The client showed me swatches of the beautiful mural that she planned to put on the wall across from the piece. She also had picked out the color of paint for the wall that the artwork would rest on. This was very helpful to ensure that the piece would blend and mesh with the office environment. ![]() I started my process by experimenting with mixing paint colors and dabbing them on little squares of watercolor paper. I wanted to get an idea of the position of my light and dark values. Also wanted to see if I could mix up those colors and get them to play well together. I made up a little sample palette for myself to work from and set aside some time to just play with colors. This proved to be very fruitful for me. Experimenting on small paper first helped me to not feel overwhelmed when tackling a very large canvas. ![]() After mixing up larger amounts of color, I started by building up the dark background and then gradually layering in the mid tones. Since circular shapes communicate happy to me, I decided to incorporate different shapes of varying sized circles. As I layered them on, a couple of them looked like blueberries to me. I love blueberries as they ripen because of the way they bloom into soft pinks and greens. Things were beginning to come together visually. I kept building and layering in blueberries at different stages of ripening. ![]() This challenge of making an abstract painting that communicates joy was thrilling. While abstract pieces do not attempt to represent reality, they do utilize shapes, hues and lines to communicate emotions. I enjoy stepping out of my normal painting style and exploring large format pieces for grand walls that are both colorful and lively. It's invigorating to mix a little bit or realism with abstract splashes of light and textures. Once I had the painting mostly finished, I left it up on the easel for a couple of days to look at. I often build in this window of time just to walk by and see if there are any lingering issues bothering me about a piece. Often times I see things that I'd like to correct. This time also allows me to look at the piece in different lighting with fresh, rested morning eyes. If you have a blank space and are craving some special art to pull your room's color palette together, feel free to reach out. This was a very large 4 x 4' piece that filled the client's wall perfectly. Whatever your room size, I'm pretty sure I can get my hands on a canvas that will work beautifully. E-mail me here to inquire about pricing.
Well simply put, you are soul weary. Right about now, most of us are feeling heart heavy from the last few months. The barrage of imagery that we view is sad, unsettling and disturbing. That's just the political and social unrest! Discord in our own families during this time of high tensions may also be taking a toll. It's not an exaggeration to say that the isolation and lack of routine, schedule or meaningful interaction with others is unsettling. There are so many unknowns and unanswered questions that we have to try to rest in. Normally I'm the one waving a white flag reminding myself and others to stop committing to so many things, but now feels different. Now I'm craving something on my weekly schedule that I can count on happening... something healthy, inspiring and carved out for me to look forward to. ![]() Whatever your season of life is, Whether you are starting a new business, retiring, or wanting a little down time away from your family, consider blocking out some time to create a little beauty. The upcoming 8 week beginner watercolor class we offer is approachable, friendly and easy to jump into. We'll meet each week via Zoom to share a virtual cup of tea (or whatever your beverage of choice is) to chat, watch me demonstrate, ask questions and paint simple projects together. The wonderful thing about these classes is that there is no pressure to paint perfectly or ... even at all. ![]() Sometimes just watching someone else (and learning) for when you feel up to painting yourself is all you can manage. I totally get that. This forum provides the space and time to allow your soul that rest and refresh opportunity. Pursuing a hobby, sitting and learning, painting something for your home, making a note card for a friend or just to soak in the joy of creating ... it is all worth your time and effort to help you rest and journey back to peace. Here is more information and details about the classes. Both the beginner and advanced art classes start up Thursday so have a look... I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. You can shoot me an e-mail, call or text me at 407-421-3198. ![]() What a past couple of weeks it has been. We went from our daughter's graduation party to the joy of art camp to a family vacation in Colorado. I've spent the last couple of weeks getting caught up on housework and just catching my breath. Now that my head is back above water, I've bobbed back down into painting an underwater scene. Inspired by my boys fly fishing in Colorado, I decided to learn about and paint what they caught ... a brown trout. We Florida folks are much more acquainted with bass and blue gill, but the running streams of the mountains had such a beautiful allure to them. This trip, I decided not to pack my paints (which is unusual for me). Normally, I enjoy painting as part of a relaxing vacation experience, but I think it was part exhaustion and part just wanting to focus on family time that lead me to leave them at home. Even though I didn't paint or draw a thing, my head was swimming with all of the inspiration we saw. The mountains and fir trees, the deer, moose and cliffs. Simply stunning! ![]() My husband, Daniel and I, find that the anticipation of a vacation can be just as exhilarating as the event itself. Most years, our family makes a little countdown calendar when we are about a month away from a vacation. We sit around the table with Crayola scented or Mr. Sketch smelly markers and each of us draws a numbered page to be torn off. They look a mess and sometimes a page is as simple as the decorated day's number, but it's fun making the countdown calendar and throwing the sheets away each day in anticipation of the vacation. Just as anticipating vacation is a thrill, |
After chalking the line, I had the kids make cuts every half-inch or so along each side. Don't let them separate the 2 pieces after cutting. I learned the hard way that it can be difficult for them to line it back up when it comes time to tie the strips. Note: You can cut off and throw away the excess corner pieces. |
Here are a couple of photos I want to share from this project at Camp Create. The kids learned so much sewing on the buttons in 2018. We had them pick their own colors of felt to mix and match with the different buttons. For camp, they sewed on little pockets as well.

1. Reschedule the camp for later in the summer (possibly July or August)
2. If complete cancellation is necessary, we will take our cue from the airlines and create a credit system where your paid art camp tuition from this summer will be applied forward to one of next summer’s art camp weeks.
At this time, we are still keeping our registration open, so feel free to register without paying (and pay right before camp starts) if you’d like to reserve your child’s spot without having the financial commitment. To do so, just fill in the registration form and hit, "continue", but do not proceed through the payment portion. Your registration and spot will be saved.
If you are signed up for the newsletter, we will let you know if any plans change. We sincerely hope that we will be able to enjoy the fun and creative activities we have planned with your children in June!
Let us know how the project goes by tagging us on Facebook or on Instagram at: #campcreateartcamp. You can find and follow it here.
Caryn Dahm
Whether I am painting custom artwork, creating a water colored logo for a client, or teaching art students, I hope to refresh and inspire others with my work. Read more ...
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