I recently hosted a painterly landscape workshop over the weekend in Newtown, CT. This experience was a powerful reminder to me of why I love to teach. Let's face it, I really love painting, but there is something incredible about empowering others in their artistic journey. In one room full of workshop participants, I encountered so many stories of creative breakthrough and fulfillment.

One participant painted his very first landscape in pastel with bold, vibrant strokes, and at once a lifelong desire to paint had become a reality. Another participant was newly experimenting with the medium of pastel, and painted her fist lush sunset. She now confesses to be a pastel convert. For another participant, this was her first personal workshop experience of any kind after an injury had limited her mobility and creative activity. She broke through and painted an absolutely stunning landscape. Yet another participant had just recently picked up a brush after 35 years away from the easel, and her joy at painting again was palpable.

These are just a few of the stories I encountered during the weekend, and they fill me with fresh passion to encourage others in their pursuit of artistic development. .