Overwhelmed

[Stephanie Burgess]

I think I've made a mistake by watching all of the videos at once before doing the exercises .Between the Mastering color and all of the free ones, and the landscapes, I've gone from painting to relieve stress to stressing to learn HOW to paint.  Today, I'm just going to slow down and do one exercise at at time and try not to think about all of the things I would like to paint in the future.  I can't believe how much there is to learn and I am so excited about it.  I think this will make me a more patient person in the end.  Lord knows I need that. 

[Stuart J. Gourlay]

Thanks Steph.  Keep it up and you will be able to paint all those sites and more.  Stu

[Stephanie Burgess]

Its great to hear your son is pretty safe.  Your landscape are wonderful by the way.  And, I especially adore the one in front of the coffee house.  It reminds me of living in Monterey, CA. My husband took some incredible photos of that area I hope to be able to paint someday.  Enjoy painting the biscotti photo, (and eating the ones you do not paint).  Staph

[Stuart J. Gourlay]

Stephanie, I talked to my son this evening; it is fairly quiet there right now and cold and snowing again; he does not expect much action in this weather and is not in much personal danger because they never let the surgical team leave the base.  Thanks for your concern.  Just keep plugging along; these workshops are a learning experience for everyone.  I just bought 3 blood oranges, 3 tangerines and some biscotti for my still life and have to watch out for the same thing, although I live a lot closer to the store.  I hope to get my painting going in the next couple of days.  Never expect a masterpiece and you won't be disappointed.  Since I am mostly self taught and primarily a landscape painter, these still lifes are useful tools to improve my composition and the interaction of shapes and colors under different lighting conditions.   Stu

[Stephanie Burgess]

Thank you Stuart for the supportive comments.  I pray your son is safe in Afghanistan as things are so hectic there right now, especially after this weekends events.  My husband is a desk officer for west and central Africa.  I am going to continue to work on the white items.  Wow, I never realized how much there is to learn in something that seems like it should be so simple.  I am going to post my 3rd attempt at my workshop still life, but I can't wait to start another one because I feel I made a small breakthrough with this one and can do so much better on the next one.  I really need to quit eating the fruit before I paint though because it is a long drive to the commissary. 

[Stuart J. Gourlay]

Stephanie, I looked through your posted work; you have a lot of variety in your work and multiple styles.  Your flowers are quite expressive and exude color and your charcoal work exhibits excellent figure drawing skills.  I think you are doing the right thing.  If you just settle down and do each workshop challenge as it is and the best you can, you will catch up.  You might do some small (6 by 6 inch) studies of fruits, pots, folded cloth before you paint the current challenge, but you will eventually catch up.  Ask for as much help as you need on this site; the artists on this site are very friendly and helpful.  And thank you and your husband for your service to our country.  My son is a pediatric surgeon and an Army reservist; he is in Afghanistan right now with a forward surgical hospital unit.  Stu

[Stephanie Burgess]

Thank you.  I believe that.