Art Camp

It was a sunny, bright morning as I welcomed my guests from California, Florida, and New York to my Maine camp. They had flown and driven in to spend a few days for an art workshop that I was hosting with my friend and watercolor instructor, Ted Matz. Ted has been my art mentor for some ten years.

There we were, mostly beginners—or at least one or two brushstrokes away from being beginners—gathered around the fireplace at Camp Kabrook, listening to a master explain the fundamentals. The rules were simple: 1. forget everything you have been told about watercolor painting and start fresh, and 2. The only failure in watercolor painting- as in life- is the failure to try.

After our first tutorial on basic color theory —a highly complicated topic — we all fanned out to various spots around the property: the deck, along the rocky shoreline, and in the woods. We began to draw and apply a bit of water to the basic colors. Ted was a taskmaster with his students, much like a drill sergeant, yet he was also warm and encouraging—the reason I like him so much.

Regardless of our individual levels of experience, everyone was accepting of each other’s work and eager to offer encouragement. This was a group that, initially, was held together only by my individual friendships with each of them. Yet by the afternoon of the first day, we were all at ease with each other, and new friendships were sparked

It was a true lesson in how quickly a group of smart, well-read, and intellectually curious people can recognize the values they share and discover a common goal. Painting was our goal, and watching everyone support one another in their efforts to do their best on that first day was heartwarming.

The camaraderie and enthusiasm for each other’s work proved that we can all be motivated to challenge ourselves and discover what we are capable of achieving, whether creating a painting or connecting with someone new.