For acrylic painting course that I'm taking just for few wks., but those 3 hrs. each Sunday fly by.

And interestingly, the class is predominantly women, only 2 out of 16 are men. Instructor says she always seems to get this type of gender ratio.

It's a class I finally managed to get in --4 months ago, the same course was filled up with waiting list. This time there is a waiting list.

The instructor, she sets an aggressive pace in providing information, brush stroke exercises....you cannot eat in class because brain and hands need to work.

Never though an art course could make me physically hungry.

Wow, Orchid, congratulations on taking this class. Are you painting on canvas, or objects? My favorite watercolor teacher offers her classes on a Saturday from 10-4. We break 30-45 minutes for lunch, which she provides (her husband cooks.) We have more women than men. The other danger of eating/drinking while painting is dipping your paint loaded brush absentmindedly into the coffee instead of the water container. Happy painting!

Orchid, how wonderful! I envy you that time.

Maybe more women than men had to defer their art dreams for both work and family, and that's why the ratio discrepancy? Don't really know.

Can I try to answer that Meredith? In the classes I take, all the women work, from the county health department doctor, to a class room teacher, to a woman who owns an excavating company (she brings her teenage son...so good to see them together) and the men? I hear that they are engineers more than any other profession. don't know why ...

We're painting on flat surfaces, heavy bond/watercolour paper (cold-pressed paper). Yes, dangers of coffee coloured paint brush water...

Meredith: This course is for any level, because it's meant to be exploratory on principles and also how to work with acrylics and when to use certain mediums or water to achieve certain effects. I barely had time to read the course detailed syllabus that she whipped it out in class..we were bent over our little exercises.

I'm taking it because I've never worked with acrylics before.

I just found my instructor's sample art gallery showing here:

http://www.bau-xi.com/dynamic/artist.asp?ArtistID=199

She's still young...probably in her mid thirties or younger...but knows how to teach art to amateurs.

Course is at an art college ..I'm just taking a non-credit course. I just couldn't hack a credit course at this time of life. Besides I would have to qualify for their program with a portfolio. It's quite seriously competitive to get into their degreed programs.. it is one of 3 art colleges with a solid reputation in CAnada.

I just want quality teaching and encouragement...with decent facilities.

Orchid, this sounds wonderful. I neglect my creative side way too much and an art course sounds marvelous to me. I just started playing with oils last summer and really should take a class or workshop to get me started on the right track. Learning from a book just is not the same.

Enjoy!

I'd love to paint again. I got a new easel and paints for Christmas in 2006 and haven't had the time to get back to it. I painted for 20 years. From 1980 to 2000. I just don't have the time, or the room anymore. I keep saying I am going to find a class, but don't. I studied with two of the best around here at different times. One has long since retired to FL, the other passed away a few years ago. We do have art groups around here, but I hardly even have time for my writing. A structured class is the best way to go. I find that ture with my writing as well. I miss my class. It was unique. But the teacher got re-married, moved into his house in another town and stopped the classes. I have to find another writing group. Those are harder to come by around here.

Orchid, you go girl. Have fun and please post us your painting! I checked out your instructor’s link. What a talented woman, but I got to admit some of her painting themes remind me of my worst nightmares. I know it's a matter of taste, but honestly...would you hang any of these up? Give me a romantic Monet and I'm in heaven.