Last weekend I taught a workshop in Straithnairn, Canberra ACT on Plants & Pollinators.
The weather was absolutely glorious and the spacious studio/workshop provided ample room with the sun streaming through the windows and the viewlooking on to the rural scene and distant mountains.
The lovely group was all very enthusiastic and I am sure they were inspired by their subjects. In Canberra the artists will focus on the local native plants and pollinators which can be often found in their gardens.
I get quite excited when I see the subjects they are painting, and often wish I could pick up a brush and also paint. The group is very motivated and I am sure they will now begin to create more works including pollinators. I personally find it enchances a painting by adding further information and interest and it also stretches their abilities and encourages them to think outside the square.
Enjoy these photos from the workshop.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OnS_4VJ81ThjRg3pNaRCV7FTI6QVpA0E97ydRtMdUSHcr-KWjrFmnYQ5fDSEnPHrzEHiR200jorquTo56hQqrN5NjH2Dh-El_uRnU-XbJaBAo-65KePud4DkFhrxHJA9evYL2dlha-8/s640/View+from+studio.jpg) |
View from the workshop/studio |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jJ_fgquoNNdbY0rMFzp2BMSfU3K0hMv3TLAro9snwx-yvThtq5mrdLuMiawvlmyd-dtX5ht5_oJpUY1el9zzZBmLyII891D6zcI2ov95VMJ141n3VeHEWDdR2VD7CeQpZhG1dTCPQ2U/s640/View.jpg) |
Another rural view |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYFZhUX1uWX_3zXXQQPJL5rzsF5RvDo6zFV1zhebu1OHamE4WMRx-ms7Bhyphenhyphenk8OesLEOcH0idpf-VtYb45RauXAsnve1CXNUmy-Eq82ii0kmnEJLXGrJNkF0pkvy6g-dU73dYHr7d5FVQ/s640/Students+4.jpg) |
The colour study, part of the process |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0uxzASuFEHb54O8fwuaPrBysIVebkO-a0-HHX7ZbMD6jTrZoCnqxiCCP2Gy-l3n0CTaoh8l-sknjbK09YRDHa2nhcLaARvh3ZlKbIc_9vLoeKuZjTfQBFg062IgnYViMVdoaoF1alZU/s640/Helen.jpg) |
Helen painting a Monarch butterfly on a callistemon |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0zQeVNxXzmnzgUvZ8xDYqsSq3otQJ_tMCcfPO4ErmdbH2eBIbbtIJQ0Bl188SHDMp39DFBe0-iE4lMmnCFmoKlGP53ym5tpnlIKIJARyctc4Uh1b4_pXZEWAlL3fyHBz78LFfIbVuTs/s640/Student+at+work.jpg) |
Colour study of a Eastern Spinebill |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMtOhIIhj4WTxHoLzjyjh8NMXvE97T3Bt8ehrGVjydT5kGhDC5sSwjmMprq5z6rzxK2v6OQmBAGnAmM2BBHKzNhXQaoMsKbf_cl7WZ5ehc9XKrVAHzcGZPZ41h9jipULcv056wg3DjtY/s640/Eastern+Spinebill.jpg) |
Jann's painting of a Eastern Spinebill, sourced from her own photographs |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6KWAfe694r43EmWo4e_izbnP20r6q2vOkM_TsxhJ629Qm8dlAyQSXSJd-KuesK6wYe6QPqIJLky3C5F76gHCesf4CD_fymm8V-uwP7ULKLxTleIQakyAjD2SCkvrsXIpYlrz64JEmog/s640/Silvereye+Finsh.jpg) |
Colour study with notes for a Fisheye Finch |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6w2Qy252XdKmQaAmkr5459zs_c8MoZ1h3zpW-gAnJ_l7fFnEyEOn8W-rEFSAU1zxZM814AYPirY09w-XQiWpD3XqySFsLDY0JsoY4czMxpqt73XGG1eMTtHFxAsEKI6Jh7nahMXNhV0/s640/Silvereye+2.jpg) |
Drawing and Colour Study for the Fisheye Finch |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2574dEJSWDiISpkcZIu6rCFgdnuw-O4nWXVGex3YB4MzAGtbBX1AIbswXWAlHv876YVD1nL-b6RLieWYLCe7h0IchEShhsIPfNtZ0JlMG3PAfPk1MFF1tpmhCAT1AodTbdm0Ib_-o0pE/s640/New+Holland+Honeyeater+chick.jpg) |
New Holland Honeyeater chick on a grevillea |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3iWz3ue96lQrTVifuqr9AfwsswQqMOa66-BS0SDQFAkdbuDxoW94_Ob-7scHGSSv0_ysAQMr7e5jgyrpVm4Voy2gRQYp2tzVzfYwLFfT210OCgoYc5OQUI90VxIfpfSI_xIo0GHy0G8/s640/New+Holland+Honeyeater.jpg) |
Mature New Holland Honeyeater drawing and colour study - on a grevillea |
This was an excellent workshop. I enjoyed myself asmuch as the students. Jean made the most incredible morning and afternoon teas. Orange and poppy seed cake, moist and moreish, chocolate fudge slice, orange and almond muffins, a cheese platter and much more......