The living in a small town thing really works for me personally for many reasons, but the one thing that doesn't is the fellowship. I have no one other than my wife in a town of fourteen hundred people in which to learn. I do art shows and traveling art fairs here in SD but that is only about six times a year at best. The nearest mecca If you will for art is two hours from here. Let's face it when gas is this high the thought of driving anywhere unecessarily makes me cringe.

We all need fellowship to learn and grow as artists. We need to bounce ideas of one another and be ourselves away from the left-brainers. So I decided to try giving a beginning art workshop to try to breath some life into these people. I have yet to set a firm date but it is going to happen. Thoughts for those who might attend would be to focus on what it is there trying to say with their art and don't let outside influences get them down or in their way. I just finished the book "The Art Spirit" by Robert Henri which although is a little tough to get through sometimes is well worth the effort. I would like to pass on some of his pearls to those brave souls who would come and try to inspire them as he did me. Another great read is the book "The Artist Manual" by an author that escapes me right now. ifound a lot of great info that I didn't know and it wasn't that expensive.

With the next post I want to start with the tips section I have been working on. I have been gathering little tidbits for some time now and I would think there is benefit for anyone just starting out. How to avoid certain pitfalls with supplies etc.