Submitted photoArtist and instructor Don Andrews taught a watercolor painting class at the Colquitt County Arts Center on Feb. 11.

I am in awe of painters. Their ability to confront a blank canvas and apply that first paint stroke strikes me as a unique kind of bravery. American painter Norman Rockwell once said, “The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they’re always looking ahead to something new and exciting.” Decades ago, Mr. Rockwell intrinsically understood a concept that many psychologists and physicians are now espousing in earnest: The bold act of making art is downright good for you! At every age, music, dance, literature, and visual arts engage and nurture our minds in powerful ways. And so, I was thrilled to meet artist, educator, and all-around nice guy, Don Andrews at his watercolor workshop here at the Colquitt County Arts Center last week. For four days, Mr. Andrews guided his class through his remarkable painting theories and techniques. Don is an active member and past board director of the American Watercolor Society. His paintings have received numerous awards in national watercolor competitions, including several awards from the American Watercolor Society. Students traveled from as far away as New York and Texas to attend this workshop, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy their time here in Moultrie. If you have ever wished to improve your painting technique, there are two more workshops coming up over the next couple of months right here at the Colquitt County Arts Center: On Saturday & Sunday, March 12th & 13th, Tifton native Kippy Hammond will be offering a 2-day pastel workshop. Kippy is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and the Southeastern Pastel Society and a former Salon International du Pastel international guest of honor. The artist has spent most of the past two decades in France, where she is the director of the La Bonne Etoile Artist Retreat. Her recent work is reflective of her life in France, equal parts cosmopolitan Parisian sophistication and French countryside dreaminess. The workshop will fall on the same weekend as her “Foreign Influences” exhibit, which opens on March 11th in the newly renovated Vereen Gallery. And then in April, we welcome yet another globally recognized artist and educator, Cindy Agan. Mrs. Agan’s art has been awarded multiple national and international awards, and she has published a book entitled Painting Watercolors that Sparkle with Life. Her book is aptly named, as she paints extremely photorealistic portraits, often looking so lifelike that they require closer inspection to believe that they are indeed painted. Her workshop here in Moultrie from April 7th-10th is entitled “Portraits of Children & Pets.” If you are interested in more information on workshops or classes offered at the Arts Center, please feel free to call (229) 985-1922, visit our website atcolquittcountyarts.com, or just drop by! The Colquitt County Arts Center is located at 401 7th Ave SW Moultrie, Ga, 31768. For information on the artists mentioned in this story, visit them online: www.donandrews.net, www.kippyhammond.com, and www.cindyaganart.com.