I woke this morning thinking and singing this song, Your Faithfulness, by Brian Doerkson.

I don't know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?
I don't know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

I don't know if these clouds mean rain
If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain?
I don't know what the future holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in your faithfulness
Surer than a mother's tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know how or when I'll die
Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye?
No, I don't know how much time is left
But in the end, I will know your faithfulness 

When darkness overwhelms my soul
When thoughts are storms of doubt
Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful (© 2002 Brian Doerkson)

Recently, I heard this again as I listened to an online concert by Brian Doerkson. He wrote the song at a time of uncertainty in his own life, which he shared during the concert.
His songs have a wonderful depth to them that I connect with. Music, like painting, can help me engage my feelings.

It is rainy this morning as I write this. I feel melancholy. This Covid-19 isn’t going away and continues to impact us. How we do things has to change. How I teach will be affected. There is unrest, violence, and protests in so many places. I needed those words today:

"When darkness overwhelms my soul
When thoughts are storms of doubt
Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful" (© 2002 Brian Doerkson)

God is faithful. Always faithful.

God isn’t going to make the problems disappear, but walks with me through the difficulties, holding my hand, giving me courage to face things and uphold me, uphold us as we grieve for the changes, for the heartbreaking violence in the news. We are in a time where we need each other, to set aside our independent stances and to work together, instead of being not be divisive.

I am reminded of Psalm 33:13-22 which speaks of God looking down on all the inhabitants of the world, whom he knows and created. He sees: “the king not saved by his great army, warrior not saved by his great strength, war horse vain hope for victory”… “Truly the eye of the Lord on those who fear him, who trust in his steadfast love” (And then comes the move from individuality to corporately) “Our soul waits for the Lord, he is our help and shield, Our heart is glad in him because we trust in his holy name.” There is something to be said about working together, caring for and helping each other, standing with each other.

Sometimes I just need a good cry, to let myself feel melancholy, and accept this part of me too. We need our rainy days to grow, too. Last summer, I sat in our tent which has a covered day use area, and painted the scene above of the inlet at Ucluelet, BC as the mist rolled in and the rain came down. It was a day much like today, with the sun coming out later. Once I am able to express my feelings, the load is lighter, and a shared load is lighter still.

Are you able to connect with your feelings, with the depths within yourself? How does that happen in your life?

One of the things I do when I teach is to demonstrate painting techniques. Sometimes I already have a painting in mind and sketch it out before class, knowing it can work for a demo.

However, most of the time it is a technique or project that I start with the class or a demonstration of a technique for one of my student's projects. Then, I have a partial painting or just some random colors and texture that I can turn into something else.

Over the last couple of years of teaching, I have accumulated more unfinished pieces than I have managed to complete. I just counted 59 I had photgraphed last fall to record the process of painting. Rather daunting. I had no idea there were so many.  Not all of them will be completed. For those that will be completed, something about them inspires me to press on with them.

The Art Walk went well. It is so fun to share and talk about my artwork with everyone who comes by. I worked on a painting of Tangle Falls that I had started as a demo. 6 paintings are now adorning new homes.

Here is the Tangle Falls I was working on:

Another surprise was the visitor I had during the last day of the Whyte Avenue Art Walk. At 11 am, I was talking with someone, and they commented on the realistic dragonfly on one of my paintings. Surprised, I looked and there sat a dragonfly taking a rest. It stayed there resting in a camouflaged way all day until we packed the art away at 5 pm.

Do you know the title of the painting it rested on all day? Season of Rest. (It still makes me laugh!)

Part of the fun of teaching is watching the creativity start to flow. We have finished 5 out 8 classes. The students are getting comfortable with the medium and trying some ideas of their own. (After the initial classes, I have added more of the final images for some of the student paintings. I didn't remember to take photos at each class.)

In the acrylics class, we did some fun textures of adding eggshells, sand and sawdust to provide texture to the paintings. One of the students went home and added lentils and semolina to his painting. I didn’t get a picture of that one, but here are a few others:

I brought some collage scraps of my handmade paper to the class and showed them possibilities with a couple of my own pieces.

Their ideas started flowing and they started in on creating. Their works in progress were fun to see here.

We started the process of transfers. I brought an option of my own ink drawings photocopied for the class to use. I look forward to next class and the new possibilities the students will try. The flamingo and trio of rocks are my quick samples from my ink drawings. One student was ready with her image of a polar bear which turned out great.

Some of the other projects in class:

Monochomatic painting

Experimenting with techniques: Textured backgrounds, sponging, pointilism

We did some work with Perspective in our last class:

Registration for all the classes are on the movelearnplay.Edmonton.ca website then click>registered programs>arts programs>adult programs> art programs then the classes are alphabetical. I put the class code with each class that may work in the search. ALTERNATIVELY,  you can call 311 to register. There are similar class titles by other instructors. Check the time and instructor information as well. 

Classes in July

 Acrylics 1 & 2 - Class Code: 708167

(4 sessions) 
Mondays and Wednesdays  July 11 - July 20, 2022 (this class was postponed a week to get more students, new date starts July 11. The registration page still has it as July 4 with an alert to the new date.)
6:30-9:30 pm

Location: City Arts Centre: 10943 83 Ave NW, Edmonton

cost $85 

Acrylic Class Supply list

Quick drying time and multiple textures make acrylics a great choice for beginners and intermediates. In this weekly course learn painting basics such as composition, colour, and numerous painting techniques. Talented artists and painters will guide you through various subject matter such as still life, portraits & figures, landscapes, and much more in this inspiring and engaging weekly course. Have the opportunity to learn a wealth of knowledge and express your personal creativity.

Students can expect material costs to be between $100-$200. Materials are not included; a supply list will be provided closer to the program start date.

Sketching Botanicals at the Muttart Conservatory - Class Code: 708184

Wednesday July 27, 2022
5:30-8:30 pm

Location: Muttart Conservatory

cost $55 ALL SUPPLIES INCLUDED

Capture the beauty and essence of flowers and plants with a sketchbook and drawing tools in hand while at the Muttart Conservatory. Through hands-on demonstrations you will learn to draw petals, leaves, and backgrounds using a variety of sketching techniques. Artist Julie Drew will teach you that it is much different to draw from life than just using photos, what our eyes can see is so much more than a photo can capture. Experience an evening full of seeing and sketching the botanical beauty around you while learning important drawing skills and techniques..

Classes in August

Pouring Watercolor - Class Code: 708188

(3 sessions) Tues- Thurs, Aug 2-4, 2022
9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Location: City Arts Centre: 10943 83 Ave NW, Edmonton

cost $85 ALL MATERIALS  INCLUDED

Take your watercolor to new levels with pouring watercolours and working with layers. Explore the techniques of watercolor in new ways using the natural world as inspiration. During this 7 week program with artist Julie Drew you will learn a vast range of watercolour skills such as: masking, pouring, working with layers and salt, painting in details, composition, and working with the results – listening to the painting. This course is perfect for those who are starting out with watercolours or are looking for an expressive technique or for those with previous painting experience looking for a new style and inspiration

Acrylic Painting Explorations- Class Code: 708166 

(5 sessions) See what other classes have done here
August  8-12  (Mon-Fri) 
1-4 pm

Location: City Arts Centre: 10943 83 Ave NW, Edmonton

cost $142.50  ALL MATERIALS  INCLUDED

Explore the possibilities with acrylic paint with artist Julie Drew. To begin, gain knowledge in paint and colour by learning about colour mixing and themes. After getting used to brushwork and paint handling, then experiment with adding textures and inclusions: eggshells, sand, and collage elements such as handmade papers and transfer techniques. Make your own creative choices and explore your imagination using acrylic paint. Have the chance to develop your skills as you further your own style and preferences as you explore acrylic paintings with subject matter that inspires you and sparks your creativity.

River Valley Drawing in Plein Air - Class Code: 708186 

4 sessions (Mon-Thurs) Aug - 8-11, 2022
6:30-9:30pm

Location: Yorath House, Lilac Room  13110 Buena Vista Rd NW, Edmonton, AB

cost $92  Materials are not included; a supply list will be provided closer to the program start date.

Enjoy the outdoors with a sketchbook and drawing tools in hand. Spend the evening for 4 days straight in the River Valley at the scenic Yorath House sketching en plein air (in the open air). Artist Julie Drew will teach you that it is much different to draw from life than just using photos, what our eyes can see is so much more than a photo can capture. Experience four evenings full of seeing and sketching the scenes around you while learning important drawing skills and techniques.

Painting Botanicals: Watercolor workshop - Class Code: 709331 

Monday, Aug 15, 2022
6:30-9:30 pm

Location: City Arts Centre: 10943 83 Ave NW, Edmonton

cost $55  ALL MATERIALS  INCLUDED (Class is FULL)

Capture the beauty and translucence of flowers in watercolours during this evening workshop. Through hands-on demonstrations from artist Julie Drew, learn to paint petals, leaves, and backgrounds using a variety of painting techniques. Be guided through several techniques, colour suggestions, and basic composition strategies as you come away with the know-how to continue painting flowers with watercolours.

Registration for all the classes are on the movelearnplay.Edmonton.ca website then click>registered programs>arts programs>adult programs> art programs then the classes are alphabetical. I put the class code with each class that may work in the search. ALTERNATIVELY,  you can call 311 to register. There are similar class titles by other instructors. Check the time and instructor information as well. 

Classes in September

Oils 1 & 2 - Class Code: 711760

(8 sessions) 
Thursdays  September 22 - November 10, 2022 
6:30-9:30 pm

Location: City Arts Centre: 10943 83 Ave NW, Edmonton

cost $85 

Enjoy painting with colour intensity and explore the fact that you can make endless revisions with oil paint. During this weekly course learn how to incorporate various brush strokes and mark-making, play with colour mixing, and get to know the painting medium in general. You will expand your skills and learn about light, shadows, and composition. Paint a variety of subject matter such as still life, portraits, landscapes, and much more.

Supplies are not included; a supply list will be provided closer to the program start date. Supplies will cost approximately $50 - 200 at local art stores.

Sketching Animals at the Edmonton Valley Zoo - Class Code: 711820

Friday, September 23, 2022
10 am- 3 pm

Location: Edmonton Valley Zoo, 13315 Buena Vista Road &, 87 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7

cost $60.00 ALL SUPPLIES INCLUDED

Catching wildlife in pencil & ink as it lives and breathes allows you to capture the energy in the drawing. Enjoy a day drawing en plein air (in the open air) at the Edmonton Valley Zoo observing the animals and capturing the essence in your sketchbook. Artist Julie Drew will teach you that it is much different to draw from life than just using photos, what our eyes can see is so much more than a photo can capture. Experience a day full of seeing and sketching the scenes around you while learning important drawing skills and techniques. All supplies are included; an email will be sent out 3 days prior to the program start date to confirm the class. PLEASE NOTE this workshop takes place at the Edmonton Valley Zoo and admission is provided in the workshop fee (for the hours of the workshop only, cannot arrive early or stay after).

Painting Botanicals at the Muttart Conservatory: Acrylic Workshop - Class Code: 711816

2 Saturdays, September 24 and October 1, 2022
9:30 am-12:30 pm

Location: Muttart Conservatory, 9626 96a St NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 4L8

cost $76.00 ALL SUPPLIES INCLUDED

Capture the beauty and translucence of flowers and veregated plants in acrylics during this two morning workshop at the Muttart Conservatory. Through hands-on demonstrations from artist Julie Drew, learn to paint petals, leaves, and backgrounds using a variety of painting techniques. Be guided through several techniques, colour suggestions, and basic composition strategies as you come away with the know-how to continue painting botanicals with acrylics. Have the opportunity to take photos of your favourite flowers and plants to use as inspiration to paint for later on! All supplies are included.

Classes in October

Watercolors: Drawing & Painting Explorations - Class Code: 711828

4 Fridays October 14- November 4, 2022
1-4 pm

Location: Terwillegar Recreation Centre, 2051 Leger Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T6R 0R9

cost $114  ALL MATERIALS  INCLUDED

Love watercolours but you have never taken a drawing or painting class? No problem, this class is for all skill levels, taking you to the next step in the process. Use watercolor pencils and ink to draw and sketch landscapes, animals, and people. Artist Julie Drew will show you numerous techniques to combine mediums and even have you explore working outdoors with plein air sessions (weather permitting). ALL SUPPLIES ARE INCLUDED, just bring yourself & your creativity.

Acrylic Painting Explorations- Class Code: 711808 

(5 sessions) See what other classes have done here
October  22 - November 26, 2022 (Saturdays) (No class Nov 5)
1-4 pm

Location: Dr. Anne Anderson Community Centre: 11810 35 Ave SW, Edmonton T6W 3L9

cost $106.25

Explore the possibilities with acrylic paint with artist Julie Drew. To begin, gain knowledge in paint and colour by learning about colour mixing and themes. After getting used to brushwork and paint handling, then experiment with adding textures and inclusions: eggshells, sand, and collage elements such as handmade papers and transfer techniques. Make your own creative choices and explore your imagination using acrylic paint. Have the chance to develop your skills as you further your own style and preferences as you explore acrylic paintings with subject matter that inspires you and sparks your creativity.

 Drawing Nature at the John Janzen Nature Centure - Class Code: 711819

4 sessions (Sunday mornings) October 16-November 6, 2022
9:30 am-12:30 pm 

Location: John Janzen Nature Centre, 7000 143 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 4P3

cost $92  All supplis are included

It is different to draw from life than just using photos. Artist Julie Drew will teach you that what our eyes can see is so much more than a photo can capture. This weekly class at John Janzen Nature Centre will have you experiencing your Sunday mornings seeing and sketching the scenes around you while learning important drawing skills and techniques. Each week you will spend time enjoying nature with a sketchbook and drawing tools in hand. Spend your mornings among nature sketching en plein air (in the open air) and being indoors drawing artifacts from the collection. All supplies are included;

Classes in November

Pouring Watercolors: Painting Techniques - Class Code: 711734

4 Fridays November 18- December 9, 2022
1-4 pm

Location: City Arts Centre: 10943 83 Ave NW, Edmonton

cost $114  ALL MATERIALS  INCLUDED

Take your watercolor to new levels with pouring watercolours and working with layers. Explore the techniques of watercolor in new ways using the natural world as inspiration. During this 4 week program with artist Julie Drew you will learn a vast range of watercolour skills such as: masking, pouring, working with layers and salt, painting in details, composition, and working with the results – listening to the painting. This course is perfect for those who are starting out with watercolours or are looking for an expressive technique or for those with previous painting experience looking for a new style and inspiration.

Sketching Botanicals at the Muttart Conservatory - Class Code: 711820

Thursday, November 17, 2022
5:30-8:30 pm

Location: Muttart Conservatory

cost $55 ALL SUPPLIES INCLUDED

Capture the beauty and essence of flowers and plants with a sketchbook and drawing tools in hand while at the Muttart Conservatory. Through hands-on demonstrations you will learn to draw petals, leaves, and backgrounds using a variety of sketching techniques. Artist Julie Drew will teach you that it is much different to draw from life than just using photos, what our eyes can see is so much more than a photo can capture. Experience an evening full of seeing and sketching the botanical beauty around you while learning important drawing skills and techniques..

Poinsettia Painting at the Muttart Conservatory: Watercolor workshop - Class Code: 711817 

2 Thursdays, November 24 and December 1, 2022
6:00-9:00 pm

Location: Muttart Conservatory, 9626 96a St NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 4L8

cost $76  ALL MATERIALS  INCLUDED 

Paint the foliage of the ever popular poinsettia plant in the Feature Pyramid at the Muttart! Enjoy two evenings capturing the beauty and colourful hues of the leaves as you explore using watercolours. Through hands-on demonstrations from artist Julie Drew, learn to paint the poinsettia’s flowers and leaves using a variety of painting techniques. Be guided through several techniques, colour suggestions, and basic composition strategies as you come away with the know-how to continue painting poinsettias and any other of your favourite plants and flowers. All supplies are included; an email will be sent out 3 days prior to the program start date to confirm the class.