To continue my growth as a teacher, I go to Europe at least once every three years to study and learn as I visit major art museums, galleries, shows, maintain established contacts and meet new people. I supplement these foreign trips with travel in the U.S. I read material pertaining to art every day and maintain a schedule of attending workshops to learn from others. I paint from my own file of photo references, thousands that I have taken over the years.



 





Ghost Ranch Watercolor Adventure Workshop 2002
 Click image to enlarge

Dear gail,
At a recent reception and art show I remarked to another visitor how much my wife enjoyed her lessons with Gail's group and how much she enjoyed the interaction and camaraderie with the other artists.
As our conversation continued it dawned on me that my wife could paint at home but that she actually enjoyed the closeness that had developed with the other artists/students in Gail's class to such an extent that it has become an integral part of her weekly routine.
I enjoy my golf but we enjoy her painting. I am witness to the fact that it has brought a great deal of joy to our lives; not just the occasional sale of a painting but in the pleasure we share as she paints and shows her personal creations.
Thank you Gail for developing a creative and nuturing environment for your students.
Julian Wells,
Art Student Husband

Dear gail,
That's a pucker for a big smooch!
Thanks for being so supportive - You've really taught me a lot even though I haven't put all the teachings down on a painting yet! I've really enjoyed your class and am looking forward to the next one, See you on the 31st!
Ron Kegaris,
Brentwood, TN

gail,
Just a quick note to say "thank you" for all your help and encouragement you've given me. I know at times you must get tired but I just want you to know I think you are "wonderful", and I am so thankful for this. I love watercolors and that's also because of you!
Love Carrie Hodges
Nashville, TN

Dear gail,
What a love you are! You are so extraordinarily generous with your time, your knowledge and your enthusiasm! I am grateful every single day that I walked into James Ben Gallery and ran into Daniel, who was delighted to sing your praises. I thought I might find a wonderful mentor and teacher. I did. I had no idea I would also find such a cherished friend.
Sharon Howard
Franklin, TN

Hi gail,
Love your new site!!! Awesome!!! Keep up the great work and thanks for taking time to teach us neophytes!!!!!!!! best wishes,
Jennifer Beganie
Brentwood, TN

Dear gail,
Just a quick note to thank you again for all the fun art classes. Your enthusiasm motivated me to get back into painting - I forgot how much I enjoyed it. I appreciated all the help and tips and thank you for the push I needed!
One thing I forgot to ask - when do your classes in June (in Brentwood) start? When you get a chance, please let me know. Again, thenk you and Best Regards,
Dagmar Langon
Hermitage, TN

Dear gail,
I just want to say thank you again for giving me a deeper understanding of color. Thankfully, I wont be creating as much mud as having to scratch too much. I think I may be getting it.
Best Wishes,
Fondly,
Phyllis

 

BRENDA BRANNON RECIEVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

To :
  <gail@gailmcdanielart.com>
Subject :
  Exciting news from Brenda Brannon
Date :
  Sun, 14 Oct 2001 20:15:16 -0500

Hello gail,

Its hard to believe that it has been about two years since i studied with you in Brentwood. I wanted to share my recent success with you.


Late August i entered a watercolor in the 2002 Easter Seals Art Competition. I received a letter from Easter Seals last Friday which read, in part: "It is my pleasure to inform you that your lilly rendering has been selected by Easter Seals for use as one of the six 2002 Easter seals. The Easter seals will be distributed to nearly 15 million households nationwide in February." The goes on to say that my art will be framed and placed on display at the national headquarters in Chicago. They have also asked for a photo of me and a biography to put on their website early next year.

The instruction i recieved from you was crucial in making my winning entry "come alive". Thank you.

I hope that your classes and workshops are well attended. You never know who your next success story will be!

Best wishes,
Brenda Brannon.



To :
  <gail@gailmcdanielart.com>
Subject :
  Another Easter Seals Success!
Date :
  Wed, 30 Oct 2002 21:47:25 -0600

Dear gail,

I wanted to share the good news with you that one of my watercolors has been chosen by Easter Seals to become one of the six 2003 Easter Seals. It is very exciting to have achieved this honor two years in a row. The 2003 Easter Seals will be distributed nationwide in February. If you'd like to see my work from last year along with a short bio, you can visit Easter Seals at this site:
http://www.easter-seals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_press_2002artists

For the new painting I used a very limited palette of Antwerp Blue, New Gamboge, and Rose Madder Genuine for the main body of the work along with tiny bits of Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna. I also used French Ultra with Alizarin Crimson for those "disappearing purples". As I recall, "disappearing purples" was the last project I worked on when I was studying with you three years ago. Ive used it in several projects since. Once again, you've contributed to my success!

I'm hoping that, despite my busy schedule as a portrait photographer I'll have the opportunity to study with you again sometime next year. I'd love to try some new techniques. You always have something fun and interesting to share with your students!

Best wishes,
Brenda Brannon.


Dear gail,                                                                                                    August 15th, 1998

I'm writing this to thank you for your friendship and instruction over the past year. I know that the name I make for myself in the future will have your signature at the bottom - and I want you to know that I am grateful not only for the technical instruction and guidance, but for the unselfish devotion to the promotion of art which I find in you. I have encountered many teachers in my life, and only the rarest have been willing to impart knowledge without reserve. I have walked away feeling as if they were only willing to show me the tip of the iceberg - as if I must pay my dues of painful trial and error in order to gain access to the sacred inner sanctum. They do not understand the laws of prosperity - and that by helping others to find prosperity they will in turn be granted it. You on the other hand have that seemingly innate sense that allows you to give freely of what you know or have experienced.

I address all this because it is what makes you a great teacher rather than a good one. I'm sure that Robert Henri (who??!!) intended for his philosophies to become absorbed and passed on from generation to generation, and you are the kind of teacher I am certain he envisioned as filling those shoes.

I am your grateful student and friend,
(though you'll never hear me admit that publicly...)

Greg.


Greg, a manager of several horse barns, came to gail in the Summer of 1997. Greg had just started painting in watercolors and had seen a show of gail's paintings. He told gail that he wanted to learn what she knew about color, as he could already draw beautifully. Greg studied intensely with gail for a year and worked very hard. Greg was a most unusual student in that gail could tell him something one time and it was his. With his own creative ability, he used what he wanted and ignored the rest. In August of 1998, he moved to Estes Park, Colorado. He is now a full time watercolor painter and instructor represented by galleries in the South and Southwest. He has traveled to Europe painting and selling his work along the way. He has just illustrated two book jackets, one, HORSES NEVER LIE, published in April 2000. In less than four months, it became the number one best selling horse book on amazon.com. The September 2000 issue of Western Horseman, the #1 horse magazine in the U.S., did a feature article on Greg. He was juried into the 8th Annual Colorado Watercolor Society Show.

 


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