OK - let's get right to the next 10 web sites submitted by you - my readers. After the September issue of the newsletter I will be plumb out of web sites to show. So if you haven't sent me yours yet, do so. Otherwise I'll have nothing to write about.

Before I get into the 10 sites, here's a nice site I found that lists many of the plein air painting groups around the country. Some of the links are not working but most are http://www.pleinairpaint.com/PleinAirOrganizations/tabid/637/Default.aspxv

Some that are exchanging links with me are IPAP (International Plein Air Painters) and PAPJC (Plein Air Painters of the Jersey Coast).

Speaking of plein air groups - if you're a member of one of them who better to organize and lead an international workshop for your group than me?

My dear friend Pat Pendleton from Colorado starts out her paintings plein air but it's what happens in the studio - sometimes months later - that makes it her style. Color, though inspired by nature, becomes more expressionistic and shapes tend to move around from the original point of inspiration. See Pat's site here.

Check out the figurative paintings of Israeli artist Jacques Sterenberg

The colorful oils and watercolors of Florida artist Jessie Cook.

Margie Guyot is as interesting as her car paintings. Love that '54 Chevy!

Donald Neff paints primarily California and western US landscapes and seascapes both plein air and studio--

Here's an artist, Lawrence Altaffer, who paints impressionist landscapes in oils, pastels and watercolor. I think I've camped by Taggart Lake!

Looking at Bill Schmidt's paintings just make me feel good.

Here are the figures, portraits and nudes of Pauline Adair.

See the custom art work and specialty items of Key West artist Fran Decker.

And last but not least, the freshness and optimistic abstract/realist paintings of Kathleen Cavender.

OK.. now send me your web site....

Want to be entertained? Like Ray Charles and painting? Got 5 minutes to spare? Then check out this YouTube sent to me by my friend Karla http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIJtKxdRQzY

I really want to make the following topic open for your comments: the question is why does there not often seem to be a close connection between the quality and power of someone's art and the person they are? There are untold numbers of artists throughout history - many of whom have made great contributions to painting, whose lives were disastrous or they were mean spirited and treated people poorly.

What do I think about this? I believe our art either comes from the ego - and is ego driven, or it comes from a deeper place. A mysterious place that's difficult to access with the conscious mind. I believe that this place is part of the powerful and vast unconscious mind that we all share - whether we're aware of it or not (sounds a little Jungian??)...

Painting can open the door to the contents of that place so that what comes out in expression is beyond the ego. So it makes perfect sense to me that there can be, in the history of art, stuff that was transcendent produced by someone who was whacked out!

I'm hoping to get at least 10 responses that I can post in the next newsletter, so get your thinking caps on.

Here's a fascinating story submitted to me by Texas Ruth in her words: "In April, a good friend of mine, who has 4 sons, lost the youngest at the age of 21. I was at a loss as to what to say, just dumbfounded as to how I could help. I did help; I went to the house, helped with the food, etc. but I had this nervous energy I could not ignore. So, I painted. It was a large canvas, clouds of course, with just a bit of land at the horizon. There's a tiny figure in it which to me, was Landry, her son. Now, my logical mind said, "you can't give this away, you can get a thousand bucks for this. Are you nuts?" But, I knew I would give it to her, and I did, and it is so meaningful to her, I cannot tell you. Anyway, since that time, I have sold more paintings than I can count, and it just continues.

Now the moral of the story (also in Ruth's words): If it feel right to give something away, then do it. Don't hesitate, and for God's sake don't expect something back".

We all know how public schools all over the country have been cutting back on fine art programs, right? Well, there was a story in the local newspaper that said "come this fall, it'll be reading, writing and Rodin"... Seems like the NYC public schools are putting lots of money back into the arts. Nice to hear.

Michael Chesley Johnson has a new book out called Through a Painter's Brush. It can be found on http://www.michaelchesleyjohnson.com/

Nancy tells me that Paris is doing some really great bicycle related services for residents and tourists. Check it out here. And related to that is this:

Planning to go to Paris anytime soon? Check out the "charm offensive" the Parisians are involved in.

My next workshops are here, and remember, any of these can be taken with our without instruction.

Ken McIndoe is teaching the NYC painting workshop August 17 - 19. http://www.paintingfrance.com/ken_nyc.htm View the slide show of Ken's paintings.
After that I've got a workshop with Teresa Vito in Burgundy in the fall http://www.paintingfrance.com/Burgundy.htm See a slide show of Teresa's paintings. This one is practically filled - only a few rooms left - so hurry!
Next is a non-instructed painting trip in San Miguel de Allende November 7 - 14 http://www.paintingfrance.com/san_miguel.htm This one is for people who teach painting and would just like to get away to a special place and just paint without teaching, and for folks who just want to paint without instruction. I'm going to have models for those of you who just love painting the figure in the landscape.

My latest boxing painting? Thanks for asking: http://www.phillevine.com/paintings/Duran-Hagler.jpg