Ros Stallcup Seminar Update

Ros' paintings have arrived! And, they are especially beautiful this year. I can't decide which is my favorite. Check the seminar page for more photos.

Kathie George Tjap DVD

Exciting news for your Tjap enthusiasts. Kathie has her new Tjap instruction video out!  She also has new Tjap stamps for sale.  There sell fast so if you see one you want don't delay in purchasing it.  More news from Kathie.  I'd love to go on one of her trips but just have to day dream about it for now. How about you?

Tjap Batik

After the play day with CMMAG on Sunday and while the wax and irons are still out and ready for more batik-ing, I finished up several of my Tjap batiks. Lots of fun and no pressure.
Next Wed, 3/28, we'll have a Tjap workshop, 2p-4:30p. If you are interested in joining us let me know.  We have the Tjap stamps to share.

This Week At Artful Endeavors

Here are some of the painting highlights from this week.

Amy B House on Slate

Mary W: Winter Snow

Carol B: Oscar

Bob Pennycook Seminar

The Capital Area Decorative Artists are hosting a semainr with well known and loved mixed media artist Bob Pennycook. The seminar will be held at Artful Endeavors on April 21, 22, and 23.
More information.
Register now.

Carolina Mixed Media Artist Guild at Artful Endeavors

On this past Sunday I hosted a play day for the Carolina Mixed Media Artist Guild introducing them to batik using Tjap stamps. Using the beautiful copper Indonesian stamps and hot wax as a resist we then created our art on rice paper with watercolor washes. After I demonstrated the technique each artist was on her own and created some exciting works of art, each unique and beautiful.  Turn a group of artists loose with art supplies and something interesting is sure to happen.

Weekend Deal Saver Painting at Artful Endeavors

This past weekend was certainly eventful at the studio.
On Sat morning we had one of the Deal Saver Classes full of enthusiastic new painters.
We had such fun and hopefully the students left with the desire to pursue more painting opportunities.

 

 

Signs of Spring.

Our volunteer peach tree.

My husband has been catching the first signs of spring in our yard with photos. I always love his awesome photography, and better yet the photos are wonderful reference for my painting.
Visit his site and keep scrolling.

A week of painting

Lois A dog portrait.

Our painters finished up some beautiful work this week and we're so proud of the results.

Betsey's Bear

Barb W Monet's Garden

Betsey's grand daughter

Dianne W's Mom

Spring Deal Saver

If you purchased one of the Spring Deal Savers from the News and Observer, remember that March 24 is the last day to let me know which of these dates you would like to take your Deal Saver Class. We want you to come paint with us so respond now.  I'm looking forward to sharing our painting enthusiasm with you.

This deal expires with the April 14th class but you must register by March 24th.

Liz

Painting Cleo

I believe that I've finished my portrait of Cleo. I do like it.
The class hasn't finished their paintings but I started working on the background today to do my homework and I couldn't stop.
I hope Cleo likes it.  By the way, her favorite toy/treat is a plastic bottle to chew.

Artful Endeavors News

 I haven't take time (I've been painting!) to write a newsy letter recently so sit back and join me for a little while.

 “Creation is the artist's true function. But it would be a mistake to ascribe creative power to an inborn talent. Creation begins with vision. The artist has to look at everything as though seeing it for the first time." -- Henri Matisse, French Fauvist

Seeing has been our recurrent theme for our paintings this year. When we're painting anything the artist needs to actually see the subject and not just paint off of preconceived ideas. We've especially been focusing on value and it's importance in developing the center of interest and depth in our painting. Here's some homework for you: go out and study the trees; what is the shape of different trees, what is the texture of the bark; what values and colors do you see in the bark; what are the shape of the branches....   


Our Mystic Forest has been an excellent value study, starting the painting in grey tones, creating the appearance of depth through value. We've been very pleased with our results. My Cary group is going to send me a photo of our paintings to post for you. 
Here is my second painting which is much improved over the first. I learned a lot from painting the first version and like the composition, values, and colors much better with this painting.

My Mystic Forest second and improved version.

Tip: If you are using the Grey Matters palette by Richeson be sure to save the value scale inside the front cover. It's a terrific reference tool. We've been using it in our open class where the students are working on their own creations. They have been using it to check values in their paintings.
I love the grey palette. I have a much better idea of how my paints will relate to my painting. If you are using the white waxed palette be sure to place a black piece of paper under your top sheet to tone down the whiteness. It help you to see your light colors especially.

Our Students' Work:  It's March already and we're full into our painting for 2012. We've had some exciting classes exploring new techniques and stretching ourselves as artists, always learning more each time we paint. 
The portraits are looking excellent and we're still working on them. Carol finished an awesome portrait of her smiling grandson, Spencer.  Betsey finished her granddaughter's portrait but I still need to get a good photo to show you.

Carol Burns

Our independent study students from the open class have created some excellent paintings.

Carol Burns

Emiko Kuroda

Judy Kelly

Lois Arnold

Sylvia Brown

Our pet portrait class is so exciting, watching each painting develop. We have 3 dogs and a bear(not a pet) which I will show you when we finish. Such a good class.  I've borrowed my friend Gail's dog, Cleo as my model and I'm having such fun painting her.

Stage one.

Stage two.

And our birds have turned out terrific. We now have added Ginger's wren and my bluebird to our bird paintings.

Liz's bluebird.

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." -- Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert cartoons



Upcoming classes: Be sure to check the class page for dates.


We're adding to our schedule and have come up with some terrific ideas. Wed evening has added seascapes to the schedule,  Ros style. We'll start with the basics and each student will add their favorite features to their paintings.
Dorothy Dent has a wonderful old truck painting that we want to paint on Wed am. Watch for that one to appear on the schedule.
Cary has just started the Red Vase, a beautiful Cheri Rol design and has chosen a Trudy Beard basket of wild flowers for their next painting. The Wed evening group like the basket also and will start it next week. Come join us.
Wed morning will paint a beautiful field of blue bonnets inspired by a Ginger Edwards painting.

Seminars:
Our summer seminar with Ros Stallcup is coming up before you know it.  Get excited. We always have such fun and learn lots.
 Ros is working on our paintings and they will arrive some time in April. You know they will all be wonderful so be sure to register soon. You can register now for the 6 day or 3 day blocks.  Single day registration opens in April.


Kathie George is coming in November and I'll have more project information for you later in the spring.


I've been trying to stay away from the computer enough to get some painting done. And, really enjoying the painting time. Come by the studio and see what I've been working on.  It's a good time to paint.

Keep painting!
Liz