Today I had the privilege to paint with an old friend, Susan Renee Lammers.  She is in town visiting from Maine and is a wonderful artist.  She paints on copper panels, just like the masters.  As I was setting up my easel, she said, "Here, try one of these," and plopped a chunk of copper on it.  It wasn't very thick, and I examined it carefully before setting my paintbrush to it.  What do you do with it?  Do you need to gesso it?  sand it?  use a medium?  No, she said, just sand it lightly, then, stop talking and get to work!  I laughed and did as I was told. 

Oh, did I mention she also said, if I was going to do this, I had to use only four colors like she did: cad yellow, quin red, cobalt blue and white.  Well, I love a challenge, so I said, "You're on."  It was incredibly slippery, this copper.  My brush felt like a new skater on fresh ice.  After I got the hang of it, I glided across the substrate with moderate ease, and thought it was really lots of fun.  The Four-color Palette really simplified life as well.  I felt free as a Bird.  Simplicity is good.  Letting go is good.  Gratitude is good.  I was grateful for the opportunity to try something new.  I had only four colors.  I was painting on a slip n' slide -- er, copper panel.  I got to see my friend.  It was a beautiful day in Winter Park, Florida.  We saw a few other artist friends out and everyone had a little different twist on their paintings.  Here's what I did and I plan to go back again tomorrow!  Enjoy!