Dear Holiday Party Goers and Friends!

I just want to share a few special photos from last weekend’s Christmas Event (by no means all of them)…We had a great time!

And Later in the Blog…This week’s DRAWING CLASS.

Lori Wentz bought the New Tiger Original. SHE LOOKS VERY PLEASED WITH HERSELF.:-)

The Tiger Print was available for the party and was by far the favorite! Note all the different color mats on the same print! These guests all picked their own colors. It really changes the look. Lee Jordan holds the black matted print and Priscilla Ott holds the one in green...Enjoy them everyone.

My incredible collector Sophia came from Seattle was the first guest to arrive...Thanks for coming Sophie!

The Grays (Janis and Richard) came and brought me two bottles of wine from their vineyard (Barsetti Vineyards) in California...They have won many awards with these wines. It was an honor to have them share. Thanks! They want to carry my wine fleece and other wine merchandise at their location. Click this photo to visit their website.

Dennis, Janet, Malinda and LOOK CLOSELY ON THE BENCH...baby Graciana...came and purchased 3 originals. My Thanks to the Bessetts.

My youngest shopper!

Laura Miller and Judy Arguello brought me this beautiful blue scarf. (It must be the season:-) I love it so much I haven't taken it off since Laura gave it to me. Thank you Laura!

Douglas Knight bought the wine original...we are drinking some of the fine Syrah that the Grays brought to celebrate.

Pam Koons and Rick Albright brought this 1986 original of a little people and unicorn...It had to be restored because of water damage... She was thrilled that we could fix everything.

Pam Koons and Jody Bergsma ...at the finish of a fun weekend.

Thanks everyone who came and gave their support!!!

***This Week’s Lesson***

THUMBNAIL DRAWINGS and WORKING FROM REFERENCE PHOTO’S.

Dear Class…Some of you may remember this quick sketch from 2 months ago.

After coming home and reviewing it, I decided it was not good enough and needed reworking.

Thumbnail of Herons and Lotus...to illustrate the saying... "Be like the lotus and rise from muddy waters"

First attempt....not acceptable. I felt the composition was busy and because the frog is often eaten by the Heron... the Heron's body language is too threatening.

Every Painting tells a story and you are the author…If the message is a little off, your subconscious mind will bug you…and let you know that something is not right.

It is artistic intuition at work…and the best artists use this gift constantly to create good art.

In the new version I traded the frog for a dragonfly.

I did another quick sketch using a more peaceful combination. (Sorry this is a little fuzzy...)

After the quick sketches are done I go to my files or to the internet to find the right photo’s to support good drawing. The more photo references you have the better!

I used the 1st photo to create the body pose...but I wanted a better head.

2nd...I did the details for the head in a pre-sketch from a better close up photo. Can you see how different the neck line is in the drawing than the photo?

I look for references that have good details.

I looked for a perfect lotus.

Now I have a new drawing that I really like.

Artist’s Tip: Be willing to take out your eraser and edit your work if it is not pleasing you COMPLETELY.

Good drawing is the basis for a good painting…and you will feel more inspired to actually paint the image!

Hummingbird references from my file cabinet.

Mount Rainier

You mix the birds wings and bodies to create the pose you want... And the mountain is something you need to create with some accuracy...for authenticity.

This is one of the many books you can purchase that allows you to use the photo's inside to create your own compositions.

The author invites you to recreate interesting combinations from his photos, but suggests that you alter the scenes and combinations to create something new and not just copy his work verbatim.

There are many good drawing tip books out there on the market.

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA…An infusion of new art supplies or an art workshop is a great gift to give the aspiring artists in your life…or…gift yourself with a trip to the art supply store and go wild…

Just a few new things can really get you excited to try art again.

Holiday shopping is upon us…I hope all of you are finding the joy of giving this season.

Jody Bergsma with her best friend Anna.

The greatest gift we can ever give is the gift of love and friendship.

Thanks to all of you for being my blog friends…

See you next week.

Happy Drawing,
Love,

Jody

Dear Blog Friends and Painters!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Jody Bergsma and her daughter Jessi

My family met at my house over the long weekend to celebrate my Father’s 90th Birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LES!

Jody Bergsma with her Brothers Mark, Kent and Craig...and her sister Shawn with their Father Les on his 90th Birthday.

WE HAVE A BIG WEEK END HERE AT THE WAREHOUSE!

I am posting my Friday blog a day early because we are having our Christmas weekend open house at the Warehouse starting today at noon.

Click Here For More Details

I invite all of you to come and Celebrate the Season with some awesome specials…Our BERGSMA HUGGIE is here and we are selling fleece blankets buy two…get on free…plus ornaments and discounts.

Lanette Seaholm...Operations Manager at Bergsma...Modeling the new Bergsma Huggies!

And now for….

THIS WEEK’S CLASS…Finishing the tigers.

I started the background for the tigers early Monday morning.

The first thing I do is experiment with the colors for the background.

I have added a new shade (Cobalt Turquoise) to the 6 I worked with last week to create some contrast in the background.

You will hear me use the term “Repetition With Variation”, because it is a cornerstone principle for painting.

Not only do you use this with the colors…you also use it between your subject and the background.

Stripes on a variety of other stripes.

The washes in the sky set the tone for the rest of the background.

Tip: To create a smooth wash like this pre-mix your colors before you wet the background wash area. You only have 3 minutes to do a wet on wet wash like this…so you don’t want to waste time mixing pigments.

The wet on wet washes , both in the tigers and the background are a special aspect of watercolor...no other media does this!

Every blade of grass has to be painted with patience. Letting each blade dry is essential to keep the colors separate.

Tip: Using opposite colors in a single wash creates dynamic flow and energy.
Can you see in the blades of grass…orange/gold at one end and blue/gray at the other?

After the background is done the shadows are added.

I love the thin layers of color that you can build up with watercolor. The thin shadow wash still allows the texture from the previous wash to show through.

I use white Gouache to create the fine lines that will trick you into thinking you see hair.

After the shadows, I change my palette for the last details.
I use white Gouache and mix it with colors from the painting.

A fine liner brush is used.

There are THOUSANDS of fine lines added to create the fur.

Besides the white lines I used light gray and pale gold.

What is missing from this nearly finished painting of tigers?

I got to this point and thought that I was finished… but I forgot one essential thing!

NO CAT IS COMPLETE WITHOUT THEIR WHISKERS!

I hope you will come and visit this weekend and you can see the tigers.

I will be here signing all three days and if any of you would like to bring in your paintings for show and tell I will love seeing them.

End of lesson…

I always love it when My girls come home for the Holidays.

Here I am with Daughter Sky.

She came to town and helped pick out my new winter car…She wanted this one because it has a sub woofer! (Who thinks of these words?!)

Jody Bergsma and her Daughter Sky..ready for winter on the ranch!.

Wishing all of you a great week end!

Dear Bergsma friends,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope your day is filled with all the things you love best!
Just don’t eat too much pumpkin pie!

***This Week’s Lesson***
PAINTING TIGERS

I was commissioned by some zoos to do a white and yellow pair of tigers.
It has to be extraordinary.

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.’”

~Mac Anderson

Jody Bergsma wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving.

I set up all of my research photos and my palette…I will share all the pigments throughout the blog.

Tip: I love painting early in the morning before the day gets busy…to do this I set everything up the night before.

Begin with just four colors: Burnt Sienna, Cerulean Blue, Alizarin Crimson and White.

Tip: Always start with the lightest colors first.

If you get excited and do the dark colors first, they will run into the light areas.

Note: The pink in the faces. This will make the tigers look friendlier!

Painting is an act of faith.

You must believe that all of these shapes will eventually make a tiger!

Be patient and build one area at a time…be sure and let the wash dry before you do an adjacent wash.

Wet on wet washes always begin with a clear water wash and then the colors are added in small amounts to create graduated tones.

I have decided to add Raw Sienna for the gold tone.

The tigers take shape.

Tip: For the blurred stripes, which I believe will create a better look than painting hard edge strips, I add Payne’s Gray to the palette.

Just before the wash dries, you can use a fine brush to paint a thin black line that only blurs a little. If the surface is still to wet, the Payne’s Gray will fade out and dirty the white areas.

Do a few tests first to try this technique!:-)

YOU CAN DO IT…BELIEVE.:-)

A fine line of Payne's Gray creates the perfect little stripes under this tigers eyes.

Using pinks in the white areas seems too much at the beginning…but you will see how much it adds in the end.

Build the washes...using your premixed colors on your glass sheet so that each wash matches the adjacent wash.

Adding the details in the eyes really helps bring any subject to life.
Did you know white tigers have blue eyes?

Do you see the use of the blurred stripe in the yellow tigers head? Note: The difference between the hard edged strip over the eyes and the softer ones created by the wet on wet technique.

It was great fun to paint these this week!

See how the individual shapes are disappearing and so is the pink.

You can try this and I am sure you will be delighted with the results!

The palette below show the colors needed for this project.

8 colors…3 mornings and the love of painting!

Tip: Using the glass sheet for the palette is simple and inexpensive.

I will have the back ground done on the tigers next week….

***End Of This Week’s Lesson***

My daughters, Jessi and Sky came home last night for Thanksgiving!

They are so fun and full of joy. We will cook up a storm (40 relatives on Saturday)…we all love to cook.

Maybe that is why we are so happy!

Jessi and Sky Bergsma

We wish all of you the best of Turkey Days…

Love and Best wishes,

Jody

Dear Bergsma Friends,

The two trade shows in Tennessee were very successful and you will be seeing lot’s of Bergsma products in many new places this next year!

Although, I did not see any black bear this time,  I will seek them out again when I return to the Smokies next year!

Jody Bergsma's last night in Gatlinburg, in front of the Alamo Restaurant...still looking for wildlife!

I finally came home after 3 weeks of sales, to a very stormy Bellingham; many downed trees and NO POWER.

Candles and my generator saved me!

I was without electricity for 2 days, which meant no lights, in the studio to paint by, in these dark autumn mornings.

…So this week…something different…

Welcome to the FIRST Jody Bergsma COOKING CLASS. (I had generator power in my kitchen)

“Wild Mushroom Soup With Truffle Oil.”

This morning, when I went running, I came across several different varieties of wild mushrooms. These were in my garden.

Many are quite deadly, but if you know the good ones, they are the most delicious things on earth!

Don't eat these! (The fairies live underneath them)

SHAGGY MANES, are one of the edible varieties and are easy to identify and very safe.

My recipe begins with approximately 50 mushroom.

They are easy to clean and I recommend letting them dry a bit on a towel before you sauté.

• Brown 3 tbs of butter in a large skillet with a chopped large onion and all the mushrooms cut in medium pieces
• Add sea salt…to taste, 2 tsp lemon pepper, 2 tbs fresh Rosemary.

Shaggy Manes are often found in horse pastures...they are easy to recognize by their tall white bodies, that come with a distinctive shaggy edging.

While the mushrooms were sauteing, I boiled a PRE-ROASTED chicken for 30 minutes, then drained it and separated the stock and chicken from the bones.

Tip…Roasted meat has a much more delicious flavor than meat that is simply boiled. Many supermarkets sell ready-made roasted chickens or rotisserie chickens in their Deli Departments.

• Cook 1 cup of brown and wild rice in a separate pan to add later.              (Tip…I always keep small containers of precooked wild rice in my fridge or freezer.)
• Cut up 1 cup of greens of your choice. (My preference is brussel sprouts…but broccoli is great as well as spinach) and when the mushrooms and onions are browned, throw in the greens to sauté until slightly soft, but not dead! ( That is my term for over cooked veggies.)

When you add the veggies to sauté in the mushroom pan, add 1/2 cup Sauvignon Blanc.

Jody Bergsma learned to cook in a French cooking school in Avignon.

• Put all of the ingredients into a large pot and simmer. (Be sure to taste at this point to check for spices)

Part of the fun of cooking is playing great music and tasting everything including a little of the wine!

Jody Bergsma, the chef, tasting her wild mushroom soup.

And for the last dazzling touch…

• DRIZZLE A SMALL AMOUNT OF TRUFFLE OIL OVER THE SOUP, apx. 1tsp to 1/2 tbs to suit your taste. ( If you don’t have truffle oil, Parmesan cheese is an excellent garnish)
• Serve with the rest of the Sauvignon Blanc.

Wild Mushroom soup with Truffle oil.

And if possible share it with a friend!

“Happiness is never decreased by being shared” -Buddha

Mark Green is Jody's full time assistant on her ranch...Thanks Mark for setting up the generator and making this meal possible in a storm!

Jody would like to give a “shout out” to her dear friend Anna Schaad, who has two concerts this weekend,  at the Mt. Baker Theatre in Bellingham.

Friday November 20th at 8:00pm

Saturday November 21st at 8:00pm

Jody highly recommends it…and hopes to see you there!

Anna Schaad -Dream Within A Dream- CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Good Morning Bergsma Friends and Associates from The Beautiful Smokey Mountains!

Kelly and I have just completed the first of two shows in this beautiful region of Tennessee.

Being an artist and entrepreneur is not just about painting for me…getting the products to market (and the fun of travel and seeing new faces) is also a big part of my life.

I would like to introduce just a few of my new and prior customers to you…maybe you will see someone you recognize…or an area that might be close for you to visit. (You are welcome to contact Heather at wholesale@bergsma.com for details)

ONLY…3 weeks out this trip…I go home on the 20th and painting/art class will resume!

Conne and Floyd Bellet from the Memphis Zoo

Nancy Corrington from Skagway Alaska...(St Louis Mo. in the winter!)

Jody and her Alaska Representative...Jim Slates.(In the suit) and Mr. and Mrs. John Nussbaumer of Twigs Alaska gifts...Fairbanks Ak.

Jody Bergsma and her Favorite Rep Byron Busch...Seattle Wa.(Dont tell Jim!)

Sandra Jennings from Thunder Gold located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Denise Grigoli -Designs Unlimited...Florida with Jody Bergsma and Kelly.

Denise has created a line of outerwear from my art…you can see one of my painting on the shirt above our heads!

The Christmas products were a hit...Remember we will have a Christmas Party and SALE Friday - Sunday December 4th - 6th.

Nancy Markland...bought the Christmas line for her store.

Debbie Knobel of Knobels in Elysburg, Pennsylvania.

Barbara Brittain and Frank Fezzie of Wolf Creek Gallery Myrtle Beach S.C.

Terry Herndon...our Georgia Peach...who wants me to do green eagles...who has ever heard of such a thing?!

David Jones and his wife of Bearwassee...furniture store in Haiwassee, Georgia

The Bear Store...Ray, Sandra and Carrie Johnson in Blue Ridge Georgia.

The Zoo gals at the Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge... and Kaci from the Reston Zoo in Vienna, Virginia

The McCalls, pictured here in front of the Bergsma Deer Fleece Blanket.

Russell and Kathy from The Horse Emporium in Knoxville, Tennessee

Chris Bright...from Gatlinburg. We visited with many local businesses.

Great Show Everyone!!!

I had a day off in the Smokies today…

The sun finally came out from the Hurricane Ida storms!

I am standing on the Gatlinburg overlook.

I toured the mountains looking for the mighty black bear…

…but all I found was these turkeys.

Remember to feel gratitude for the beauty and miracles all around you…live, love, and laugh!

Another show starts tomorrow…Have a great weekend and I will return to painting class soon!

Love,

Jody

Dear Blog Friends and Family!

We are ON THE ROAD AGAIN…Hello from Tennessee.

Kelly and I spent a chilly day, Thursday, (Kelly is wearing a Bergsma Fleece Blanket!) setting up the booth at the IGES show in Sevierville…home of Dolly Parton and the beautiful Smokey Mountain National Park.

JODY BERGSMA AND KELLY (Showroom Fairy) wearing "Fire Over The Islands" fleece.

The IGES Show is sponsored by a wonderful woman…Susan Mills and an equally lovely man…Jerry Mayer.

To find out more about their famous show and their 10th anniversary, please click the photo below.

Click Here to learn more about IGES

Jody Bergsma and Susan Mills, originator of The IGES show in Sevierville

THIS WEEK’S LESSON…Creating the right scene to illustrate a saying.

My Friend Sylvia H. has a great quote…
” Be like the lotus and rise in beauty from muddy waters.”

I have been looking for the right image to illustrate these inspiring words…it has become my personal reminder to focus on the positive.

I knew I wanted a water bird…and began my search.

There are birds in this small thumbnail sketch. Can you see them?

The Great Blue Heron…I felt would say it best…

I looked through books for Herons…

I relied on personal photos of waterlilies…

I mixed and matched all my references…

I even tried a loon instead of a heron…just to be sure…

After several tries …I created this view with a frog…

( You know this is my personal symbol…Jod the toad!

The Frog is admiring the majestic Heron…just out of sight of course!

We had a fantastic first day of sales here in the Smokey Mountains!

If any of you are close to Tennessee, please let me know, and we will have a visit! ( I am here for two weeks.)

There are one thousand reasons to be happy each day…(at least!)

Turn and face the sun… it is shining for you….even when you cant see it.

1000 Blessings,
Jody

Dear Blog friends and Happy Artists…

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I hope all of you are planning to do something fun for Halloween.

Bellingham has a “Thriller”  event downtown…get out and do the scary dance!

I plan on partying with friends.

Jody with her friends Barbi and Anne Marie at a Halloween season party.

THIS WEEK’S LESSON:
***CREATING GOOD DRAWINGS…***

Using thumbnail drawings and doing lots of them, is a huge part of creating good art.

THE BEST ART IS SURPRISING.

Keep sketching until you are 100% satisfied with your efforts.

Thumbnails are small and quick.

You are looking to create something fresh while maintaining the rules of good composition.

Just work from your imagination and then you can do the research to fill in the right details.

The squirrels and acorns are there if you use you imagination! I usually use 8 1/2 by 11 paper divided in 1/4's for my thumbnails.

For this season I wanted to do a squirrel with fall leaves and bear cubs in the leaves.

After the quick sketches, I went to find the right photos to support the anatomy and shape of the flowers and squirrels.

Fall leaves are in abundance...I used photo's and also just picked branches from the trees.

Acorns are a must for my squirrel!

I use the RULE OF THIRDS.
BALANCING THE COMPOSITION…While spacing unevenly.
Remember…LIGHT AGAINST DARK and DARK AGAINST LIGHT.

Real leaves are a great painting idea.

I gathered all the ingredients and created this new composition of a baby squirrel with chickadees.

CONSIDER…what does your painting say without words?

It feels as if the picture is telling a story...

I wanted to call it…”Take good care of your nuts”…
What do you think?

You can send in your ideas!

Can you see the two bear cubs...???

Here is another version.

Finally...The finished cubs with bees...

I came up with the following title: “Take good care of your honey”, but I’m still not sure.

Tara (Art Department) said the title was not working for her either…if you have a comment please let us know!

Email Heather at wholesale@bergsma.com.

Kelly (Showroom Fairy and Trade Show Side-Kick) came up with a great new idea.

Pendant only (no chain or cord currently available) Save The Dates Friday - Sunday Dec.4th -6th for our Annual Christmas Party and Sale!

Most images can go in these NEW Bergsma Pendants. We are just designing these. This is a sneak preview…as they are not even on the website yet…now you can wear your favorite painting if your walls are full!

Email Heather at wholesale@bergsma. com  if you are interested in particular image.

We have Key Chain/Zipper pulls too! They are now available as a key chain or pendant. Necklace not included.

Kelly is proudly modeling her ideas.

Look for the flyer below to come to your mail box soon!

Coming Soon!

Drawing is the most important part of any painting…as a matter of fact…the drawing is the real original!

This week I did at least 50 small sketches. They are the heart of the work…often created very early in the morning when most of you are sleeping…

Stay tuned for more drawings…I am now designing for 2010…and 30 finished works will be ready to show in January…

I will also be showing them at the Christmas party.

Jody and 50 sketches....whew!!!

Have a wonderful Halloween weekend…I will be in Tennessee this next week for the Sevierville and Gatlinburg shows with my side-kick Kelly.

Till later…Happy Painting…or should I say Drawing!

Love,
Jody

Dear Blog Friends and Fellow Painters…

With the opening behind me I had time to visit Audra at her Art Show
last Saturday. It was a blustery fall day…perfect for shopping at the fair.

She had a table full of her new art and products.

WAY TO GO AUDRA!

I will be sure to let you know about her next show.

Audra Hitz won FIRST PRIZE at the Lynden Fairgrounds for her Eagle painting.

This Week’s Lesson…

DRAWING COMPOSITIONS WITH REPETITION AND VARIATION

I blog a lot about Repetition And Variation when it comes to the colors in my paintings. This week, I will be discussing the R & V of shapes.

Lori Wentz recently shared some beautiful photos of her favorite cat, who died suddenly, and requested that I put him in a painting.

This provides me with an opportunity to talk about creating from friend’s photos and creating the right message with the right symbols in the picture.

I studied the face…took note of the colors of the cat and began gathering ideas for the art.

You always begin by doing small “Thumbnail”  sketches.

Amazing blue eyes!

This thumbnail sketch is small. It's about 3"x 4".

I choose to place the cat with ferns. The jagged shapes of the foliage match the shapes in the cats long fur.  The actual leaves, of the plant at the lower right,  match the shape of the butterfly’s wings. Repetition And Variation at work.

I referred more critically to the photos that Lori sent and created a symmetrical drawing of the face.

I did some quick draws of just the cat to loosen up. It's not unusual to have many drafts as you work towards your final sketch.

Last year John Powers…”The Butterfly Man” sent me some beautiful butterfly samples.

I pulled them out to inspire the butterfly I would put in the art.

Thank you John!

John Powers is famous for his extensive research and rare collection of butterflies from around the world. CLICK HERE to learn more.

All of these elements come together to create one drawing…that will have composition, meaning, and heart.

Creativity in the little details that surround your one reference photo is like a cook that has all the right ingredients to turn food into cuisine!

Butterflies have always been my preferred symbol for life after life. "What the caterpillar sees as the end of the world...the butterfly knows is just the beginning"

Lori…

Here is your cat…those that live on in our hearts are never far away.

Love, Jody

Eternal Garden

Now…just for fun…

Yesterday, at dawn, I joined my friends Erin Baker (Baker’s Breakfast Cookies) and Tim Niemier(Founder of Ocean Kayak and the Nalu Paddle Board). The one we are riding on today are his newest version and will be available soon.

We had donuts to bolster our nerve. See the chocolate version in Tim’s hand .

I am ready for my first ever voyage on his new “Novice Friendly” paddle board.

THIS IS VERY EXCITING…I don’t want to fall off…its only 40 degrees out!

Jody Bergsma, Tim Niemier and Erin Baker.

Tim shows me how to carry the board down to the water…

We leave our non water proof cameras in the car…just in case…and get ready to paddle across the lake.

I get a one minute lesson on how to hold the paddle and stroke the water (upside down J stroke)…and we push off to adventure!

Tim Niemier and the protype.

SUCCESS…We spent an hour on the water with the wind and waves…I was so exhilarated I now have two of them in my garage!

If you would like to find out more about this exploding new sport…visit…

CLICK HERE to learn more about Ocean Kayak.

I had a more than great morning…thank you Tim!

BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENT…

NEW “FROSTED WITH HAPPINESS” FLEECE BLANKETS now here!

We only bought 300 of this design.  So, if you want one for yourself or for a gift…please let us know.

CLICK HERE to get your Frosted Fleece.

Jody Bergsma and her daughter Lily Sky Bergsma Rockenbach at the Laughing Dog French Restaurant in Vancouver last Monday...Sky is a Senior art student at Emily Carr Art Institute in Vancouver B.C.

Fall is really here and before the gray curtain of winter descends… get together with family to share some fun and laughter.

…Play in the fall leaves, Breathe deep and give thanks for the beautiful world and those we love.

Blessings,
Jody

Reminder, we are open Monday – Friday from noon-6:00pm and Saturdays by appointment.

Here are the photographs taken over the last two weekends.  If you do not see your photo here, please feel free to email Heather at wholesale@bergsma.com.

After two weeks this long post will be sent to the archives.

Jody Bergsma and Heather Cook (Blog Assistant)

First….Here’s this week’s painting class ..

***Painting Class…and Audra has an Art Show…***

I met with Audra recently to paint her Christmas Snowman.

Every painting begins by mixing up the colors that will be used.

Audra has chosen to add a little pink to the face of the snowman to make him appear more human.

A fine brush is used to add small amounts of paint.

After Audra finished the washes in the foreground, she used one of my favorite tricks to make the clear water wash for the beginning of the sky.

She is applying clear water with a squirt bottle...this speeds up the process and insures that the back ground will be really WET!.

Usually artists apply all that water with their brush which is repetitive, slow and often dries too fast for a good wash.

Audra has remembered to paint LIGHT TO DARK.

After all the pale blues for the snow, she was excited to begin the more colorful details.

This is Audra's first face. I placed the penny in the photo so you could appreciate just how small she is painting!

She choose to use salt in her back ground and the trees. This creates a feeling of snow crystals.

PAINTING TIP...We keep a TWEEZER close by to remove or add salt chunks from/to the painting.

I LOVE THIS!
Audra has created a darling painting with wonderful composition.

If you would like to see more of her work and talk to her about
painting…you can visit her at her show this weekend in Lynden.

CLICK HERE for more information about Audra's exhibit on Saturday at the Lynden Craft & Antique Show

****

Open House Photo Album – Enjoy!

Brenda Poe & Jody Bergsma with the Wild & Precious Fleece. Brenda purchased this blanket for her sister Jayme. If you enlarge this photo you will see that Jody signed the blanket.

Here's Betta and Rosa. They were visiting us with one of Rosa's champion show dogs, a Japanese Chin, Stormy.

We'd like to thank Betta for her service in the armed forces. She just returned from two tours of duty in Iraq and Kosovo.

Ezra, Shannon and Robyne visited the gallery last Saturday.

Jody's neice Laura and her mother Linda Bergsma, checking out the new abstracts.

Mary and Joyce purchased our first two snuggies. Joyce is modeling it for us. This snuggie is of the Friendship Hummingbirds all over pattern.

George and Barbara Turosik. George used some of Jody's tiles for her back splash during her kitchen re-model.

Candy, Jody and Ron toasting to the wine moment!

Lanette (Jody's #1 and Manager) pictured here with Dorothy and her purchase of a 2010 Bergsma Calendar. Lanette's family came to visit as well.

Jody with Lanette's daughter Natalie. She picked out the peacock fleece for her very own.

Lanette's son and husband were also here. Trevor, Mike and Natalie had a great time.

Susan and Peter of Uncommon Treasures.

Lanette & Jo...thanks for visiting.

Here's Tia, Wendy Argent's assist dog. Wendy is one of our wholesaler's from Calgary Alberta - Tiffany's Treasures.

Kim and Frank Bond with Fairy/Unicorn Sketch and 1st Artist's Proof.

Vicki and Gordy of We've Got Your Bag

Nancy, our mug, tile, fleece maker extraordinaire.

Jody with Clarice, Andrea and McKenna.

McKenna won our youngest customer award

Michael from Liberty Bell Printing in West Seattle.

Dennis with Jody Bergsma

Yshelle and Steve

Jody with Bob and Tammy from Port Townsend

Bob & Rusty

Tony, Stacy and Connor

Carol Mcnabb & Lori Leming

Nancy & Bonnie Fortier

Vicky and Carol

Tasha and her husband on their yearly visit to the gallery. Tasha is a great collector of Jody's Dreamkeeper series.

Kim & James Jones

Dianne & Ray Scarborough

Gordon, Fran and Shanon Boiles

Here's a great Bergsma Makeover - Sherri brought in her print from 1982 of "Eye Of the Dragon" and had it re-matted and framed. See the "After" below.

After: Amazing isn't it?

Sharon & Leon

Margaret

Jim & Merci Ostrander

Ann and Ursula

Carole, purchased Sky Castle and had it signed by Jody.

Dan Guyette the Dean of Western Washington University and his wife and son - Charlotte and Cooper.

Cooper was very sweet. He asked very nicely if he could have the original of The River Of Life.

We had a great time...thank you....

***

Today I staked the corner of the foundation for my new house!
Digging starts tomorrow!

Jody Bergsma at the site of her new house.

Have a wonderful weekend,

More painting lessons next week,

Love,

Jody

Dear Bergsma Friends,

We’re off and running!!!

Jessi Bergsma Rockenbach at the Mattole Valley Horse Races 2009.

My daughter Jessi, just sent this photo of herself,  racing horses in California.  What an exhilarating photograph!

This is the second week of open house events here at the warehouse showroom in Bellingham. We feel a bit like the photo above….

We’re having a great time visiting with all of you!!!

There are still three days left!!!

Please come by…

Today, October 9th from 12:00pm – 8:00pm

Saturday, October 10th from 10:00am – 6:00pm

Sunday, October 11th from 10:00am – 5:00pm

I just have a brief moment to share some photos from today’s event.

Kelly (Showroom Fairy), Dennis Besett and Jody Bergsma. Dennis Besett purchased a new original for his Dragon Collection...Thank you Dennis

A great Thank you to my assistant and showroom fairy, Kelly, for framing all of the originals and prints for the show.

My gratitude to Lanette for being my #1 here at Bersgma. No one can do it all alone...Lanette runs the ship!

June and Ursula Stuart. June loves ravens and Ursula has collected them for her for years.

If you do not see your photo…never fear…

Next week, I will share the entire photo collection from the last two weeks.

Before I go,  I would like give congratulations to two dear friends of mine…

Anne-Marie of Bramble Berry, Inc.  Soap Making supplies, was honored last night with the title of outstanding #1 Business Woman Of Washington State!

Click here to visit Anne-Marie's Blog! Congratulations!!!!

Happy Birthday Paul!!!

From Left to Right - Jody Bergsma, Paul Furlong, Wendy Beven , Heather Othmer, Liz Stuart.

Hope to see you this weekend,

Love,

Jody