Monday, June 6, 2011

Road Trip & Workshop in NYC


I thought I'd blog during the road trip to New York City, during the workshop week - but there's only so much I could do in a day - the postings just would have to wait. So bear with me as I encapsulate it all in this one posting. Then it's time to get to painting.

Brett and I picked a route going north through Virginia and end up around Lancaster, Pennsylvania - it's a beautiful area I wanted to photograph again. But.... the weather wasn't cooperating, although it was a couple of days of Zen driving through small towns and enjoying the scenery.



Soon enough, the Zen disappeared as we drove into Manhattan, in the pouring down rain.



Didn't take but a minute to spot the Naked Cowboy entertaining the tourists in Times Square.



We finally settled into our home away from home, a rooftop apartment we rented, on the Upper West Side, with a stunning and ever-changing skyline I never tired of during our stay. Just amazing.



We spent the next several days exploring, marveling over the humanity everywhere.




All the chaos just melted away when you met up with a dog. They soften the rough edges of city life.


Once the sun broke out, we went to a flea market in Hell's Kitchen.....



...where we spotted the unofficial ambassador of the city.....



...then checked out the views from the High Line, a genius way to use an unused rail line.



Next thing we knew, we happened upon a Dancing Parade....



...which led us to Madison Square Park where this striking sculpture, Echo, by Jaume Plensa stood beautifully in the bright sunshine.



Nearby, the iconic Flatiron Building.....



.... then a stop at Eataly for some sweets.



After a day of rest, the first day of the workshop began, with
me doing a demo for my 17 students.




6 x 6"
sold

Then it was off to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for some photos. I've been watching HBO's series 'Game of Thrones', so I was diggin' the armor on exhibit.



The second day of the workshop was fantastic, the artists painted from my photograph I used for Monday's demo as well as their own photos they had taken in the city.......







This was my demo for Tuesday's class.


5 x 7"
sold

That evening, one of my generous students held a get-together at her place, which included this amazing view from her terrace. So cool.



Wednesday, we all painted in the morning and early afternoon, then hurried out into the bright sunshine for some photography. My demo was a New York dog I had met in Riverside Park.


6 x 6"
sold

In the afternoon we headed to Little Italy for a meatball sandwich and gelato....



.... then back to the apartment to watch the skyline light up as the sun went down.



Thursday's class was the longer day, I started with a demo of a mugshot....


4 x 4"
sold

...then invited my students to paint their own mugshot, the results really blew me away.
This artist was breaking in her new Paint On Tabletop Easel.



Later in the afternoon, I painted another demo for the hard-cores who stuck around.


6 x 6"
sold

The last day of the workshop went way too fast, I managed to get in
one more demo before we wrapped it up.


5 x 10"
sold

By Friday afternoon, all we could do was have our last meal at our favorite Greek place around the corner from the apartment and put our feet up. Nine full days in New York City was spectacular, my students were so great, so talented, so open. Vince Fazio, from the Sedona Arts Center, who facilitates my workshops, was incredibly helpful in class - so grateful for the opportunity. It was a fantastic experience for me.

The trip wasn't over just yet, Brett and I headed out of the city, with a stop at Rutt's Hut in Clifton, New Jersey, for a couple of hot dogs....




...then to his family's place where we were spoiled with great food and conversation and some needed rest. We had the quintessential Memorial Day holiday, visited Arlington National Cemetery .....



... and ended the day with blueberry-raspberry pie that was to-die-for.



Of course it's always wonderful to get back home - now we're enjoying our new puppies and getting back to painting and building easels.




11 comments:

Kathy Cousart said...

Wonderful encapsulated trip to NYC and back with you and Brett:) Workshop sounds amazing as was the Hilton Head Island one! Vince is THE BEST for sure- Look forward to many inspired paintings! Rest up with some puppy love and then get back to it. You have been sorely missed:)

Sonya Johnson said...

Great run-down of your trip! Sounds like a success all around, and the paintings were wonderful.

Linda Popple said...

I love NYC and your photographs bring the city to life. Your paintings are amazing, as always. Looking forward to Hilton Head in the fall!

Nan Johnson said...

Wonderful story of your NYC trip, workshops - and you even stopped at Rutts Hut (a landmark in NJ!) I hope to make one of your workshops soon, it sounds like so much fun!

Amy Hillenbrand said...

I loved getting the blow by blow of your trip, makes me long for a road trip. If ever I need a little push to get to the easel all I need to do is look at your great paintings. Thanks Karin.

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

fabulous post and the paintings are, of course, slammin'!
Puppies?? did you say puppies?
So happy for you!

Tonya Bates said...

I am so proud to be one of the "hard cores" who stuck around ;-) What a fantastic week. Thank you, thank you Karin. If you ever needed a "reference" I would sing your praises as fabulous teacher, mentor, and inspiration. Love those puppies, too. So happy for you.

Pam Holnback said...

wow! What a trip!

Mitzi Easley said...

Woohoo! Puppies!! The Brothers really have no idea just how lucky they are... congrats to you and Brett! Thanks for the NYC journal.... makes me a wee bit envious of your lucky students. I'm still remembering and learning lessons from my KJ Workshop! Take care.

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Wicked awesome!! Where are you ever going to see sights like that?
I love a road trip!!

Anonymous said...

That big white head sculpture is wild... it looks squished or something.