S u m m e r, 2004

Welcome to HartNews, Volume 04, Issue 3! We're into Summer now!

So...What is HartNews? HartNews is my attempt to write about life and watercolor from where I see it. As a teacher, I enjoy passing on some of the things I think about or do in watercolor. As a fellow human, I wish to pass on some of the things that inspire me - or make me laugh!. I've included you in this issue - you who are painters, friends, former guests and/or family - some of you without your expressed permission. So…please reply and ask to be removed from this mailing list if you'd rather not get HartNews editions - or just delete me! Originally, I intended to make HartNews a monthly event. Now, more realistically, I see it as a quarterly or bi-annual event. If you have something you'd like add or say, just email me! and please feel free to pass this on to your friends.... If you'd like to see the back issues - just check the Archives above - more demos, etc.

In Jan's Studio

I finally finished "Junkyard Beauty" and am on to another in a series of prickly pear cacti and birds or other animals. I'll post them as I finish them...

And speaking of FINISHING - can you tell what I did by comparing the bottom finished painting to the top nearly finished work? I did quite a bit, really.

1. Sharpening the top of the truck, emphasizing a dent.
2. Glazing with Transparent Red Oxide - truck interior, fender & hood while adding just a touch of Quin. Scarlet here and there.
3. Detail work in the cacti - darkening and emphasizing core shadows and detailing buds and fruits. I took special care to play with complements - orange against blue shadow, blue cactus against orange rust
4. Clarified passage of light from door into blue cactus and on through cactus edges.
5. Now I'm finished.

If you are interested in this painting, please see my Painting and Prints section for details.

Quote of the Month

On Creative Encounter. Sometimes my students wonder about how one selects a subject to paint. I respond that there are many ways and some are very unconscious - they just happen. The subject appears and asks to be painted. Your job is to be receptive to it. One of my favoriet examples is this description of a series of paintings by Georgia O'Keeffe.

"We were shingling the barn and the old shingles, taken off, were free to fly around. Absentmindedly I picked up a loose one and carried it into the house and up to the table in my room. On the table was a white clam shell brought from Maine in the spring. I had been painting it and it still lay there. The white shape of the shell and the grey shape of the weathered shingle were beautiful against the pale grey leaf on the faintly pink-lined pattern of the wallpaper. Adding the shingle got me painting again.
After the first realistic paintings I painted just a piece of the shingle and a piece of the shell. To a couple were added two quite large green leaves that were in a glass on the table. Finally I went back to the shingle and shell – large again – the shingle just a dark space that floated off the top of the painting, the shell just a simple white shape under it. They fascinated me so that I forgot what they were except that they were shapes together – singing shapes."

Georgia O’Keeffe, p. 51, Georgia O’Keeffe

Shell and Shingle II

Shell and Old Shingle VI

News with Jan & Carol at the Ranchito

The Cabins. The flowers re planted and growing in the three barrels and lots of people are visiting!. We're still planning to put in a paved patio area and some drip irrigated landscaping for privacy screens between the cabins. I really love the cabins and hope you'll bring your paints and come for a visit! Check here to see them and the vacancies at the bottom of their page

Teaching Trips. Color and Pigments were again the subject for two consecutive workshops in Flagstaff, Arizona at the wonderful Coconino Community College in late April! Carol and I drove the Casita, where we and our traveling parrotys stayed comfortable at night in a nearby campground. Between the weekends we headed south to Tucson and Phoenix in search of the purple prickly pear cactus (Santa Rita Cactus) - and we found them all in bloom! What a treasure! The birds loved it, too - riding on the headrests in the car and perching on the perches Carol installed in the trailer. Life was just too great! We'll be going back to Flagstaff in July for painting Landscapes! See below.

On the Horizon....

Upcoming Workshops with Jan

Painting the Arizona Landscape

July 16,17,18 2004

Coconino Community College, Flagstaff, Arizona

This workshop will focus on the landscape in and around Flagstaff. From the magnificent San Francisco Peaks to the meadows, parks and Oak Creek Canyon, Jan will demonstrate her process of design and integration as she builds from a loose beginning to a finished and powerful painting.

Click here for more information. Call Eva Jones at Coconino Community College to register at. 928-526-7644..

"On the Trail of O'Keeffe @ Ghost Ranch"

Fall Session, September 17 - 24, 2004

There are 4 spaces left!

Ghost Ranch Conference Center, Abiquiu, New Mexico

Join Jan & Carol in this very popular week long workshop and watercolor adventure at Ghost Ranch, beloved first home of Georgia O'Keeffe in New Mexico. This high desert land of piñon, sage and multicolored cliffs with sky above blue and crystal clear remains much as it was in the 30's, when Georgia O'Keeffe first explored the landscape. We'll discover the trail she walked each morning to the dry waterfall and we'll listen each night to the chorus of coyotes serenading the ranch. Prepare to immerse yourself into watercolor and the magic that is Ghost Ranch. Minimum number of participants 6; Maximum 13. Your space is reserved with a deposit of $200.

$995 plus tax, includes 6 days of watercolor instruction, 7 nights in a double occupancy rustic cabin on the mesa, all your meals at the ranch plus a tour of O'Keeffe's Abiquiu home, if possible.

• For more information and pictures, click here
• To hear what students say about their Ghost Ranch Workshop experiences, click

"Watermedia, 2004"

Montana Watercolor Society

Twenty-second Annual National Juried Exhibition & Workshop

October 5 - 10, 2004

Jan Hart Workshop, Bigfork, Montana

• October 5 Exhibit opens
• October 7 - 10. Workshop at the Bigfork Art & Cultural Center

For information:

Jean Triol (406) 857-3150

"Painting the Amazing Colors of Fall"

October 29, 30, 31, plus optional November 1, 2004

Ranchito San Pedro, Española, New Mexico

3 or 4 Day - Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 29, 30 & 31 plus, optional Monday, Nov. 1....

Join Jan for this very popular 3 or 4 day workshop in the height of New Mexico's cottonwood colors. We'll explore some special sites along the Chama river and around Ghost Ranch. We'll take in the autumn air and photograph the colors so that we can express our visions in the studio. Some special pigments are included so that we can master the cottonwood in full color. Three days of workshop, only (no accommodations) = $265 plus tax.

$395/person plus tax.
Includes 4 nights cabin accommodations at Ranchito San Pedro (arrive Thurs., Oct. 28), all instruction, continental breakfasts, some materials, workbook, and open use of Jan's teaching studio and library. Each cabin accommodates 3 people comfortably. $75 deposit insures your place on a first come basis.
Note: Optional additional full day in the studio with extra night, Monday, April 1 for $75.00 plus tax. Includes late afternoon critique/consultation with Jan. Optional day without accommodation = $35.

Click here to see the cabin accommodations.

"Jan's Exotic Adventure Workshop to the Rainforests of Costa Rica"

A 10-day Workshop Adventure

February 6 - 18, 2005

Costa Rica

Watercolor/Sketching Instructor: Jan Hart Jan Hart's email
Costa Rica Guide: Leslie Anderson

Imagine yourself immersed in Costa Rica which, in spite of its small size, features greater biodiversity than Europe and the United States - combined! This tropical paradise, dotted with mountains and volcanoes boasts habitats that range from lush rain and cloud forests to mountain pastures and ocean beaches - with over 845 species of birds, 1000 varieties of orchids and 10% of the world's butterfly species. And plenty of others....

I have always wanted to see and experience Costa Rica. My first love and undergraduate degree is Biology. As an artist, my favorite subjects include the inhabitants of the natural world. Not as long ago (12 years) I had the fortune to work with Leslie Anderson, who originated and organized the Seattle Daniel Smith artist workshops. Just as I moved from Seattle to northern New Mexico, Leslie moved back to her original home - Costa Rica. Finally the time finally right, I jumped at Leslie's suggestion for a Costa Rica Watercolor Adventure! We both do what we do best - Leslie organizing the trip details and translating for us - and me leading a watercolor & sketching workshop! I plan to immerse myself into the colors, textures and magic - backed up by my 8 megapixel digital camera, Laptop and portable printer so I can study "it" after "it" disappears! I may even have to arrive with a few greens in my palette.

Leslie and I have planned this adventure with several things in mind.

• Experiencing several habitats.Our trip will begin on the southern Pacific coast and Rainforests, include travel through the mountains and finish at the Arenal Volcano and hot springs.
• Having plenty of time to paint and explore. At each place we stay, we'll have at least three days, with painting time in the covered "ranchos" and critiques usually in the late afternoon.
• Enjoying comfortable and beautiful places to stay. You can see the accommodations on the Web from the Itinerary - and breakfasts are always included. Double & triple occupancy rooms.
• Having opportunities to individualize your adventure with other activities such as snorkeling, fishing, horseback riding, watching sunsets, etc.

There are 7 spaces left - so register NOW email Jan

• Cost: $2,200 US per person, double occupancy.. Not including airfare to and from San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO). Includes all accommodations in Costa Rica including breakfasts, some light lunches, all t ranportation while in Costa Rica, all watercolor and sketching instruction from Jan and full time guidance /translation with Leslie Andersen.

• Reservations made with deposit of ($500 now, $600 by Sept. 1) $1,100, which is half the total amount on a first come basis. Balance of $1,100 due by November 15, 2004. Class size limited to 12. There are two places available for non-painting partners as part of the group. Non-Painters - $1700; Deposit $850. All registered studentwll receive a materials list and packing list from Jan. Any concerns regarding accommodations can be directed to Jan who may send them on to Leslie.

Click here for all the details and day to day itineary

Letters from Española -

I'm reprinting some of my letters back to friends and family after I moved from Seattle, Washington to Española, New Mexico toward the end of 1993. Re-reading them lets me re-savor the newness of this place that I chose.

Route 1, Box 482
Española, New Mexico 87532
(505) 753-4454
October 6, 1993

Dear ones,

I have once again had an urge to write - and because I cannot know when and if this urge will reappear - I'll act on it. Again I am resorting to a "generic" - but hopefully you will forgive me knowing that the alternative is probably no letter at all.

In my last letter I described my new home in the Guachupangue area of Española, New Mexico. So far I have been unable to find out what Guachupanque means - and my hispanic acquaintances say that it must be Indian. For awhile I thought that it meant "solitary pancake" - quacho panque. Hm.
Perhaps I can now give you a better idea of the area that I live in - beyond my adobe house. The weather continues to be beautiful - 80's during the days and cool at night. Yesterday Gloria and I drove up to the mountains to see the breathtaking beauty of the fall aspens in their dazzling yellow splendor. At the first rain the leaves will fall and fade. I have never seen such incredible color contrasts as I saw looking up into an aspen tree with the sky appearing lavender beyond.

Last weekend was the 8th annual Española Valley Arts Festival! Tim and I saw the banner as we drove into town only 3 weeks ago. I rented an 8' x 8' booth and then found myself in a quandary as to what I should do with it. At Hacienda Home Center I bought some masonite and had them cut to fit in my car. And at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning, I arrived with masonite and hooks, 8 paintings, a card table and chair, recently xeroxed flyers about the watercolor workshops I'd planned (the night before) for November, and the new business cards I just picked up from Box, Pack and Mail - Espanola's substitute for Kinkos. Gloria and I hung up the masonite with borrowed bailing wire and then I arranged my paintings and hastily made a sign that said - Jan Hart, Artist and Teacher. Then, because I was about the first person there - I sat and watched the rest of the 50 booths fill up with an incredible array of crafts and arts and people. Some of the arts were a bit on the edge for my tastes - elk antlers with tiny relentless carvings of pueblos, rows of carved hanging Jesuses, etc. But the variety was also wonderful! My neighbors included a Jemez indian couple with their handmade jewelry, a Nambe indian with his pottery and small craft items, a hispanic man who was selling his religious tin work, an anglo woman and her paintings, jams, honeys, aprons, etc. (I saw her packed van later and am still wondering how she found room to drive). I was uncertain and a little nervous about how I and my watercolors would be received, but I soon found that my presence in this event was probably the best thing I could have done. Though only one small painting sold, my work was scrutinized by everyone. And in the process of scrutinizing, people introduced themselves to me. Second graders were amused that I was still painting with watercolors! I found some young adult art students who were quite interesting and informative. The Jemez indian couple were quite willing to watch my booth as I browzed. And the religious tin artist turned out to be J.D. Martinez who teaches art at the community college and has invited me to come to his class to talk about water color tomorrow night. And it doesn't stop there. I wound up with a list of 59 interesting and interested potential students for my watercolor classes. And what a variety of people! I met a single woman who left a solid career to come to Abiquiu to build her own adobe! I met a young hispanic male artist who is possibly one of the best oil painters I've seen in a long time and who will probably play his guitar for my opening here at La Galeria on Halloween. I met several Los Alamos couples. I met a man who wants to introduce me to a painter he knows who he believes is the reincarnation of Van Gogh. I like Van Gogh - so I agreed. I met a stone mason who wanted to take me to a particular rock outcropping that he thought I'd like to see and paint. I declined his offer to take me on his motorcycle. I met a woman who invited me to join her art critique group in Santa Fe and introduced me to Patricia Sanchez, a prominent local oil painter and teacher in Española. By Sunday evening, I was exhausted and certainly sun drenched.

Meeting Patricia has been especially wonderful. Today she and I drove to Santa Fe to join 5 other women who regularly meet to critique each other's work. These women are very accomplished and serious artists. The home and studio that we visited was wonderful - beautiful adobe with a patio and separate sun filled studio that opened to pinon and juniper with the yellow aspen carpeted mountains beyond. The women were gracious and their work was inspiring. Patricia is a vivacious and attractive woman about my age, who has lived all her life in Española. Her husband is an elementary school teacher. She recently quit her regular job in Los Alamos in order to paint and had just completed a 3' x 5' oil for a client in Ohio. We have made plans to get together next week to go to Black Mesa (wherever that is) to paint together. (I've been warned against going out to paint alone). Tonight I visited Patricia's oil painting class at the Methodist church. All of her students appear to be hispanic women ranging in age from 19 to 70 and one 13 year old boy. Patricia says that two of the women are always accompanied by their mothers who appear to enjoy the time to visit with each other. Tonight was a pot luck and their last class meeting. And once again I found myself overwhelmed with the food I'm growing to love - chile and chicken enchiladas, sopapillas with honey, homemade tortillas....it goes on and on - and my weightwatching plans are in serious jeopardy. I was received warmly by all and have been urged to teach a class beginning in January. I think I will. When I left, one of the mothers escorted me safely to my car.

At home life continues. Louie, the landlady's son, is getting out of jail today and is soon supposed to install the gas heating unit that I need in the studio. The mornings are getting cooler and it won't be long before it gets really cold. Farlie is out from under the futon more now and appearing to relax. Gloria has lost all of her pans to the neighborhood dogs and is now serving Stormy and Barney their food in paper sacks. The sacks are also disappearing. The electrician has finished and now all of the plugs work. The plumber has attempted to stop a leaking faucet. I told him that I was surprised to find all three of my faucets plumbed with the hot on the right and the cold on the left. He said that that was how it was "in these parts". But he switched the one he was working on. So now I'm really confused. I am enjoying learning about thrift shops from Gloria. Each time we go to Santa Fe she shows me a new one - and each time we find some new and wonderful thing to buy. The arched entry from my room to the bath area is now adorned with beautiful white lace curtains, in the manner of the spanish colonials. And my stacked and stored boxes are now arranged in the studio alcove and covered with old motel draperies. The single burner I needed for tea was purchased for only $3.00 and I've got a great new pair of leather multicolored shoes - $4.00. I can see how Gloria has become addicted!!!
Well - it is late and I feel good having described some more of this adventure called life to you. Please do pass the letter on if you know anyone who would be interested. I miss you - my dear friends and family and I feel your spirits often in these places and new faces. This weekend I'm off to Albuquerque for the balloon festival, apparently the most photographed event in the U.S. now. I think I'll take my camera anyway. I love you and miss you!

Love,

Jan