Wednesday, February 22, 2012

New Creations on a Wonderful Wednesday by September McGee


"Summer Rain"
24" x 18" oil on linen

"Summer Rain" is a brand new creation that took on its own specialness when a customer of mine decided she wanted a woman on the beach done in greens in my "rainy day" technique.
Her name is Jacqui and I would meet her, albeit too briefly, most summers in my booth.  Last year, however, Jacqui, with her huge giving heart, was taking care of a friend on hospice in North Carolina.  She shared her story with me about her friend Ms. Sherry and what a kind and giving person she was.  I decided I would take pictures of my walks by the ocean and sunsets and send them to Ms. Sherry to give her heart some beautiful images and some love from the west coast.  She wasn't suppose to last very long, but she surprised everyone and she made it to see her new grand child,  Christmas and more!  With all the sunsets and gorgeous Laguna seascapes I sent, "Summer Rain" was the last image Ms. Sherry saw and she loved it. A painting cannot leave my studio until I am absolutely certain it is ready to go.  I just finally shipped it up to Jacqui and it arrived on Valentine's Day - the perfect day for a woman with a huge loving heart!
....and she LOVED it!

Every painting has a story...a beginning... with the idea....a middle... with the photo session and the creation itself...and an ending...the home where it was meant to be!  "Summer Rain" was in the works for almost a year.  Jacqui blessed me by coming to my home/studio around my birthday and we shared Veuve Cliquot (there is no other) and knoshed, laughed and I turned her onto Brie with chopped
red onions... let's not leave off the chocolate covered strawberries and other scrumptious sweets.
It was most endearing to spend quality time with this amazing woman. She brought along a friend AND her new sweetheart, who happens to be her old sweetheart! Yes, they found each other once again and act like sixteen year olds!!!  Jacqui has found love. Each night as I went to work on "Summer Rain" I asked this painting what love can I give you?  Then and only then would I paint.  My desire was for Jacqui to love what I created for her. The gods were kind to me as I painted with love I learned to love my art once again... all because of the love of one humble, energetic, caring woman.  Did I mention she use to be a nurse.

I believe this painting will always remind us of the love we all shared - Ms. Sherry, Jacqui, Mitch and myself and how wonderful it is that art can convey the most powerful and wondrous feeling in the world - LOVE from its creation and for eternity.  Thank you Jacqui, for sharing your kindness and unending giving of yourself to others and for loving my work!  I still take pictures of the sunsets and so thanks to Jacqui and Ms. Sherry look for several exciting sunset paintings due out this summer!

I wish you all love today and all days!

Blessings,

September McGee


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Friday, February 17, 2012

CREATE YOUR OWN ART! FLOWERS, TREES, SEA CREATURES AND MORE! DON'T MISS THIS FABULOUS OPPORTUNITY IN LAGUNA BEACH, CA!!!


HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO PAINT?

HERE ARE SOME AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES
TO CREATE WITH
AWARD WINNING ARTIST:

SEPTEMBER McGEE


BRAND NEW WORKSHOP!
Paint aloe flowers from the aloe plant!

Using oil pastels on 80lb paper we will be creating this gorgeous red flower from the aloe plant with special layering and unique texturing techniques. Yes, you will go home with your very own creation!

LAGUNA BEACH BOTANICALS
Art workshop:  Thursday & Saturday February 23 & 25th
9:30 am - 11 am.
Crescent Bay point Park, 223 Crescent Bay Dr. Laguna Beach, CA
Instructor:  September McGee

Horticulturist Ruben Flores will be educating us on this amazing red aloe flower and more! We will all be creating our own aloe flower to take home and frame!  Pick the day of your choice or come twice!

Adults 16 and up!  ONLY $25 per session
(includes all materials) 
REGISTER NOW!  LIMITED TO 16


BRAND NEW WORKSHOP!!
Paint this beautiful Australian Paper Bark Tree!  

Right in Heisler Park, you've seen this amazing tree, well come and paint it.  We will be using a pencil sketch and black gel pen and a sepia watercolor wash with touches of yellow
and green.  This is so much FUN!

LAGUNA BEACH BOTANICALS
Art Workshop:  Thursday & Saturday March 22nd and 23rd
9:30 am - 11:00 am
at Heisler Park, 376 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach
Instructor:  September McGee

Adults 16 and up!   ONLY $25 per session
(includes all materials) 
REGISTER NOW!  LIMITED TO 16

Horticulturist Ruben Flores will be discussing this wonderful tree.  He will even tell us how old it is and how it got so twisted and why its trunk has all these amazing sepia tones in the bark.  Then we will sit on the grass or bench or bring your own beach chair and towel and we will be sketching and creating your own masterpiece to take home and frame.  Choose one day or come to both!


Come and get a tour of our Marine Mammal Center and then we adjourn to the art room where we will create the amazing Garibaldi fish using oil pastels and special layering and unique texturing techniques!
This workshop is offered monthly by LOCA!

ART and SEA LIONS
Saturday March 20th
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Pacific Marine Mammal Center
20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA
Instructor:  September McGee

Adults $20.  Ages 6-18 $15 (accompanied by an adult)
All materials included.  
REGISTER NOW! LIMITED TO 15.

One of the wonderful docents from the Mammal Center will guide us through the facilities and discuss the history of the Mammal Center as we witness first hand the actual rescued sea lions  in residence as they greet you with their wondrous eyes and flap their fins with thanks. You will have the opportunity to find out how to name one and be there when they are returned to the ocean!  A must do day for anyone who loves the ocean and all its inhabitants. A family treat not to be missed!

We then go to the art room where we will be painting the Garibaldi fish in all its brilliance in oil pastels. You get to take home a fish without even using a hook!  
And, this one is "frame able".


WATERCOLORS ON THE BEACH

Here is an art class right on the Beach!!!!
Learn all about all the incredible tide pool creatures with a tour with our docent then adjourn to the beach and be served an amazing snack from the Montage (worth the price of admission)!
Next we create watercolors of the tide pool creatures beginning with the astonishing starfish (sea star) that we just saw in the tide pools. For beginners to advanced this is the "funnest" art workshop offered in Laguna Beach. Great for families, artists, want to be artists - great for anyone and everyone who loves the beach!  In this workshop we not only promote tide pool preservation we teach you how to preserve your own special creation in your own watercolor journal that you get to take home along with all the art supplies!  
This is the best deal ever! 

                             SUNDAYS  10 am - 11:30 am
OFFERED:  MARCH 18  -  APRIL 1ST AND  -  MAY 13TH
AT:  Treasure Island Beach

 Adults $35.  Ages 5-18 $20 (accompanied by an adult)
REGISTER NOW!  LIMITED TO 15!

ARTISTS:  SEPTEMBER McGEE, SHERRY BULLOCK AND SANDRA WEIR


THESE ARE THE CLASSES I WILL BE TEACHING WITH LOCA THIS YEAR!
THERE ARE MANY MORE AMAZING CLASSES TOO. ASK WHEN YOU CALL 
OUR LOCA OFFICE!

HERE'S WHAT TO DO:

REGISTER AND JUST DO IT:

CALL LOCA AT 949-363-4700
EMAIL LOCA:  LOCAarts@yahoo.com
GO ONLINE:  www.LOCAarts.org

LOCA (LAGUNA OUTREACH FOR COMMUNITY ARTS) IS NON PROFIT.

REGISTER AND GET STARTED WITH YOUR NEW YEAR AND
YOUR NEW JOURNEY INTO ART, FLOWERS AND THE SEA...
ALL IN LAGUNA BEACH!


STAY IN THE PULSE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING!!!


HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!


BLESSINGS,

SEPTEMBER


WWW.SEPTEMBERMCGEE.COM