UPDATED – I remember back a few years ago I got a phone call from my brother, Lee. My sister-in-law, Margo unearthed some more family history on our mom's side. You see my dear sister-in-law is a genealogy goddess. She has a fantastic passion for finding her roots. Her family would take vacations trouncing throughout the south going to libraries (before the internet), old cemeteries and knocking on doors of distant relatives.

One of Margo's greatest genealogy accomplishments was proving her mother, Fran's lineage to the Revolutionary War. Margo and Fran received their certificates from the Daughters of the Revolutionary War in the spring of 2012. Fran passed two days after she received her certification.

Margo was hot on my mom's family, the Leslie family tree. We know our Great-grandpa, Charles Leslie had served in the Civil War. But she found out his father, Robert Leslie, our Great-Great-grandpa was the Regiment Commander of the 159th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

If that wasn't cool enough she tracked even further back. This is where it gets really good. Margo was able to trace a distant cousin, a fine artist named Charles Robert Leslie 1794-1859. Not just any artist but a Royal Academy two silver medal award winner. His work hangs in some of the most prestigious art museums in Great Britain; Victoria and Albert Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the Wellington Museum. Here's a link to more info on C. R. Leslie: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Robert_Leslie 

He was also known for his writings. His Handbook for Young Painters, a volume embodying the substance of his lectures as professor of painting to the Royal Academy, in 1855. I located the book at Google Books: http://bit.ly/2LgJYhN. Yes, he was an educator, too. Some of his writings are still for sale at Barnes and Noble.

By now you probably figured out what the 'L' in Dale L Popovich stands for. Back when I was a young boy, I asked my mom why she and dad gave me a girl's middle name. She explained it was her maiden name, a good name, a family name of hard-working, god-fearing people. Be proud of your name. Now, if my mom were alive today I would say mom your right I'm proud to have Leslie as my middle name. I'm still pinching myself – what an amazing honor – men of courage and great artistic abilities. As my wife, Marilee said 'Dale not many people have such beautiful artistic heritage. You have some big shoes to fill."

Here's a sample of my distant cousin's work – enjoy.​

I spent time with Dale in his studio the other day. Yes, I'm his wife coming on 28 years. We meet in college at the American Academy of Art. I wanted to be a graphic design trail blazer while Dale had his compass focused on fine art. Not long after he graduated Dale started teaching part-time at our alma mater. Part-time turned into full time after six months.

We talked about his current role as an instructor at the Palette & Chisel, co-teaching Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting with Bob Krajecki.

How long have you been teaching? I've been teaching for 33 years. The reason I have such a passion for teaching is watching students grow and archive success and satisfaction in their artwork.

Who should take your class? If you need to improve your art skills this class has been designed for you. It's been tried and true, for over 30+ years. Students have become successful artist
after taking our course.

What level is this class? Why is it broken into 101, 102 and 103?  This class is broken into three levels or should I say three steps like building blocks of learning. A student needs a natural order in learning starting at the beginning with the basics. We help you see and interpret, not just look and copy.

I understand this is a co-taught class. How does this work? Mr. Krajecki and I have been working together on this class and additional assignments for 33 years. We compliment each others teachings. We have the same philosophy on art with only a few minor differences. We believe it is always good to get two views points with the same training.

How was the course developed? This course was developed as a whole not in parts and pieces. Most colleges teach color, perspective, composition and techniques as separate courses. We believe you can't learn this way -- we help the student understand how all aspects tie together. It has to be taught as a whole -- instructing this way gives our students tools to problem solve which makes for a fulfilling experience.

What should I expect to learn in class? First we will give you the skills to see not just look. The students will be taught first the principles of drawing then values or tone. As you grow we will focus on composition, color and and last technique.
 
How will I know how much I've grown? At the end of each 10-week session we hold a class critique. The students bring all of their work in for review. We encourage the 102 and 103 students to bring in the 101 work. This is one of my favorite parts of the class. I enjoy see how everyone has improved, how satisfied the students are and how excited the new students are to see the advancement of the 102 and 103s.   

Need a gift idea for a special and unique holiday gift? What about giving the gift of creativity. 

Bob Krajecki and I are offering Gift Certificates for their Palette & Chisel classes this year. 

Give creativity to your friends, family and business associates this holiday season. Gift Certificates are available for:
• Fundamentals of Drawing and Painting with Bob Krajecki and Dale Popovich
• How to Paint in Watercolor with Dale Popovich  www.DalePopovich.com
• Watercolor from Start to Finish with Robert Krajecki  www.robertjkrajecki.com 

For more information please contact…
William J. Ewers
The Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts
Phone: (312) 642-4590
fineart1012@sbcglobal.net
www.paletteandchisel.org

Well, I'm final over my very emotional event. As some of my students know I dropped my iPad. I'm a pretty even keeled kinda guy, but that day every emotion flowed through my body including almost throwing-up. 

I have some very exciting plans for 2014 which I will share in a future blog. One of my plans meant I had to figure out a way to mount my iPad to the ceiling. With the help of my father-in-law, Coby we came up with a device that held the iPad. Well, long story short I was doing some final adjustments when I took the iPad down, it slipped out of my hands and went crashing to the floor. My wife, Marilee heard blue smoke coming from the studio.

I'm slow to enter the technology scene, in fact when my wife would send emails for me she would sign it: Dale Popovich~sent from my rotary telephone. But two years ago I got my iPad2.. After seeing several of my Palette and Chisel students using an iPad for their photo reference and my wife complaining that we were using a tons of toner printing 50+ photos at a time – they say toner is more expensive than gold per ounce. 


I took the plunge. Who would have ever thought I'd have such am amazing love affair with this little piece of electronics. I love the fact I can carry my portfolio, have my photo reference at my fingertips, zoom into an area to look at details, take photos on the fly and let's not even talk about Pinterest.
 

I remember the day I purchased my iPad with the extended warranty. I asked the Mac guy if I dropped it would it it be covered? He said you bet. Fast forward, I had six weeks till the warranty expired, made an appointment online and rushed to Oakbrook.. Replacement wasn't covered, but I could get a new one for $250 instead of $700. Done. I was disappointed, but I had to have my iPad so I gave into my addition. The positive side: a brighter screen and a new battery.


I'm still marveled with this machine. Right now we are looking into Bento to keep my painting inventory sheets with me. Here's a write-up on Bento software.


So if you if you don't have an iPad check it out. It's a remarkable tool for artists. Remember Christmas is around the corner. And if you do get one hold on tight!