Sherry Meidell's Blog, page 2

The Largest Watercolor Class

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Could you teach 180 young women watercolor at girls camp? That was the question. I wouldn’t be able to use my projector because of the open pavilion so I would have to bring a few visuals and some stories. Stories can capture attention and teach principals of art when you can’t show the pictures. I think that’s why I like the combination of creating paintings with watercolors and creating picture books. Each tells a story. 

Sharing the joy of watercolor with others is great fun. Painting with watercolors can put you in a very restful state of mind. Up there in the mountains with birds calling from the trees, the girls were in that state of mind. It was fun to see them dive into the watercolors. Even though each girl was [painting the same subject, each painting showed the different personalities of the girls who painted them. Two girls found an escaped book hidden at camp. They had me sign it to both of them. They are going to share the book. 

The Show

Some openings are just fun to be at. Last Friday night at BDAC, in the  basement, was one of those openings. It was a watercolor show of my students and I. Any student who had ever taken from me at BDAC was invited to enter. Not everyone that entered, made it in. The artist from Canada who was displaying upstairs was amazed at the scope of the work and the quality that made up the show. I agreed. There were some very nice paintings displayed. 

It was great to meet the families of the students who attended. I signed a few books that one of them brought. The above painting is one of my watercolors that will be on display until the end of August. 

click on the picture above to see one of my shorts on you tube @SherryMeidell

Planning vs. Serendipity

There are advantages in both methods. You do your value study and color study and then you jump into your finished painting. Or you dive into that white blank piece of watercolor paper like you’re a second grader and have just opened a new box of crayons. So the sketch above was done right on the watercolor paper. I did play around with my sketchbook before hand but there is a great freedom and freshness that comes from diving right into the sketch. And there is a great satisfaction that comes from seeing how it turns out. You do have to be prepared with some sketching ability that comes from carrying your sketchbook around with you and putting pencil or pen to paper. 

The opening at Bountiful Davis Art Center is this Friday, May 30th 6 – 8 pm. And here is the link to my latest you tube video which is very very short.

The Last Show was in the Attic and the New Show will be in the Basement

It would be so nice to see any students that have taken my watercolor class through the years at the opening. Or any Utah Watercolor Society Members, or people who have passed by me on hikes or on the street. Come to the opening and say hi. 

This is a celebration of the students that have taken the watercolor class through the years. We have formed nice friendships.  The class has been there to support each other. It’s also a celebration of progress and creativity. It’s a view of what happens when you keep working at your craft. The opening is May 30th at the Bountiful Davis Art Center.  6 to 8 pm. 

Here’s a plein air started up at the Capitol.

The World at Her Shoelaces

This young girl is heading somewhere. She’s at the airport. But she is venturing out into her life. She is heading into the future and dressed to meet whatever she encounters. 

This painting made it into the Utah Water Color Society Spring Show. It also received a Merchant Award.

 You can see this painting and others from the show at the Provo Library on display in the attic which is a nice place for the show. It’s on the 4th floor. There is a lot you can learn from viewing original art. Come enjoy the show. We have to pick up the art on June 14th so make it down there before then. 

A New Show in the Attic

The Opening of the Utah Watercolor Society spring show is this Friday  May 9, 2025, 5-8pm at the Provo Library. But you’ll have to climb up the stairs. Or maybe there’s an elevator. The show is in the Attic. Come enjoy the paintings and some camaraderie. In the meantime here are two sketches from one of my sketchbooks. One is a sketch for a watercolor painting and the other is a sketch of an artist who presented at the Utah Watercolor Society Member Meeting. 

The Deep Silence of a Redwood Forest

Visiting a redwood forest in a downpour can be a visual blessing. The deep colors get richer, the drops of rain sparkle on the ferns. The distant giants fade into the mist. It’s a time to renew your creative juices. I had time to paint this watercolor in my sketchbook while drops dripped from branches so very high above and landed on the painting. A few drops to add to the watercolor.

It was book escape day in Eureka, California. We dropped off “Kiss Cuddle Tuck” at the Humboldt County Library, had a sandwich down by the docks and when we went back the book was gone. Hope it found a good home.

Capturing a Personality

You can capture the right proportions of a face. You can put the nose in the right place and place the right distance between the eyes. But to capture the personality of the individual is a whole different thing. It took me a few tries to capture the personality of this lady behind the counter. But this painting of “Annie at the Mercantile” seems to have captured the joy of life that this lady had and the quaintness of the general store she works at.

‘Meanwhile up on the mountain with the six year old skiers:

Old Assistant Ski Instructor: “That’s some pretty good drawing your doing this morning.”

Six year old from Texas: “I’m a good artist.”.

Old Assistant Ski Instructor: “Yes you are. That is a nice drawing you’re doing “

Six year old from Texas: “Who is that?”

Old Assistant Ski Instructor: “It’s a picture of you.”

Six year old from Texas: Do you know who this is?”

Old Assistant Ski Instructor: Ummmm No. Who is it?

Six year old from Texas: “It’s you”

Old Assistant Ski Instructor: “Ohhhhhh. Nice”

I do believe the six year old from Texas captured my personality. What do you think?

photo by grandson

A Self-Portrait from the Past

Here is something I posted for Woman’s History Month some years back. The self portrait kind of matches the thumbnail for the next video for The Making of Kiss Cuddle Tuck. Video 12. I’m almost to the end of the videos. It’s been fun to record the creation of this picture book. Here is the link.

When Is Your Painting Done (Or When Do I Get Off The Lift)

“Will you tell me when to get off this lift?”

“Yes. I’ll help you get off the lift.”

“You’re sure you’ll tell me when to get off the lift, won’t you?”

“Yes. I’ll help you get off the lift.”

“My best friend falls down a lot. She’s right down there.”

“Oh it’s so nice that you can ski with your best friend. Does she live by you in Dallas?”

“No. I met her skiing here today.”

When is my painting finished or when do I get off this lift? This is a question a lot of my watercolor students ask me. That is a question that students or the artist has to find out for themselves. I like to look at my painting and answer all the questions or things that are bothering me. It’s also a good idea to put the painting out of sight and then come back and look at it with fresh eyes. One of my students puts her painting up where she can glance at it while she’s watching TV. You want to stop painting before you get nit picking at your painting. You want the viewer to be able to go into your painting and get a bit lost in the joy of looking and not having everything spelled out completely. And one more thing, it’s easy to make a best friend in an art class or workshop. But maybe not as easy as with that six year old skier. 

Here’s the link for the next video, Video 11 in the Makimg of Kiss Cuddle Tuck. I dip into the watercolors.