Cape artist, Betsy Payne Cook, kicked off the first PPSCC Winter One-day Workshop (WOW) of the year on January 22 with “New Beginnings: An Artist’s Plan for the Studio.” 12 artists joined Betsy via Zoom to explore new routines and develop new habits to engage their creative minds and jumpstart ideas for painting in pastel.

Betsy emphasized the importance of the planning process before starting to paint. She demonstrated how she works out the composition, values, and color palette for a new painting by creating a multimedia series of sketches that focus on essential elements.

Students all received copies of her Artist’s Plan to aid them in defining the purpose of their paintings, improve their time management, and explore new materials and techniques.

Participant Jennifer Whitfield found the workshop to be inspirational and “a reminder of what I know I should be doing, but sadly, not making the time to do.” She added, “It is really important to draw, doodle, play with medium and not worry about the final outcome.”

This is the second year PPSCC has provided winter workshops online and the Zoom format has proven to be very popular. According to WOW Workshop Chair Susan Ellis, the two upcoming WOW Workshops with Debora Stewart and Casey Klahn are sold out.