Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.
~Hermann Hesse
My First Venice Painting
Painting is my best path to this quiet peaceful place within. That’s why my paintings are peaceful, rather than dramatic. It gives me additional pleasure and peace to reflect that those who see and enjoy my paintings may find the peaceful images helpful in connecting with their own peaceful place.
Art is healing. Looking at art is healing. The medical community has recognized this with abundant art purchased and displayed within hospital corridors. Most of the art depicts nature.
When my husband was hospitalized for heart surgery last month, and I visited him daily, I didn’t have a lot of time to enjoy the paintings and photographs. But I noticed them.
On my way out, after being comforted by my contact with him, this love of my life, I was further comforted by the art as I enjoyed each peace on my walk out of the hospital.
I am more convinced than ever of the healing power of art, whether one is making it or looking at it.
Having a look through my web site is the easiest way to view my art, without leaving home. You’ll find a collection of peaceful watercolors at http://www.annbell.net/WatercolorGallery.htm
I’ll let you notice for yourself how the different images affect you. (I don’t know HOW that dragon slipped in there. I must have been reading too much fantasy/science fiction.)
If you visit the classes page on my web site, you’ll see additional paintings that aren’t on either of the pages listed above: http://www.annbell.net/classes.htm
My darling husband will be home soon, I hope.
When life returns to normal, I’ll be adding a shopping cart to my web site, so you can purchase your favorite bit of peace as a giclee print.
If you want an original, I want to meet you, so I probably will handle sales of originals as a personal transaction. I have many more paintings than I can show on my web site, so it’s probably worth your time to make an appointment with me for a studio visit. You can phone me at the number at the top of this page.
You might find a painting that you like even better than the ones on my web site.
View art. Make art. Let art be your path to your inner stillness, joy, bliss, spirituality.
The ways you can benefit from interacting with art are as limitless as your imagination.
Brain scientists in Britain have measured increased happiness levels in people while they are looking at beautiful art. Visiting a gallery, artist studio or museum can be a legal mood-enhancing activity. Once you discover the kind of art you like, and the places that are likely to show that kind of art, you can increase your happiness level almost any time you want. The best part is that if you find a painting that really appeals to you, you may be able to purchase it and enjoy happiness on demand in your own home.
Painting hearts with wings makes my heart lighter.
And if simply looking at art can improve mood, image the benefits you can get from making art. The process of making art is fun. It reduces stress, encourages creativity, and builds self-confidence.
Almost everyone secretly wishes they could be an artist. Most people who enjoyed art class in school have gotten away from that early love, and wish they could return to it.
Other people may have been discouraged by criticism, comments about lack of talent, or uncomplimentary comparisons to others. Although these individuals may feel like they were judged unfairly, the experience probably discouraged them from future attempts at art.
The good news here is that as they mature, they may well realize that their vision or idea of what something looked like may simply have differed from the critic’s expectations.
Still other people may have never had an art class, even in school, and they feel like they missed something.
Many people secretly yearn to be able to make art, but they feel like it is too late for them. Art school is not a possibility, and even if they register for a series of just four classes, they wind up missing half of them…and crucial steps in the process.
So they give up, because they don’t know where to begin, what supplies to buy or how to use them. And they secretly feel like something is missing that would enrich their life.
We possess creativity when we are born. If you doubt this, watch any small child approach a new activity. Babies figure out how to roll over, stand up, reach and climb. They begin to teach themselves to talk.
Give a two-year-old child crayons and paper and watch the art flow…across the paper and onto the walls. It can’t be contained. Yet, as we get older, the creation process stops. And many of us don’t release it again until it forces its way out many years later. But we always feel the lack.
This hollow place inside them compels many people to pursue art as their children enter college or as they approach retirement. They secretly know that an important part of them is missing. They wonder if they could learn to make art. And they decide to try.
The good news is that it is never too late to begin.
Art is as essential to life as water or air. Art enhances our lives. It opens doors to our imagination and our creativity, whether we are making art or viewing it. Everyone needs opportunities to experience art. Art feeds our souls.
I can arrange private lessons during the week, some evenings and on the weekend.
Call me to make your appointment. 281-330-3827
and then you can make your payment here: http://www.annbell.net/PrivateLessons.htm
If you want to make your personal commitment to yourself when I’m probably asleep, and your schedule has openings, you can go ahead & pay for your class.
But if your class can only be on one particular day, please call or email me first.
Have you dreamed of a trip to Venice? Or maybe you’re remembering a trip to Venice.
While I was in Venice, I fell in LOVE with Venice. I couldn’t see enough. I wish I could take you there with me. Since I can’t, I’ve done the next best thing:
My Virtual Venice Online Painting Workshop.
If you decide to join me, you will receive
videos to watch me paint at least 3 paintings, with step by step explanations as I demonstrate
a generous stack of my photos (at least 25 4” x 6” real photos)
sketches and photos of the scenes I’m painting for you
a short video clip (not edited or narrated) that I filmed in Venice of boats, gondolas & sounds
another video I’ve made from my photos (edited & narrated) to give you the feeling of actually being in Venice
The last 2 videos mentioned above will give you a feeling of being in Venice. You’ll receive these last 2 in your first lesson to get you in the Venice mood. I don’t count them in any video time I mention. They are a bonus.
Remember, I’m calling this online workshop “Virtual Venice Online Painting Workshop,” so I want to give you a “taste” of Venice in addition to the instruction.
If you want to see the photos you’ll receive, watch the video farther down on this page.
I’ll demonstrate each of these in a separate painting
a window with textured wall,
a window with textured wall
a water scene
a bridge scene.
I’ll send you my 3 sketches & reference photos. You can paint the same scenes or you can choose different versions of similar subjects from the package of photos I send you.
You will be able to work from these same photos and watch the videos again and again. The videos will be available for at least a year. The photos are yours to keep and use as inspiration for your own work.
***By signing up for this class, you are promising me that you will not give, share, or sell the photos and you will not share the links to the videos. All are copyrighted by me. I’ve made them for the exclusive use of my students.***
This online class will begin on July 21.
The lessons come to you each week as an email with links to the video (or videos) for the lesson. Each painting will be covered in 2 lessons. Each painting will be at least one hour of instruction. So the 3 paintings will be at least 3 hours of video. You will be able to replay any section of any video if you want to watch just that part again. Or you can watch the entire video again, as many times as you want.
You will not be able to download the videos.
If you can watch any online videos, you will be able to watch these, whether you use a pc or a mac. The videos are hosted on Vimeo.com. I protected them with a password. For your convenience, I use the same password on all of them AND I include it in every class email.
The only people who can see these videos are those who have the link and the password.
If you already know you want this, use the button below to join the creative fun!
If the button doesn’t work, and you are using Internet Explorer, please try a different browser.
This is an 8 week online class. You can watch it at your computer, wherever you are in the world.
Week 1: Get ready. You’ll receive the 2 mood videos and your supply list. I’ll keep the supplies simple. 5 tubes of acrylic paint, painting medium, paper or canvas to paint on, a few brushes. It won’t cost a fortune. If you already have supplies, you can use what you have, but the colors I suggest make it easier to capture the feel of Venice with its beautiful aged colors.
Week 2: Get started. In this lesson, you’ll learn
How to design a painting from a photo
How to size your design to fit your paper or canvas
How to transfer your design to your painting surface
How to mix the soft, aged colors of Venice
Weeks 3 & 4: You’ll learn how to paint a wonderful window, in a crumbling adobe wall with underlying brick visible where the adobe has crumbled, and clouds reflected in the window.
Weeks 5 & 6: You’ll learn to paint the water in a quiet Venetian canal, with the enclosing walls and a boat…and of course the reflections. You’ll watch step by step as I paint and explain.
Weeks 7 & 8: You’ll learn to paint a bridge in its environment. Every place where a walkway crosses a canal, there is a bridge. So Venice, city of islands & water, contains hundreds of bridges. Each one is different. We’ll paint an easy bridge with a stone railing. But you could use the same techniques to paint one with wrought iron railings.
The lessons include over 3 hours of instruction, every brushstroke I make, and complete explanation. If you don’t understand something, you can send me an email with your question and I’ll answer you.
If your creative spirit and/or your sense of adventure wants this class, use the buy button below to let yourself in.
Join the creative fun!
“Seeing Double”
Windows may seem alike, but even those used as pairs may be different.
Join me for a Virtual Painting Workshop in Venice. This video will give you a taste of Venice. The videos in the class will show you my hands as I paint from some of the sketches. I’ll send you photos and copies of my sketches…in case you want to work with me…or do your own. These goodies are for your use only. Not to share or resell!
You’ll receive one lesson each week. I’ll demonstrate at least 3 paintings from start to finish.
Venice is an artist’s dream. Wonderful colors, rich textures, beauty every place you look.
I’ve just returned from Venice. I walked, looked, imagined, and took thousands of photographs and a few videos.
In my new class, I share this visual wealth and do my best to give you the feeling of actually being there, while helping you build your painting skills.
I’ll share my photos. I’ll send actual photos and copies of a few sketches for you to use in your paintings as you watch the class videos and practice what you are learning.
I’ll provide enough info in the videos that you can enjoy and learn to paint, even if you’ve never painted anything before. And I’ll make it content rich so you’ll learn new techniques, even if you’ve painted for years.
Your investment in all these goodies is just $85. If you sign up now, I’ll share the special papers that I brought back from Venice…while supplies last. When they are gone, I’ll remove the offer.
If this class is calling to you, join in the creative fun by clicking the button below & checking out through PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account.
I enjoyed all the visitors and conversations to my Open Studio on Saturday.
This painting is one of my favorites. Its peace flows into me every time I look at it. I positioned my stool across from it, so I could enjoy it all day. It’s 40″ tall by 30″ wide.
Do you love to look at art? Perhaps you enjoy meeting the artist and seeing the creative space.
I enjoy welcoming visitors into my gloriously-lighted studio where creativity flows. Visitors and students tell me that they can feel the creative flow…so I know it is not just my imagination.
Yesterday I opened my studio in Art Square as part of the Midtown Visions Cultural Arts Tour. I had a steady stream of art lovers, friends, students and prospective students to enjoy visiting with all day, as they enjoyed the art.
I’m always seeking better ways to connect with my web visitors.
If you would like to receive news of shows, open studios and/or new classes, as well as see new paintings, you can sign up for my news. The sign up link will open in a new window, so you won’t loose this page.
I’m now using Constant Contact to gather names and addresses of everyone who wants to keep up to date on my events and classes. When you go to the link, you’ll be able to choose whether you want everything…or just the art events news. Artists usually like to receive everything. You won’t have to worry about a confirmation email. And if you ever decide you don’t want my news, every email contains an easy unsubscribe link at the bottom.
I won’t overload your inbox. I send news only once a month.
Ensure that you don’t miss an art event or class that you want. Sign up for your personal news announcement. Use the link above or HERE.
I hope to meet you soon at one of my events or classes.
I arrived back in Houston from Venice late Monday, April 2. Since then, I’ve mainly been sleeping…early to bed & late to rise … plus trying to answer emails and play catchup.
Venice was WONDERFUL!!! The best way to see the most at close range is to walk. I walked every day as far as I could…and I still didn’t see everything. But I saw a LOT. Guess I’ll have to visit Venice again!
I’ll add some of my photos as soon as I have time to transfer them from my camera to my laptop.
I am so eager to start painting. I see lots of gondolas, canals, bridges, and broken stucco in warm ochres & venetian reds, with all the peachy and rosy colors that result from mixing the two.
I also envision a virtual Venice painting online Workshop….it’s still in the virtual planning stage.
I had a major breakthough and also did some journaling. Lots of walking & looking. Some boat riding. I was also able to hear a live concert of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons played in the church where the composer worked…an amazing bit of luck.
Did I mention that Venice was AMAZING?
I’ll have photos from my trip, and at least one new painting, at my Open Studio on Saturday, April 14, noon til 5 pm.
My studio is located in Art Square, 2711 Main at Dennis, in Midtown Houston.
My light-filled magical creative space is Studio #114, at the end of the downstairs hallway. Please come by and visit.
I just made this video to excite you about the power of visual journaling.
I hope that you’ll join me on this exciting journey to self-discovery. You’ll love the power that your visual journal will give you to connect with your creative spirit…your very soul.
My camera is only 3 feet from where I am working in my journal. I share everything…the techniques and the thought processes. You will understand and harness this power in your own life though your journal.
If you’ve never painted before, you’ll appreciate how I keep the art techniques very simple and explain everything.
If you’re a more skilled artist, some of the art techniques will be new to you. I share insights into art making as well as using your journal in profound and powerful ways.
Last year I selected a word to inspire and motivate me during the year 2011. That word was “imagine.” And everything I imagined has come true. As you might imagine, I was careful to only imagine good things.
That word feels like a hard act to follow…and I think I may have surpassed its possibilites with my word for 2012.
Stretch. Stretch! Stretch? I’ll stretch activities, intentions and exercise. I’ll stretch time to accomplish more. I’ll stretch beyond the limits that I could only imagine before. I invite you to watch me…and to pick your own word for the year.
Your word for the year will become a mantra to guide and inspire you. And at the end of the year, as you look back and see how far you have come, you’ll probably feel (as I do) that it was indeed your word of the year.
In case you think that I spent weeks comparing, evaluating, and choosing, I didn’t. Imagine presented itself to me in an intuitive flash about this time last year. It felt right all year.
After spending weeks sitting at my computer editing videos and learning the technical intricacies of teaching classes online, now I want to move and be active. I want to do more of my own painting. It’s time to focus even more on the art.
I want to MOVE and to S…T…R…E…T…C…H!
And so my word for the year is ”stretch.” It came in an intuitive flash as I was working in my visual journal.
If you aren’t using a visual journal to deepen your own intuition and creativity and to converse with your soul, you are missing a wonderful opportunity to tap into everything that your soul knows.
I’m sharing what I know about how to access inner wisdom as you converse with your soul through your visual journal. Will you join me?
Stop postponing your dreams and learn how to make them real. The first class is Friday, Dec. 30. On your computer. At your convenience. I’ll even send you a journal and a package of stencils. How could it be easier?
“Creativity, as has been said, consists largely of rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not know. Hence, to think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.” George Kneller
This quote explains the popularity of puzzles, mystery novels, serial TV shows & spy movies.
You can use the visual journaling process to harness this innate human curiosity and use it for your own benefit.
This intrinsic human curiosity works closely with your creativity to provide answers to your questions in your visual journal.
Your visual journal can have ANY purpose you want.
I modified an airline ticket from one of my trips, see lower left corner.
Just for fun is totally legitimate…PERFECTLY OK!
Learning art techniques almost automatically happens without your being aware of it…regardless of your present level of expertise.
So, no previous painting experience is needed. But if you are already comfortable with the idea of painting, you will see even more ways to use what you know. You’ll bring your techniques into your journal AND you’ll take what I show you and make it your own as you incorporate it into your painting process.
Register before Friday, Dec. 9 to begin immediately and receive 2 free gifts: a blank journal and 2 free stencils. I’ll also send your first lesson within 24 hours. I’ll send the second lesson on Friday, Dec. 9.
Since I began journaling many years ago. I’ve made gigantic improvements in every area. The pace accelerated when I added images to my journals.
My Visual Journal is the most powerful tool I have ever discovered.
That’s why I am so excited to be able to teach you how to make your own visual journal.
In this class we begin with a blank book and we turn it into our own visual journal…our own personal, magical tool to design our life, solve problems, reach goals, reduce stress, increase happiness…and on…and on. Did I mention that you can use your visual journal for any purpose you want?Probably you’ll use it for different purposes at different times.
Get all the details here. Register button on the page allows signup and secure payment through PayPal, even if you don’t have a PayPal Account.
Did I mention that visual journaling is the most powerful tool for transformation that I have ever found?
If you are feeling stuck in a rut…or in a difficult place, visual journaling has the power to transform your life. It is MUCH more than a diary.
