Exploring new paths in drawing and paint.

New Zoom classes, this Wednesday and Saturday.

This is one of the first tries of adding markers directly onto my painting as a layer. It’s the beginning of an idea.

This year has taken an unexpected path for me. Traveling most of the year, being away from home for so long, has been different and eye-opening. It’s all good things, and I’m very fortunate, I know. Today I’m sitting in my garden, listening to all the birds chattering, and enjoying a calm morning with no plans. It feels good to have a long day stretched out in front of me. While traveling, each day reveals something thrillingly new and beautiful. But there is no time to reflect.

This is one of the first marker-and-pencil drawings I did in Norway, and it got me so interested in exploring it further.

Traveling is great for my art in a different way than when I’m at home. I draw what I see in front of me; I constantly stop to notice; I take short breaks to record my inspirations. The drawing gives me the moments of quiet I crave.

I got some Zinnias and Snapdragons from the market that were calling to be drawn. On this one I painted the underneath colors with gouache and added details with markers. I like the control I have with a pen.

Same here, paint and marker with a bit of colored pencil to add some more depth.

What I haven’t done much of this year is paint. I don’t enjoy lugging all the tools and the prep; I never have time to do a whole setup and then devote a big chunk of time to painting. I’m ok with this, the drawing is enough for me. Now that I’m home and ready to start up a studio practice again, I want to try something new and continue the momentum I’m on.

This one is 100% markers

I’m leaning towards adding lots of drawing to my painting. It’s a new way of creating for me. I’m not sure where it’s headed, but I’m interested in the circle of creativity. I don’t want an abrupt stop from my quick drawings to working with only paint. I think there is an exciting opportunity for a cool transition. I am going to capitalize on the flow I’ve created, pushing it to new places. On that note, I will be exploring this in our next Zoom class.

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Saturday, July 25th 1-3 ET Hockney Inspired Zoom Class

Every class we teach Gayle Kabaker and I spend time gathering inspiration surrounding the theme we have chosen. We work out multiple ways to tackle the subject, so we can bring a fresh, clear, and understandable lesson for everyone. We also want what we are sharing to be concurrent with what we are currently working on and thinking about. We do this because we love to share our passion for making art and our skills with you.

This is all marker and a crop of what my image might be based on at the class next Saturday.

We both love David Hockney’s work, and in this class, we will look at some of his paintings as a jumping-off point for the lesson. I mentioned above how I have been drawing so much more this year, using markers and pencils. My demo, a landscape, will start in paint, and I’ll share how I mix color in gouache. As I layer up my colors and add detail, I will be drawing over the paint with markers. I’m loving doing this and excited to share a new technique with you! Gayle will be working in acrylagoauche and paint a scene with water in a pool.

Field from our painting table at the Portugal retreat. Paint and marker

This class is for all levels and is donation-based. The recording will be yours to keep forever. The Zoom link and reference will be sent starting a few days before class.

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Wednesday, July 22nd at 6pm ED

I’ve been using markers, pencils, and oil pastels for my short portraits. I can switch colors very easily.

We are offering a new Zoom portrait class, 1 song, 1 drawing. We know we had an issue with the link at the last class, and we are so sorry about that. We have corrected the problem and are giving everyone another chance to participate. We hope you can join us; it's a super fun hour of drawing, no pressure. We will stay on after to chat. If you have any questions about the upcoming Hockney-inspired Zoom class or travelling with us on a workshop, we are there to talk.

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France Workshop Retreat. June 1-8 2027

This is the lovely house we looked at every day from where we painted at the France venue in 2022.

We can’t wait to go back to this beautiful venue where Gayle Kabaker and I started it all. This was our very first Uptrek retreat, and we loved it so much. The hosts are lovely, the landscape gorgeous, and the entire week a dream. We will guide you through keeping a travel sketchbook and advancing your painting and drawing skills from the level you are at now.

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We do have a fun Patreon where you can get to know us more, behind the scenes, tutorials and live meets which are so enjoyable!

Hope to see you soon,

xxxJennifer