Author: jizogarden

Art

How to teach this coming September….😷

by jizogardenLeave a Comment on How to teach this coming September….😷
Plein Air gouache on paper at Rhinoceros Creek Reserve

Summer days have given us many hours of nature journaling. Although it is hot under our masks it has still been so nice to gather with friends and enjoy drawing and painting on Thursday mornings and plein air painting on Saturday mornings.

So how is the upcoming Fall session going look….this has been a constant puzzle for me to solve as summer has marched along.

We will continue with nature journaling as long as there is enough interest through August. The Plein Air painting class will continue through the summer and into the fall on Saturday mornings. Once the mornings get too chilly for painting outdoors we will move the Saturday class into the studio for botanical art and natural world subjects.

Our botanical art studio classes will not look the same but they will still be a place where we can gather online or in the studio with each other. Thursday we will have one small class limited to 4 people on….we will wear masks at all times and the tables will be spaced to the four corners of the room the room will be cleaned carefully. On Wednesdays I will be offering a live online studio class…no masks rewired 🙂 We will be able to share art work, ideas, questions, enjoy each others company and share how lives have been since we last gathered in mid April. I will be able to give examples and help with any questions you have as we move through this weird new world. I hope in time we will be able to return to classes….but for now to keep each other safe we will carry on with these new class arrangements.

Please go to “Lesson” section at the top of this page for the new season of lessons 🙂

I will continue to create videos on techniques in watercolor, color pencil and graphite. I will be sharing them for a small fee on this website. These will be available to students and all people that follow my videos 🙂 Free videos will also continue be posted on my YouTube Channel (Laura Gould).

Please email me with any questions at lauragould@mac.com

Art, Art classes, Nature Journaling

Summer is here 😎🌸🌷🌻🌺😷

by jizogarden10 Comments on Summer is here 😎🌸🌷🌻🌺😷
Rhinoceros Creek Preserve

So who ever thought there would be a summer like this…a world like this. As much as we have known about the possibility of a pandemic in our lifetime…until your in the middle of one….you have no idea what effect on life it has. I am so proud of New York and New Yorkers….so proud of how we have been so diligent and careful we have been and continue to be with each other. How we navigating this new strange life is a personal choice we all have to make and find some comfort in.

Each Thursday I am offering nature journaling for anyone who feels comfortable meeting outdoors with art and friends. If the weather is miserable the day will be changed. Out of respect or each other we will wear masks 😷. Each session is $35.

Thinking towards the Fall I am considering offering classes if the virus continues to diminish in NY…..like Cuomo “It depends of the numbers, it depends on the facts” 😉 I am going to create smaller classes. Instead of 6 people in one class I am going to offer two weekday classes with 3-4 people per class. This way we can keep a larger distance between our drawing tables with a tables in the 4 corners of the room. I will continue to offer my Saturday class to my plein air group. We will remain painting outdoors into the fall….once it gets to chilly we will come back to the indoor class. The Saturday class will remain with existing members at 3-4 students. For those of you who still feel uncomfortable I will be offering an online option (see bellow).

Hopefully in time we can go back to our regular classes in time….but for now this seems to be the most comfortable option.

I will also continue to offer videos for those that don’t feel comfortable coming to the classroom. I will post the videos and then set up an online group conversation about the assignments. These videos take a long time to produce and you have been patiently watching my learning curve. Thank you for all the feedback it is helpful for future videos 🙂 I will offer these online classes for $50 – this includes the video and two follow up 1 hour group meetings where I will review your work, you can ask questions and share with each other. You can also arrange private reviews online.

The other teaching option I will offer is a 1 hour private lesson at $50 and half hour for $25. We can meet together, bring in your art work for review and advice. This is can be arranged as a week by week lesson or just when you feel like you need to touch base. This can be done online or through emails where you can share images and I can give feedback .

The best thing about my space, even though it is small, it is not a public space. The only person that goes into that space is myself and occasionally Andrew. I will keep the air filters running and all surfaces wiped down carefully, including the sliding door handles.

So as the summer progresses we will all have a better idea of our confidence and feelings of safety…..when will we all feel truly safe….I look forward to that day whenever it comes.

So life goes on…and we all choose our way to navigate……stay safe and take care everyone ❤️

Art classes, Nature Journaling

Life as we know it 😷🎨🌷🌻

by jizogarden6 Comments on Life as we know it 😷🎨🌷🌻
Oil on paper done near Stone House in Somers

I just reread my last entry when all our lives first changed. We didn’t know how long it would last and how bad things would become. Now we know that it got very very bad. So many lives have been lost, so many overwhelming fears have filled us as the virus kept claiming so many people. Our hospitals were overwhelmed and it looked like we would never be able to manage this catastrophe. It is still hard to fathom that the whole world shut down and is still shut down with tiny bits of loosening that we all hope will work. Andrew Cuomo has become my guru. People have joined together to help each other….and this is and is amazing! I am very proud of people…well, most people.

I have my masks and gloves and have gotten used to wearing them whenever I go out to any space where I will be near people. I still walk the dogs every day and am thankful for the beautiful open lands we have to enjoy being outside. I realize how lucky I am to live in a state that offers so much beauty and is so cautious with our lives. I still paint outside and in the studio….so life for me is pretty “normal” …. but then again it really isn’t.

In my last post I was still teaching my classes but that ended the following week as we all learned that even a small group was a risk. I am so thankful that so far none of us have gotten Covid 19.

Andrew came home to work. He set up his office in the art room. He continues to work every day…..from 8-4:30 …..the man is a model of discipline 🙂 I am so thankful that he was able to work at home and not expose himself daily to potential harm. I feel so sorry for those who have no work and are desperate for their incomes to return. I can’t find the words of deep gratitude for the essential workers that go out every day and do their job…from the doctors, nurses, aides, grocery store workers, garbage collectors, mailmen/women, delivery people….and the people who are organizing and handing out food for the thousands of people who are going hungry.

So many emotions, so much sadness, so much pride and yes anger but I won’t go there….and the toilet paper! Oy!

So I am going to dip my toe into this new world and start offering some outdoor classes. For those that feel comfortable and want to have a little bit of normalcy in your lives we will begin on Thursday the 28th of May at 10am….my garden 🙂 I will also be offering a plein air painting class on Saturday mornings from 10-1, location to be announced. We will all wear masks and stay a minimum of 6 feet apart. Please bring your own chair or stool…I ask this so you are the only one in contact with your seating. I will offer some seating and wipes if you don’t have anything of your own. I will put this in the classes section for future reference.

Any of you ladies who feel safe coming out to draw and paint and laugh please let me know 🙂 It will be so nice to see you in person instead of on a screen! I don’t expect all of you are ready for nature journaling….some have already said they are looking forward to it…so we will give it a try ☺️🤞🌸🌼🌷🌻❤️

Art

Art…stress….breath……

by jizogarden4 Comments on Art…stress….breath……
Social distancing in Westchester County NY 🙂

So I don’t know about the rest of you but as much as I try to not be stressed by the virus and how it’s changing our days…the way we behave…the way we anticipate the variables ahead…..the stress is here.

So being an artist and living a fairly solitary life….social distancing is not a big ask 😉 But….being very much aware of the interactions I do have I am trying to be cautious. Staying away from large groups of people is a given but not always possible. The grocery store is something that must be navigated so I wipe down everything I touch with disinfectant wipes…I wipe down my hands and steering wheel and everything touch spot like car door handle etc. Don’t touch my face, don’t touch my face, don’t touch my face! When I get home I wash wash wash my hands!!! I’m exhausted just typing it 😉 So whatever is necessary to keep yourself safe and people around you safe please take good care.

So what about stress……..for me art and walking my dogs in the open fields has always been my places of peace . This part of my life stays unchanged and I’m so thankful for it. If you find yourself home more than usual….trying to self isolate as much as possible…..get out your drawings and paintings and use this time to find some peace. If any of you would like to share what your working on with me please take pictures and email them to me 🙂

When I went to Ward Pound Ridge this past weekend to walk the dogs there was a traffic jam to get into the park! Seems like people had suddenly discovered the great outdoors! At first I was very annoyed that all these interlopers were at “my” park….but then I thought who knows maybe people will discover how wonderful our open spaces are and enjoy our parks more when this passes….or they will go back to the movies, malls and video games….we’ll see 😉

Classes are still continuing…luckily my class is not in a public space and everyone is being very cautious about attending. So far we are well and that is a blessing we need to protect. We laugh and relax and enjoy a bit of company.

So please everyone take good care of yourselves and be kind and thankful to all the people who continue to help us through this difficult time.

Paint, draw and go for a long lovely walks 🙂

Art, Art classes

2020✨🕊✨a wish for peace…

by jizogardenLeave a Comment on 2020✨🕊✨a wish for peace…
Hay Field – Oil on paper

Hope you have all had a nice holiday break 🎄🦌⛄️ I’ll be packing away the Christmas decorations this week but the outdoor lights will remain just a bit longer…they cheer the long winter nights…to be honest I would leave them up for months ;O)

Classes begin this Thursday from 12:30 – 3:30 and Saturday from 10 -1:00.

Looking forward to seeing everyone and hearing all your holiday adventures….2020 here we come……

Art

Here it Comes! 🦌🎄❤️🎄🦌

by jizogarden2 Comments on Here it Comes! 🦌🎄❤️🎄🦌
My happy place….

Wishing you all the best of the season 🎄 hoping that you have time to enjoy family, friends, joy and peace.

I put our student show up yesterday at the Ruth Keeler Library in North Salem and it looks wonderful. I am so proud of you all. Please drop by sometime this month to enjoy the show.

Here’s a link to the library for directions: https://www.ruthkeelermemoriallibrary.org/about/directions-hours/

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all ❤️

Art, Art classes, Art Show, botanical art

New session begins next week 🍂🍁🍂

by jizogarden1 Comment on New session begins next week 🍂🍁🍂
Ward Pound Ridge Reserve – oil on paper – 15″ x 5″

Suddenly the days are moving so quickly…the clocks change this weekend, the leaves are flying and Thanksgiving is on it’s way 🙂

We will be having a Student Show at the North Salem Library during the month of December. For those of you who want to participate please bring your work to class the week before Thanksgiving break. 🙂 I hope each of you will bring 1 or 2 paintings ready to hang.

Please check “Classes” for details about the upcoming sessions 🍂🦃🍁

For those of you that don’t know about my new website with a focus on my artwork please go and visit https://www.lauragould.art If you want to hear about any new works or changes on my site please sign up via email for any updates and news 🙂

Art, Art classes, botanical art

Classes begin 🎨🌻🍂🍁☺️

by jizogardenLeave a Comment on Classes begin 🎨🌻🍂🍁☺️

Summer has been good…lots of painting….time at The Cape with Andrew and the dogs. Andrew did lots of gardening this summer and last night we ate our own Delicatta Squash from the garden 🙂 Now Fall is here and time for classes :O) Looking forward to seeing you all!

This last week I created a new website for my artwork. Paintings, Works on Paper and Prints are all available now on http://www.lauragould.art Please go and visit…hope you like it :’)

This website will now be for updates and all things that pertain to classes and workshops..and all things Barking Dog Studio.

Painted at Muscoot Farm this summer

Art

September classes…some changes are coming 😊🎨

by jizogarden11 Comments on September classes…some changes are coming 😊🎨

August is here with the summer heat, thunderstorms, farmers markets, BBQs, travel, family and friends. I’ve been getting lots of painting done and enjoying spending two day weekends with Andrew 🙂 We are kooking forward to returning to Cape Cod in September. I have made a friend on the cape who is also a painter. She knows all the good spots for breaking out the easel so I’m looking forward to seeing her again and painting together. Most of all I look forward to spending time with Andrew, to breakfast on the little deck overlooking the bay, walking the dogs on the beaches, eating lots of lovey fresh seafood and whale spotting. 🐋🦐🐠🌊🐶👫⛱☀️

The next season of classes will be timed a bit differently. Many of you prefer a shorter break in January and some want to continue classes in June. So I have decided to create a new schedule. We will continue with 6 week classes but instead of having a long January break I will divide each 6 week session with a two week break between sessions. Classes will run from the end of September until the end of June. See “Classes” for the new schedule 🙂

The Saturday classes will be held outside as weather allows. The Fall and Spring sessions can bring lots of opportunities for painting the changing seasons :O) As winter sets in we will take the class inside for botanical art 🌱

Class sizes are limited to 6 people. Please sign up early so your are sure to secure a place in the class of your choice.

Painting done while teaching plein air this summer
Back Meadow, Muscoot Farm oil on paper
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Nature Journaling 😊🌿🦋🌸🌱

by jizogardenLeave a Comment on Nature Journaling 😊🌿🦋🌸🌱

Nature journaling will continue through the month of July. We will meet on Thursday mornings from 10-1pm….with rain days on either Wednesday or Friday depending on forecasts ☀️ To be on the email list with weekly details of when and where we will be meeting Please email me at lauragould@mac.com 🙂

If weather cooperates we will be sketching and painting chickens July 11th at Betsy’s home 🤞🤞🤞

Wee painting 2.5×2.5″ painted in Patterson a few weeks ago 🙂