Our focus continues into the fascinating lives of our Mature Learning instructors. Pat Jollota, whose class “Clark County History” begins in May 18th, says, “I became interested in history while I watched my native city of Los Angeles destroy its history in the name of progress. Those cities that maintained their history fared better than did LA.” I asked Pat how she gets her ideas for her books, and she replied, “The ideas are often happenstance. “Naming Clark County”, for instance, arose out of an exhibit that I did for Clark County. Many times long cherished beliefs are exploded by the facts. I used to say that part of my job was to crush long held family stories.”
To a query about how she does research, Pat declared, “The ideas just happen with the subject matter. If there is a story that needs to be told, that’s the idea. Research has become so much easier with our wonderful new library. Instead of the migraine inducing microfilm readers, they now have computer monitors that will even print out the article that you want to keep. Finding out that long held beliefs are wrong is part of research. One such is that Ranald McDonald, who helped open up Japan to the west met and studied with the three Japanese sailors at the Fort. Recent research casts major doubt on that timeline. When suddenly everything comes together and the missing pieces fill in, it’s a rush!”

Instructor Duane Ray is our “Science Guy”. This term he continues a quest for the “Edges of Science", helping students to understand the complexities of modern scientific discoveries. Duane possesses an amazing combination of brilliance and enthusiasm. Duane said, “I always loved hands on science. In high school I was an amateur radio operator.” During his college years he spent one summer as an astronomer. His other lifelong passion became the outdoor life, hiking, climbing and SCUBA. A professional physicist, when asked what was the most exciting finding of the 21st century, Duane replied, “Understanding the fundamental physics of particles”. And what might be the most exciting find of the future? Duane readily opined, “I predict we will continue the amazing new discoveries in biological medicine, understanding DNA & epigenetics”.

CULTIVATION, PROPAGATION AND GARDENING COME ALIVE IN CLARK COUNTY

Serious gardeners or professional florists need to stay in touch with the tried and true mechanics of growing flowers and gardening while also being aware of new discoveries that bring out the best in your flowers, shrubs, gardens and trees. 

Consider taking a class or classes in selecting, propagating, growing and arranging flowers. See how floral arrangements can be made throughout the year.  Discover what styles, tools and containers are best suited for your ideas; what arrangement styles are “hot” now!

The professional arranger and hobbyist arranger can learn the methods of Ikebana, creating an English garden and high style. How about creating arrangements for weddings, table and holiday flowers, wreaths and swags?

Our local area does its best growing with specific varieties of annuals, perennials, bulbs and wood cuts. Do you know which ones they are? Once your flowers are blooming, do you know how to keep them in the best condition, how to cut them and how to store them?

Learn how to trim excess branches and leaves for healthy trees and shrubs.  Fruit trees, ornamental and native shrubs can be shaped to beautify your yard or garden.

I asked one of our expert gardening instructors, Thom McConathy, to share one piece of advice to apply to our springtime flowers, shrubs or trees – and here is what he gave us:

Fruit trees are starting to bloom now and it is important to treat with Copper sulfate to combat the bacterial diseases that are affecting blossoms and spurs when buds are fat and have not yet opened. If you have more than one fruit tree, this will call for multiple sprays as they don't bloom all at once. If you are using the powdered Copper sulfate, remember to first fill the sprayer with water, and then the spreader sticker and then the powdered copper sulfate or the powdered copper will not mix with the water. If you are using the powdered CS, mix in small batches and use up and clean the sprayer with each session but if you are using the liquid CS you can mix in larger batches and just let the sprayer sit partly full between sprayings. There are biological alternatives to copper sulfate but they call for a year-round spray program using a benign form of the Pseudomonas bacterium.

To get more answers and ideas for year round gardening, consider one of the following spring classes:

A Year of Cut Flowers, Part I

Growing the “Cutting” Garden, Part II

Flower Arranging, Part III

Cut Flower Gardening Trio

Well this is one of those questions that have more than one answer....

FIRST:

The transparent nature of watercolor allows the artist to create paintings that glow as the white of the paper shines through the paint. And, there is something magical that happens when paint colors are allowed to mix on the paper.  The nature of watercolor opens up many possibilities. Its quick drying time allows it to be very practical.

SECONDLY:

21st century paint companies have created great pigments that enable the artist to add rich darks and opaque passages to their work. Additionally, the availability of iridescent and metallic paints has created a wide range of possibilities.

THIRDLY:

Watercolor lends itself to many different techniques which produce random effects. The textures that result can add interest and sparkle to the artist work. Clark County is rich with artists who are expressing themselves in exciting experimental ways.

FINALLY:

Finally Clark County has an active and supportive community of Watercolor painters.  From painting societies to critique groups, from workshops to enthusiastic classes, the exchange of ideas and encouragement is continuous.

Clark College Continuing Education offers several watercolor classes to reach out to the very beginners, the intermediates and the advanced students.

You can meet other artists in a relaxed, no pressure, and no stress atmosphere and develop a love of painting that can last a lifetime no matter your age.

You won’t know until you try it - to find out if this is the hobby you have been looking for to express yourself!

Let our talented instructors direct you into the medium of your choice.

Lee Baughman

Watercolor: Independent Studies, Daytime or Evening
Sharon Whyte

Beginning Acrylic Painting, Acrylic Open Lab

Glennda Field

Beginning & Intermediate Watercolor