Before I talk about Joyce - be sure to read to the bottom of this for a "sneak preview" of a summer promotion - and why!

Now - let me introduce you to Joyce Paissano-Chapman, one of my students at the recent workshop.  I just love this photo of Joyce!  For one thing - it captures that gleam in her eye and her wonderful smile!  Another thing that's great - she has paint on her cheek - like she always does!  That also captures Joyce's spirit.  We tease her all the time about having paint all over her and I don't think she minds that teasing.  She's pretty good about getting the paint to the canvas, too.  This little palm tree is so good - lots of shading in the water, the fluffy clouds behind the tree, which has her own spin to it.  Joyce is developing a style that reminds me a little of Renoir with her soft brush strokes.  This painting is a little bolder than most.  Don't miss the little sanddollar on the beach.  Very clever, Joyce!  She added that after the workshop and I think it's a nice touch.  Joyce has gotten a lot braver with her painting since I left Bakersfield about 1.5 years ago.  That's because she's put in a lot of brush miles since then.  She's very dedicated to her art and she's doing great.

Okay - here's the sneak preview of a summer promotion.  I will advertise this after an art show on July 5 at The Elms Resort in Excelsior Springs, Mo - the 2nd Annual Missouri Wine and Art Festival.  But actually the "special deal" is already available - no charge for shipping and handling and no sales tax in Kansas (I'll pay the tax myself).   Those reading my blog get the first opportunity to buy at this special rate.  Why?  To celebrate my "new" studio - and to thank you for your support!  I'm just thrilled to have a studio - for a while.  I'm sharing with a woman through the end of September to help with her lease.  Sometimes I think I'm nuts - I drive 20 minutes to get to an old rundown building in an old semi-abandoned, rundown part of town and walk up 5 flights of stairs to paint in an un-airconditioned building ?????  Artists are very strange creatures in some ways.  The creative juices really get going down there around so many other artists in the building!!!  I'll write more about it later.  Please be aware that you can get this special deal on art purchases NOW. 

Tomorrow I'm off to Texas to celebrate the life of a very dear friend - Jan Sloan - from high school and college days and over the years since then.  She lost her 12 year battle to cancer last month.  She was a total inspiration to many for how to approach life - all aspects of it.  I'll see many friends from my high school and college days - and Jan's special family.  I learned that Jan had died the night after my art show in California.  So sad.  Enjoy your days here while you can.

Let's end this with a look back at that wild and crazy Joyce!  She has a beautiful zest for life - and her paintings reflect that!!  Good job, Joyce -