Painting class.

I am finally taking a painting class from a very talented artist that a friend and I met through the Santa Cruz Open Studios last month. She has a pay as you go policy, which makes it so much more accessible for me. I have been to three Saturday morning classes, alternating from landscapes to still lifes. Yesterday I decided it was time to attempt a painting on my own at home.

Here it is in process. Painting, like most things, is harder than it looks, and I know it will take lots of practice to get good at it. I am really hoping that I can stick with it long enough to get better.

You’ll notice that I am painting pretty food. I had a gift certificate to Gayle’s Bakery, one of the best places to go to for pretty food, or a gourmet sandwich. I thought that if I wasn’t happy with my painting after I was finished, at least I would have the whipped cream, strawberries and chocolate leaf topped cupcake to cheer me up. ( I shared the treats with my husband.)

I’m not totally satisfied with the finished painting, which I tweaked a little more this morning, but I did take a necessary step forward by doing one on my own. I should probably take it to class and get advice on what I could have done to make it better, but I haven’t decided yet if I will.

My version of the goodies is not nearly as nice as the real thing. I will try harder next time, so that I can remember them as beautiful as they were. Well, actually, maybe I shouldn’t make a habit of painting sweet treats!