Fall Classes - Regstration Information

Step by Step Colored Pencil Project

Click here for more information 

Colored Pencil Techniques, at Washtenaw Community College :

Join Barbara Goodsitt, published illustrator and member of Colored Pencil Society of America for exploration of various colored pencil techniques to create "vivid" paintings from the point of a pencil. you will experiment with color layering, blending, shading, creating textures, composition and more. Learn how to transfer images from photos and sketches. Many demonstrations and individual support art provided to students of every level.Classes Start sept 12- Oct 17 Wednesday evening at Washtenaw Community College.Online Registration http://www.wccnet.edu/lifelong-learning/browse/view/category/art-photography/page/2/

Creative Drawing with Color Pencils, at Ann Arbor Rec and Ed:

You learn basic techniques and explore the creative possibilities of colored pencils when blended with mixed media.  Colored pencil can be combined with watercolors, acrylics, pastels, and colored inks on various surfaces. Have fun with this versatile medium. 8 weeks. Tuesday Afternoons in the Eberbach Cultural Arts Center  at Ann Arbor Rec and Ed Sept. 25- Nov. 13online registration begins August 27 https://activenet14.active.com/aareced/?redir=1

Berries-In-Progress.2

Ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Declaring this done on September 4

Ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

It isn't done yet.

Patience is a virtue and this piece is requiring patience and control.
But, it is also a labor of love.

Berries-In-Progress

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Back to the drawing board!  I am really enjoying rendering berries in this still life. The glass bowl will be the last element that I add to this piece.  

When you become involved with creating art, or anything beautiful, you can feel transported to a different world. These fleeting moments are most precious.

Art, Mansions, and Forests

Read My Pins: The Madelene Albright Collection

We just returned home to Ann Arbor  from a trip to North Carolina and Tennessee.  Our first stop, Charlotte, NC, has some really special museums.  The Mint Museum has a wonderful collection of contemporary art, fine crafts, and special exhibitions.  Charlotte will soon be hosting the Democratic Convention, so the Mint Museum is exhibiting  "Read my Pins", Secretary of State Madeline Albright's pin collection.   Besides her outstanding diplomatic career, she is famous for sporting outstanding brooches. This exhibition highlighted the symbolic meaning of each pin and gives you some background on why Secretary Albright wore it during certain negotiations.  I have great admiration for this woman who is a tremendously strong, brilliant, and caring person.  She is a great role model.   Here is a link to an article about the same exhibit, when it appeared in Denver. 

The Biltmore

After spending time in Charlotte we visited the Biltmore, George Washington  Vanderbilt's extraordinary home designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt. It is on a 125,000 acre estate with forests, gardens and a winery (that was added by his descendants). The mansion is the largest home in America. Vanderbilt was highly educated, well read, and fluent in many languages. The Biltmore reflected his taste and wealth.  The science of forestry was developed on this property in the late 1800s by Fredrick Law Olmsted (landscape designer of Central Park). It is a fascinating place to visit.  I also enjoyed my first official wine tasting experience. 

Smoky Mountain National Park

Our next stop was Smoky Mountain National Park which is definitely not suffering from a drought this summer. We enjoyed several good soakings and the spectacular scenery. The natural beauty of the Smoky's is breathtaking and has healing properties. I wouldn't mind returning someday.