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Hi Barbara. I loved the course so much that I think I will do it again. The last time I filled a whole journal, so I'll start a new one. It will be fun to see what new ideas arise, and how my painting is evolving. I almost always paint outdoors from nature, so as soon as it cools off. I'm thinking September, which does have 30 days. I like to start projects on the 1st. Lynne, if you're reading this, thank you so much for your inspiration.

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Thanks, Susan! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the Studio Journal course. My studio journal is my best teacher and my most faithful artist-confidant. I would be lost without it!

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I'm totally in awe over this in depth, mega useful information. And so lucky to have access to this high level valuable help! I love granulating paints and use a lot of Daniel Smith Mineral paints. But, currently on the hunt for non-granulating. Perfect timing, and so helpful in understanding many of the variables, including papers. And blues no less! Perfect! I am looking at first steps in next version of a painting theme I have been working on for some time. And which is dear to my heart. All correlated with the last newsletter on topic of planning, or not, or how and when. That lovely lake scene.

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That was great information about granulation. I learned a lot.

I totally understand about not doing more paint- alongs and how important it is to decide where to best spend our time.

I do want to say how much I loved the 30 day journaling course you did. It provided me with so many tools and ideas. Even without any paint along aspect to it, I would have still found it most valuable. Thank you for everything you do!

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Hi Susan, I also love love love that 30 day journaling course! I revisit it periodically to mine another jewel, since I seem to learn by getting a level of understanding the first time around, and more with repetitions.

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Thanks so much for supporting me in preserving space for what I feel is my most valuable and important work. It's been hard sometimes to withstand the onslaught of people trying to persuade me otherwise. And thank you so much for your comments about the journaling course! I really worried that maybe that course was too weird and no one would get it. It's been great to hear back from so many people that they enjoyed it. (BTW--I don't consider the videos in that course to be like the postcard paint-alongs. They're really more just companionship and encouragement, not "copy this, step-by-step". I do think I'll still occasionally post some clips of "here's a little clip of me at work on a painting", but not for people to copy, just to share what I'm doing artist-to-artist, or to talk about how I'm trying to solve a problem. That's different.)

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Thank you some more 😊

Always find a thing I did not know and appreciate it!!!

I’m sort of not working now. Really don’t know what I want to do/ be. Will keep paying attention to “seeing “ the trees, shadows, distances. Was criticized in art school for composition. So have been watching Ian Roberts . Helps. Even though not watercolor.

Especially loved it when you pointed out that we do not have to draw/ plan our work. Very different than the heavy mediums !

Thank you for doing what you do!!!

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You have reminded me to keep "seeing". Thanks!

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Ian Roberts is a great resource!

I should clarify: I do think we need to do some planning and thinking, but I don't think it needs to follow the same formula for everyone. Our art is not "one size fits all" so our planning process should be, either. Everything we're doing should be helping us answer questions or make decisions about our painting, not just because someone else said we should do it. I'll say more about other approaches to planning in the next several articles, and maybe fairly soon you'll see some ideas that help you explore what you want to do/be. Stay tuned!

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