Workshop with Joe Miller

A painting by Joe Miller from our workshop that he gave to me as a gift!. I was so excited!!

It is going to be perfect in my sunroom.

At the first of September, my mother and I had the privilege of taking a workshop with Joe Miller, fabulous artist, teacher and founder/owner of one of the country's largest mail-order art supply companies, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff. We were the first students to ever take private classes in his studio in Boone, NC. I felt so lucky just to be there. Joe is one of the kindest, most generous teachers I have ever had. He is so encouraging and positive and has the most wonderful personality and sense of humor. It was such a pleasure to spend three lovely days in his gorgeous studio overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. I will tell you more about Joe, or "Cheap Joe" as he is known, in a Featured Artist Friday post coming soon.

I told Joe I wanted to loosen up, get bolder and braver with watercolor. I tend to paint very light and I'm afraid to really put down color. With Joe’s help, he pushed me to go darker, spatter, spray,

get messy

Yicks! have never been this messy - but it was fun and I loved the results!

Joe's Paletteand just have fun mixing the color on the paper, as well as the palette, learning all sorts of new and exciting techniques.

He told us we really needed to work on value and do these little studies before we start painting. Obviously, I need some help in that area!

Joe's notes to me We really had fun taking the gestural approach to quick little figures. I think Joe thought we might have been a bit carried away with them as we were adding them to everything we did.

Joe's Little People

It was the most spectacular three days. I was sad to see it end. I hope to go back really soon.

Now that my wedding season is slowing down for the year, I hope to start working on all that we learned!

Speaking of weddings ... I have several amazing weddings to share with you over the next few weeks.

Featured Artist Friday: Parker J. Pfister ... and Real Wedding Weekend: Brooke & Sterling

With fall in the air and a tinge of color already tipping the leaves, I thought this would be a great time to show you a beautiful autumn wedding from last year.

Brooke and Sterling were married at The Vista on Biltmore Estate. To set the tone for their glorious autumn wedding, we designed a full stationery ensemble, a beautiful French Roast letterpress suite from one of the fabulous stationery lines we offer at A Fine Line. I then scripted their place cards, to coordinate, on the same rich paper. The cards were pinned to pears and nestled amongst lush floral arrangements, in deep fall hues, created by The Bloom Room. It could not have been a more splendid, fall day for such a beautiful couple. One of the most highly regarded photographers in the nation and one of my favorite artists, Parker J. Pfister, captured the event. Parker J’s passion, personality and unique style speak volumes in his work which is described by many as “fine art, photojournalistic fashion and avant-garde.” He says he is a photographer because "he has to be." He photographs for his soul. His images are not only seen through the eyes, but felt with the heart. It is true; a picture is worth a thousand words …

Invitations - A Fine Line Photography - Parker J. Pfister
Flowers - The Bloom Room