Teaching Pastel Drawing and Painting for a Summer Youth Program



Ruthie and her Pastel Artwork



Danielle and Mom Painting a Sunrise/Sunset



 Randolph Art League and the Universal City Library Team Up with a 2012 Summer Youth Art Program

Teaching a Pastel Class,

Colorful Summer Fun!

~~by Cindy Morawski



Last Monday on June 18th, I met with a group of students aged 6 through 10 at the Universal City Library.  The Randolph Art League has teamed up with the Universal City Library to teach art classes to the local youth this summer.  Artists from the league are instructing children in everything from painting to jewelry making.  From 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. last week, my class learned about the history of pastel painting and drawing.  I also had fun with two lessons.  The first included creating a landscape and the second lesson featured drawing birds and animals.  Choosing a palette for a sunrise or sunset was part of the first lesson.  My students selected their materials and then started.  Vera Smith and Brigitte Tuttle, RAL artists, also assisted me in the class. 

I loved my students' creativity and enthusiasm.  They focused on the steps and ended up with some great artwork to take home.  Many more classes will continue through the summer.  What a wonderful way to spend some free time!  I'm glad that I was a part of it.  If you'd like to learn more about this educational program, please call or go to the following website.  Universal City Library--210.659.7048/ Website--www.universalcitytexas.com.

If you'd also like to join the Randolph Art League, our first fall meeting will take place at the Universal City Library, 100 Northview Drive, Universal City, TX, on September 5, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.  Meetings will continue throughout the year on the first Wednesday of the month.   



New Painting, New Art Class!



Finished Student Painting!  Nice Work!

True Colors on Display



Way to go, Isaac!



Ellie and her Southwest Artwork

 

Decisions, Decisions . . .

Vera Smith, at end of table, Creating Artwork
and Assisting with the Class

~~Happy Summer Discoveries!!!~~

Cindy



Brigitte Tuttle, RAL Artist and Helper

TEXAS Hill Country Landscapes from our State Parks



When the Clouds Went over the Mountain,
Texas Hill Country View near Utopia


Painting Scenes from Texas
by Cindy Morawski

Last autumn, as I made a roadtrip stop near Utopia, Texas, I looked out over this landscape. The view came back to me in shades of blues, greens, and warm shades of gold. The sunshine was bright and beautiful, the sky~~ blue and dazzling, the clouds~~ puffy and on the move.  The clouds seemed carefee, and they easily crossed a nearby ridge of the Texas Hill Country, San Antonio's version of local mountains.  I photographed and sketched while there.  I remember the wind picking up.  I had to put on my jacket because the temperature had dipped.  It was a November afternoon when I was painting plein air.  Recently, I returned again to this Texas landscape in my studio.  It was a place of peace and happiness for me.  The sky and vista called my name. 

Clouds in the Creek,
Lost Maples Natural Area

I have a long list of interests in life, but one that not everyone would probably guess, would include stone or rock-skipping.   Last fall, I joined my grandkids, Andrew and Ari, in a little competition on the waters of Lost Maples Natural Area or Park.  We all searched for the perfect stones.  Ones that were thin, lightweight, and oval-shaped.  They had to be aerodynamic.  I had some experience in this hobby afterall.  I had started on the Little Beaver Creek in my childhood while growing up on a farm in Pennsylvania.  After I lined up my rock-skippers on the shoreline among the soft grasses, I took aim and threw.  One . . . two . . . three . . . four . . . five . . . six skips!!  Jumping up and down, I felt like I'd won an Olympic event.  Whew!  Laughing, I looked up to cheer on the children.  Andrew, was that seven skips?  Way to go!  Ari, you're next.  You go, girl!  Let's skip across the clouds in the creek. 



Rooted in Long Shadows,
Garner State Park

I'm a big fan of our Texas State Parks.  Last year, I kept going over the parks that I had visited.  One Texas state park that I hadn't been to in awhile was Garner.  In November of last year, Paul and I, along with our dogs, Rusty and Phineas, spent an afternoon at this glorious park.  I brought along my camera and sketchbook and proceeded to snap, snap.  With sketchbook in hand, I noted the blue and purple shadows in the late afternoon along the river.  The leaves on the trees were slowly drifting down, reminding me that in another week, the bright shades of the reds, oranges, and yellows, would be gone for another year.  We hiked around that afternoon through the long shadows of the tall trees.  The dogs chased their ball, kicking up the scattered remains of windblown souvenirs.  Paul and I sat on top of a cement picnic table taking in the landscape.  I'd traveled to Garner mostly in the spring before.  This felt like a new and fresh adventure.  Recently, I wanted to capture this memory in my studio.  So, I took up my pastels, and started.  I examined my old photos, sketches, and notes.  The scene leapt to life.  I willingly returned to Garner. 

Happy Discoveries!

~~Cindy~~

www.CindyMorawski.com



Open to Possibilities~~Painting a Big Sky

 A Day in the Clouds
18x24
Pastel Painting
~~Cindy Morawski~~

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Haiku

A day in the clouds

Lost in dreams of light and wind

A place of wonder.

~~Cindy Morawski

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Open to Possibilities

When I look upon a big, open sky, I see possibilities.  That sky looks like you could just walk right into it.  Play in it.  Meditate in it.  A day in the clouds.  

I first viewed this sky in Abiquiu, New Mexico, last fall in early October.  I stayed at Ghost Ranch for a week~~ hiking, painting, studying, and getting inspired.  My visit helped me rest, renew, and regroup.  Painting the spectacular landscapes was certainly a part of it.  But, it wasn't the only thing.  

While I painted this landscape in my studio last week, using several photo references that I had taken while in New Mexico, I kept humming this old tune . . .  "Blue skies shining on me, Nothing but blue skies do I see."  The music and words created a rhythm and harmony that helped me get in the flow of creating. 

I first laid down an underpainting; then, I proceeded with sketching my shapes.  After that, I chose my color palette.  Next, I continued by alternating the use of my hard and soft pastels to create my vision of the sky that inspired me to paint.  As I worked, I'd step away and re-examine.  What did I want my viewer to see?  I hoped the movement, color, and light of the sky's clouds would come across.   What do I see?  The sacredness of nature.  The endless possibilities of seeing the world through a different lens and new eyes.   

I'm going to frame this painting with a Rio Grande grey wood frame.  Please feel free to come by my gallery online or at my home for a closer look. 

Wishing you blue skies!

~~Cindy

• www.CindyMorawski.com
• Mockingbird Studio & Gallery,  8603 Waldon Hts., San Antonio, TX  78254,  phone:  210.522.0706

    .

All--Aboard! Riding the Rails with the BSW DayTrippers

All--Aboard!  Posing with the Train Conductor

Hill Country Flyer at the Cedar Park Depot

Along the Train Tracks

Depot Time at Cedar Park

Excursion Coach on the Buckeye Trail

Souvenir and Snack Car

Thumbs up to our Train Ride!

All Smiles on the Hill Country Flyer

Arriving in Burnet

Betty and Jean

  

DAYTRIPPERS

Sherry and Steve

Marilyn, Kevin, and Paul

Teresa and Bill

Wildflowers along the Tracks

Round the Bend on the Way to Burnet

Landscape from the Train

Giant Bluebonnets in Burnet

Colorful Burnet Shop

Downtown Burnet, Texas

Duck Trio at Hamilton Creek

Blue Bench at the Park

Duck Friends at the Park

Reflections along the Creek in Burnet

Cruising the Creek

Hamilton Creek Park

Two Turtles

Big Sky on the Return Trip

Marilyn and Floyd at Cedar Park

  

Blue Skies for Everyone!



Riding the Rails~~Past and Present
by Cindy Morawski

Wearing my Sunday best, I remember boarding the train to Pittsburgh with my Mom and brother when I was a child.  We caught the train from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and then rode into downtown Pittsburgh's commuter's depot.  Every year at Christmas time, we'd go on this excursion so we could do some Christmas shopping and enjoy the wonderful holiday window displays, complete with animation, lights, and winter and holiday themes.  Christmas music filled the air along the department stores' sidewalks to get you in just the right mood.  The crisp, cold northern air helped redden our cheeks and brighten our spirits.  

Childhood memories of riding the rails also came in a train trip to Penn State to visit my cousins, Warren and David, when school was officially out for the summer.   Eating in the dining car with white tablecloths and shiny dinnerware made it seem so grown-up to a girl of ten.  I remember the food tasting delicious and meeting people from all over the place.  Settling down into my coach seat and watching out the window as the landscape whizzed by placed me into a happy trance-like space.  Farms, fields, and small towns waltzed by my window.  This seemed way better than TV!

Riding along in the family car as a kid, I also remember getting stopped at our small town's railroad crossing when the red lights came flashing on and the white gates lowered.  I'd wonder where all those passengers were going to.  The coach cars' lights illuminated the people as they rocked on by as the engine's whistle filled my ears.  The engineer in the red caboose would wave back at me as my mother would sigh in relief at the long wait and delay for our trip along the way.   The magic of train travel was never lost on me.  

Switching to adulthood, I had a chance at traveling by train one July with my summer vacation and time-off as a teacher.  I took an Amtrak trip from Denver to Seattle.  The scenery, fellow travelers, and reminders of childhood train trips helped put me into a full-circle moment.   During that particular train ride, I woke up and it was jet-black in the middle of the night.  The gentle swaying and rocking motion of the train had stopped.  We were sitting still.  The railroad crew was removing something from the tracks so that we could continue safely on down the ties.   Train travel is not meant for folks in a hurry.  Although, the restful nature of being passenger instead of driver, getting to walk around when restless, and seeing the sights of endless landscapes offers a round of rewards to those who prefer a journey of a different travel nature.  

This past Saturday, I listened for an "all aboard" at the Cedar Park depot outside Austin, Texas.  With my DayTripper friends in tow, I stepped right back into the past as I climbed the steps of the Hill Country Flyer to Burnet.  The conductor greeted us as we prepared to ride the train.  We rode on the excursion coach of the Buckeye Trail.  It had air conditioning, a restroom, and a nearby souvenir and snack car.  Comfortable royal blue seats with upper storage racks sat  on both sides of the aisle.  Paul and I sat facing our friends Marilyn and Floyd.  The seating arrangement encouraged friendliness and fun conversation.  A quick announcement was made over the PA system and then we were off.  The train chugged and slowly pulled out of the station.  And, I watched out the window, feeling like a girl again.  The magic had just begun.  

When we arrived in Burnet about an hour later, we had time for lunch, shopping, or a walk in the park.  Our group had reservations at Jardin Corona on South West Street.  Our table overlooked Hamilton Creek, a beautiful city park, complete with ducks floating by our view.  The Mexican food was especially delicious.  I had vegetarian enchiladas, and they were some of the best I've ever eaten.  Overall, our restaurant choice had a relaxing atmosphere with excellent service.  Everyone split up after lunch to pursue their own interests.  Paul and I took a leisurely stroll through the park then headed back for our return trip home.  Some of our fellow passengers also witnessed a staged western gun fight at the depot at 1:30 p.m.  This western battle included the good guy sheriff, the bad guy robbers, and of course, some colorful saloon girls.  One of the saloon gals was recruited from the train passenger list.  I remember the sheriff asking for volunteers when we arrived in Burnet earlier.  

The trip back went quickly.  Before I knew it, we were back in Cedar Park.  The day went by so fast.  I regretted that it hadn't been a longer train ride.  Oh well, Paul and I will just have to plan for another ride on the rails in the future.  Maybe a journey across Canada . . . 

HAPPY DISCOVERIES!

www.CindyMorawski.com

PS:  If you're looking for more information about this train trip, please check it out online at www.AustinSteamTrain.org.  Here's the address:  401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park, TX  78613.

Raining Possibilities~~ Painting Sunflowers and a Sunrise

Sunflower Field of New Beginnings
by Cindy Morawski


Spring Rains, Painting, and Storms

I've celebrated spring of 2012 with flower paintings.  It's been ages since I painted sunflowers so I wanted this time to paint them with a sunrise and a colorful skyscape.   I photographed and sketched this sunflower scene in Castroville outside San Antonio. 

Today it rained almost all day where I live in San Antonio.  What a great day!  The crepe myrtles in our yard are blooming, and they have really perked up with the rain showers.  We have white, purple, and red blooms on our various crepe myrtles.  Last year, none of them bloomed because of the drought.  The other night it stormed, and the thunder woke me up.  Lightning flashed into the bedroom window and kept me awake.  I heard the storm, but no rain.  Later, the rain came too.  What a relief.  San Antonio recently moved into stage 2 of water restrictions.  I hope the rainfall this week will not only help out the aquifer, but that it will benefit the entire community.  

In my painting, Sunflower Field of New Beginnings, I'm pairing the cheerful sunflower with the freshness of the sunrise.  To me, they are metaphors for better days and new starts.  The optimism of both can lighten one's burden.   I wish I could start all my mornings with a colorful horizon and a field of flowers saluting me with their friendly charm.  Imagine that.  

www.CindyMorawski.com

cski02@sbcglobal.net

Mockingbird Studio, 210.522.0706

LaVillita's FIRST FRIDAY~~A Photo Journal by Cindy Morawski

LaVillita on the San Antonio Riverwalk

All Chrome and Metal

LaVillita Art Gallery

Selling my Paintings at First Friday

Artist Irena Bowren

First Friday of May 2012

      FIRST FRIDAY, 

  a Celebration of Art, Music,

  Classic Cars, and Food

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  at LaVillita in San Antonio

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May 4, 2012, from 3 to 9 p.m.

   * Photography

    by Cindy Morawski

Color My Spring, New Paintings for April 2012

New Song, Spring Fledgling

Soul Sky, Juried Painting at the SAAL Museum

 COLOR MY SPRING


    NEW PAINTINGS FOR APRIL 2012


         ~~Cindy Morawski~~

Mallard Duck at the Gardens

Fresh Air II

Spring in San Antonio

by Cindy Morawski

 Spring in San Antonio has been colorful and festive this year.  I have been especially drawn to the birds and wildflowers.  Seeing New Life everywhere has given me a new focus and a sense of joy.

The baby birds have been sounding off lately.  I can hear their chirping, feed me, feed me mantras.  Earlier, I noticed the empty eggshells first on the ground when I was putting out birdseed for them.  I also spied the bird parents frantically trying to feed their offspring.  And, lately, the fledglings seem to be all over the place.  I can hear them in our Mt. Laurel when I take Rusty, my dog, outside at night before bedtime for his last "potty-break."  

"Don't forget me, Mom!"  The young birds are still dependent on mom and dad to deliver several meals a day.  The dove kids get regurgitated seeds and the mockingbirds and jay babies get worms and all type of insects.  

When I visited the San Antonio Botanical Garden earlier this month, I met a mallard duck who was cruising close to the pond's shore by the homestead house.  The sun brought out the emerald sheen on his neck.  The ducks are fairly tame at the park because they get a lot of exposure to people everyday.  There were school children on holiday from school while I was visiting with the ducks.  They too were excited to see them so close-up.  One student got a little rambunctious by jumping up and down near the cedar stumps.  That's when Mr. Mallard turned and sped away, quacking and scolding loudly across the water.  

The wildflowers started out in all shades of blues, pinks, and purples in March.  Now, yellow flowers have sprung up.  Their bright golds and buttery yellows blanket the fields and meadows near my home.  Look for them when you're driving.  They're even along the highways and streets in and around the city.  Let the sunshine in . . .

I hope you are having a good spring!  Please look for me in my last two spring art shows in May for the season.  I'll list them below:

1. First Friday on May 4th at La Villita and the SA River Art Gallery, from 3 to 9 p.m.
2. Artastic! 2012, May 6th,  10:30 to 4, Temple Beth-El, 211 Belknap Place, San Antonio

One last thing, I just bought a new shipment of beautiful frames.  They are solid wood and vary in styles.   If you buy a painting, a new frame will be included for the spring season.  

Mother's Day is coming up in two weeks on May 13th.  If you need a gift or a card, I'm only an email or a phone call away.  Mockingbird Studio:  210.522.0706/ Email:  cski02@sbcglobal.net.