Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Dreama's Workshop 1

Diane Mannion, Dreama's Workshop 1, 8x10" oil


      This is a workshop painting.  Although everyone used Dreama's photo reference, each painting expressed the personality of the artist.

            "Why are you taking Dreama's workshop?" someone asked me.  "She doesn't paint like you at all."
           
            DreamaTolle Perry's workshops are usually booked full a year in advance.  An artist friend asked me to find someone to take her place in last weekend's workshop at the Eileen Corse Gallery.  I thought, well why not me?  And my husband said, "You should do it."  So, packed my paints and drove almost six hours up to Jacksonville.
            I follow Dreama's blog and have listened to her on Artists Helping Artists where her sparkling personality and lively sense of humor always shines through.  I admire and respect her paintings, especially her brilliant colors and playful designs and compositions.  I knew I was in for a treat and would enjoy the three days painting along with her and a many other artists.  But what I didn't know was how much I would learn.  And I thought I knew everything!
            So in answer to my friend's question... Even though I don't paint like Dreama, I do paint with oils.  I can't wait to assimilate the gems of information I learned about technique and color into my future paintings.  But there was something else...  this workshop was a booster shot of inspiration!  Dreama's love and joy for painting and her ability to share that gift with other artists is exceptional.  "Paint what you love," she said.   "Enjoy the process and that joy will shine through in your work." 

2 comments:

Valee Sewell Penn said...

Diane, you paint so beautifully! Amazing how different paintings emerge from the same reference photo. I enjoyed meeting you, and I absolutely love your work!

Diane Mannion said...

Thank you so much, Valee! It was a treat meeting you and the other artists. Another benefit of taking workshops... artist camaraderie!