Gracie thank you for sharing your experiences with Nan Klein. I've seen her work and agree that she is a very talented artist and teacher. Hopefully you will be showing your work at the show.
I agree that we have a wonderfully supportive art community here in TV. When I arrived here 4 years ago I didn't know very much about painting and now I feel that I can complete a piece of art that I can be proud of. Thanks to the Life Long Learning College we have international artists giving workshops here in TV. If anyone out there feels intimidated by art classes (free) or workshops, please know there are beginners as well as accomplished artist's all working together and inspiring each other and mostly it's FUN.