Day #108 – Colored Pencil Art Class

Crystal River, Florida

For a long time I have wanted to learn how to draw with colored pencils, so I was pretty excited about the day. I had signed up for a class at a local woman’s home art studio. I had discovered the class in a local flyer. I wasn’t sure what I had expected, but the day far exceeded anything I could have hoped for.

First, let me say, I never imagined that Jan’s art studio would be so beautiful, the people so welcoming, or the class so incredibly involved. There were about 20 ladies in the class and each one sat comfortably at a table with room for art supplies and drawings. Some had brought food to share as a buffet/potluck style breakfast. It was very tasty!

My first lesson of the day was that these ladies are part of a group called Manatee Haven Decorative Artists (http://www.mhdartists.com) and they in turn are a member of the National Society of Decorative Painters (http://www.decorativepainters.org). This is their 10 year anniversary. Who knew that these things even existed? I find it wonderfully comforting that people all over the nation are sharing their art and their homes with one another. I hope to find more of these classes as we travel. I am looking forward to becoming a member myself.

Being a society of painters, it was neat that they were hosting this colored pencil art class. Art is something you can’t rush. The class took the entire day, and even then we all will probably fine tune some more at home. Here is a photo of my creation. Yeah, I was expecting some coloring book looking thing, too! I expect blending with pastels, but was surprised that you could do it with pencils. But voila, you can actually create ART with colored pencils. Even more surprise was that I could create art!

The class was taught by Pat Lentine (http://www.patlentine.com). She has been published in several magazines and has won awards in decorative painting and fine art. Pat is a member of the Society of Decorative Painters and is active in several local chapters of the society. She is also a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America (http://www.cpsa.org). Again who knew? I’m looking forward to finding out more about colored pencils, because I think it is something that will travel well with the RV lifestyle.