Last week I taught my first plein air workshop out at the beautiful gardens of Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  Now I have always loved my job as an art instructor but the workshop convinced me that I have one of the best jobs on earth.  I had an enthusiastic group of students who were up for the challenge and eager to learn.  The students painted in the beautiful evening light with the smell of the blooming linden trees permeating the air.  There were no expectations for successful paintings, the goal of the workshop was to become familiar with the plein air set up and challenges, but there were some very beautiful paintings created during the sessions.
 Cranbrook Fountain

I have posted two sketches I did during the workshop.  The fountain was a demonstration for the first evening and the pillar is at the front gate where I set myself up to paint before the students arrived.  There were twelve in the class so after a few of them drove by I knew it was time to pack up and get ready to teach.  It truly is a good way to make a living.