≡ Menu

The Jesse Reno Experience

I was so sad I wasn’t able to post last week for Paint Party Friday but I had a good reason- I had been out of town painting!  Happily, I have a post for this week’s Paint Party Friday!

When I take a class it is a risk.  I never know how it will turn out.  Of course there is a picture showing what you will make but great instructors give you so much more than just instructions. They give you insight.  They push you in new directions. This is what I hope for every time I sign up for a class.  Before I signed up I knew a bit more about the teacher, Jesse Reno and his painting style. The  interview on Art and Soul Radio with Lesley Riley was very interesting.  When I saw he was going to be at Art and Soul, I signed up for 3 days of his classes.

I expected to learn painting techniques (which I did) but there was something I needed more than techniques.  I was feeling stuck and wanted  his input on where to go- he called me on my fear.  Flat out, my fear was exposed – not to him, he probably saw it when I walked through the door.  It was exposed to me.  I didn’t realize how much of it I still had.  I felt very uncomfortable because I didn’t want to own my fear.  He made me own it in a kind way that I have seen very few teachers do.    He wants to help and it shows in his actions.  Not all teachers are willing to put themselves out there with words students don’t always want to hear- but they need to hear.  He did and I am glad he did.  It has changed how I look at my art.

Here is one of the paintings I did in class, sort of step by step when I would remember to take a photo.  I dream of the day when we have indoor lighting that is as fantastic for photographing as the sun provides outdoors.  Until then, I just need to deal with the ho hum florescent lighting…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank heavens for the sunshine for the final photo!

I did change the purple to blue and yellow- sunshine can’t make that much of a color change…

{ 32 comments… add one }

Leave a Comment

  • Maria March 16, 2012, 1:12 am

    Ummmm…WOW! I am speechless.

  • AJ March 16, 2012, 2:05 am

    Congratulations Carolyn, this piece is stunning and I am so happy you had a good experience with your class.
    Big love
    AJ

  • Cynthia March 16, 2012, 8:03 am

    WOW indeed! I love it love it love it!!

  • Kat March 16, 2012, 8:39 am

    Hello Carolyn, such an interesting piece, I loved seeing the evolution. Sounds like you’ve had an interesting time…continue with the fun and inspiration! Thanks for your lovely comment at dreamcolour, enjoy your week-end!

  • Nicole Campanella March 16, 2012, 9:13 am

    I love love love this painting!!! Wonderful work.
    Nicole/Beadwright

  • Lenna Young Andrews March 16, 2012, 9:59 am

    Wow, that sounds like quite an experience, a good one and one that was needed. great painting and I love seeing it come to life same as how you were feeling!!

  • Diana Evans March 16, 2012, 10:28 am

    oh wow!!! wonderful work and that class sounds amazing!!!!

  • Paula - Buenos Aires March 16, 2012, 11:43 am

    Delicious layering. Happy looking final piece, so many details to see. Awesome colours.
    PS: my grey started to show when I got married. 😉

  • Corrine March 16, 2012, 11:49 am

    The intuitive process is pretty amazing isn’t it. Fear is a sneaky thing……wonderful energy here, Jesse is quite brave, would love to take one of his classes. Lucky you! xox

  • Faye March 16, 2012, 12:40 pm

    Carolyn, the colors here are amazing. I couldn’t leave a comment on your PPF post but it was beautiful. I scrolled up and down 5 or 6 times and couldn’t find a comment space/button so I just went back to your blog – period. You are so talented.

  • kat March 16, 2012, 1:22 pm

    great teachers come into our lives from time to time..sometimes it is such a blessing as you experienced. you are very lucky to have this experience. we all get stuck at times I think…you just have to push through and let you feelings drive you. I love you abstract and beautiful whimsical bird

    yea for art !!!

    -KAT-

  • Lori - What Remains Now March 16, 2012, 1:28 pm

    Carolyn…This is fabulous!

  • Cris, Artist in Oregon March 16, 2012, 3:23 pm

    Thank you for your visit. Love the colors you use. Happy PPF

  • Debbie March 16, 2012, 4:30 pm

    Jesse Reno is doing a workshop at ArtFest in Port Townsend next week. I was toying with the idea of trying to go. He looks fun, and your artwork from the workshop looks great! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

  • cat @ sea.sky.stone. March 16, 2012, 4:32 pm

    I love it! And I am so jealous, I mean, so happy for you that you got to take the class 🙂

  • Ginny March 16, 2012, 8:02 pm

    Carolyn, your painting is incredible. I kept saying, “Oh, wow!” each time I looked at a new picture. You have been having one special experience after another. What a wonderful journey you are on. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  • Nora Clemens-Gallo March 16, 2012, 9:21 pm

    Your painting is amazing!!! I love all the bright colors you used. The class sounds very exiting.
    Great job!

  • Susan Tidwell March 16, 2012, 10:58 pm

    Wonderful painting! Glad you enjoyed your class. Thanks for showing the process as well.

  • iamrushmore March 16, 2012, 11:22 pm

    just reading about your class experience triggers an emotional response. clearly I’ve got plenty of fear issues of my own, and the thought of being asked to OWN them – scary and exhilarating. your painting is really cool!

  • Valerie-Jael March 17, 2012, 3:19 am

    Wow, really fantastic! That workshop seems to have been amazing, too! Valerie

  • Lynn Lucas March 17, 2012, 4:26 am

    Great painting Carolyn. I love the colours and all of the interesting aspects to it. Thanks for sharing the process too. I really liked seeing the evolution of your painting.

  • Dolores March 17, 2012, 10:20 am

    Wow, that is amazing. Love how you let us experience you painting as you went along. That must have been a fabulous class, wish we had something like that in our area.

  • Carol Samsel March 17, 2012, 11:21 am

    This is just totally awesome!!! I loves watching the process :0)

  • lorraine March 17, 2012, 3:17 pm

    great painting..lovely to find a course which you learn good techniques from a teacher who is keen..thanks for visiting my blog today and your lovely comment

  • EVA March 17, 2012, 11:35 pm

    Sounds like a great course and a lot of fun! Great resulting painting!

  • Bleubeard and Elizabeth March 18, 2012, 11:50 am

    Letting go of fear is a problem with many artists. I love that you were able to do that. Your finished painting ROCKS!!

  • Kelly March 18, 2012, 3:54 pm

    I love the fun layers of color and texture! Very spunky!

  • julie March 19, 2012, 11:31 am

    A Jesse class is next on my list! Thanks for the insight.
    Julie

  • Cowgirl Red March 19, 2012, 8:51 pm

    How fun that must have been!! I love it. Terah

  • Heather Koshiol March 19, 2012, 10:08 pm

    A bit silly, isn’t it, when we realize WE are what’s holding us back. Hooray for breaking past the fear!

  • Terrie -Creative Explorer March 20, 2012, 12:32 pm

    What I love about this painting is that all the layers and bits and splashes you laid down and laid down still make little appearances here and there, really hinting at all the work you did at the beginning. It’s such a bold and whimsical result – the kind of painting that draws you closer for better inspection. I’m nowhere near ready to take an art class – talk about FEAR! I’m definitely not in denial. I have it in spades! 🙂

  • Pattie Wall March 31, 2012, 11:54 am

    Amazing! The sky is the limit on this technique…it looks like a whole bunch of fun!!! Nice job!!!