Monday, August 27, 2012

MISA, My 5 Day Plein Air Workshop

This summer has certainly had many memorable moments, but at the top of the list was my past week teaching on Madeline Island at the Madeline Island School Of Art, MISA!  Madeline Island is just off the shore of Bayfield WI where you have to take a ferry to get on the island.  I've taught in so many amazing places but there is just something about being on an island that really helps to leave the rest of the world behind and become completely engrossed with painting.  
In the evenings I would go out and paint and invite the class to either watch me paint or paint along.  This evening was on the ferry docks where people ferry their vehicles over from Bayfield to the Island.  The 'plan' this night was to paint the sunset but when I turned around and saw the 'Beach Club" wrapped in a blanket of warm sunlight I couldn't resist all the amazing shapes and went for it!  
Glad I did!
The Club House piece

Early mornings were incredible . . . .

We were out before the sunrise, and just as the sun peeked over the horizon, the sky also turned dark and started storming, this photo was taken with my iphone, completed unedited, 
this was the color, no joke!

The school has incredible painting grounds blanketed with flower filled meadows and trees that recess in layers and upon layers. Truly a painters heaven everywhere you turn!

Not to mention all the charming farm house and out buildings!

Me doing what I do, paint!  And at sunrise no less (those who know me well would be truly amazed at the fact I was up that early!)  But look!  Who wouldn't be!!?  Ya know when I'm out painting, I realize and am reminded why I paint, there really is no place else I'd rather be and I feel pretty fortunate that I am a painter!

Here are the troopers going in for yup, breakfast!  Already got a painting in by 7:30 am and then heading back out!  

Me and The gang, we clean up well!  

The grounds are covered with incredible buildings, the one on the right is one of the studios, done right!

Two of my favorite painters and hey they snuck out early before the rest of us that morning to get it started!  

My ferry dock painting.  A very memorable night, A very memorable week!
"Beach Club - Madeline Island"
8x10 oil on panel - sold-

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Workshops and Classes!





I am most honored to announce that my painting "Field Of Goldenrod"  has been accepted into the AWA, American Woman Artists National 15th Annual Master & Signature Member Show and National Juried Competition Exhibition.
November 2 – November 25, 2012
K Newby Gallery + Sculpture Garden
19 Tubac Rd • Tubac, AZ 85646-4217
Phone: 1.520.398.9662 

Fall Classes and Workshops 2012

Fall classes are filling quickly! 
Beginning the week of September 24th, I will be holding 3 different semester based studio classes at my studio and school,
The St Croix River School Of Painting  

Mondays 5:00-8:00 pm
~Fundamentals Class working from life~
Classes start Monday September 24th - December 10th
 ~This class is currently full but I am taking names for a waiting list~  
If you are interested it is worth being on the list as last minute openings do occur for unforeseeable reasons

Thursdays 9:30am-4:00pm
~Bi-weekly studio class for experienced painters~
Classes start Thursday September 27th - December 13th
Please see 'classes and workshops' page on my website for exact bi - weekly dates  
This class is not intended for very beginner painters but the experienced oil painters wanting to improve their work to greater levels and work larger in the studio.  I designed this class to allow painters to have the time to fully engross themselves for the day in painting one piece and to completely get into the 'zone'.  During the semester you can expect to start and finish several paintings.  
We take a one hour lunch together as a group to have a break and a good 'art talk'!  
On the first day of class I will be giving a lecture and full 3 hour demonstration while discussing my approach to working up a large-scale studio painting.  I will have prepared 3 small studies based on a previous plein air painting done earlier in the summer, and a photograph for reference.  Of the 3 small studies one will be a black and white value study; a color study; and the last a more finished version of what I am after in my studio piece.
It's remarkable how successful this class has been for painters!  The bi weekly schedule gives you time to paint on your own at home but keeps you on task and checking in every other week.
If you are interested in pushing your work to the next level, this is a perfect class for you!  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
~1 opening due to a recent unexpected illness~

Fridays 9:30am - 4:00pm
~bi-weekly studio class for experienced painters~
Classes start Friday September 28th - December 14th
Please see 'classes and workshops' page on my website for exact bi - weekly dates  
This class is not intended for very beginner painters but the experienced oil painters wanting to improve their work to greater levels and work larger in the studio.  I designed this class to allow painters to have the time to fully engross themselves for the day in painting one piece and to completely get into the 'zone'.  During the semester you can expect to start and finish several paintings.  
We take a one hour lunch together as a group to have a break and a good 'art talk'!  
On the first day of class I will be giving a lecture and full 3 hour demonstration while discussing my approach to working up a large-scale studio painting.  I will have prepared 3 small studies based on a previous plein air painting done earlier in the summer, and a photograph for reference.  Of the 3 small studies one will be a black and white value study; a color study; and the last a more finished version of what I am after in my studio piece.
It's remarkable how successful this class has been for painters!  The bi weekly schedule gives you time to paint on your own at home but keeps you on task and checking in every other week.
If you are interested in pushing your work to the next level, this is a perfect class for you!  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
~3 openings left~

2 Fall Workshops

Workshop # 1:  One Day Color Temperature Class
Where:  Crossings in Zumbrota Minnesota
When:  Saturday October 6th, 2012
This class is all about color!  LOVE LOVE LOVE color!
 The focus of this class is to help you develop a clear approach to determining and mixing the color at hand by identifying the temperature relationship of the colors.  We will be using a limited palette of yellow, red, blue and white and mixing colors ALL day with the palette knife.  
This one day will help your color tremendously!  
This class is for painters of ALL LEVELS and will be an achievable challenge for all.    
class will fill quickly, to reserve your space contact Crossings at this link

Workshop # 2:  Two Day Still Life Workshop
Where:  Crossings in Zumbrota Minnesota
When:  October 26th and 27th, 2012
This class is not a 'how to paint a still life' class but rather how to USE the still life as inspiration to make a painting full of light and color!
Still life is such an excellent way to study from life!  The workshop will start with a lecture and full demonstration on my approach to painting a still life Alla Prima.  These two days will be focusing on structuring your painting by massing in your average lights and darks in color and refining your painting by noting the shifts as the planes move around the form.  You can expect to have a finished painting by day two!  Please email me with any questions.  This workshop too will fill quickly, to reserve your space contact Marie at Crossings at this link

Thinking Ahead!!
Next week I'm off to Madeline Island where I'll be teaching a 5 Day Plein Air workshop through MISA, Madeline Island School of Art.  Madeline Island is a beautiful remote island off of Bayfield WI and near the Apostle Islands where you have to take your vehicle over on a ferry boat.  I've been busy preparing for this workshop and am really looking forward to painting with and
meeting new and old painting friends!
The 'thinking ahead' part. . . :)  Because my workshop filled up so quickly this summer with a waiting list, next summer I will be teaching TWO workshops on the Island, one in July and one in August.  It is not too early to reserve your place!!  Please visit MISA's web site to see more info on these 2 workshops offered in the summer of 2013.  And as always, feel free to email me directly with any questions.  I've been incredibly impressed at how well this organization is being run and look forward to a long term relationship with this elite school of Art!  
Enjoy the rest of your summer!  Kami