So I've been freer recently...what with school out, and all...and yet strangely more busy. An empty space of time is luck a sucking vacuum and all manner of new commitments will inexplicably fall in. For instance, though I had 3 days free last week, I spent them all at school cleaning and organizing my new classroom (yes, I did inherit a room for next year. Also of interest, as it stands now I will be teaching 1 section of AP Art History, 2 sections of Electronic Media, and 3 sections of Draw II. This is significant because unless it changes, I'll not be teaching any Art I...meaning I will teach 3 classes I've never taught before.).

Anyway, I posted previously showing the pear on the far left (below), which is terrible. Recently I "finished" the one on the right (not totally complete, but as it got close Jon scraped it off and we started something new). If you're curious, the top middle pear is a 10 minute demo completed by Jon. The blue pear is a value and warmth relationship exercise I completed with Jon watching, and the pear on the right is a slightly more finished painting, taking several hours.

There is obvious improvement, as you might notice comparing the old pear with the new (detail, below). Still, it is like pulling teeth adjusting to a more colorful palette as well as still learning brush control and manipulating paint.

So here's to hoping I can force myself to paint more in coming days. I set a very ambitious goal of completing a new painting this week, but I've already had several obstacles pop up. I'll post progress photos as I can. Also, maybe some more musings and thoughts will come soon. "So much time, so little to do....wait! Strike that. Reverse it."