Happy New Year! 

New Workshops are up and all info is here

First ones up are in warm and sunny Palm Desert at the Artists Center at the Galen in February. Canceled ....

Concertina Nature Journaling

Watercolor Block Prints

The Gardener

 I'm very honored and pleased that my  Sculpture 

"The Gardener" 

was accepted into this Oceanside Museum of Art exhibition in January 2024. 

a few more views.....

Block prints, watercolor journaling...learn all about it

 Hey Kids! 

My online courses are on sale only till MONDAY November 27th at midnight! 15% off.....Check out all the details of each course here. Links go to Create Arts Online to sign up. 

Discount code GRATITUDE15

Learning to See - Drawing in Journals.   

Poetic Watercolor Journaling- painting and poetry never felt so good!

Watercolor Florabunda - learn my signature watercolor techniques

revitalize

 I'm back home from San Miguel de Allende ...exhausted but revitalizing new ideas and directions. 

Our retreat in the heart of Mexico was a beautiful experience for all of us. Here are a few pics during the week. 

We will return next year! the end of October...dates will be posted soon. 

Good News

 Good News for my paintings..."Clarence in the Wind" was selected for the San Diego Watercolor Society September Virtual Members Exhibition and won Honorable Mention! 

Clarence is a dog that resided in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He deserved some bling with his colorful scarf. 

and

"What Do You See?" 

is currently showing in the San Diego Watercolor Society gallery till the 16th of September. 

I was in Portland, Oregon at Cargo..an amazing store full of all things international and saw these pondering figures in the window. The back light cast a glow on the edges that just prompted me to paint. 

a Summer tutorial and some sleepy kitties

 a hot summer day tutorial today. I started this demo several weeks ago. Demos are quick and my reactive time is on edge. I've hardly ever finished a demo in all of my classes...my students can relate to that! I had some time this afternoon while the kitties are sleeping and trying to stay cool (read through the end of the tutorial to see our hot kitties)

A bunch of colors were dropped in with some abandonment to get a full spectrum on this succulent. 

I started identifying the darker values towards the center and adding glazes to the shadows to darken and enrich the colors. 

The flower heads and stem needed color and shape identification. Warm to cool is my usual route with layers/glazes. Greens were added afterwards. 

Dropped in color...Quinacridone Red first, then Purple

glazed the flowers a bit more ..still needs more adjustments but you get the idea.

and here you go...its for sale!  12" x 16"      DM me for details

oh yea.. our  hot kitties 

                                                                                    

Saddleback Wanderers

 Introducing my latest installation 

"Saddleback Wanderers" 

Fallbrook Arts Center

June 17 to July 16

contact the Arts center for information 

103 S. Main Ave, Fallbrook, CA 92028
(760) 728-1414 | email

Update! all but 2 works have sold! 

view the video here ... Saddleback Wanderers      

Helen Shafer Garcia

 This instillation is dedicated to displaced people around the world. These countries hold the highest amount of people who are forced from their homes. 

Syria

Venezuela

Ukraine

Afghanistan

South Sudan

I chose to name each animal rider with names from each of these countries, names that are uplifting and meaningful. The Horse names are Latin, with encouraging and uplifting meanings as well.

1 . Bobcat: Olena the Scout

Origin. Greek. protector of humankind

Horse: Valens who leads the Way          

 Latin.  powerful                                       

Olena’s swift and alert eyes lead the way for the tribe. Olena and Valens are 

excellent scouts, looking for the safest direction and good places to settle for a while. 

 

$475.00

2. Owl: Mykola of the People 

Origin. Greek. Victory of the people.

Horse: Nobilis the Remarkable

Latin. courageous, bold, strong, ardent, energetic.            

Mykola and Nobilis are strong companions who plan the area for each campsite. Mykola spreads his wings and hovers over the ground moving large obstructions at  each clearing. They carry wood to start a fire to warm up  the campsite settlement. 

$ 400.00. Sold

 

 

3. Mouse: Carmen the Gardener 

Origin. Latin, Hebrew.  Garden, vineyard

Horse: Calimorfus of the Jardin. Latin.  Beauty

 Carmen and Calimorfus have been riding many years together. They both love plants and knew that they could provide food and spices to contribute for the meals. Carmen is an avid horticulturalist with skills needed to find the essential plants. Calimorfus’s body has become the essence of the earth. 

$350.00 Sold

4. Coyote: Zina the Storyteller      Origin. Greek. Shining or hospitable                               

Horse: Scholasticus of the Books.                    

Latin. Studious

Zina and Scholasticus are the storytellers and keepers of documents. They provide papers to document stories told by the tribe members.  Geological travel documentation is also an important role for historical proposes. 

$450.00 

5. Hare:  Nadia Healer in the Wind

Origin. Slavic, Arabic.  Hope,  Morning dew, generous, natural giver           

Horse: Dromos Two Wings

Latin. Racer, avenues

Nadia and Dromos are new companions. Nadia is a bit hesitant and unsure of Dromos’s flying skills. They both “sweep” the tribe, making sure everyone keeps the pace. Dromos has eyes directed to the front  to navigate with swift speed.  Nadia is skilled as a healer and carries hidden supplies for first aid and afflictions. 

$450.00.  Sold

 

6. Bear: Bernardo Strong as a Bear 

Origin.  ancient Germanic “bero” = bear + “harti” = hardy/brave

Horse: Nobilis the Archeologist        Latin. courageous, bold, strong, ardent, energetic                                                     

Norbilis and Bernardo are seeking bits and pieces of interesting artifacts along the journey. They are historians, keepers of the past, and protectors who value all in the tribe. 

$400.00. Sold

 

7. Horse: Yeva Mother of Life

Origin Russian, Hebrew                                

Children: 3 little mice- Paloma, Oliver, and Mira. 3 piglets- Benilda, Sonit, and Acha,  who belong to all in the tribe. 

Abuelita Yeva is the oldest horse who takes care of the children while traveling. She carries adornments representing her gentleness and love. Her side panels hold a small Puma family that needs extra protection. The top of her body opens up becoming a vessel for treasures within.  

$475.00. 

8.  Racoon: Anahita

Origin. Persian. Goddess Of Rivers And Water

Horse: Arista        

Latin.   an ear of corn, bristle like fiber on some grains or grasses. A bristle that extends from the antenna of certain dipterous insects: used in flight for monitoring

 air speed and for wing control.                                  

Anahita  is an excellent chief who prepares all meals with the help of the tribe. Her remarkable hands quickly work up delicious meals. Arista carries all of the materials needed for cooking. She also carries tent materials for camp. The fabric holds bits of scribes and text, holding stories to tell. 

$475.00. Sold

 

9. Young Horse: Elpis                  

Latin. Hope             

Elpis is a foal with hope for the future. Hope that this tribe will find a safe and wondrous place to live forever. 

$160.00.  Sold