Hi everyone... I just got back from the Kim English workshop in the Cotswolds but the day before I left I got some really sad news about the passing of my good friend and mentor Charles Sovek. Those of you who were fortunate to have read his books or study with him know what a big loss this is to the art community. I really miss the guy for what he meant in my life.

I have two stories about Charles:

When I started the Art Students League of Denver 20 years ago I ran into a copy of his great book "Catching Light in your Paintings" and used it as an inspiring reference for my own painting. I was so taken by his writing and painting style that I tracked him down through a gallery. I contacted him and brought him to Colorado to teach the very first workshop we ever had. It was in Victor, an old mining town, and was a great success. They (he and Peggy) arrived in an open convertible over a treacherous one lane mountain road! Never a dull moment with Charlie. That started our friendship - both personal and professional, that lasted until the day of his death.

I remember once Nancy and I went to spend New Years Eve with Charles and Peggy a few years ago. I brought my banjo and Charles took out his concertina so we could play together. We made some pretty nasty music and I'm sure the Music Gods are happy we never did that again! Right Charles?

Here's something not to be missed - sent to me by Ron Friedman from Chicago (who was on a Gregg Kreutz Paris workshop I organized back in 1999). Thanks for this powerful video Ron.
http://mfile.akamai.com/21772/wmv/Gannett.download.akamai.Com/21772/streaming/wmv/hancockportraits.asx

OK folks, here are your next 10 web sites:

Ellie Clemens, an American artist who lives in the Aude department of France

The big and bold paintings of my buddy Ruth Meaders We sent each other t-shirts after the Portugal workshop last year. She sent me one with Texas in huge letters across the front. I sent her one from New York City, but I cannot repeat what was written on it.

Kathleen Cavender's paintings are about this most incredible light that she captures.

Check out Joseph Roitner's extensive array of representational, abstract, semi-abstract, hard edge and surreal paintings.

Got to love the simple, yet powerful abstracts of DeDe Magnuson

The landscapes and snow scenes of Irish-American artist Theresa Quirk -who live in New Jersey.

I met Josie Fife and her man in San Miguel earlier this year. Here is her site of western style paintings.

The well executed plein air paintings of Dee Kirkham

Victoria Brooks paints and teaches at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center.

The skyscapes, wine country and adobe paintings of Karla Nolan.

Paintings of Colorado and new Mexico by John Harpel

Speaking of the Cotswolds painting workshop - we spent one day in London before heading home and paid a visit to two museums, one art and the other war. The art museum was the Portrait Gallery where they were exhibiting paintings of living artists in a portrait competition. The reviews were actually pretty scathing. Click here to read the comments The other museum was Churchill Museum and the War Cabinet Rooms. I think most of us might know that he was a serious and dedicated painter, but I never knew just how important it was in his life. Here are two quotes from him: "armed with a paintbox, one cannot be bored"... and "just to paint is great for the colors are lovely to look at and delicious to squeeze out". He also wrote a book called "Painting as a Pastime".

What impressed me was the size of the paintings he did on location - in the neighborhood of 30 x 24, and the fact that he seemed to have done many on location and many others (500 in all) using photographs.

OK... here are my next couple of workshops (here's the scrapbook for Kim's Cotswolds workshop and a link to Henry Meininger's great photos).

You've got to come along - you know we're going to have a great time!

Ken McIndoe is teaching the NYC painting workshop August 17 - 19. Ken has been my teacher at the Art Students League of New York for over two years and is a member of the New York Street Painters who show every year at the Lincoln Center. Ken's a great teacher who has some qualities in common with Charles: Most importantly he doesn't insist that every student paint like he does! Kind of rare. And second, he can work with you and help you no matter what your style is. 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 This one is starting to fill up! See a slide show of Teresa's paintings.
And one in Paris with Jennifer Padgett http://www.paintingfrance.com/Paris.htm Here's Jennifer's slide show.
Julie Houck teaching in San Miguel de Allende November 7 - 14 http://www.paintingfrance.com/Julie.htm see a slide show of Julie's work

Miscellaneous

Gail wrote a book: the Plein Air Artists Guide to Acadia National Park. It can be found here http://www.lulu.com/content/903810 and if any of you have any publications you would like to share with the rest of us let me know.

Karla sent me this cool link about Woman in Art http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUDIoN-_Hxs You won't believe this!!! Excuse me if I sent this one out to you already.

Suzanne Cerny is having an exhibit called Jazz Art Images at the Magic Window 3578 Mt Diablo Blvd in Lafayette, CA July 6th , 13th, 20th and 27th. Those are the dates of the reception. Email her at fine.art@suzannecerny.com for more information.

Audrey told me that The Bill Memorial Library and the City of Groton are sponsoring Art on Groton Bank, a continuing festival of fine arts on the grounds of the library on June 16, July 21, August 18, and September 15 from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. This is called Art on the Groton Bank. Groton is in Connecticut and a beautiful place at that.

Leslie Allen from the great state of Colorado has a show called "Flowers, Gardens, and Patios" September 1-30, 2007 Opening Reception: Sunday, September 9, 2007 6-8pm L.I.W. Cargo Fine Art Gallery 713 Manitou Avenue Manitou Springs, CO 80829719-685-0452 Contact: Jayme Rago 719-685-0452 or Leslie Allen 303-752-2029. You can preview the paintings at www.allenfineart.com