"I make these posts in memory of my mother - to let her know I'm staying out of trouble"


LOOKIN' BACK


A New Year New Post

My favorite Holiday is New Years

I like the week prior to New Years just as well - it seems to be a time of reflection before focusing on what may come. One of the things I like to do is to see what I have created over the year (I do this when I feel I have been lazy)...

 

I put all my works into a slide show and set it to music. I am always impressed because I had forgotten about many of them. Some are sold some still sit on a shelf - some have been given a Viking funeral...but I took photos of all of them and keep them in a folder. 

I run through a range of emotions - “I did that”, or " what was I thinking”,  “wow” and “I want to revisit that one”….It fills me with pride and then I start the new year with a surplus of optimism :)
Being and artist is solitary work - It can be very difficult to sustain our creative energy at times.  It's so easy to overlook what you've done

I can recommend looking through your portfolio to find your motivation again ...

 

 


Comments

10 Responses to LOOKIN' BACK

Well done Gary, you are an inspiration. Joining your classes has given me so much; something to look forward to, group participation, a sense of accomplishment. On my own I would not have attempted many of the works you have introduced, or the techniques you have shared. You have taught us so much and encouraged us in so many ways to paint with joy, to share positively, acknowledging and encouraging each other. No fear of reprisal only opportunity for improvement. Thank you

Thanks Gayle - I appreciate the heartfelt words Health and Happiness in the New Year!!

What a great idea, and thanks for sharing your creative ideas and techniques with us. Many of us will see the same paintings, albeit not executed as masterly as yours, in our painting stacks from 2021. And that's because of your great classes that guide and challenge us with fun, clear, and well organized insructions. Your students appreciate you.! Thank you, and all the best in 2022.

Gary- HAPPY NEW YEAR!! You have kept us all sane through this COVID pandemic. Thank you for keeping us engaged with your discipline, good humour and music. Your planning for handouts, drills, demos and technology are much appreciated and demonstrates how a good teaches can guarantee progress and success in our watercolour painting as students. Your classes are challenging and fun ....and yes, looking back over our portfolio of paintings over the last two years ... I can truly say thanks to you I have improved. If that is not success, then I don't know what is !!

Discovering your online classes during the pandemic was wonderful! I knew your work from you tube but couldn't figure out how to make your studio classes in Boston, so what a treat to be able to take them online and with such wonderful other painters. I have loved the themed classes even if I haven't done much homework! Looking forward to the next session so much! Happy new year ! Maggie

Not only do I see paintings we have used for class but I think I see a glimpse into the next session. At least I hope so. Gary, your classes have been therapy and inspiration. I love painting with the class and challenging myself with other paintings. I love the challenge watercolors give me and yet you make it all logical and doable. I am always amazed at the end of class. I see improvement and love making an online photo book of my favorite paintings from the previous year. You have opened a new world to me and Im sure others in the class. Happy and healthy New Year to you and all the new painting friends in the class.

Happy New Year Gary! I am so happy to have -discovered” you. Didn't dream when I first started watching your YouTube videos that I would attempt classes. You are so encouraging. Your pleasant attitude and obvious passion for watercolor and teaching is very much appreciated. I hope to dedicate more time to my homework in 2022. I've already learned a lot and look forward to learning more!

Hi, Gary. What a treat to finally see all your paintings from Texas. Beautiful work! Very fresh feeling. I also love your idea of going through the work we have accomplished together this past year. I have just started and already I can see that, in addition to those benefits you have already stated -- reflection, motivation, and more -- this process has an added advantage: it promotes cleaning up, tossing out, and reorganizing, all of which I desperately need to do. It also makes me appreciate even more what a great year this has been working with you. I'm looking forward to the year ahead with gusto! Thanks for everything, Stuart

Thanks everyone for your kind words - I am pleased when I look back on the year and happy with all the little twists and turns throughout the year. Its been a real privilege to work with such outstanding folk - the best in the new year Gary

Happy 2022 Gary!! Your Watercolor classes are pure joy! After following your u-tube demonstrations for about a year I signed up for classes in April 2020. I was impressed right away with quality of your work, your thorough preparation for each class, your passion for this medium and gentle but confident manner of teaching. I've learned so much and look forward each week to see what new insights will be revealed. Also such a great connection on Cluster to all the students who love watercolor as much as I do. Looking forward to future classes with you as our masterful teacher!! Thank you!!


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