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My artistic journey started like many peoples- some formal training at college, and then the real learning took place at seminars and workshops.  I was lucky to fall into learning from artists who cared about teaching and shared what they knew.  One concept that took the longest to hit home was the notion of using field work to support studio work.  My...

Needed Items:
·         Watercolor paper
·         Board
·         Blue tape
·         Watercolor paint sets
·         Brushes
·         Pencils
·         Erasers
...

Julie Cohn has just come out with her 2nd DVD. See...

 
A vast freedom exists outside the confines of our critical minds.
 
Spontaneous Expression uses painting as a tool for self discovery and spiritual exploration. This revolutionary way of dissolving blocks and opening up your full creative potential. Through the use of self inquiry, questioning what ever stops the brush from moving, participants discover their authentic painting expression. Fears and judgments that have blocked the creative urges can...

ALTITUDE
Oil Paintings by Trish Harding
At...

Kirstine Reiner graduated from Designskolen Kolding in Denmark with a degree in Design & Illustration. She exhibits regularly in the Bay Area and across the country. Her work is collected in Europe and the US. She has taught Classical Painting and Drawing privately for the last 6 years since living in San Francisco.
I like to turn people on to art and bring art into their lives. I find satisfaction in...

Thirty years ago, I had the great fortune of crossing paths with an amazing painter and teacher, Jan Valentine Saether. He came to Los Angeles from Norway, and taught painting there for about 10 years. I had searched since I was 12 to discover all that he taught me over that 10 year period.
Jan himself had studied with...

 
Plein Air Day Painting at Woodstock Farm
 
I have been lucky enough to have connected with the Parks & Recreation Department of the City of Bellingham several years ago regarding Woodstock Farm and to aquire a contract to bring students to Woodstock Farm.
Woodstock Farm, purchased in 2004, is a critical link in the City’s greenway and trail system, distinguished by its scenic qualities and its unique location on a wild and scenic part of the Whatcom County’s marine shoreline.  To preserve the natural surroundings access to the park is now by foot or bicycle only.  There is no vehicle parking facilities.
 The property includes 6 historic buildings and a “grandfathered” boathouse, high bank and meadow areas, low bank beach access, stunning views of Clark’s Point, Governor’s...

What are acrylics?
Acrylics are similar to oil paints in many ways, and in others, the farthest thing from oils that you can get. As a fellow artist once said, "The major advantage of acrylics is that they dry really fast. The major disadvantage of acrylics is that they dry really fast!"
Acrylic paints are water based, and though they may not smell as much as oil paints and there are no messy solvents, note that acrylics still are slightly toxic. So just don’t do anything dangerous like eating your paints and lick your brushes! Having a ventilated workspace is always advisable.
Tools of the Trade
The essentials:
Paints: 
Use a good quality artist acrylic or gouache.  They come in a variety of brands, colors, jarred and tubes.    The difference is that gouache has less binder in the pigment, and dries a flat color, no gloss.  For this class we will use the heavier tube acrylics with binder in them, since we are using them much like oils – but you will also learn how to do washes and thinner applications as well.  My favorite brand is Liquitex – which can be found in most Michael’s or JoAnn’s Fabric stores, or can be ordered on line from cheapjoes.com, danielsmith.com, or if you are in Portland…the big art supply store, Art Media at 902 SW Yamhill St. has everything you need.     
Brushes:
Somewhere in your box of painting tools, you should have a large flat...

Stay with the flow, if your original idea shifts slightly, go with that. It is normal for new ideas and concepts so emerge during the painting process. Go with them allow the idea to evolve as you go along.When you hit  “The Wall”, DON’T take it as a sign to give up, keep moving, get still and quiet and follow the little voice inside. Do what it is telling you. Sometimes you will need to put a painting aside temporarily, but the creative voice that started the piece WANTS YOU TO FINISH IT. It is the critical voice the will tell you to throw it away or tell you it is no good. Reaching “The Wall” is a good sign. It shows you are being challenged, challenging yourself.Work as deeply as you can. FEEL the color, feel the brush, feel the image as deeply as you can.Painting is profound work, not to be taken lightly. The images you create, be they abstract or literal, are powerful tools if you choose to use them. You will be shocked sometimes when you find an old piece you did– what it has to tell you about yourself and your life.Don’t be too quick to “analyze” your painting. Analyzing is a left brain function. Assigning verbal concrete explanation to work too early can kill the creative impulse.When you are not sure what...