Since we were last together the world has dramatically changed in ways we could have never imagined.  Not one of us has gone untouched.  And while we were advised to close our doors to the physical world, we are now challenged to open our hearts to our neighbors more than ever before.
 

Read more here.

Last Tuesday I was heading out to take Rugby for his walk, and I noticed some of my neighbors had already taken their garbage cans to the curb.  "Funny," I thought.  "The garbage truck doesn't come for three more days."  It eventually dawned on me that it was Thursday, not Tuesday.

The days and weeks are weaving in and out of each other at a methodical pace, and I have created my own daily structure to keep me from...

Well.....no, not yet.

Our new normal keeps shifting and has opened up a whole new batch of buzz words, which I confess, I am already a bit weary of. 

Read more here.

My husband and I worshiped this Sunday morning via live stream church service on my iPad.  When schools, businesses, restaurants, professional sports and CHURCH buildings temporarily close their doors in the name of safety, it's time to re-evaluate some plans.

As proactive steps accelerate towards stopping the current pandemic,

Beech Tree Studio is joining the larger audience venues and temporarily cancelling classes for the rem...

Having taught for 15+ years, I have recognized how the artwork of colored pencil artists has become more sophisticated over time, which was never more evident than during the 2019 end-of-year Drawn Together Show.

I realize that BTS artists are pushing themselves out of their comfort zone with difficult reference material, varied surfaces, mixed media and intriguing concepts.  It’s so energizing to be in the studio every week wi...

But it's not too late to jump in!

Dust off that colored pencil box and let's enjoy creating art!

Instruction is thorough, conversation is lively and the coffee is hot. 

In these  gray days of winter, let your time at Beech Tree Studio brighten your week!

The Big Valley theme song kept running through my head as my husband and I gazed across the magnificent landscape of the Tetons on a recent vacation to Yellowstone National Park, a bucket list trip for me.  It's one of those places you must experience for yourself to fully appreciate.  We were like giddy children at our first bison siting! 

Read more from this month's Beech Tree Buzz!

Part of the beauty of working on Duralar is how vibrant the colors appear.  There's not much wiggle room for blending your colored pencils, but there is opportunity to enhance colors by working on the back of this transparent surface in order to pop up the color on the front.

A couple spots left in both Friday and Saturday classes. Take advantage of Anne's comprehensive tutorial, and join us for a day of creativity!

Andie

Those of you who have been in the studio with me over the past year may have heard me mention once or twice or hundred times that I am a new “GrAndie”.  Because our two- soon to be three- grandchildren do not live around the corner from us, our calendar has become a "fruit basket upset" as we protect time to witness their developmental milestones.

Enjoy the rest of this newsletter here.

As a member of the Elmhurst Art Guild, Debra earned a Third Place Award with her colored pencil drawing.  Way to go, Debra!!