Monday 14 February 2011

meet my student

Barb has been my loyal student for close to 7 years now.  
WOW...time sure flies!

Barb loves to paint and, when schedules permit, we try to squeeze in one lesson a week when we can.  Our lessons over the past few years have been quite spasmodic with so many problems occurring such as house moves, termites and subsequent repairs, health issues, surgeries, trips away etc., but it certainly hasn't dulled Barb's enthusiasm in the least.   Barb does tend to rely heavily on my guidance through every step of a painting but, for classes this year, I plan to encourage her to spread her wings more and go solo as much as possible with only minimal help from me. Barb finished this painting in December 2010 and, as you can see by her thumb's up, she was very happy with the end result. 

Click on any image to enlarge
 
It was painted from a photo of the family home where Barb raised her kids back in New Zealand and she kept it as a surprise from her family until she had completed it.  I'm happy to say that her husband and adult children were absolutely thrilled and all became quite emotional as the painting of their family home evoked stories of the many happy memories shared there.

A job well done, Barb!
Acrylics on 16" x 20" canvas board

~ Love, light and peace ~

22 comments:

  1. It's a lovely painting of a lovely house.

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  2. Oil painting can be difficult. I'm taking a class right now in Renaissance oil painting. It involves 4 layers of painting, which I am a bit familiar with after finishing a large fresco-the Italians love to layer.

    Your student has done a marvelous job with her painting. I'm sure you are a great teacher for her to stick with you all this time.

    Salute to you both!

    Cheryl

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  3. Not only should you be EXTREMELY PROUD of your student!! But you must be some teacher...you must've had a good eye to explain what she is to see and you must've given her confidence to believe in herself!! I'm all about confidence these days :) Hey, I want to be your student too :D :D

    Barb- You are very TaLeNtEd!! I'm loving everything about this!!

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  4. Wow Serena! Barb did an amazing job on her painting! Can I come move in with you so you can show me how to paint? VBG
    Hugs and you are a great teacher.

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  5. I swear I thought it was a photograph! Barb's painting is amazing! The red bush on the right seems so real that I want to reach out and touch it. You are a great teacher and Barb is the proof of that.

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  6. Wow! In that first photo, it almost looks like an actual picture and not a painting. She did a great job! And obviously had a great teacher. Hope you are having a wonderful day. Best wishes, Tammy

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  7. Amazing!! That picture is fantastic and sure to be an heirloom for her family forever. Gorgeous. You are a great teacher and she has some real talent! :)

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  8. WOW Serena what a fantastic job Barb did of the painting of her home in NZ, tell her "congratulations". And I can vouch for you being a great teacher too!!

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  9. Wow, Barb should be very proud of her painting, it looks like a photo. You are a great teacher Serena, with your guidance and encouragement
    Lee:)

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  10. Wow wow, she did an Awesome job. Wish I was close enough to you to take lessons from you.

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  11. she did a wonderful job with the painting :)

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  12. Congrats to Barb on an excellent painting! I can see why her family would have loved it. You are, obviously, a good teacher! First rate job--both of you! :)

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  13. lovely job Barb...great teacher Serena

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  14. Wow! Your friend and student Barb should be thrilled with the results. It's an outstanding job and you can see she put much love into this painting. Every brush stroke was love from all the memories rushing out to her. Very good work and you must be an excellent teacher. teach me, teach me.:D Great post Serena. Hope you are doing great!

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  15. The painting is awesome! Love the colours and shadows. Beautiful!
    Lovexx
    Julie

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  16. Your student is extremely talented Serena and she obviously has a good teacher in you.
    Love your photos too especially of Mikeyla

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  17. This is terrific...two thumbs up! that's what.....

    and there is nothing better than painting something that has so much meaning to the artist....I really feel the energy of love come through each stroke, each layer!

    well done! smiles all around!

    ciao bella
    Creative Carmelina

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  18. Wow.... way to go Barb. And...what fun having a student for that long.... the two of you must be great friends by now...

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  19. Barb did such a wonderful job. Love the tree details. Little Mikayla is so so cute. Such a cherub face...time to paint her!

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  20. What a terrific painting - and a terrific IDEA for a painting. I've been asked to teach a lot, but haven't had time yet. It must be wonderful, watching a student blossom.

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  21. Fantastic job, Barbara. Great teacher and terrific story.

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  22. OMG...it is so perfect, it looks like a photograph!!! She has a great teacher, but is a wonderful artist!!!!

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