Rejection Isn't Failure

Rejection in the art world comes with its share of hurts. Is it because we pour ourselves out on the paper? Is it our desire for personal success, stature in the art world, approval of our peers, financial gain..? 

I've been rejected oddles of times times.The opinion of a select few matter...the others don't carry the same weight.  Does it still sting...you bet ya. The only difference is the sting only last for 3 seconds. It use to last a week or more. 

Don't let the opinion of others effect what you do. And stay away from people who discourage or belittle you. Get up, dust yourself off and get on with living and painting. Being creative makes us feel complete!

I don't know why, but something told me "you" needed to hear this.

Sending a big hug,

Brenda

Watercolor Workshops

My workshop schedule for 2017 is here. I have Studio (indoors) and Plein-Air (outdoors) workshops across the US and abroad. I've added more plein air sketching workshops with fun destinations: San Francisco, Costa Brava-Barcelona and Santa Fe!  I love to teach and my line up of workshops have something to tempt most everyone.

I've included websites and contact information for each workshop. If you need additional help I can be contact at SwensonsArt@gmail(dot)com. 
The (dot) to avoid nasty scammers.

Happy Painting!
Brenda

January 9-11, 2017 

Illustrated Journal with Watercolor

3-Day Workshop

the STUDIO, South Pasadena, CA 

Contact Brenda: SwensonsArt@gmail(dot)com

February 6-8, 2017

Sketching Techniques with Watercolor

3-Day Workshop

the STUDIO, South Pasadena, CA

Contact Brenda: SwensonsArt@gmail(dot)com

March 16-18, 2017

Negative Painting

3-Day Workshop

Mid-Valley Arts League, Arcadia, CA

Website

Contact: Ike  mikeda1812@gmail.com 
(626) 332-7782

April 5-10, 2017

San Francisco & Sonoma

Plein Air Sketching
French Escapade

Trip Details

Website

Contact: Jackie contact@frenchescapade.com

May 15-22, 2017
May 23-30, 2017 New Date Added

Costa Brava & Barcelona Spain

7-Day Workshop
French Escapade

Workshop Details
Website
Contact: Jackie contact@frenchescapade.com

June 23-25, 2017

Illustrated Journal with Watercolor

3-Day Workshop

San Diego Watercolor Society

Workshop Details 

Contact: Mary maryandjay1950@att.net

July 10-12, 2017

Negative Painting with Watercolor

3-Day Workshop

the STUDIO, South Pasadena, CA

Contact Brenda: SwensonsArt@gmail(dot)com

August 7-11, 2017

Illustrated Journal with Watercolor

5-Day Workshop

Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff 

Boone, NC
Workshop Details

Contact: Edwina edwina@cheapjoes.com
(800) 227-2788 ext. 1123 

September 15-17,  2017

Negative Painting with Watercolor

3-Day Workshop

California Watercolor Workshops

Folsom, CA

Website

Contact: Barbara 916-698-9153

cawatercolorworkshop@comcast.net

October 2-7, 2017

Sketching Santa Fe, NM

4-Day Plein Air Workshop

Flying Colors Art Workshops

Workshop Details

Contact: Cris Weatherby flyingcolorsart@me.com 
858-518-0949

Sketchbooks: Size, Paper, Cover & Binding

I'm often asked about my sketchbooks. Do people ask because I'm a teacher, someone they trust or because they like my artwork?  Why do I prefer one brand or kind over another? I've tried a lot of different books in the last 25 years. It all comes down to paper, size, quality, cover and binding. Time is the greatest teacher in learning what fits my needs. What feels comfortable to each of us differs greatly. I've come to my sketchbook choices over time through experience (trial and error). Today I generally use two different kinds of sketchbooks.

Sketchbook #1: A 10x11 inch sketchbook I make and assorted papers (140 lb watercolor and pastel papers) and spiral bound. To learn more read this Here. I like having an assortment of papers that I can select from in one book. I have a tendency to take my sketches to a more completed stage than many people. Why?  Simply put...I stop when I feel like it. I enjoy being on location and responding to the moment.  Good quality materials (papers) allow me to work wetter and longer and not worry if a paper will start to buckle or fail me. Rarely do I write (journal) in these books 

Sketchbook #2: Manufactured sketchbooks. Stillman & Birn are my favorite store bought brand.  I like these books for many reasons: paper, size, quality, cover, binding and the people who stand behind the company. Stillman & Birn has a sketchbook to fit everyone's need: six types of papers, numerous sizes, stitch bound and spiral bound, hardbound and soft-back covers. What more could a person want? I have countless sketchbooks filled with travels, coffee shops, plein air sketches and personal life experience are held within the covers of these books. I refer to these books as my illustrated journals.  My favorite size: 8.5 x 5.5 inch. Paper surface: I'd narrow it down to the Beta, Delta and Zeta. All are heavy weight and handle lots of paint and water. 

Here's a sketchbook tour inside my Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks.

If you don't see the video you can paste this link in your browser: https://youtu.be/TiIt0-H-yK0

Happy Sketching!

Brenda

What if...?

“Don't carpet your rut". The quote reminds me not to get too comfortable by doing the same thing over and over. Any form of repetition can be a rut: technique, subject matter, view point, perspective, lighting, materials... Artists can get in a rut because we want a successful outcome every time. Anything that seems  repetitive is playing it safe. If you want to grow it means you have to take a risk. The risk can be large or small. If you find yourself in a rut start climbing out!

I start by thinking, “What if?” How many ways can I sketch a subject but say it differently? The answer is countless times.

 enjoy exploring new ways of expressing myself with watercolor, drawing techniques and tools. Instead of always relying on the same technique I sketch the same subject in different ways. This is a great way to explore new mediums by investing a small amount of time (not a full sheet watercolor). I’ve found many of my favorite ways of sketching and painting when I am playing and exploring, “What if?”

A few examples of ways to explore using one subject. I encourage you to find something to draw/paint. Get out your supplies and see how ways you sketch the subject in a new way.  The drawings don't need to be very big (3x5 or 4x6). 

TOOLS & TECHNIQUES: pen, pencil, marker, bamboo watercolor, ink, contour, crosshatch, wet into wet, dry brush…

#1 Pencil & watercolor: Drawn with pencil. Painted with watercolor

#2 Ink & Watercolor: Drawn with waterproof pen (Faber-Castell, Pitt). Painted with watercolor. 

#3 Watercolor Marker & Watercolor: Marker was slightly water-soluable. Painted with watercolor.

#4 Pencil & Watercolor: Drawn with pencil. Value study with Payne’s Gray watercolor.

I’ve done at least four more variations and I’ve got more ideas to explore. I've only scratched the surface.

Once you begin you’ll start to see sketching as an opportunity to explore. I'm curious to hear how many sketches you can come up with. I’m sure you can add a few of your favorites to the list! 

Happy Sketching! 

Brenda

Sketchbook Skool

Hey everyone,

Exciting news: Many of you have asked when my session "Seeing" would be repeated in Sketchbook Skool. Well it's back!!! 

I’m one of the teachers in Seeing, an upcoming Sketchbook Skool klass! Yes, that’s “klass,” with a k, because Sketchbook Skool is no ordinary online art skool. Sketchbook Skool’s mission is “art for all”—they believe everyone is, and can be, creative. All people need are teachers to show them how fun it can be to develop a creative habit. That’s where I come in!

Starting August 5, Sketchbook Skool’s Seeing klass will begin online. For each of the six weeks of the kourse, you’ll get a new teacher (including me!) showing you how to take your creativity to the next level. You’ll also join the Sketchbook Skool community of creative people just like us from all over the world. There are fun, informative lessons, great assignments, and places to post your creations! To check out Seeing and meet the teachers, click here.

There’s still time to sign up for this great kourse. Join me and Sketchbook Skool and sign up!

If you have any questions about the Klass or need technical help please contact Morgan at "Sketchbook Skool Headquarters": morgan(at)sketchbookskool.com

Happy Sketching!

Brenda

Plein Air Sketching in Costa Brava and Barcelona

I spent most of June in Provence with French Escapade teaching two workshops. I had the most amazing experience working with Jackie Grandchamps and her two assistants Marie and Natalia. Never before have I experienced such a high level of attention to detail. Everything was handled beautifully and seamlessly from the moment I arrived: Locations, Accommodations, Transportation, Food....You name it and it was perfect. I was beginning to think Jackie had control over the weather, too! 

Here's a peek into the two workshops:

Video of week #1      Video of week #2

When Jackie asked if I could squeeze a workshop into my busy schedule for next year I said...YES!

Would you like to join me for a week of sketching, sight seeing, laughter and fun in Costa Brava and Barcelona? The dates are May 15-22, 2017. Workshop is limited to 10 participants. 

If you're interested please follow the links below. These are the same links as in the brochure below.

Website for French Escapade

Painting locations and trip details Sketching Spain

Contact Jackie at: contact(at)frenchescapade.com

Happy Painting!

Brenda

Life Began at the End of My Comfort Zone

I love these moments when I am awe struck with how my life has turned out. This wasn't my plan (not that I had one) and yet somehow it was “the plan”. My life is a far cry from where it was. Every morning when I get up I am filled with gratitude. I realize my life could've easily gone in a different direction.

I left home at 16. I went to summer school and night school so I could  graduate high school early. In the afternoons I worked in a coffee shop.  I had no interest in college. In my

16 years old

early 20’s I was divorced, a single mom and worked at a grocery store. During the day I was a checker and two nights a week I worked the graveyard shift, stocking shelves. Most weeks I was sleep deprived and exhausted. Life wasn't easy…but I was grateful to have a job that paid my bills, a roof over our heads, food and health insurance.

….and then my world got turned upside down. The store I was working at was set to go out on strike. I knew I couldn't outlast it. There is no way I could survive and support my children without a steady income. I was so afraid. Then early one morning I got a call. It was my Dad. I had to make some hard choices. I made decisions that changed my life. Was I scared? You bet ya! 

I moved from Ventura to Pasadena, started a new job and began a new life. I found out…Life began at the end of my comfort zone. I met the man of my life, Mike. Within five months we were married. Two years later I rediscovered my love of art.  I took all the art classes I could at Pasadena Community College, joined art associations, attended watercolor workshops, painted, painted, painted, entered shows, took awards…and requests to teach started coming in. Within a short time I had two books on watercolor published. 

Painting in Provence

I teach in ways I wish others would've taught me. I teach with my head, heart and hands. I think creative people learn differently. We see and interpret information differently, which means we also absorb information different too. Coming from the school of hard knocks I teach with a lot of compassion. It comes from being there: feeling vulnerable, inadequate, under educated…I realize we all come from different places in life and we bring that to the classroom. I walk into every workshop feeling entrusted and blessed with the opportunity. 

Here’s a little peek into my two workshops last month in Provence. 

If the videos don't load click on the link to Week #1 or Week #2 below

What's up next? Spain 2017!

Brenda

Week #1                                                               Week #2