Take the summer to try something new. Try becoming more yourself! According to Polly Hammett, it is important to recognize your own natural tendencies and declare what YOU like in your own work in order to become more “yourself”.

Polly recommends you select 3 to 5 paintings. Then find three things in each painting you like and say them out loud, preferably to your critique group (example: “ I like the variety of edge quality in this painting..." ). Also, notice tendencies (i.e.: I seem to be enjoying Quinacridone Gold a lot lately) Then select the painting you like best and say why. Write your observations on the back of your paintings. Then take ownership of what you have learned and build from your STRENGTHS. Soon you will have your own personal style.

Larry and Helen O’Conner pass along this tip: Make traveling to workshops a little less cumbersome by making a light weight form core tabletop easel. Download plans off the CCP web site.

CHECK THIS OUT: Our first 2 minute movies are on the web inviting you to get a glimpse of the first two Cheng-Khee Chee films.

Tell us how you like these and if you think they will be helpful to other artists, shopping for the right video or dvd.

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It is easy to forget to stand back from our paintings and evaluate our progress from time to time and it makes a world of difference. Remember to run through the list: Do you have a successful value pattern, are the colors the desired hue/value/intensity, how about perspective etc. Few people will be as close to your finished painting as you are during its creation.

Polly Hammett practices what she preaches! (see article, left column) Polly accepts fully her love of graphic design and flat shapes. In this painting Polly has simplified and flattened shapes,and created a value pattern independent of the local color. Her goal is to direct eye movement through the painting on a specific path. She combines forms to reflect the relationship between the two models. (the figures a nestled together indicative of their friendship) Polly then selects colors that suit her value requirements. Finally, she creates pattern and texture using lifting, colored pencil, and stamps, or as Polly says, "whatever it takes to get the effect I want!"

A few highlights from the review include:...collagist extraordinaire Claudine Hellmuth...this intelligent DVD...Camera work is clean and close...you can replay to your heart's content...A tour-de-force project...a superb course of instruction...

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We invite those of you who have viewed Creative Catalyst video workshops to add your reveiws to our new web site. This helps others, considering particular videos, to make better choices. Thanks, Jim

How to post a review: 1. Log into our site: Click "Account" button. 2. Select any video you would like to review. 3. Select "Add your review" at the bottom of the page.

IN STOCK: Mary Todd Beam / Susan Bourdet / Betty Carr / Janie Gildow / Hugh Greer / Polly Hammett / Claudine Hellmuth / George James / Kwan Jung / Jan Kunz / Mark Mehaffey / Leo Monahan / Judy Morris / Craig Nelson / Arleta Pech / Ann Pember / Penny Soto / Cheng-Khee Chee

UPCOMING NEW ARTISTS: Carrie Burns Brown / Sean Dye / Terry Isaac / Martha Saudek / Ted Nuttall / Carl Dalio / More coming

NEW FILMS WITH CCP ARTISTS (later this year): Mark Mehaffey / Susan Bourdet / Craig Nelson / Ann Pember

If you are unsatisfied with any purchase from our website, for any reason, just return it within 10 days and we will refund 100% of your purchase price (not including s&h). We will always replace any defective Creative Catalyst Video or DVD free of charge, no matter where you purchased it. - Jim & Lynn Powers -