A double win for me today!
I spent most of the morning outside with Yosemite Sierra Artists for a plein air session just down the street in Wawona at the Yosemite History Center. It’s a destination that I have often wanted to spend some time in with a sketchbook, and I’ve been passively following YSA for some time now, so when I saw the group was coming to Wawona, I just had to go.
The group includes many high-caliber artists who are exhibiting, selling, and winning awards for their artwork. It’s a wee bit intimidating to wander into a group of painters with beautiful easels and well-considered art kits up with a hurriedly thrown-together set of supplies and only a vague idea of what I’m doing. Yet they were so welcoming and encouraging of someone who is in the early part of the learning curve. I especially enjoyed the lunch gathering afterward.
Then, I returned home to attend some delightful workshops offered by the Wild Wonder Foundation for the Wild Wonder Conference. I practiced studying and drawing bird nests with Jean Mackey and got a delightful introduction to insects and beetles from Stephanie Dole, the beetle lady.
I must be in heaven. I’m looking forward to Day 2!