Hi Everyone:

I just returned from a wonderful seminar at the Landgrove Inn in Vermont, sponsored by Paula Lawton at Windholme in the Barn near Albany, New York.  Helan Barrick, MDA, author of the “Whippersnappers”, “Painting Pleasures”, and “Angel Twigs” series of books, was the teacher.  I learned so many things my head is just spinning with ways that I can use the new techniques.

We painted a large sled with a Santa and three children on it using a JoSonja transparent crackle medium that separates to create a crackle pattern.  We put on two coats of blue or green basecoat color, then painted on two coats of a lighter color and as soon as it was dry to the touch we went over the surface with the crackle medium and it crackled right away.  This surface was interesting to paint on and also created an interesting pattern on the Santa, and the children’s clothing.  I want to paint other projects using this technique.

Staying at the Landgrove Inn and painting in the new In View Center for the Arts was so much fun.  The building has high ceilings, big windows, and a beautiful view.  The Landgrove Inn Chefs Elise and Katie prepared wonderful meals for us, including some desserts we probably shouldn’t have eaten, but they were decadent

On Saturday we had a huge storm and it rained so hard we had no clue how we were going to get back to the Inn for our buffet luncheon.  Tom, who owns the Inn with his wife Maureen, loaded the entire buffet in his van and drove it out to the studio for us.  He also brought us coffee, soda, tea, and treats during the three day seminar every morning and afternoon!  You can visit the Landgrove Inn website www.landgroveinn.com and see the seminars they have planned for the rest of the year and view pictures of the beautiful Inn.

The pictures that I took during the seminar are posted below. 

Allison & Dan	Allison
Brownie Sundae	Cappuccino Chocolate Mouse
Center Piece on Dinner Table	Debbie, Diane & Cindy
Debbie, Diane & Cindy	Dinner on Saturday Evening
Dinner Presentation	Flower Bed at Landgrove Inn
Group Painting	Helen, Allison & Penny
Helen, Daughters & Granddaughter	Stuffed Flounder
Helen's Finished Sled	Closeup
Helen Checking Projects	Lynn & Paul Spillane
Joanne's Sled	Joanne with Her Sled
Paula, Penny & Nancy	Paula Lawton & Helen Barrick
Pork Tenderloin Presentation	Pork with Mushrooms & Wine
Salmon & Shrimp Dinner	Sandy, Nancy, Kathy & Paula
Sandy & Nancy	Saturday Evening
Saturday Evening Dinner	Strawberry Shortcake

The summer Back Porch Lunch Classes will begin on Tuesday, July 8^th from 10:00 a. m. to 2:00 p. m.  The Punch Needle Classes will begin on Wednesday, July 9^th from 7:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m.  Please check the Classes page of this website for more information.

My students have been busy lately painting a variety of things, including clay pots and slates.  Below are a few pictures of my Monday night students and their finished projects. 

I hope you will join us this summer for some fun projects.  The Tall Garden Angel materials are ordered and she will cost approximately $35.00 to paint for your garden.  She can be painted any color and style.  Please let me know soon if you wish to paint her in a Back Porch Lunch Class.  We’ll be painting her outside (weather permitting.)

Please check the Recipes page for some new and delicious recipes!

Love My Students!
Joanne Mitchell, Teacher