It's a glorious November morning here in Southern California and I'm writing to share the news that Julie Prichard and I will be collaborating to offer online classes in painting and mixed media!  Julie is a student of mine with a fabulous blog "Lost Luggage" that has a tremendous following.  Last spring she launched an online class called "Layer Love" that was a terrific success.  She followed that with a couple more exciting classes.  As we talked and learned together in classes I came to know and respect Julie and feel she is the perfect partner in this endeavor.  She is also the guru of "getting it done!" 

We will be creating classes that specifically address our audience of mixed -media painters.  We will build on Julie's Layer Love format and create a series of on-line classes for you.

Project DeConstruction will be an exciting and positive forum for you to participate in. Don't be shy to e.mail me through my website or respond to either of us as questions come up!  It is part of the package!  On-line learning and on-line support!

As for what else is going on?  Well,  my two existing books, Altered Surfaces and Transfers and Altered Images will be joined by a new book in January 2010! I can't wait for you to see it!  This time I wanted to focus on my love of acrylic paint and FABRIC!  Yes, Fabric!  I got some great people together to push the envelope as far as we could and you will find out so many more things that you can do with Acrylic paints and products that you won't believe it!  Printmaking, silkscreening, "dyeing" and more!  And the best thing...the information included can all be applied to paper as well!  So get ready for another member of the Altered team...
This book will also be released by Design Originals

My teaching schedule has been crazy busy this year and I'm close to wrapping the year up.  I'm looking forward to having a few weeks in my studio painting in preparation for an exhibition in France in May of 2010.  That in itself is motivation to work!  France in May is glorious.  I was there 5 years ago and finally understood Van Gogh's starry night color.  A mix of Dioxazine Purple, Anthacrinone Blue and Black.  It was right there in front of my eyes as I stood out in front of my auberge.  I had never seen a night sky that color and haven't since. Truly amazing.

That's the news for now!  Watch for the classes and the new book!  Happy painting.