My Recent Paintings
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I know it is the day before Thanksgiving and I am sure you are busy with recipes, family, friends, guests and just about everything.
So today’s post will be a quick one, completely unrelated to Thanksgiving.
I am wrapping up another painting class session with the amazing teacher/artist Joann Augur. The class is once a week for 3 hours; classes run for 6 weeks.
The focus has been on values, which I really struggle with. Value is the lightness or darkness of color or hue. If a painting doesn’t have value, it tends to be flat, lifeless and uninteresting. Creating dark areas of contrast is my challenge~~my darks are never dark enough.
So this is a great class for me to take. The good news is that if I don’t like what I have painted, I can paint over it. None of these paintings are finished, but I imagine I will try to do so at some point in the future, as they don’t fall under my “absolutely ghastly” category.
We are 5 weeks into this painting period and I believe I missed one = 4 paintings focusing on value. If you have an interest in taking up painting, I encourage you to do so. It has only been a few years for me, and I know I have a lot to learn, but it forces me outside of my comfort zone.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/fullsizeoutput_4f1c-600x688.jpeg)
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/fullsizeoutput_4f18-600x783.jpeg)
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/fullsizeoutput_4f19-600x772.jpeg)
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post today. I am grateful to you for all the support, ideas, and comments that help me be better at this blogging life.
Wishing you and yours a happy, blessed Thanksgiving.
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Beautiful painting Mary. You are inspiring me to take a drawing class. Wishing you a beautiful thanksgiving.
Polly, You are so talented I would imagine you would soar in a drawing class. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too.
Oh wow, your paintings re really good, Mary! I’ve never taken up painting but I can appreciate a good piece and now I will look at them with “values” in view. Who knows, I may take up painting because I have a series of art work in my mind that I would love to see in real life but I know I could never accomplish them unless I gave the ideas to an artist to do for me…
Thanks for the motivation and your work is beautiful!
Gabie, You are so soulful that I would imagine you would be a very fine artist.
Wow I’m going to have to take this painting course. Those look amazing! I followed the link, but does she teach online courses?
Andrea, I have sent your contact info to Joann. She said she would be reaching out to you.
Mary – Seeing your work brings me much gratification! And, it is a pleasure to have you in our painting class. With your positive attitude, kindness for others, and help that you offer to all you bring so much to the classroom, Thank you for all that you do!
JoAnn Augur
Beautiful work Mary. I particularly love the boats!