Student Art Show

July 22, 2026July 22, 2026 ~ MaryG ~ 19 Comments

I’ve been enjoying participating in the arts (a lifelong love) more than ever, now that I’m retired from paid employment.

I took my first watercolor classes at a lovely community arts center in the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026. I was asked (as all students were) to submit something for an end-of-year student art show. I did not win a prize, but I got to see my painting up on the gallery wall and mingle with lots of other students at the opening reception. Also, I figured out which teacher I want to learn from next.

All photos by Gregory Ciccarelli.

The theme of the Student Summer Showcase is *S³: A Moment of Reflection*, which was described like this:
“We are experiencing difficult times with heightened division and misunderstanding, and we believe that art is the great connector. Art helps us take a moment to be introspective, muse about our personal mission, express feelings and emotions that can’t be described in words. *S³: A Moment of Reflection* means to give our community a space to come together and reflect on our personal journeys as student artists, community members, and human beings.”

A friend I met in class and me looking at my piece (top right)

Some of the abstract pieces were really great

Me and my piece: a portrait of my granddaughter at 9 months old

The piece they’re looking at here is titled “Have You Seen My Glasses?” 😂 It won a prize.

The Grand Prize Winner is an oil painting called “Waiting” which is very cool. Reading the judge’s comments, you can see how a good title can truly impact a viewer’s understanding of a piece.

“Martha Owen’s painting, Waiting, attracted me immediately. It seemed to radiate moonlight and mystery. It suggested a story that the viewer had to create. The power and simplicity of the stark, tight composition added to the drama. I enjoyed the fresh vision and originality of the subject matter. All the visual elements of the painting worked together to reinforce a feeling of emptiness, stillness and longing, capped off by the title.”

The judge fully acknowledged that art is subjective. She said she chose pieces that spoke to her.

I’ll definitely take another class here next year.

The whole thing felt supportive and not competitive.

Watercolors—baby farm animal #3

March 12, 2026March 27, 2026 ~ MaryG ~ 17 Comments

Week 3 of my paint-a-long class and I’m definitely getting flashbacks to high school—probably because the teacher is a retired high school art teacher. She talks to us like we’re 16, rather than 60+, sometimes. You can tell that she was one of those slightly grouchy teachers that was easily annoyed. It’s actually funny some of things she says to people: “Your perspective is totally OFF” or “I see you’re doing it your way—again”

Nobody seems to care. They’ve all known her a long time and they like her. They sign-up for her class semester after semester.

So far, she’s been pretty nice to me. No major criticisms and some nice compliments on my work. Just like in high school, art teachers like me.

Oh, and she plays the radio in the background while we paint. The station is perfect for us…it’s all soft rock from the 70 and 80s (our high school years). Some people sing along quietly.

I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name…

Next week: 🐷

Watercolors—baby farm animal #1

Watercolors—baby farm animal #2

Watercolors—baby farm animal #4

Watercolors—baby farm animal #5