please see my original post, link below,  which includes dates, locations and contact details.

And I look forward to seeing everyone on a session either this year or next!

https://watercolourswithlife.blogspot.com/2018/03/all-ears-20182019-usa-workshop.html

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

A Whole new Week Ahead

"Passing Time"

I love Mondays. I always have. I wake each Monday morning with the excited feeling of not knowing what will happen in the days that follow. 

I literally raced to my studio this morning to work in my studio. I couldn't wait to get here. As a dandelion clock was already created on a piece of paper I started adding to the composition. Strangely a butterfly appeared of its' own accord in the lower part of this painting and I love it. It is the surprises with watercolour that make an art life wonderful. Not what we know is definitely planned. I will add to this composition gradually but I am in no rush. I am enjoying each second that I am alive and lucky enough to be able to do so fully.

Whatever your weeks plans are, I hope you too have some wonderful happy accidents occur. They are what makes life magical.

For me, its back to working on my next new book and its' looking fabulous so far.

Have a great week ahead!

Jean

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

How can I keep from singing : Portrait

"Ol' Grandpa"

Portrait created minus a prelimnary sketch, with colour alone bringing the subject to life.

If my ride on earth ended at this moment , not that it will, I couldn't be more happier.  I am so incredibly blessed and I am loving my art journey in particular. So much is happening that I have to shake myself  regularly to understand this isn't all a dream. I gave an interview recently where I explained how I started out as a professional artist and I was told I should write a book about my life. It isn't going to happen. I haven't time. But from a child brought up by grandparents to who I am now my story has been one of ups and downs, like many other peoples. From feeling unwanted to knowing I am loved. And perhaps out of all the many good things in my life being loved is at the top of the list for me. Because without love there is no point in life.

But back to my art. This week saw me judging an art competition with the Artist Magazine in UK, and then sending prizes out to the five lucky winners who each receive a signed copy of my latest book along with gorgeous watercolour sets of my favourite colours by Daniel Smith.

I've also prepared and wrapped paintings for two exhibitions. One collection has already been couriered to its destination. Another needs wrapping.  And I have of course worked in my studio. I painted the above portrait of a character I met in New Orleans. I saw him while I was teaching workshops there. This fantastic gentleman was sat by the side of the street singing with such an amazing voice. We stopped and listened for a while and I took several photos. We also bought his CD which we play constantly. You can see the step by steps of this particular portrait on my "Jean Haines Watercolours" facebook page.

This singer is blind but it does not stop him loving life. His smile is contagious. While painting him I couldn't help but think how lucky I am to have the gift of sight. I really couldn't help but sing as I painted him. When I finished my last brush work I remembered one of my favourite songs. "How can I keep from singing" . Part of the lyrics are below and seem to go with my post.

"I lift my eyes the cloud grows dim

I see the blue above it

And day by day this pathway smoothes

Since I first grew to love it"

We all go through hiccups in life and I will admit my health has been really scary this year but now I I am on the winning side of things and I definitely feel much better thank heavens. 

Painting is a great healer, and it has helped me over the last few months to sit still, rest and simply enjoy the beauty in life.

We all need time to rest and recharge our batteries.

This was my time. But guess what? And I am now raring to go again!

In fact I am so happy

How can I keep from singing!

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

And its' back to work!

Monday Blues

Experimental wash

 Well the excitement of being at Patchings Art Festival is now gradually wearing off and I am back in my studio working on my next new book. But there is so much else to do!

I am reading so many emails from visitors to the festival last week , many asking for places on my fully sold out workshops so at the moment the wait list for cancellation places is really long. I will be replying to everyone as soon as I can.

Right now I need to prepare paintings for completely new step by steps for my next publication. Many include fascinating washes and colour combinations similar to the one shown above. Light has always been a huge influence on my work. Light and movement so this is what I am aiming to capture in even my abstract compositions to gain a sense of dramatic excitement.

But for now, I think I have had far too much excitement. Its' time to settle down and paint quietly!

I did mention in my demonstrations last week that no matter how busy we are we should always find time to warm up with watercolour work outs regularly. Just playing with colour to see where it leads.

I'm very happy with my colour experiments from today!

Artists Tip?

We don't always have time or the inclination to paint a full composition or serious piece of art. But playing with colour for a short time on a regular basis keeps us in the right frame of mind to want to paint when we do have that luxurious time to do so.

So paint, paint and paint!

And have fun experimenting with colour.

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

 

Sold out! The Excitement of Patchings Art Festival 2018

The last copy of my new book sold at its launch, Patchings 2018

Wow, what a week has just past. I went to Patchings Art Festival where I had been invited as a celebrity guest artist for St Cuthberts Mill marquee. I also had my own marquee where I was launching and celebrating the release of my new book " Atmospheric Flowers in Watercolour". The first night there I set up my marquee with the help of my terrific friend Lindsay and then rested before the opening day.It had been a long day getting there.

Over 45 coaches arrived the next morning to see the Festival and the car parks were quickly filling up.  I was demonstrating at 1.15 p.m.  and wandered outside my marquee for some air before making my way towards the demonstration marquee. Outside I could see a huge long line of people queueing up to see an artist and then I realised they were all queueing to see me! Everyone laughed when I told them. I will admit it is still a little overwhelming when things like this happen as they quite often do. You would think I get used to this  because I travel, film and teach so much but no. I am still completely surprised when I see a huge audience. Surprised and thrilled.Humbled, taken aback and prepared to show as many techniques as possible to ensure everyone watching has a great time.

There was standing room only to watch my demonstrations on the first day and with the intense heat at the time I admire everyone who sat through the hour long demo which everyone did until the very end. The applause then was a lovely way to close the session and I quickly  raced next door to my own marquee to sign copies of my books. The crowd had now moved there. But I was taken aback because I sold out of everything on day one at the festival. In the morning I had a lovely display of many books piled ready to sell. And sell they did! This is actually quite a feat as I had discussed the order of my books with my publisher well in advance. Because it was so big I had expected to bring some boxes of books home with me. But no, they all sold and quickly which left me with a terrible dilemma. I now had nothing to even show anyone who came to Patchings on Friday and Saturday.  Luckily my publishers wonderfully came to the rescue and drove all the way from Kent in UK to Nottingham with many more boxes which we all agreed would see me through the next two days easily. How surprised they were when I had to tell them the good news that my new book had sold out yet again! By late Saturday afternoon I had no copies left.

I gave three sold out demonstrations to over a thousand people, I signed so many books that I lost count and I met the best people ever making my return to this fantastic annual art festival a truly memorable occasion.

The only blip this week was right before my Thursday demonstration when I had to be seen by a medic to check I was okay before going on stage. They also checked me out afterwards. In fact they were brilliant.  So if anyone in the front row could see what was going on outside the marquee at the front, I am fine and I am sorry if it worried you! Being totally honest I was offered the opportunity to not demonstrate at all but I couldn't do that. I know my workshops are fully booked and some of the audience had looked forward to seeing me at Patchings for so long that I simply couldn't let anyone down. Luckily ten minutes into the demonstration everything settled and I gave quite a closing telling everyone what had happened and how ecstatic I was to have pulled the tips and technique demonstration off.  I have never in my career not gone on stage or not turned up for a workshop and I don't intend to start now. I even taught several courses in UK in a wheel chair once after breaking my ankle, as artists had flown from all over the world for them.

So, to everyone who came to see me. THANK you so much! To everyone who bought a book or brought one to be signed, thank YOU so much. And to everyone who came to say Hello, thank you so much too!

I have more to share which I will over the following week but its' good to be back in my studio right now. Painting and loving life here again.

Happy painting.

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

Patchings Art Festival 2018 : Jean Haines Demonstration Tickets and Book Signing Event 12-14th July

 "All White"

This morning I started my day by deadheading the flowers in my garden . This daily routine gives me time to think and plan ahead. This week I am preparing for my demonstrations at Patchings Art Festival which takes place next week.

I love Patchings! Its' a place where everyone who loves art and crafts unite in the warmest and friendliest of surroundings.  I have been invited by St Cuthberts Mill who produce my favourite watercolour paper , Saunders Waterford , to demonstrate as a celebrity guest artist in the main festival marquee. I will be demonstrating on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I also have my own marquee where I will be happy to sign copies of my books which will be on display and for sale.

For new comers, please note that buying tickets in advance for  my demonstrations is a wise idea as they can sell out on the day. At the foot of this blog post is a link to help you if you wish to purchase tickets. 

Some advise for Patchings visitors:-

1) Buy your demonstration tickets on line in advance to make sure you get to see your favourite demonstrations!

2) Do come to this event with cash or cheques as not every stand will be taking credit cards.

  

3) Part of me wants to say do come wearing blinkers so that you don't buy everything BUT.... don't wear these in the Daniel Smith marquee where all my favourite colours will be available! 

4) If you can't carry everything make notes of products you wish to try and make sure you know where to purchase them from. later.

But now back to my painting of white roses, why  is the title "All White "? 

Because I have so much to do this week that I am reminding myself that everything will be "all white on the night"! 

I started the above painting by placing three shapes for flowers as white spaces to form the flowers and I created a background around them using Daniel Smith Green Apatite Genuine and French Ultramarine Blue. The centre of my flowers are created with Aussie Red Gold, highly diluted on some of the petals to add a sense of warmth. The first stage is seen below and detail has been added in the above painting which is yet to be completed.

First stage of my white rose painting

If you have my new book " Atmospheric Flowers in Watercolour" you will see the white rose paintings included in it along with composition ideas. 

But now I must get back to work preparing for next week. Do please say Hi if you come to Patchings as I would love to see you!

To buy tickets for my demonstrations please see the link below for full information.

https://www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk/patchings-festival-tickets/ 

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