On "Doing What You Are Told"

Recently, Bill gave a two day workshop on "Getting to Know Acrylics" and I took the workshop. The caveat to taking the workshop was that I 'did everything I was told' in the class. For any of you that know me, you will understand how difficult that is for me. Bill, being Bill, knew that this would take a concerted effort on my part, but I agreed nonetheless.

I am not a painter. I can not draw or better put, I can not draw anything easily and in my entire lifetime there are maybe a handful of things I can look at that don't cause me embarrassment. I see wonderful things in my mind...I see them as 3D sculptural things, but somewhere from mind to hand to paper they are totally distorted by a motor skill that I can not master.

The class had other artists (those that could paint) and I was the only one without the experience.... and it didn't matter! I left that first day completely satisfied with what I had accomplished so far and looked forward to coming back for the second day. Bill has real skill at teaching. He also has incredible patience.

In this case... pictures will definitely speak better than words.

Here is the photograph Bill took that we were using to paint from.
Here is Bill's painting (which he did along with the class)

and here is mine.

Watching my painting develop on the canvas wasn't the only thrill. I also found that I actually began to understand a concept of painting that I really hadn't thought that much about...The concept that I wasn't painting an object, but that I was painting what makes that object.

Sometimes good things really do come out of 'doing what you are told'.

For anyone that is interested, Bill will be giving a one-day class on November 16, 2010 on "Getting To Know Acrylics". More information can be found here: Workshops/Classes

Four New Pieces by WB Eckert

Please take a peek at the four new pieces by WB Eckert. These pieces are for sale.

WB Eckert Studio

A Brief Pause to Mention...........

"Whisper Flight"© 2009 WB Eckert
15x30
Acrylic on Canvas

Today is my birthday. Another year has come and gone and I am still here. I am here, healthy and still creative. I am here, happy and still content.

My husband painted a painting for me. He surprised me and made me incredibly happy. This is my very own...just for me........all mine. I love my husband.

A Man of Many Talents

My husband .....I want to blog about him...........

recently he has been on a journey with his own art. Though he has been a painter (and photographer) for many many years, he is just now learning to 'just paint'. He and I work very differently. It is one of the things that attracts us so greatly to each other.

We admire each others work, but i believe we also admire how each of us works. I use 'seat of the pants' technology and he actually, really knows what he is doing. I jump with both feet and grab everything that is near me on the way in. He plans, decides, utilizes and then commences action. I turn the container over and sprinkle the spice, he will use a measuring spoon. Understand?

We have both learned so much from each other. I've learned to temper my running amuck, somewhat. He has learned to take leaps of faith. This is what comes from his 'just painting' for painting sake.

"Birds Before the Storm" (Acrylic on Canvas)

Please take a peek at some of his work, AND LEAVE SOME COMMENTS. I am sure it would feel very good to him to know that people have thoughts about the things he does.

• Some of his paintings can be seen here: WBEckertStudio.SmugMug.com

• Some of his photography, painting and blog writings (which in themselves are a key to this man) can be seen here: WBEckertStudio.blogspot.com