"Gypsy" 16x20"

It is so good to get back to the studio and paint from life again.  I took a deep breath and tried to channel what I learned with Jeff Watts last spring.  I got out my small brushes and laid tiny color "tiles" next to each other.  Then I forced myself to put down the brushes and walk away from the painting before I softened all the personality right out of it!

For purchase information, please click on Ann Feldman Gypsy.

"Sisters", 9x12"

This painting made me think of sisters-- all living on the same branch, but evolving into unique personalities with different outlooks.

My challenge on this one was to use a palette knife on top of a transparent wash.  I had to stop myself before I went in and developed it too far.  I wanted it to say "roses" without overstating things.

Please click on Ann Feldman Sisters for purchase information.  Thank you!

CW Mundy Workshop

"After" CW Mundy

"Before" CW Mundy

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I hope that the two versions of my simply painted apples will describe the transformation that my painting style went through after meeting and studying with CW Mundy last week in New Harmony, Indiana. Our class of 20 students had just settled in to our seats on the first day when CW told us to get up, set up, and paint a piece of fruit quickly.  My "before" version is above and it served as a benchmark for the changes I was to go through in the next few days in class.

I came in to CW's class with the intention of loosening up my painting style.  Sounds easy enough, but it turned out to be one of the most difficult processes I've ever gone through.  Surprisingly, after painting in "my" style for a few decades, it was not easy at all to break through to a new level of painting.  The left side of my logical brain was so resistant to change, it was shocking to me.  CW saw the frustration (also known as tears) in my eyes, and gave me space to wrestle with my demons.

I'm happy to say that the quiet complacent right side of my brain finally had a say in the matter.  In the stillness of my studio, my intuition is beginning to emerge.  This new style is not second nature to me yet, but in about 20 more paintings, I hope to have a sense of comfort with Impressionism.

I'll write more about the workshop in upcoming blogs.  I hope you'll stay tuned!

The idyllic town of New Harmony, Indiana

 We were treated to a talk on Visual Language by the workshop instructors:  Frank Serrano, Ken Backhaus, Carolyn Anderson, and CW Mundy

"Tall Trees, Lake Louise" 8x6"

If you've ever visited Lake Louise in Canada, you know that I'm not making up that blue! This is a palette knife painting based on a photo I shot during our trip there.  It's an unforgettable place.

And now I'm packing my bags for my trip to study with CW Mundy in New Harmony, Indiana.  I hope to learn some new Impressionistic techniques from him-- and I'll keep you posted!

For purchase information, please click on Ann Feldman Tall Trees.  Thank you!