Does anyone paint?

[kbeale NY]

My husband is a reluctant camper but an avid water colorist and was thinking about a plein air camping rally sometime. Any interest?

[Scott S.]

I've been a graphic designer for 30 years and just accepted a job outside the industry... maybe it's time I did some art for art's sake.

[Chris in ND]

I have been in art education for 26 years and I agree - maybe it is time again to just do some art for fun. Watercolor skills are rusty but it would be fun to give it a go again

[Frederick L. Simson]

I don't paint, but I have been gifted a Pastel made by John, Louise B's husband, to commemorate our friendship that was forged through attending FGRV rallys. John depicted a landmark near the site of those rallys that we meet up at every July.


Bridge over the Coquille River
Bandon, Oregon

[Adrian W]

One would be neat, but it's a big country....

Retired art teacher, 34 yrs. high school.


My painting of a Car in Trees outside of Lake Metigoshe State Park near Bottineau, ND. Rode by it on a bike ride.

[kbeale NY]

Elementary school art teacher,30 years. Want to retire next year and have a lot more time to camp. I do mixed media photography.

[Alf S.]

Hi: All...Studied art at the best school in SW.Ontario. It's always with me whether decorating a room, picking out clothes, or redoing a Boler. Wanna get back to it when retired...SOON!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Mary F]

I take my watercolors with me when I go camping. It's the only chance I get to do it, so my skills stay rusty. But I don't care. I enjoy it and I exercise a different kind of Seeing when painting.

I'm not the rallying kind, but it sounds fun and I hope you're able to get something going in your area. It's a Great idea!

[Don'n'Deb]

I have been known to slop some paint around.
Don

[smallscale]

My husband and our two daughters are all involved in Fine Arts - neither one of the girls inherited my science genes!

Ron studied printmaking and sculpture at Mount Allison University and has taught at H.B. Beal Secondary School in Bealart. They run 1/2 day or full day programs for students in Grades 11, 12, 12+ - on a rotary basis through art history, drawing, painting, printmaking (lithography and intaglio), sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, commercial art, film and animation. There are usually ten to twelve staff members in the department and it has been running for almost 100 years. Someone earlier in the thread mentioned going to the best art school in Southwestern Ontario - was it Bealart or Central Tech's program in Toronto?

Oddly enough, Ron is rebuilding a small trailer for the department to use for workshops at elementary schools and festivals to promote the program. Meanwhile, our eldest has just graduated from NSCAD in Film and Art History and our youngest is headed there in the fall. You will have to wait until I post pictures of our redecorated trailer to judge my skills. They tend more towards sewing and decorating.

Great to read about so many artists, art educators - there is life after retirement!

[carlkeigley]

WOW. Lots of talent on here..........

Here's an idea..........When meeting,
how about paint each other painting
each other? I think that would be so kewl.

[Anthony]

I like to piddle. I've been a fan of Bob Ross since way back when. It's the only style I know how to do.

[Don'n'Deb]

I'm with you on Bob Ross, may he rest in peace.

[RogerDat]

It is funny how in trying to capture an image we see it differently. I notice this with photography. Somehow I see it differently as soon as I try to record it.

One day I'm sure my actual skills will rise to the point of capturing what I see (or not) either way for me the fun is in the looking and seeing.

[Gilda]

Thanks so much for asking this question. It's great to see all the artistic talent among our members. I'm a relatively new member of a weekly sketch group that has been going strong for over 20 years! I bring my sketch book when I go camping, hiking or touring. It's been great to have a record of my trips through my sketches. They mean so much more to me than my photographs. It takes time and super-concentration to commit pencil (pen or paints) to paper.

[Tonya L]

I'm a long-time beginner painter (mostly watercolorist) but I'm a long way from you for a rally. A little plein air I did a few weeks ago. Please don't judge! ha! Not talented but love doing it anyway.

[Tonya L]

Originally Posted by Don'n'Deb

I have been known to slop some paint around.
Don

Whoa! Those are lovely. I think you do quite a bit more than "slop some paint around."

[floyd]

My 7-YO granddaughter painted this Chameleon, I think there may be some talent there worthy of more than the fridge....

There are some very nice works displayed in this thread.
Paint for yourself first... then let others share and enjoy!

[Gilda]

I find joy in sketching for myself with no intention of "showing" my work. A few years ago I saw a group of artists in my town, struck up a conversation and next thing I knew I joined them. I made new friends and sketched at least one time each week with them. As it turned out every member is an accomplished artist and they have been meeting weekly for over 30 years! I call myself an "honorary member" and they were happy to have me join them. BTW they invited me (insisted, really) to submit a sketch to their first, ever, group showing at a local university. They have all "shown" individually through the years. I was more than pleased to comply and we had a great experience seeing one anothers work at the opening reception.

I keep a sketchbook in my daypack and sketch whether I'm on the trail (I take daily hikes near my home) or by the trailer. I find I really "see" my subject in a way that taking photographs never did for me.

I say, stop apologizing and keep up the good work.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Here's four of my paintings. I haven't done much lately. I enjoyed it when I was painting.