Painting is more than a making a faithful copy of the subject. It is a translation, a transformation - and most importantly it is an expression of inner qualities that are as important as the external. A painting can be of a certain subject, yet be about many things. By observing and creating, the artist suggests themes that are essential to their character, and perpetuates the making and sharing of experiences. Through art, subjects become significant to us in unique ways, aesthetically and conceptually. This workshop will not only reinforce an understanding of composition and form, but will also explore methods to break up and strip down the subject, then reconstruct it in new and surprising ways. Students will participate in discussions regarding the subtleties, variations, lines, textures and colors that enliven our senses and captivate our interest; the way our eyes perceive things and how we make choices regarding their relative importance; the suggestion of the passage of time; the relative states of motion and stillness; how the artist may represent nature in order to reflect on their perceptions, experiences and values while also contemplating the important power of content, symbol and abstraction. Douglas demonstrates every day of the workshop. www.douglasfryer.blogspot.com