Working at the library, I usually spend a good 40 hours in the building each week and can’t wait to go home and relax.  Sometimes I attend one of the many amazing programs or classes we offer, but I must admit I would rather spend my evenings at home.  But when I saw the library was offering Wading Into Watercolor as an adult program to tie in with the Summer Reading water themes, I had to try it!  My mom and I have been trying to find time to take a watercolor class together, but haven’t been able to get our calendars synced up.  This seemed perfect for us and our calendars were happily free.

I must start by saying I am not a painter and I can’t draw.  Really.  I do have a little art in me, but it usually comes out in crafty and yarn-related ways. Our teacher and talented artist, Kate, took us through the absolute basics in watercolor papers, brushes, and paints.  She shared her personal experiences, brought in wonderful watercolor examples, and frankly discussed the many challenges that face the watercolor painter.  It is a tricky medium that frustrates many artists, but she encouraged us to keep trying and not get discouraged.  She shared with us that amazing art can happen when you are just experimenting so have fun with it.  Kate was really wonderful!

I just can’t get over the fact that I took a real art class at the library.  And it was free!  I got so much out of Wading Into Watercolor that I went out and bought a few paints, brushes, and paper (on sale!) to practice at home.  And even better, I started looking through all of the photographs I’ve taken to see what might make a fabulous watercolor project.

All of Kate’s wisdom and experience was aided by the many watercolor art books the library owns in the non-fiction collection (mostly 751.422).  In watercolor, it’s all about the light so the artist can make it “radiant” and “glowing” as well as “painting the spirit of nature” and “pouring light”.  Whoa, those are awesome ideas that I can only aspire to. You can be inspired by a walk through the Alice C Sabatini Gallery at the library, a captured moment in the sun or find it in the pages of one of these library books that helped me:

You never know if one decision, like taking a class at the library, could change your life.  Look through your ConnectNow and sign up for something awesome!