Expressive Painting & Drawing. - The Spiritual Language of Art.

My daugher Gen (11) and her energy in person, poses with my energy in art.
4-15-2011

In December of 2010, my BFF Geraldine, sent me a link to a video that was featured on the AARP website with the note, "we have to do this!"  The video sat in my mailbox a few days before I opened it.  As I watched I felt like I wanted to cry.  I knew that I COULD do what the video was showing me and that I HAD to do it.  My husband overheard my OMG's and oooohs and ahhhhs and said, "reserve a spot for yourself in the class."  Really?!?!  Yes.  So I did.  And I went, and it has been a life-altering experience....and Geraldine didn't go with me. 

This is the video that hooked me.

I attended the March 31--April 3, 2011 class in FABULOUS Asheville, NC with 10 other wonderful and new lifelong creative friends from all over the country and even a couple from Canada.  Class started on a Thursday evening where we all got to know one another and had a overview of what Expressive Painting and Drawing is all about, it's history in the art world, etc.  I e-mailed friends that evening saying that I already felt like I got my money's-worth out of the class and we hadn't even touched any art materials yet! 

Instructor and Author, Steve Aimone

The instructor, Steve Aimone is a coach, a leader, a guide...and kind of a therapist as well.  He knows the right questions to ask to make you inquire within yourself about the art making experience and process.  One of my favorite sayings about a good coach is that he/she is someone that helps you get somewhere that you wouldn't have gone on your own.  Steve definitely fit this definition in respect to my experience.

Here are some photos of my classmates and I, our work, and our fun....Enjoy!

Me and my Energy

Pink Dog Studio, Our Workstations-- BEFORE
Asheville, NC

Circle, Square, Triangle--Exercise #1 by Martha Merry
Can you tell which one is "automatic"?

Betsey's Energy

Betsey Lives in Vermont

G. Rex of San Antonio, TX in action

Marilyn of L.A., CA in action

Repetition of a motif -- letter "G"
by Martha Merry

Nan Davis of Asheville, NC in action
Flux exercise

Nancy Perry of South Carolina, in action.

Paige Gilchrist of Asheville, NC
Ordering lunch amidst beauty.

A beautiful expression by Paige Gilchrist of Asheville, NC

Betsey of Vermont,

studying a work by Nancy Perry, SC

Murai of San Fran, CA
artwork by Martha Merry behind

A beautiful expression by G. Rex of San Antonio, TX

Marilyn of L.A. on her work

Finding the Grid Exercise by Martha Merry

Betsey of Vermont and her grid

Beginnings of
Organic and Geometric Exercise
by Martha Merry

Flux Exercise
by Martha Merry

This reminds me of Duran Duran
by Martha Merry

A beautiful expression by Murai of San Francisco, CA