It's an honor. But it's not easy.

I am honored to have been asked to jury Gallery North’s 2017 Beauty of the Northwest Show in Edmonds, Washington, featuring paintings and drawings depicting scenes and subjects representing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

This is Gallery North's eighth annual invitational Beauty of the Northwest Show. The art exhibit will be on display from September 1-30.

Being a juror is a daunting task. There are always some pieces that really stand out, but in the end a juror has to narrow down the award winning pieces. Being a juror has helped me, as an artist, when I don't get accepted. It's helped me understand that despite brushwork, composition, design, good values, a good story, in the end, it is a judgement call. (And it can be a little thing that tips the scale one way or the other.) So when you or I have work that doesn't win an award, or doesn't even get chosen for the exhibit, we need to dust ourselves off, and try again.

I have a good friend who is an excellent watercolorist. She called me in frustration one day, after the second rejection letter for a painting she thought was quite strong. I saw the painting. It was a great watercolor. But in her haze of rejection, she contemplated giving up painting, thinking that maybe she was past her prime. I encouraged her to submit that same piece to an upcoming national show. Reluctantly, she agreed. A few weeks later she was happy to tell me that, not only did it get accepted. It won an award! 

All this to say, that this jurying business is always subjective in the end. It's not easy for artists to feel the sting of rejection but it's not easy for the juror to make their decisions either. So keep painting and keep entering those exhibits!

The Artist's Reception for Beauty of the Northwest is on September 9th, from 1pm - 4pm. The Awards Ceremony is at 2pm. I'll be there and you're invited!!

About Gallery North: In operation for more than 50 years, Gallery North is one of the longest running artist-cooperative galleries in the nation. It continues its mission to promote and sell local art in the heart of downtown Edmonds. Open 7 days a week, Gallery North is located at 401 Main Street, Edmonds, WA. For further information, please visit the Galley North website at www.GalleryNorthEdmonds.com or contact Gallery North at 425-774-0946.

Insurance. You're welcome.

As I have been working on opening Cloud 9 Art School (lifelong dream!), I’ve had the luxury of buying studio furniture, art supplies, art books, props for drawing and painting, all those things artists long to have! What a joy! I see some great prop or table and think…. should I get it?… and then I remember…. “it’s for the school!” and in the cart it goes!

There have also been those practical purchases which are not as fun but necessary. Rolls and rolls of paper towels, cleaning supplies, business cards. And insurance. These are adult things. The most adult thing of all: insurance. Not real motivating, right? Something you buy hoping to never use.

Yet, we have all heard the cautionary tales about someone who did not buy insurance and lost everything to an unforeseen event (cough cough Bothell’s fire on Main Street which burned down numerous businesses in 2016). So yes, if you have your own business, get that business insurance! 

But what if you don’t own a business? What if you are an independent contractor, teaching at various locations; do you still need insurance?

As it turns out, yes, yes you do.

You need liability insurance. That’s what covers you from claims from one of your students getting hurt in your class or damaging property at a school where you are teaching. Yep, better get that.

Though it may not be something that you have considered as an independent teaching artist, general liability insurance is an important professional asset. While a school will likely have some resources at its disposal should a legal situation arise, for the individual teacher who is not an employee, there is little more than your savings account standing between you and an insurance claim.

So many professions require expensive certifications and licenses and legally also require individual liability insurance. Teaching artists don’t have the expenses of certifications or licenses. We have it good! Liability insurance costs about $400/year. That’s about $35/month. Set yourself up right.

Most schools and venues will not include you in their liability insurance coverage: most will require that you show a certificate of insurance with them listed as additional insured as proof of your own coverage. Even if no one is currently requesting that you carry this insurance, it is an incredibly valuable thing to have: spending $400 on a policy now is much better than a $400,000 claim in the future. 

Carrying insurance will also open up your options for teaching in more places: you'll never have to say no to an opportunity again because of your lack of insurance coverage.

Many policies will not only cover you and your students. They will cover your art supplies, property, and sometimes even your artwork should anything get damaged or stolen.

Consult an insurance broker to determine what types of insurance you need. These may include: 

Property: Covers fire and other loss to buildings, building contents, inventory and home-based businesses. Add-ons such as business interruption insurance can expand this coverage. 

Liability: Covers bodily injury and property damage to others caused by accidents. 

Motor Vehicle: Covers bodily injury and property damage resulting from the business use of your motor vehicles, such as if an employee drives a company van to make deliveries. 

Umbrella Liability: Provides additional liability insurance above the limits in your basic automobile and general liability policies. 

Worker’s Compensation: Covers injuries, death and loss of wages to workers injured on the job, including the owner, and protects you against employee lawsuits for damages. 

Health: If you don’t have health insurance, you need to look into private health insurance options before going into business for yourself.

Life: Many business partners buy “key man” life insurance on the partners in the business. If one owner dies, the proceeds enable the surviving partners to buy his or her share from the heirs. 

Be a professional. Get insurance. Then go back to shopping for the fun stuff!

Cloud 9 in the Woodinville Weekly!

So thrilled to see an article in the Woodinville Weekly about Cloud 9 opening. Yesss!

Thank you Woodinville Weekly! The school is giddy!

Cloud 9 Art School Class Catalog for the Fall!

So thrilled to share the catalog of classes we will offer at the new art school, Cloud 9. By clicking here you will be able to see, download, print and share our catalog. Please do!

Come learn, explore, have fun, and be inspired.

Cloud 9 Art School   18414 103rd Ave NE   Bothell Wa 98011.

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Art by young artists

I taught two watercolor summer camps last week. I had students from all over the world (Washington, California, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Ivory Coast and China!) ages 8 through 15. It was an inspiring mix of ideas, humor, creativity and friendships.

Hard to believe I can get away with calling this joyful endeavor a job. Best. Gig. Ever.

Here are some of their gorgeous paintings.

Thank you to all the young artists who added so much color to my days!

I'm not rushing summer, but here are my Fall art classes for kids & teens!

For more classes for artists, age 2 on up, please visit Cloud 9’s website at

 www.cloud9artschool.com. 

We offer many classes by various instructors for all age groups. 

Come learn, explore, have fun, and be inspired.

I'm not rushing summer, but here are my Fall art classes for adults!

For more classes for artists, age 2 on up, please visit Cloud 9’s website at

 www.cloud9artschool.com. 

We offer many classes by various instructors for all age groups. 

Come learn, explore, have fun, and be inspired.

Choosing the best drawing board (for you)

If you've ever shopped for art supplies, you know how overwhelming it can be to find the tools that are just right for you. There are so many options, so many brands, so many price points...

I was thrilled to recently come across this article on How to Find the Best Drawing Board for You. Informative, thorough and in no way connected to any of the brands: just a blog with a passion for art and design. Yes please!

Sketching in Edinburgh

One of my biggest joys is discovering a place for the first time. This summer, that place was Edinburgh. I had never been to Scotland before and I did fall in love with it. So much beauty everywhere. And history. And atmosphere. Swoon....

We stayed at the beautiful and humbling Royal Scots Club, founded in 1919 as a tribute to those who fell in The Great War.

The view from our bedroom window. Heaven.

There was so much to do, to see, to take in... The Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace... and everything in-between.

The Royal Botanic Garden was a peak experience. We were happy to spend the better part of a day there.

There were culinary adventures as well. After all, it is Scotland!

Thank you for the love Scotland. You have a place in my heart!

Dreams do come true... Cloud 9 Art School is mine!

But you have to push them uphill first!

Facebook recently showed me a memory from six years ago. In that post I announced that I was teaching my first art classes. I was so nervous!

It was at a consignment store in Kenmore full of used furniture and bric-a-brac. They were closed on Sundays and were therefore willing to let me teach in the shop. I had three people sign up. I had no idea of how to develop this into my dream career, a full time teaching artist.

Wow, that was just 6 years ago. Seems like a life time ago. I’ve come a long way since that in six years. I teach at community colleges and several art schools, I’ve had literally hundreds of students, the majority of which have become dear friends. I’ve take students to Italy, France and England every year.

And now I’m opening up my own school. Wow. Just wow!

The school is Cloud 9 Art School, located in Bothell. Located in a lovely house at 18414 103rd Ave NE in Bothell, we will open our doors in September.

I have a line up of exciting teachers, all professional artists, who will bring their passion, encouragement, and expertise to their students at Cloud 9.

We will offer workshops, ongoing classes, cultural events, and travel adventures to inspire joy and creativity.

Our initial line up includes art and mindfulness classes for preschoolers, kids, teens and adults! The current schedule features classes on drawing, sketch booking, watercolors, acrylics and jewelry making. We will continue to add new classes and workshops for a variety of media and we will offer an exciting line up of visiting instructors as well. Stay tuned!

We are a joyful community focused on creativity  and discovering our world. Cloud 9 Art School is committed to being a place where children, teens and adults find inspiration, learn, and have fun in a relaxed, professional studio environment.

I'm thrilled! You could say, I'm on Cloud 9!

Sketching in Bath

For the second part of our sketchbook workshop, we traveled to Bath. 

Bath is gorgeous. Every little square presents amazing architecture, cafes, musicians, shopping and sketching opportunities everywhere.

A walking tour with the well versed Jack Smith.

Great food, wine, friends and sketching. A fashion museum and an evening at a spa! Bath was a slice of heaven. 

Our workshop went by way too quickly. On our last day together, many people set off for more adventures across Europe. Some returned home. Thank you to all of you who have shared the journey with me.

Dave and I are continuing, on to Scotland. More discoveries and sketches to come!

The world is full of magic. In my travel sketchbooks I try to capture some of that joy. Happy travels to you all.

Sketching in London

Our sketchbook workshop started off in London. Great group, great city, great weather. Fantastic week!

Sketching in Trafalgar Square, at the Tower of London, the Natural History Museum and Westminster Abbey.

In addition to sketching, we explored London by tour bus, by foot, by boat and by the Underground. We ate in various neighborhoods, created brass rubbings at St.-Martin-in-the-Fields, went drinking and shopping. We formed friendships and filled sketchbooks.

There is no better way to travel. Thank you friends.

It's just around the corner, adventure!

In a few days Dave and I will get on a plane for London where we will meet up with a dozen adventurous students and friends for a sketchbook workshop through London and Bath. In preparation, I created two maps in my sketchbook.

Lately it's been a flurry of emails between those of us going: restaurant recommendations and walking tours and best London and Bath apps. We've exchanged packing tips, weather forecasts, and travel dreams for future trips. So many things I love coming together: travel, sketching, friends!

I am often asked, what is the big difference between photographing a trip and sketching it. Carrying my camera comes naturally to me and I’ve taken thousands of travel photos throughout the years. 

I would return from trips with 100s of photographs but not a lot of vivid memories of what was actually going on when I was taking those photos. I came home with a blur of images and a blur of memories. 

In 2004 I decided to leave my camera at home and travel with a set of art supplies instead. I found that I collected napkins, museum tickets, names of streets, and all manner of details along the way to include in my sketchbook. Details I had not paid much attention to on previous trips. 

At first I worried that I would be slowing down my traveling companions with my collecting and observing and sketching. But pretty soon, family and friends joined in on this new way of exploring what was around us. We started to pay much more attention to everything: the receipts left on tables, train schedules, windows, sounds, people. The textures of traveling. 

This business of sketching also gives me a slowed down experience with a deeper sense of place. When I go back through my travel sketchbooks, even many years later, each page brings back lively memories of who was with me, what we were doing, even what we were talking about or listening to at that time.

I feel so in love with this way of traveling that I started inviting others to join me for the joyful experience. I have been taking students, who all become good friends, for years now. There is no better way to explore the world!

Sketching fixes my experiences in my mind. 

So to me the difference between photographing a trip and sketching it is that drawing pushes me to notice details and understand more deeply. Sketching reveals a lot of things I wouldn’t notice with a simple glance or with a snapshot. 

Some of the people who join me are completely new to sketching, while others are professional artists who want to travel with other artists or who want to learn to travel with a sketchbook. 

My hope for participants in my travel workshops around the world is that sketching becomes an exciting way to record their experiences.  A sketchbook can have many roles in an artist’s practice but in traveling, it becomes a great place to observe, annotate, explore, and reflect. 

Most of all I hope it becomes a joyful way to record one’s world. 

We are leaving soon. I am brimming with anticipation. Adventure awaits!

On my nightstand: The Natural Way to Paint: Rendering the Figure in Watercolor Simply and Beautifully

I just finished working my way through The Natural Way to Paint by my biggest art crush ever, Charles Reid.

This book is full of sketches and paintings Charles has done over the decades. The images are accompanied by explanations of techniques and his opinions about art, all written in a conversational style. The book has an inspiring, genuine voice. Although not for beginners, this book is a wonderful approach to perhaps the most challenging of subjects for visual artists - the human face and figure.

Below are images of some watercolor paintings and studies by Charles Reid.

Swoon...

The spontaneity and lightness of this work is magical.

While reading The Natural Way to Paint, I tried to recreate some of his sketches in my own sketchbook. This is the only way I know to really try to understand an artist's techniques and philosophy. After trying my hand with Reid's exercises, I drew and painted from my own images, applying what I learned.

Here are some of the pages from my sketchbook.

Charles Reid is a master watercolorist and I had the honor of interviewing him a few years ago. If you would like to read that interview, you can find it here.

A Writers' Workshop in Italy!

As a partner of World Tours Studio, I'm excited to tell you about the latest workshop being offered by WTS!

Pots and Pens, A Travel Adventure for Writers, Foodies & Bon Vivants
September 17 - 27, 2017

Ready to travel to Northern Italy and take in ten days at the gorgeous Villa Sogara on the outskirts of Verona? Writing workshops, cooking classes, wine and beer tastings and beauty everywhere. Come join us! 

With plenty of both group activities and time to explore on your own, this adventure includes:

Accommodations for ten nights at Villa Sogara
Double room with shared bathrooms
Free wi-fi
Linens and towels
Daily cleaning of the rooms
Access to private pool        
Use of Conference Room space at the Villa
Exclusive use of the kitchen at the Villa
Access to washer & dryer
Breakfast at the Villa everyday
Welcome Dinner at the Villa on arrival day
Farewell Dinner
Daily lectures and seminars on writing with Kate Cone and Patrick Brancaccio
4 Cooking Classes (2 lunches and 2 dinners) 
Historical walking tour of Verona
Visit to an olive oil mill and olive oil tasting
Beer tasting at a local venue
Visit to a local wine producer and wine tasting and
Day trip to Venice:
Round trip by train
Ferry pass in Venice
Private chartered bus to take the group to the activities
Shuttle Service from the Villa in Marcellise to Verona downtown roundtrip  – 4 days 

Pots and Pens is for writers of all genres and abilities. This unique immersion in the food, drink and culture of the Veneto region of Italy provides luscious opportunities for travel writers, memoirists, essayists, fiction, narrative non-fiction writers and food bloggers to record your daily sensory delights in your genre of choice. We will use brief writing exercises like free-writing and journaling in morning sessions. The food, drink and day trips and tastings will enrich your writing with a sense of place. 

Cost for this inspiring adventure is 1865€ (approximately $2050 with the current exchange rate) plus airfare (round trip from your departure city to Verona) and meals not listed above. 

For more information or to register please contact Kay Scettro, at studyabroad@inlinguaverona.it or Charlene Collins Freeman at charlene.freeman@me.com. To reserve your spot request the registration form from Kay. A 500€ non-refundable fee by July 15th. The balance will be due by August 15th.  

Space is limited. Don’t wait to register! www.worldtoursstudio.com/tours/pots-and-pens-tour/

Click on the below photograph of Verona for a two minute video of this city. Prepare to fall in love.

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Call to Artists: Beauty of the Northwest

I'm honored to have been asked to jury Gallery North’s 2017 Beauty of the Northwest Show. Below is their invitation to participate so if you are an artist, consider submitting your work to this great show!

Gallery North in Edmonds announces the opening of registration for its eighth annual invitational Beauty of the Northwest Show. This eagerly anticipated art exhibit will be on display from September 1-30. Last year’s exhibit featured the work of 45 artists. Gallery North invites artists to enter their paintings or drawings depicting scenes or subjects representing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Accepted artwork will be on display and available for sale at Gallery North during the month of September. Each artist may enter up to two pieces. Artwork will be juried for acceptance by a panel and the selected work will be juried for awards by this year’s guest juror Charlene Collins Freeman. 

Charlene Collins Freeman is an award-winning artist who has exhibited her artwork in many national and international competitions. She is a signature member of the Northwest Watercolor Society and a Member of Women Painters of Washington. Her work has been featured in several highly-regarded art publications. Charlene teaches drawing, painting, and sketching classes locally. The artist also leads art workshops around the world through World Tours Studio. 

Artists may register for the 2017 Beauty of the Northwest Show through the Gallery North website from June 15 to August 10. However, to have their work considered for the 2017 Beauty of the Northwest poster, artists must submit their work on or before July 9. For the prospectus, details about online registration, or other information about the show, please visit the Gallery North website at www.GalleryNorthEdmonds.com.

About Gallery North: In operation for more than 50 years, Gallery North is one of the longest running artist-cooperative galleries in the nation. It continues its mission to promote and sell local art in the heart of downtown Edmonds. Open 7 days a week, Gallery North is located at 401 Main Street, Edmonds, WA. For further information, please visit the Galley North website at www.GalleryNorthEdmonds.com or contact Gallery North at 425-774-0946.

Oh that inner critic...

One of the most common challenges we all face is our fear of making mistakes. Creative mistakes in particular seem to really inspire our inner critic. I find that in my art classes, whether I'm teaching 9 year olds or octogenarians, the most important discussions have less to do with technique and supplies, and more to do with embracing our creativity, missteps and all.

As an art teacher, my biggest job is to encourage people to believe in their creative possibilities and expand their experience in the arts. I believe that beyond learning techniques, it is through art and play that we establish connections to different areas in our lives and that we are better able to understand and appreciate the world around us. These are lofty goals and to get there, we have to be willing to endure a lot of bad art that we will inevitably create along the way.

My job is to encourage people to believe in their creative potential and processes. I believe that people can transform their lives through acts of creativity and yet most of us have doubts and fears about our creative abilities. The fear students express is disproportionate to the task at hand, as I jokingly point out "It's just a piece of paper." But yes, it is so much more, too.

And no matter what, none of us will ever get to a place where every artistic effort will result in a gorgeous piece of art. But the more important truth is that it is still safe to follow your creative dreams. In art class, we learn to see, to paint, to draw, to make creative decisions... but what I really hope we learn is how to be loving to ourselves and to others, to nurture our unfolding, to encourage growth, understand fears, and understand our connectedness.

We all create pieces we want to rip out of our sketchbooks, paintings we want to burn, poems we will deny having written. Creating bad art is part of the process. Making mistakes is inevitable. So go make some glorious ones. High five whoever you're sitting next to when your art goes bad. Exclaim "Isn't that fascinating!" And then get back to work.

Be kinder to yourself and be kinder to your artwork. I know it's hard, but try. Keep showing up for yourself and keep responding to your creative yearnings. 

Why I love teaching art

When I decided to quit my corporate job and dive into fine art as a full time job, it was no small decision. No small step. I was crossing over from a predictable job description with office hours and full benefits into the unknown.

One thing that is scary about working as an artist is that the path is different for most of us. The career paths of doctors, engineers, real estate agents, seem to have a checklist of steps to grow the career. For fine artists, the path needs to be carved out by each artist. I decided that in addition to having a studio practice and selling my artwork, I would teach art to help keep the studio lights on, so to speak. Even the most successful artists I know supplement their studio art with other work, often with a teaching job. I wasn't sure what to expect from a career in teaching. I decided I would initially offer classes for all ages and see what I learned along the way.

This is what I learned:

1. The look on the face of students when they understand a concept or technique that really speaks to them is extremely gratifying. I feel like we are on a magical journey together!

2. Creating is scary and what students need to hear more than theory and technical tips is that they are artists. Regardless of what a third grade teacher might have said or a skeptical parent may have instilled, we are all artists.

3. That I learn as much from my students as I teach them. I have met amazing people in my classes.

4. That through the act of creating together, we bound in soulful, significant ways. The friendships I form in my art classes are some of the most relationships in my life.

5. That when we spend a lot of time together, such as on my international travel workshops, we are like family in all the best ways and we are an inspiration to each other as artists and as human beings.

5. That creating a safe environment to learn, explore, and create is important: a life mission.

6. That both my young art students and adults are delighted by what they create and that in turn gives me immeasurable joy.

7. That when my students ask me to teach courses I haven't thought of yet, I am pushed to be a better teacher and a far better artist by delivering.

8. That watching the passion in my students grow, fuels my own artistic practice.

9. That teaching creates an art tribe that all artists need in order to thrive. Creating art can be a very solitary journey and it is essential to have a tribe of like minded individuals to share time with, create together, and care about.

10. That I love teaching. That it has given me so much more than financial security. That I have the best job in the world. 

Thank you to all my students, All of them. Those who have signed up for one course and those who sign up for everything I ever offer. You have all made me a better artist and a better human being. Thank you!

The best lessons learned

I recently asked artists about the most valuable lessons they have learned regarding making art or about being artists. Specifically I wanted to learn what other artists consider to be the most valuable insights, whether they learned it in books, art school, from other artists or on their own own.

I received hundreds of responses. Here are some of my favorite gems that artists in all fields generously shared.

Make art, lots of it. Good or bad, it's always a learning experience. ~Susan Rhodes

Learn from others, but make what you create your own. Find a teacher who leads not directs. Don't over plan ... let it evolve. For me, often the most creative outcomes are the result of not planning the outcome. Create daily. ~Jann Glisson

Work through failures and criticism never giving up, believe in yourself. Realize that all art is unique and we won't be like anyone else. ~Suzanne Raudsep

~Abby Taylor

All of my art, all of it, could be captioned, "Hey, look what I was just staring at!" It is totally and truly about my experience of looking, looking, and looking some more. No thinking. No problem solving. No struggle. I use a limited palette which I have used for years. I use paper and brushes which are also old friends. Now I am simply full of gratitude for eyesight, the only tool that still mystifies me. ~Bobbie Herron

The most valuable thing I learned was from a book my Calligraphy teacher gave me called "Zen and the Art of Archery." It maintains one doesn't become good at anything ( including art) unless one practices every day for a minimum of 10 years! ~Martha Bredwell

I used to tear up and destroy my art when I was done with it if I wasn't 100% satisfied. I had a very dear teacher and mentor tell me that I shouldn't destroy my art, I should keep it to look back on and see how much I have grown as an artist. I have done that since. Now I can look back and laugh at my past mistakes and smile at how much I have improved. It is great to see growth and have a way to measure it. ~Bronwyn Kenna

Become a child again and just do what feels good and don't worry about your inner critic! ~Linda Johnson

An English professor in college taught me two lessons I'll never forget:
1) never assume your answer is the most right, or it will stop you from looking for better answers
2) learn your trade, fine, but walk the world to find your story. ~Ren Cummins

 "Art is in the eye of the beholder." Don't sweat the small stuff. Keep at it. Perfection is impossible. Squint. And enjoy the ride. ~William C. Leek

In art as in all things, there is no such thing as a mistake. It's a learning experience. ~Mickey Galbreth

The imperfections are what make it interesting! ~Sheila Henderson

Find a good teacher and/or support group. Learn technique. Take risks. Don't take yourself too seriously but be kind to yourself. Learn what you love about the art. ~Rhonda Gardner

Don't be afraid to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone. Find your own style. Most of all Have Fun! ~Evelyn Redfield

From calligraphy I learned about design – that is, proportion, balance and how to lay out a page in pleasing ways, as well as paying attention to shapes and line. From sketching and painting I have learned (am still learning!) about truly looking and really seeing. ~Yvonne Frindle

1. Erasing is alright.
2. Don't ever compare your work to another persons work.
3. You have to keep doing it even when you don't feel like it.
4. QUIT BUYING NEW MEDIUMS.
5. People can see when your heart is in your art and when it's not.
6. You will always be learning.
7. Your workspace needs to feel really good.
8. Stop giving your art away and sell it.
9. Keep your goals to a point that they don't overwhelm you and drown you. 
10. Last but not least: You ARE your own worst critic ...by far ... stop listening to that voice that is absolutely negative and destructive. 
Hear constructive and creativeness in your heart. ~Stacy Jenschke

I wasn't a beginner in watercolor when I attended a workshop of Tony van Hasselt. But with him I learned all I needed to know. Composition, tonalité, gradation, balance, depth, dominance, focal point. And planning, always PLANNING. One of his mottos "failing to plan is planning to fail". It was only after this workshop that I really began painting. It was no longer a hit and miss because I knew what to do.  And after that it was practice, practice, practice.......... trying to be a better painter. Now, after so many years, I have arrived at another level. One that I'am not quite comfortable with yet: expressing my feelings. ~Leny Van den Berg

Never underestimate the value of learning from mistakes. It's never too late! Frustrated by parents and school, I'm now having fun at the age of 70. ~Susie Thompson

The most valuable thing I've learned (am still learning) is patience. ~Terry Shepardson

1. Keep learning from wherever you can...you will never know it all
2. Share your knowledge of what you've learnt no matter how small
3. Don't be too controlling with watercolors - allow for space so that it can flow a bit and create it's own interesting details
4. Invest in some good quality paint and get to know it better
5. Challenge, but be very kind to yourself. ~Lorna Pauls

Stop thinking and DO IT! All the reading, studying, taking classes, in the shower ideas are all fine and great...but if you never make the time or prioritize it you will never create anything beyond a thought. And you will never learn practically what works for you and what does not. Do not allow fear of imperfection to stop you! ~Rachel Marlatt Donner

In watercolors, understand and master the paint-to-water ratio. After that, it's all downhill! ~Virgil Carter

Make a list of ten reasons you want to paint. When you are frustrated, read those reasons. Painting helped me develop my right brain which made my whole life and the life of those around me better. Painting outdoors has allowed me to see so much more of what is there... ~Alice Thompson Crapo

- the importance of focusing on improving process rather perfecting the end products
- that expensive tools and materials are not a short cut to good art - it takes time, patience, forgiveness and lots of mistakes
- how to tap into your mood, subconscious and feelings to express yourself through media
- expressing movement in still life compositions
- how the picture extends beyone the frame rather than being confined by its borders (think: Anthony Green)
- the importance of broad, bold strokes in sketching
- how to ruin a good drawing by trying too hard
- using the right media for the composition
- the rules, examples of how they are broken by art masters but also how they have chosen to adhere to at least one to keep the image appealing
- the rules that have to be broken in order for the image to make sense
- understanding physics and geometry in art  ~Joshua Rainbird

Learn to say "thank you" when people compliment your artwork. Do not compare your work to others. Be bold. Use more paint. It's only water. It's only paper. Enjoy, enjoy, ENJOY!!! ~Berdine Bagger

Sometimes you need to ' switch off ' when you paint and let it just do it's thing ... it's never too late to start and also never too early to start. ~Maureen King

I switch off; it's fun to find myself in another world with no worries. It's great 'distraction' therapy. ~Susie Thompson

Any art form, be it drawing or dance or music, improves your ability to observe. The more we work the better we become. In case of visual arts our eyes become better in obeserving details, in music, our ears or throats do. But by practice we become better artists. ~Nirmal Sharma

NEVER throw any paintings away. Keep them and revisit them later. The "fix" or finish often comes to you when you look with fresh eyes. ~Shoey Shoemaker

From a quilting class I learned not to think too much - just do. Don't worry about doing it right. Just do it. ~Susan Alderson

From blind contour drawing I have learned to draw what I actually see, rather than what I think I ought to be seeing. ~Ali Watson

Studying anatomy, breaking the body down into shapes and drawing loosely. ~Justin Z. Neal

Thank you to all who contributed. These insights have been great to compile. I hope you all enjoy!