Dancing Antelope

“It is a world of startling possibilities.”  ~ Charles Fletcher Dole

Ten years ago, I thought I could only draw stick people.  Portraits?  No way.

I don’t recall how it happened, but I came across a copy of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.  It changed my creative life. To my surprise, what I drew resembled what I was trying to draw.

Excited, I decided to try a portrait.  I found a thumbnail of Louie Armstrong and bravely gave a pencil sketch portrait a try.  The thumbnail image is long-lost, but I still have the photo of my sketch.

A few months ago, I thought I could only paint landscapes and flowers.  Portraits?  No way.

Inspired by the watercolor portrait portfolio a dear lady and artist friend shared with me, I signed up for a watercolor portrait workshop.

I didn’t have the slightest expectation that whatever I produced during the workshop would resemble the person whose portrait I wanted to paint.  My idea was that I’d have fun painting with kindred creative spirits and if none of my portraits resembled their persons, at least I’d have a great time painting them.

The first portrait I attempted is still unfinished.  However, every time I look at it I can hardly believe I painted it.  I attended a workshop taught by the talented teacher, Jane Angelhart’s, and with her instruction and encouragement, as well as the encouragement of an amazing hostess and artist friend, I learned how to paint watercolor portraits.

Ten years ago I didn’t think I could draw.  A few months ago I didn’t think I could paint watercolor portraits.

Never say never.