Just back from Saltspring Island - more "plein airing" at the FCA annual workshop

I'm just back from a week of plein air with a fabulous group of instructors and artists on beautiful saltspring island. 

Perfect weather, great instruction, tough mental work,  and great friends made for an enjoyable but intense week.

My friend Carol and I trooped around the island winning the award for "most gear in tow" ( this is jusy my pile would you believe?)

from wineries to farms with wild turkeys to beach settings enjoyed by the likes of Bob Hope, the scenery was stunning and most inspiring - our whistler crowd of susie, andrea and sue completed our team!

 

We spent one day with each of four instructors:  John Salminen, Steven Quiller, Liz Wiltzen and Carla O'Connor - lots of group demonstrations and "drills"

 

One exercise from Liz Wiltzen was ten shapes and only 50 strokes for one painting - here is my effort of a barnyard and field scene

 

 

 

Ruckles Park was a highlight complete with wild turkeys, sheep and a great beach... below a scene I painted and then a few preliminary results

 

then further south on the island near fulford harbour: just gorgeous with resident seals and whales

 

 

 

 

our smiles say it all... ( and this was the winery after all!) an unusual format for a workshop with different media and rotating instructors  - next year is in my backyard at  whistler... whoo hoo

 

in plein air - "expect the unexpected" and "go with the flow"  : this wild turkey was practically in my lap watching Steven Quiller demonstrate