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Winston Churchill was a heroic English Prime Minister during WW2 who was famous for his inspirational speeches, but he also was a pretty good painter. He said, "A heightened sense of the observation of nature is one of the chief delights that have come to me through trying to paint." Really seeing does not just happen. You have to develop it. However; in the Spring, the colors of trees and flowers really are pretty hard to miss. The Houston Plein Air group met at Tree Source Nursery last week and 4 or 5  of us painted this lovely pond under a budding tree. We all moved from passive absorption to active awareness. As I continue my Spring project of painting the Parks and Gardens of Houston I am trying to pay attention to all the beauty right here in our city. It's life enhancing to pay attention to what delights you and there is much to delight in our own backyards.

Growing up in Ft. Worth, I spent many a summer day in a cool air conditioned theatre much like this one in the Heights in Houston. Fortunately I also spent quite a few quality hours painting in the Experimental Art Program at the Children's Museum in Ft. Worth. There I learned how to draw and paint at a young age, and I would say it was pivotal to my development as a person and an artist. As far as I can tell, nothing like that is offered here in Houston for Teens today and as I get older I feel compelled to pass knowledge on to the next generation. So, if you have or know of a budding artist who might be interested in an intense 4 week Art Workshop, in June please pass this on. For all information click "Workshops" at the top of this letter or:

In the midst of a glorious Spring with all the flowers blooming I have spent the last week in a dark room...sick. Terrible for a plein air painter! However; this painting, which I did last Spring, is the inspiration for a large studio painting which you will see next week. What inspired me was not just the fountain or the azaleas, but the dappled light. In order for light to appear bright you need to subdue your darks. While standing in this shady garden, however; my eyes got accustomed to the dark. In the photograph the shadows appear darker and the lights lose their color but if you paint from a plein air study you can adjust and capture all the nuances. Nature is very colorful and it's a pleasure to see and attempt to record what I see. "The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel." Piet Mondrian. 

OK, so maybe it is a little creepy to be peeking into someone else's garden from the 3rd floor window, but you have to admit, the view was quite lovely. Susan lives off Sunset which it such a beautiful part of Houston near the Museums with big old oak trees and, yes, Boulevards! We were painting in her studio and I looked out the window and...just couldn't help myself. Actually there are many charming parks and gardens near the MFA. Can't wait to paint the Mecom Fountain! Any time of year; Houston really is a beautiful city...

 Pass it on.

 On another note, if you have a garden you would like me to paint, please email me. I would love the opportunity to paint in your "Little Piece of Heaven"!