Leave me alone!

Hello All,

Haha...i thought that might get your attention. I am at the Jansen art studio and we are learning to paint a Palekh Santa. I am actually teaching this technique in a few weeks at our studio and the seminar has a lot of people in it so I am really trying to pay attention so that I know what I am doing. Easier said than done! The people in this class, including the teacher, pick on me quite badly. I was accused of oozing onto Carol's work space....oops....guilty as charged. All the women in this class were mad at me because I admitted that I have never done a load of laudry in my entire life. (I am just glad that I wasn't pelted with extender cups) And, I was getting harrassed because I wore a "mapron" (man apron) to keep my clothes clean.

I was a real trooper....honestly. I didn't say anything. I just sat in my seat and tried to blend with this class. I didn't tease my new Canadian friends about anything and I most certainly didn't tease David. Honestly folks, I have had the best time.

I know that many of our blog readers are painters. I urge you to take a class from David Jansen as soon as you can get in to it. He is such a wonderful teacher and his classes are filled with so much fun. But, more importantly, there is no one that I know of that has the depth of experience in this industry or the depth of knowledge of decorative painting. Sitting in one of his classes is an amazing experience and I am so grateful that he is my mentor and my friend.

The Jansen family has come under considerable fire in the last year because of some business issues. The criticism that they have had to endure is truly unwarranted and I have truly felt sorry for them. But, the true measure of a person's character is how they maintain character in times of crisis. The Jansen family has have held their head high and perservered and I am so proud to call them my friends.

Anyhow, this weekend has been so much fun. The people in the class are truly awesome and the art is so rewarding. Here is a picture of 4 of the students confronting the challenges of Palekh painting.

For those of you that have never been to a seminar at the Jansen household one of the jokes among the students is that they don't know if they come for the painting or the food. Honestly, I can't decide. Martha and Jessica do a great job with the food. And they are so very gracious.

Martha Jansen is our host for the Jansen Art Seminars. This is a great picture of Martha grabbing a few minutes of social time before she has to attend to the many duties of hosting a seminar. We could not honestly ask for a more gracious host than Martha.

Finally I must say that a seminar at the Jansen residence is about food, friends, laughter and fellowship but mostly it is about the art. David Jansen doesn't just talk about art but he is one of the most active artists that I know. He paints several hundred original paintings a year and, in addition, he is one of the most sought after teachers in the United States. Why? Because he is a spledid teacher and knows so much. Anybody that has ever taken a class from David can tell you that he is truly a master teacher. Like I said before, if you haven't taken a class from David you need to get on a waiting list immediately. It is absolutely the way that I want to spend my money. Following is a picture of David in rapt concentration. Don't worry...he isn't a serious as he looks. The class is filled with fun and laughter. Tomorrow I will post about day 2 of our seminar.

Until Tomorrow,

Paul