jesse reno workshop

i took a painting workshop from an 

artist called jesse reno at artfest this year

at fort warden, in port townesend WA.

all i can say is amazing.

he was an interesting teacher, and man can he paint.

but mostly...  boy does he get you thinking about your

paints in a new way (plus he is funny).

anyway i am going to give you a very brief description

of his painting plan.  basically there is no plan, there

is only what is good on the page and you paint

over the rest of it (and you keep doing this) over

and over and over again, until something brilliant

is left.  

this is how you start...  a piece of paper.

red, yellow, blue, white and black paint (only).

no paint brush (just your hand).  and then you just get it down...

get the color on the page with your fingers.

slap it down, smoosh it, DO NOT be careful.  play.

after you get layer 1 of the color down, you look at the mess- 

and then you paint around the spots you like 

(leaving the good behind), and covering up the rest.

clearly i am missing A LOT of photos but...

this is what happened after 4 layers (or so).

(a close up)

i covered up the white, and added in the black spots

on my bugs face and body 

somehow my lady became a bear. 

 i put in some houses

& i wrote in the words "armless and lopsided"

i remember not liking that bear so much, so i put some hills over him

the bear became a house and a dog...  *i lost "armless

and lopsided"  but added in the word capable.

and found myself to be done.  although in hindsight

i probably should have kept on going.

(close up)

you really do just use your hands.

this was one of the most exciting things i have ever done

with paint, and as soon as all these shows are over this summer

i have EVERY intention of getting out my real paints and

going to town.

OH- and if you ever have  the opportunity to take 

a workshop with jesse reno OR go to ARTFEST

do it.  you won't regret it.