As another year draws to a close, I look back on the accomplishments of my Kaneville watercolor class. We meet every Friday from 1:00 to 4:00 at the Kaneville Community Center.  We focus on landscapes with concepts of composition, color, perspective and technique emphasized each week. Each class consists of a critique of the previous paintings done in class, then a demonstration painting in a step-by-step format in which I explain the concept of the day. The students are able to take home a completed painting from each class.

My students come every week from as near as Elburn and Geneva, and as far away as LaGrange and Oak Park. It's a very disciplined class, and the students work hard. But their camaraderie and joy in painting is evident in every class. 

To my students, thank you for your dedication, and willingness to listen to all the information that I am constantly overwhelming you with. I am grateful for the privilege of being your teacher, helping you achieve your goals as artists. I look forward to another year of fun and hard work–and even more students! Happy New Year. Keep on painting! 

Demos of some of the concepts and subjects we've covered this past year.

Every year our small town of Kaneville celebrates Christmas in a big way, offering events such as a visit with Santa at the fire station, activities for kids at the library, free food and peppermint ice cream, the church cookie walk, a craft show, and a sleigh ride around town. Two small original farm houses moved, restored and maintained by the Kaneville Historical Society were open for visits, with homemade ornaments offered to the youngsters.

Though the town is small, its history is rich, and a small handful of people constantly work to maintain and to pass on the Kaneville legacy. I applaud their efforts, so for the past few years I have done a painting during the Christmas event, which is then raffled off, with all proceeds going to the Historical Society. This year's painting went to a very happy Kaneville resident, Poul Flamand. It was a pleasant surprise, since his wife, Karen, won the raffle for last year's painting!