Jill Gustavis

So well written that even though I convinced myself that I couldn’t justify the purchase back in November (since I have a tube of most of the colors, or their comparables already) I’m once again sorely tempted to make an exception! Plus, who wouldn’t want to support such a great artist and wonderful person! 🙂 Bonus, never thought of that…[Read more]

Hi Kim! Yes! I’ve donated 2 pieces each year to the 10 x 10 event the last 2 years. I just saw the event page started up on Facebook, so I’ll be planning to do 2 more this coming year. You don’t have to do 2, but the pieces are easy enough, anything that when framed is 10 inches by 10 inches, or close enough. I’ve been able to order 10 x10 frames…[Read more]

I’m so excited to work on getting to that point of interpretation. I can imagine so many possibilities it’s just getting my actively painting brain to execute them instead of seeing what’s there in front of me on the photo.

Oh cider to be sure! Especially mulled cider! We have a local cultural destination called Hancock Shaker Village (which I also like to paint), you can tour it all year long, but every winter they have special weekends where they (used to at least) make mulled cider and spiced cookies, I’m drooling already. I’m in agreement on passing on the…[Read more]

Yes! My thoughts pretty much on the two. You always word everything so relatable-y Bekki! I thoroughly enjoying having everything I needed for a 3 hour plein air demo at a separate location in the satchel, but found it too clunky for my quick 15min-1hr backyard jaunts, which is where the Slate fits in for me. Oh and vacationing too! I brought it…[Read more]

I love having an Ah-Ha! moment with art technique. Reading that you put the ink detail at the juxtaposition point of light-to-shadow was definitely one of them. I feel like I might done this a handful of times, but between those and the ones I didn’t, I couldn’t put together the words to describe what I did right! Thank you, now I can intently try…[Read more]

Oooo Love it! My husband and I used to write each other notes when we first started dating, as we’ve always had slightly different schedules (I’m up and out early, he’s up late and a night owl), but not as much anymore. the occasional one is now extra special. I exchange mail with a friend or two though, so I guess I do have an excuse to pick up…[Read more]

Thank you for sharing your experience with your first workshop Jessica! It’s especially helpful to read about how other artists are feeling out new things as well, and how they react to, reflect on, and grow from that experience. I’m going to keep your perspective on new experiences in mind during the next few weeks. Instead piling on…[Read more]

Oh I love guac! I’d actually never had it before I met my husband, but now I’m entrusted with the honor of guac maker for any party we throw. Love your avocados here, since anyone who’s ever tried to make guac with an unripe avocado knows, they’re the most important part!

Of course, no worries! I have Reynauds (circulation disorder) so I don’t do much plein air myself once the temps go below 65 or so. I’ll save the Doodlewash emails from our convo in a separate folder so I can find them next spring. I know the family agreement situation myself, my parents and husband say everything “looks good!” lol. I tend to use…[Read more]

Hi Kim! Yes, we are in the same area! I’m actually from Pittsfield originally, and still work on West Housatonic Street. We should get together sometime and paint, or even just chat paint, if you wanted. (no pressure, lol) I’ve actually haven’t yet brought my paints to Naumkeag (I’ve been a bit shy in the past on how public my plein air outings…[Read more]

Thank you for sharing! Your story is only too familiar! Especially the part where I did graphic design for a few years thinking the inbetween-ness of it would work the miracle of making a “professional” job fun. lol. I’ve yet to make my personal art my full-time job, but I did fall into a full time job the past few years doing illustration and…[Read more]

Beautiful! I love how the scene is represented in full and how you choose what to accentuate with detail, just captivating!

I definitely had some frustration at the beginning, mostly since I like to paint detail, and that’s just not always possible plein air. I’ve come to accept and even embrace that my plein air style is not the same style as my studio paintings. The two are clearly relatives, but resemble each other more like siblings or cousins than twins. I find…[Read more]