Art by Robert Yackel

Monday – Workshop Day One

Armed with painting paraphernalia workshop participants head to the Stephen Kilborn Pottery Studio in Pilar. The morning’s sketching site is along the banks of the nearby Rio Grande River shaded by ancient cottonwoods with thick sturdy trunks and dark twisted limbs. The dense canopy of leaves gleam green with signs of autumn still in the future. The yellow blooms of silvery chamisa adds bright foreground to the landscape of mountain slopes and mesas.

Lunch on the patio brings oohs and aahs of appreciation. Daily LaVerne prepares a delightful repast that’s the envy of friends and spouses when they hear the detailed descriptions each evening. The talented and vivacious chef always adds a dash of fun and frolic. Even the rubber gloves deserve notice.

No afternoon siestas allowed. It’s time to break out the brushes and paints and let the creativity flow. Stephen demonstrates and offers direction and advice as needed.

 Nearing four o’clock everyone begins cleanup. Assistant Holly mixes margaritas to accompany the afternoon critique session. The four “newbies” are quickly named the “Taos Four”, what they lack in experience they make up for with energy, humor and eagerness to learn.

Bob got a good start on adobes sheltered by a giant cottonwood. Using his “Bobism” squares takes lots of time, with paintings rarely complete in one session. More tomorrow!

 Sunday Meet and Greet

Taos painter and potter Stephen Kilborn offers several painting workshops each year. Past “Abstracting the Landscape” themes have included Churches of Taos, Old Adobes and Rio Grande Landscapes. The theme for the week of September 27-October 1, 2010 is Aspens and Cottonwoods, in recognition of New Mexico’s  changing fall colors.

The group gathers at the Kilborn Gallery in Taos on Sunday afternoon. Stephen gives a brief personal history of his evolution from Santa Fe furniture maker to potter to painter. It’s especially interesting to hear of his artistic influences  while surrounded by his vibrant paintings.

The dozen participants introduce themselves and share a few words about their art background. This week’s students come from Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington and the local Taos area. Painting experience ranges from “never before” to those who have painted and taught for decades. Half the class are returning for their second, third or fourth Kilborn workshop.

An outline of the week’s schedule – on-site sketching, lunch by wife LaVerne, afternoon painting in Kilborn’s Pilar studio, daily critique accompanied by margaritas – heightens enthusiasm and anticipation for Monday morning.