With three shows at which I am/was selling this spring, I wanted to create some new pieces. The problem was, once they were finished, I fell in love with them and then struggled with whether or not I wanted to put them up for sale, assuming there was even an interested buyer.

For now I have some of the new pieces hanging in my dining room so I can enjoy them for a while.

I thought about trying to make similar ones. But that seems like extra work . And there are other pieces I'd like to work on. Plus I don't even know if these new pieces will sell.

Then I made another piece, this one with no intention to sell, but intended just for us, from a photo we took on a recent vacation. This piece too I felt a fondness for. But the difference was this time my fondness was due to the memory it invoked. The other pieces, while I still very much like them, don't conjure memories.

So now I'm ready to let them go. They'll be up for sale this coming weekend. And if one or more sells, I think I'll be tickled pink! And I'm just curious - anyone else had this kind of experience?

A friend recently referred me to a site that holds free painting classes online, these types of online courses are called "webinars".

I watched part of a recent webinar on painting rocks and water, and another on painting skies, and picked up several techniques. The next one coming up (starting May 12th) is on painting grass and snow. I've struggling with snow so will likely participate.

The classes apply to watercolour, oil, acrylic, pastel and possibly other
mediums, and seem to run over 3 Saturday afternoons in a row. DVDs are available for sale following the class for anyone who was not able to take part but wishes to take advantage of the lessons. 
 
Advance sign-up is required, and a good internet connection and sound. No special software is needed - the meeting-based forward will load for you. Again - the online class is free. They make their money from DVD sales following the classes.

If you are interested, the link is: http://improvemypaintings.com/