My wife has been painting with watercolors since forever.  In the spirit of camaraderie, I decided to experiment with acrylics. Fortunately, I didn’t break the bank buying supplies. Turns out, while I can draw straight lines, I’m hopeless with a paint brush. Back to the harmonica!

Last Saturday, we watched Patti Christie demonstrate her pastel technique at Bainbridge Arts & Craft (need I tell you how pleased I am that the gallery has returned to its roots after adopting The Art Project). Also in attendance were her sister and the math teacher whose room she shared for many years. The teacher told some funny stories about what it was like to stumble around all the art supplies.

Patti’s website artist statement includes the following:

“The paintings are simply meant to evoke a moment of repose. Like many artists, my work is an interpretation of what I see and know. Mostly about shape and color, it is without social commentary or hidden meaning, meant to put the viewer and painter at ease.”

And she is right – each of her beautiful cloudscapes made me want to lie down on a gigantic marshmallow! Speaking of marshmallows, we recently purchased a propane fire-pit where we have had way too many s’mores with family and friends. I highly recommend you try Reese’s peanut butter cups on the graham cracker as a chocolate bar substitute.

But, as usual, I digress…for about ten minutes, we watched Patti use various pastel sticks including her homemade chalk to create a small piece of art. Everyone was astounded at what she produced. It was a mini masterpiece. One that if I hadn’t witnessed her doing it, I would have thought took many hours to make. It was a testament to her over thirty years of experience as an artist/art teacher.

Patti also says that, “Color and composition are important, but allowing the painting to develop without external visual input is key, working as a child might, allowing the painting to tell me what to do.” As my futile foray into the world of acrylic painting can attest, me thinketh the lady underestimates the value of experience with the medium.

Regardless, definitely stop by Arts & Crafts this month to enjoy Patti’s artwork in person. And don’t forget peanut butter cups!

ABOUT MIKE LISAGOR – Mike Lisagor plays harmonica and sings in Good Karma Blues. He has written hundreds of magazine articles and blogs on a variety of business and Buddhist related topics. He is the author of “Romancing the Buddha,” which he adapted into a successful one-man show that he performed at Bainbridge Performing Arts and in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. His nature photographs have appeared in the Boston Globe, Bainbridge Island Magazine, Living Buddhism as well as in several local galleries. His latest graphic art project, “Reimagined Nature”, is in the lobby of New Motion Physical Therapy.