I always find it a delight when we "come out of the tunnel" into the spring and have longer days of sunshine. I find it invigorating and am inspired to get out and treasure hunt for new painting subjects, and especially the chance to paint on site. I encourage you to enjoy my beautiful new paintings posted on www.ericwiegardt.com . (The daffodils were painted on site from my mother's buffet.)

A question often asked:
How long does it take you to do a painting?

Several days and 28 years of painting. I first search out an idea, draw plans for it, paint it, then allow three steps of careful refinement before I display it in the gallery.

My San Diego watercolor workshop in February has a waiting list beyond the 24 signed up. I was asked to do another workshop in April. They are full once again with a waiting list. I am so thankful for the enthusiastic artists!

Watching "Eric in Action" was an exhilarating experience for our workshop participants!

Sharon Feingold,
Workshop Director
San Diego Watercolor Society

For more on Eric’s workshops, click here Workshops

Announcements

My first workbook “Essential Design: The Key to Expressive Painting” in the series, “Secrets of Painting”, will be released in May. This self paced workbook will help integrate the essentials to effective design: division of space, value study and a one color value study. This is a must for beginning artists and artists who want to learn the building blocks to beautiful watercolor painting. Also, experienced watercolor artists will gain a new, fresh and practical approach to design. Pre-Release Orders for Essential Design can be placed on my website www.ericwiegardt.com or you may email us at watercolors@ericwiegardt.com or call 360-665-5976.

Scott Milo Gallery is showing my watercolors through May 4 . If you are in the area, please come by see my latest watercolors.

I would like to share with you the joys of traveling. The artist's life is glamour ridden, right?

Thrills of Traveling

My flight from Astoria to the Portland Airport the night before was uneventful other than I was the only one in the plane and the copilot had to go over all the safety instructions for me. I was tempted to ask him to repeat it for me, but thought better as my life was in his hands.

Once arriving in Portland, I snapped off the arm on my eyeglasses. I safely stored the arm in my luggage to be fixed when I arrived in Florida. I woke up at 3:45 to catch my plane in Portland, OR. Our large plane was stuck with icing problems on the east coast, so they gave us a smaller plane. I was lucky to get on as I was one of the last they gave a seat to in the very back next to the toilets where no reclining was possible. Sitting next to a pilot hitching a ride home; I learned about his fascination with the screen that tells how fast we were going, temperature outside, barometric pressure, and our direction. I think watching Laverne and Shirley would be more interesting.

Since the airlines charge now for check-in luggage, more passengers are bringing carry-on, and consequently there is not a whole lot of overhead bin space, especially for the last ones on like me. So under the seat went my backpack. 4 1/2 hours with no leg space makes for a very long flight.

My personal luggage was sent to Monroe, Alabama, rather than Melbourne, Florida. I guess the airlines felt that Monroe is a lot like Melbourne: both have gators. So with my crooked glasses on, I talked to the ticket agent about getting my luggage back. Luckily I brought my carry on art supplies and my portfolio made it.

Thankfully, the very sweet desk clerk at my hotel offered toiletry items, after I told her my dilemma. I gratefully accepted them and then she offered me a comb. Hmmm, I was a little afraid to look in the mirror thinking there must have been a reason for the offer. I was not sure about the women’s deodorant but the desk clerk assured me that the fragrance was not Lilac but Fresh Scent.

Since I was in Florida, imagine my surprise to see snow on palm trees. Evidently they set all kinds of records during my time there. I wonder if they duck hunt down there.

My Demo went well with over 80 people attending. It was a good enthusiastic crowd.

My students did very well, with great enthusiasm. A couple of them seemed to be a little distracted, though. I could see it in their eyes; I imagined they were wondering, "Now how long has he been wearing those clothes?"And "Why does he have his glasses strapped to his head with masking tape? Is this a Northwest fashion statement?" Can you believe anyone would think that way?

Yet there was a happy ending to my trip, I was reunited with my luggage the next day. The workshop and the students were just wonderful, and when I arrived home in Washington, I was surprised to find the weather warmer than Florida

Professionally Yours,
Eric

New Products Coming For Artists:

Virtual Critique by Eric Wiegardt-- Eric’s personal critique will help the artist refine their technique and identify areas needing attention. This is designed for those who desire a long term mentoring relationship with Eric. For more information, contact us at watercolors@ericwiegardt.com or call 360-665-5976.

For Collectors:

Life and Times of the Long Beach Peninsula-- Life and Times will be a series of paintings capturing where I live: this magical place in all its seasons and activities. You will experience month by month, the Life and Times of this little seaside community. This Collection is one of a kind, never to be repeated and will have limited prints released quarterly. To learn more about this exciting new collection, contact us at watercolors@ericwiegardt.com or call 360-665-5976. This Collection officially begins July 2010.

Other Articles Published

We appreciate how many have replied to our request for state locations to add to our email database. If you have not shared the state where you reside, we would appreciate this information to update our database. When an event or workshop is in your area, we would send you a notice so you may participate if so choose. Thank you for your help!