David Daniel’s workshop just checked-out this morning and it is sad to see such a happy group go. Regrettably, I only got one photo of the group because I was up to my eyeballs with work! The minute I stepped into the studio to take this picture of Dave presenting a demo, I saw a car arrive so I had to go see what they wanted.

Everyone was so pleased with David that they all tried to twist my arm to sign up David to come back every year! Sorry, folks, but the 2009 schedule is already full, but don’t despair, David will be back in 2010 — same time, same place! The dates will be June 13 – 19, 2010 and we can’t wait.

I had to fill in as Chef twice during this workshop while Mark was away having fun with his martial arts. I do like to be a creative cook, so I got to try out several new recipes, as well the tried and true Herb and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Thighs and Chocolate Cinnamon Cake. The Blueberry Strudel Bars with Lemon-Cream Filling were a big hit. Diane asked when we were going to open a pastry shop!

I also made some Parmesan and Pine Nut Focaccia and Sweet Corn Cakes with Southwest Sauce and Tomato Salsa.

Tomorrow Alvaro Castagnet arrives to teach the mastery of tonal values. Should be a fun class as always. The weather looks good and the pool is ready for more poolside critiques.

Once again a group of intrepid students came to Greenville and had a wonderful time in a workshop taught by David Dunlop. The weather cooperated for the most part, but when the rains threatened there was still plenty to learn while in the studio.

On one day the group went to Katerskill Falls, the preferred site of many of the Hudson River School artists. It was a gorgeous day.

These trees are along the path down to the top of the falls. I just loved the color and contrast of the bark and the dark patches among the fresh Spring green leaves.

Here are a couple of artists at the top of the incline down to the falls.

This shot was taken facing away from the falls. Everyone was careful to stay well away from the edge of the falls!

This photo faces top of the falls, but you can’t see it because Patricia has set up in a premo spot to capture the vista.

Here’s David giving a little demo.

The group also went to Olana on another perfect day, but I forgot my camera!

On the last day the group went to the Hollyhock Audubon Society Preserve. No hollyhocks yet, but plenty of beautiful sights.

Here is Rochele deep in the greenery.

The preserve has some convenient picnic tables for the delivered lunch.

Here is Bill K. He certainly knows how to get into his painting. Winnie said that the water was rising but Bill was determined to stay on his rock until he was finished.

And to end on a sweet note: these are some dark chocolate fig preserve cups. They are my first chocolates! Mark is way in CT selling chocolates, but an internet order came in through our Life By Chocolate website for two chocolates that we just happened to have run out of. So Mark gave me directions over the phone and I went to work. I had watched Mark make these lots of times, but this would be my first solo (although I did have a bit of help from Joyce during the one tricky part of the process.)

Elizabeth Apgar-Smith (aka – Betsy) came here once again to teach her outdoor pastel workshop. The weather was fairly cooperative and the group enjoyed a beautiful day up at Olana.

When the weather was a little more iffy, the studio was well lighted and close to the unlimited coffee and tea in the dining rooms!

Here is Betsy presenting a demo to the group in the studio.

The cheesecake dessert on one evening was certainly one of the favorites as evidenced by the smile on Elyse Z’s face!

Barbara G enjoyed sharing some cheesecake with her husband, Ron, who came along with Barbara to enjoy the other attractions in the Greenville area.

Here are some shots of the group when they were at Olana. The tour of the main house at Olana is open once again after last years restorations. I’m told that the house is magnificent and the tour definitely worth it. It is wonderful to see the exterior of the house without scaffolding around parts of it!

We are going through a bit of a hot spell at the moment, but the weather is suppose to start cooling off tomorrow. But our studio is well air conditioned and there is still a couple spots left in the David Daniels studio watercolor workshop next week. Alvaro Castagnet has a couple of Day Student spots still available in his outdoor watercolor workshop, too. We have the ice tea ready and the pool is calling, so come on over!

A group of eager students thoroughly enjoyed this studio watercolor workshop with Jim McFarlane.

Here are Lorraine and Karen, a couple of frequent visitors to the workshops who we always look forward to their return. Lorraine’s early enrollments for this years workshop entered her in our early bird prize drawing and she won . . . First Prize! She will get free tuition for her enrollment in the David Daniels workshop coming up this month. Way to go, Lorraine!

A couple more people working in the studio.

Here is Jim using one of our sewing machine tables as a light box! If you want to use a real light box, we now have a 18″ x 24″ light box available for use in the studio.

Around the inn Spring has sprung and the robins are nesting. This nest is right above the back door to the Main Inn and even though the screen door continually banged shut after each person who came through, Ms Robin was able to raise these two lovely babies. I snapped this shot right before they flew the coop and went off on their own.

We now have another nest on the wreath on the front porch.