July Updates
Recent sketching adventures, paintings on view now, and save the date for fall writing events!
Hello, my friends!
Summer is in full swing, and so much has happened since my last update that it feels like years I wrote it. To say I’ve been busy, busy, busy would be an understatement. Anyone who thinks teachers loaf at their leisure all summer has never met this teacher.
Highlights from the summer plein air season so far
My goal for this summer is to attend as many plein air painting sessions with Central Mass Plein Air Artists Group as I can, which to date has only amount to two. I had to miss one due to a flat tire—Yuck!—and one due to travel plans that took me to London—Yay! And the two sessions I was able to get to were fabulous with great settings and amazing weather. Both times I got out of my sketchbook and worked on 11x14 paintings, the first of which has already been accepted into a juried show (more on that later), so I’d say I’m off to a productive summer season!
I will be hosting two sessions for the Central Mass Plein Air Artists at Cooks Pond in Worcester on July 8 and 15, so if you’re an artists based in central New England, check out the facebook page for details.
In addition to getting out with Central Mass group, I was able to join the statewide Massachusetts Plein Air Artists Group for an indoor session at the Worcester Art Museum during a heatwave that made getting outdoors unfeasible. So we took to the air conditioning and practiced drawing from direct observation in the galleries.
In fact, I’ve been exercising my drawing skills a lot this summer with three gallery sessions this summer, two of them on the aforementioned trip to London. Art museums offer an incredible opportunity for artists. You may have noticed galleries that have racks of stools in the corner and wondered what that was all about. Well, most museums encourage art students to bring their pencils and sketchbooks and camp out on a stool to draw in the galleries.
It is always good to check a museum’s specific policies for allowed media. Most have this information available on their websites. It’s pretty common for museums yo have a broad policy of dry, non-dust-producing media, but definitely check in advance if you plan to sketch in the galleries. The Worcester Art Museum allows graphite pencil only.
As a very regular visit to WAM, I knew before arriving exactly what I would do. I had made up my mind to sketch some architectural details in the Chapter House.
I’ll be honest, in the past I have been somewhat intimidated to draw in the galleries. Doing so felt a little conspicuous and—given that I’m not an art student as in a student enrolled in an art program—sort of eccentric. This summer, though, two of my gallery sessions were with groups, first the MA Plein Air Group and the second with some Urban Sketcher friends I met up with for a casual sketching session in London (as opposed to an official USK meet up). Those two experiences gave me the courage to try a third. It also helps that I have been attending life drawing sessions to work on figurative drawing, so I had enough confidence to try sketching a statute at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and then a dress on a dress frame at the Tate Britain.
My trip to London this summer was part fun, with a few days primarily devoted to exploring and sketching, and part work. I was there to attend that International Boys’ School Coalition’s Annual Conference at the Harrow School. It was a fantastic experience. Several colleagues and I presented a workshop on the Building a Culture of Academic Integrity, I met fellow educators from around the world, and I got to revisit one the greatest cities in the world. What’s not to love?
On my tourist, days, in addition to my two gallery sketches, I found time for some watercolor studies and other drawings as well. I used my homemade sketch journal that has both toned sketching paper and Arches watercolor paper.
To learn more about my homemade sketch journal, what I take in my kit, and the individual locations I sketched, visit my Instagram, dianepaintsflowers, where I posted a bunch of reels about my travel sketching adventures.
Upcoming Exhibits
I’m happy to share that I have a painting, “Nick’s Woods,” in Arts Worcester’s annual member exhibit, The One, which opens this Wednesday, July 10 with a public reception from 5 to 8. If you’re downtown, stop by the gallery and check out the whole show. The exhibit will run from July 11 to August 18.
As I mentioned above, I also had very exciting news that my first painting from the summer plein air season, “Peonies at Nicewicz Farm,” was accepted into the New England Watercolor Society’s Celebrating New England show, which runs from July 12 to September 4 at the New England Watercolor Society Gallery at the Plymouth Center for the Arts in Plymouth, MA. This is my first juried acceptance to a New England Watercolor Show so I’m pretty excited about it!
Writing News
I’m happy to share that I’ll be running a three-part series at the Morse Institute Library in Natick, MA in the fall, so save the date and stay tuned for more details!
Plan, Write, Revise: A Three-Part Workshop Series for NaNoWriMo Success
Are you ready to take on the challenge of writing a novel or memoir in just 30 days? This three-part workshop series is designed to equip writers with the tools and strategies they need to tackle National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) with confidence. Led by novelist Diane V. Mulligan, whose award-winning second novel, The Latecomers Fan Club, began as a NaNoWriMo novel way back in 2009, this series will guide participants through the process of preparing and writing their novels and will culminate in a plan for post-NaNoWriMo revisions. While the three workshop sessions are designed to build upon one another, each workshop does stand alone so that writers can join us for one, two, or all three. Whether you're a seasoned writer or embarking on your first novel-writing adventure, this workshop series will provide you with the support and guidance you need to succeed in NaNoWriMo and beyond.
Workshop 1: Preparation and Planning
October 3, 2024
In the first workshop, participants will learn essential strategies for preparing to write a novel during NaNoWriMo. Topics covered will include:
Generating and refining novel ideas
Developing compelling characters and settings
Outlining and plotting your novel
Setting realistic writing goals and creating a writing schedule
By the end of this workshop, participants will have a solid plan in place for starting their NaNoWriMo journey.
Workshop 2: "Writing Sprint: NaNoWriMo Kickoff"
November 7, 2024
In the second workshop, participants will dive into the challenge of NaNoWriMo. Through a series of writing sprints, participants will have the opportunity to make significant progress on their novels in a supportive and motivating environment. Workshop activities will include:
Timed writing sprints to boost word count
Tips and tricks for overcoming writer's block and staying motivated
Peer feedback and encouragement
By the end of this workshop, participants will be well on their way to reaching their NaNoWriMo goals.
Workshop 3: "Revision Strategies and Beyond"
December 3, 2024
In the final workshop, participants will shift their focus from drafting to revising as they prepare to transition from NaNoWriMo to the next phase of their writing journey. Topics covered will include:
Strategies for revising and polishing a first draft
Seeking feedback from beta readers and critique partners
Developing a revision plan and timeline
Exploring options for publication and next steps
By the end of this workshop, participants will have a clear roadmap for revising their NaNoWriMo novels and taking their writing to the next level.