Calling all artists and all want to be artists! Are you someone who has always wanted to paint or draw and says “I have no talent; I can’t even draw a straight line?”

Or are you a beginner or intermediate painter who wants to improve your drawings and paintings? Or are you an accomplished painter who is bored with your paintings or maybe you are having a creative block?

Then perk up — a door is open for you to change your life in ways you may never realize.

Renowned artist, teacher and spiritualist M. Douglas Walton will have a water media workshop here in Natchez at The Priest House on the corner of Canal and Franklin streets, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 14, with a break for lunch. The Natchez Art Association is hosting this event.

It matters not if you are a total beginner or an accomplished painter, Doug will inspire you to do things with your art that you never dreamed. He will introduce you to new techniques and creative ideas.

You will make significant strides no matter what level of art you are, or what medium you use. His process includes lectures, demonstrations, critiques and individual instruction. The atmosphere in which he teaches is very relaxed, and wear your laughing shoes for you will be in not only for a great art experience, but some great fun!

Doug has been teaching art for 33 years and has had workshops and journey encounters all over the world. He is associated with Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., where he has served as associate professor of architecture teaching architectural design and watercolor classes.

He currently serves as director of the Watermedia Encounters Program sponsored by the Division of Continuing Education. Teachers who take the full five-day workshop can earn 4.5 Continuing Education Units.

Always growing and reaching out to new ventures, Doug has recently expanded his creativity to making jewelry. He hand makes and fuses glass in his design and has them mounted into sterling silver by Balinese artisans. His collection includes pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, pins and belt buckles. His Web site can be viewed at www.mdouglaswalton.com.

The Natchez Art Association and Arts Natchez Gallery are having a wine and cheese reception in his honor. The public is invited to meet and greet Doug. He will have some of his fabulous paintings and jewelry there for sale.

The reception will be at Arts Natchez Gallery, 110 North Union St., from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11. Please join us.

To sign up for the workshop, contact me at 601-445-8646 or e-mail at kaiser_b@bellsouth.net. The cost is $250 for the full five days, or $50 per day.

To quote Doug, “There is an artist in each of us. The answer is yes.”

Barbara Gerard Kaiser is a local artist and a part of the Natchez Art Association.