CARTABELLA: Beautiful Papers
It all started in the Garden.
A week in Tuscany inspired me to sketch in the lush Italian Garden and open up my college son’s childhood paint box. Ever since then I have continued playing around with paint and paper, responding to the glory of God in His creation. My palette continues to be the colors of the garden.
I work in various medium, predominately watercolor and acrylics. I also express my creativity in writing. My favorite project is an ongoing sketchbook series of fruit, pots, vases, and flowers which I paint on rough French handmade paper in a spontaneous, Alla Prima style. My travel-size compact watercolor palette is easily toted about in my purse.
Extensive travel, related to my husband’s church work, influences my subject matter. My personal painting style evolves from painting sessions with some of the best art teachers in the world--books. I also enjoy studying works by the masters and exploring different instructors’ techniques! One of my favorite past-times is to cruise art galleries or the 745 non-fiction section of any library.
Drawing on my experiences in Europe, I am most fluent in the language of color. I translate my joie d’vivre into works of art. The varied dynamics of my walk with God spill over into my studio hours--expressed in a French Cobalt Blue period, or an Italian Terre Verte green season or experiments with British Rose Madder.
I teach art part time at a private Christian school (a Charlotte Mason classical school) and Cobb County's After School Program. I've also taught KinderArt classes for preschoolers and Home Schoolers. Now I offer Bell'Arte classes to young artists who are serious about drawing and painting. Occasionally I'll offer beginner classes for a ladies-night-out, like "Vino and Van Gogh" or "Painting Flowers with Renoir" or a morning class like "Cappuccino with Chagall".
Currently I am finding inspiration in Home and Garden themes. Perhaps it's because I've been cacooning more than I've been traveling! I am also experimenting with mixed media and collage, finding creative ways to use my collection of Italian papers and foreign stamps. I enjoy incorporating words into my works, as well as "found pieces" in my torn paper boxes.
Summertime lesson plans include more nature study projects and exploring Art History and techniques of Master Artists. In preparation for Summer Art Camps, I've found some creative ways to connect the American Girl Dolls with the works of Carl Larsson, Monet, Mary Cassat, and so on. I think I'm as excited about these summer classes as my students seem to be.
ALL ART IS ROOTED IN LIFE AND IT ALL STARTED IN THE GARDEN!