Sip and Paint

 

 

It poured rain yesterday, always a drag on the freeway, but traffic was light and I left early. The worst traffic and drivers are just getting out of Seattle. 

The trip was uneventful and a sugary peach smoothie (spring tradition) at Lone Pine fueled me up for the last 60 mile leg to Twisp. 

No painting there, but last night I went to a watercolor class. Art books and YouTube can only take you so far-- there's nothing like live demonstration, especially for a dynamic medium like watercolor. 

Our next door neighbor, Bethany Wray, is a well-known  artist in the Valley. She sells her art at the Twisp Saturday Market, on Instagram, and at Arrowleaf Studio at Twisp Works. 

She also teaches popular watercolor classes in the community and I registered for "Sip and Paint" at Ryzo Wines in Twisp.  

Bethany taught art at the elementary school for years, so she knows how to break a project down into steps with easy-to-follow instructions. And keep people's attention. A group of talking women friends with wine is like trying to wrangle a third grade class! 

I learned how watercolor is a process like anything else, it gets better with practice, but some basic tips really help. There were quite a few aha moments for me. 

And look at that. A good teacher is always defined by the results! 

 And mine-- not bad for a first attempt.

 

We were all copying Bethany's print (above) of a wildflower meadow. 

Speaking of flowers, the Arrowleaf Balsamroot are just starting to bloom, everyone's favorite time of year. They grow in great abundance here, turning the hills golden for a few weeks.