Work, Work, Workshop!

I attended a challenging workshop in Crested Butte, Colorado in July.

The instructor was Denver artist Don Sahli.
 His colorful and energetic landscape and still life paintings
 are inspirational.

After a few years of hoping to find a Sahli workshop
that fit our schedule the stars finally aligned

and we were able to combine the workshop with a visit
 to our niece Kim and her charming and active family.

They kept Uncle Rick and the dogs happy with lots of
 hiking, picnicking and laughter.

So the timing was right, the locations were spectacular and
the instructor is talented.
He uses a full range palette, this is where the challenge begins for me.

I have been using a limited palette for many years
 so the idea of painting with a palette of 15 colors
 was a bit daunting!
But, being one who enjoys a new challenge
 combined with some palette boredom, I just jumped right in.

Oh, I need to add that we were required to use canvases that were

 16" by 20"or larger....for plein air!

For those readers who are not painters, this is a huge size.

Most plein air paintings are 9" x 12" or smaller!

Oh, yes, in addition to the expanded palette and the increased size,
we only had two hours to complete the paintings
 before leaving for a new painting location.

Those of you who paint with me know that I can paint pretty quickly
but this was just a wild ride.

 Don's advice was invaluable, he sees ones strengths and weaknesses
 and helps guide you to greater understanding of
your painting process.

The group that gathered for this workshop was 

up for the challenge as well.

Most were experienced artists looking to improve their painting

 and many of them were repeat offenders at Don's workshops.

All of them were great fun although, we worked so hard and so quickly,

our socializing time was at a minimum.

Don did a demonstration painting at each location too.

You learn so much by just watching him paint.

These were very full days.

The paintings in this blog post are 

from the first two days of Don's workshop.

I have the urge to go back and "improve" them a little

particularly the first one.  

The little barn doesn't integrate fully into the landscape.

Oh well.... 

More on the final day of painting, the colors in Don's palette 

and his process in my next post.