A great starting point for a new hobby is a period of crisis in
ones own life. In my case, it was when my first husband was diagnosed with cancer and would not live long,
his mother found a drawing/ pastel class to distract me.
ones own life. In my case, it was when my first husband was diagnosed with cancer and would not live long,
his mother found a drawing/ pastel class to distract me.
Thus began my love affair with art. I could begin
working on a picture in the evening and before I
looked up it was 2 a.m. in the morning! When my
husband died I couldn’t seem to draw or do
pastels any more. Then I became a teacher and there was
no time to paint.
I remarried and about forty years later my family bought me art
supplies: an easel, oil paints and brushes, everything I would need
to paint in oils. After retiring from teaching three years ago, I joined
That fall I began studying with Daniel
Edmondson online. To my surprise he
Edmondson online. To my surprise he
wanted to see each painting as it was
finished and he made videos explain-
ing what was good about each
painting and how I could improve.
ing what was good about each
painting and how I could improve.
Wow! I loved it all.
I still try to never miss the Friday art
I still try to never miss the Friday art
group. Edmondson’s instruction
advanced my skills immeasurably.
water and rocks. I enjoy
painting everything from
landscapes to still lifes,
flowers. I am enjoying the
challenge of painting
animals and wildlife and
capturing action in ranch
scenes.
My studio is very small. It’s the space
between my dining room and kitchen
next to the sink, and includes the
counter space coffee pot and tea boxes.
A skylight and a nearby window provide
plenty of light.
Round Up (reference Julie Carter photo) |
Balloons at White Sands |
Malpais and Cactus |
Black Bear |
Butterfly on Dahlia (reference photo by Krystyna Orzeł-Jowsa) |
Fawn |
Barbara Cooper has many paintings she would like to share with our patrons, so she promises to come and exchange paintings throughout her art show stay at the Capitan Library. Be sure to check the art everytime you come to the library to see what's new!