Creativity is Contagious. Pass it On. Albert Einstein

Gloucester Art Center Mixed Media Workshop ©Dick Welton

Albert Einstein was truly a genius. He believed that imagination is more important than knowledge and he believed in the importance of creativity. He said, "Creativity is Contagious. Pass it on." I love that quote.

A few years ago, I met Mary Ann Beckwith and heard her tell about a friend who had worked hard and finally discovered the art-making method she'd been seeking over the years. Instead of keeping what she learned to herself, the artist shared her discovery with anyone who would listen and watch.

"If you don't teach it, it can't go on," Beckwith said. "Don't hesitate to share your knowledge. Teach anyone you can anything you know."

What extraordinary words of wisdom. Because of her creative and sharing spirit, I loved every moment of Beckwith's classes. I wish she lived nearby instead of in the far north of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

It was with Beckwith that I took a journey into experimental mixed media art. I learned new and exciting techniques that I continue to explore and expand inside my own studio. Many of the things I learned from her and from other artists since then, I am including in the workshops I'm teaching now. My next workshop will be in Williamsburg next week at This Century Art Gallery in the Education Center. The class is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

What a wonderful contagion to have--creativity. How exciting to have the opportunity to pass it on!

Please visit my web site to see some of my paintings using experimental water media.

Pastel Painting Workshop - What's Your Favorite Painting Medium?

"Blue Pond" - pastel ©Mary Montague Sikes

On Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., I'm teaching a pastel workshop at This Century Art Gallery Education Center. I would love to work with any of you in the Williamsburg, Virginia area who are interested in learning more about this wonderful and direct drawing/painting medium. For artists of all levels, this is an opportunity to develop your skills while meeting others with similar interests.

From the first moment I discovered pastels, I was hooked. I admired the works of Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas. Whenever I see a pastel painting in an art show, I am immediately drawn to it.

What is your favorite painting medium? Do you have more than one that you especially like?

Weekend News-- Snow, Books, Art, and Giclees

We have the coldest weather in Virginia that we've had for the last couple of years or more. Late this afternoon, snow came down in a rush and made the roads super slick. I'm glad we don't have to go out tonight.

Jacquie Rogers of Romancing the West has me for her guest this week. I'm discussing my novel, A Rainbow for Christmas and much more.

On the Romancing the West site, I'm also talking about the exhibit of work by Lillian Wilhelm Smith, the illustrator of the Zane Grey books. We saw this show at the Sedona Art Center while we were there last November. I loved reading the Zane Grey books and dreaming about the Old West and was especially interested in the paintings that were part of her work.

Next week, I'm one of five artists putting up work for the February show at the Art Education Center Gallery of This Century Art Gallery in Williamsburg. Twelve of my original paintings from the Hotels to Remember project will be featured in this exhibit. It will be exciting to see the pieces together again. All of the paintings in the book have been reproduced as Giclees. Five of those will be part of this exhibition.

What are Giclees? many of you are asking. The word was created over two decades ago by a printmaker named Jack Duganne who wanted to depict prints made with an inkjet printer in a very positive manner. Giclees are made by carefully matching all the colors in a piece of art using high quality archival inks that will last over 100 years (if kept out of direct sunlight). The pastel reproductions are beautiful and much easier to frame than the originals that must be handled very carefully.

The art exhibit at 110 Westover Avenue will feature Elaine Abbott, Jason Hillegas, Devon Rawson, Juliet Kirby, and me . The opening reception will be Friday, February 1, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.