Category: Past Events

My Retrospective exhibits, in Sudden Valley, were a great success, with numerous paintings being sold. Beryl would like to extend hearty thanks to “The Committee of Angels”, who put together a wonderful reception. (Sarah Lane, Heather Thomas, Virginia Heaven and Stephanie Strong)

Thanks also go to Heather Thomas, for doing the photography, Lee Langdon for working on publicity and Robbie Drabek for website postings, as well as all of the folks who attended. And of course, thanks to the Valley Arts Group for making it all possible.

Gratefully,
Beryl Adams

Photos from Stephanie’s last two workshops. Looks like fun!

From Sarah: A few pics from today! The group had a beautiful morning at Derby Pond.  We were visited by a heron, an osprey, ducks and many families fishing! While the heron and osprey and children fished, we painted!

Thank you Virginia, for organizing today’s plein air session at Big Rock Garden. Learn more about the Big Rock Garden sculptures at: Big Rock Park – Public Art Collection.

This is a picture of the VAG ladies that went on the Camino Island Studio tour.

We were at the Michele Rushworth studio. Michelle is known for her heirloom and official portraits in oils. She has been commissioned to do portraits of State Governors and government officials, Academic and Medical Field Executives, Business Leader including Fortune 500 Companies.

Michelle offers half day and full day art instruction.

The date for the next silk painting offered by Stephanie Strong class is Thursday, June 21st, at 1:00 PM at Gwen’s studio. Due to the size of the project, class will be limited to 8 participants. There will be four sizes of scarves from which to choose; prices, including scarf and materials, will range from $15 to $25. For more information, contact Stephanie at strong12@yahoo.com.

Denise Champion’s April 28th workshop on acrylic pouring techniques was a great success, with a dozen participants getting “down and dirty” (i.e., making a mess!) to create beautiful abstract canvases of their own.  Thanks, Denise, for providing a fun and fantastic creative activity!

On March 15, the third Watercolor Batik class, with a new theme of “Batik a Bunny” for the Easter season was attended by Stephanie Strong, Danila VanVeen, Roz Claffey, Lynn Cowan, Alice Healy, Virginia Heaven, Karen McCormick, Diana Wassal, and Gwen Callahan.  The process of using masa paper, watercolors, and wax…. produced interesting individual color combinations and fun results to be framed.

Denise Champion’s demonstration of acrylic pouring techniques on Thursday, February 22, was beyond fascinating!  All in attendance were enthralled as gorgeous paintings were coaxed into appearing out of a cupful of various paints and additives poured out over canvas.  Denise brought several finished examples along and completed three paintings while doing the demonstration.  There appears to be interest in having Denise teach a class in this technique, where participants could pour and complete their own paintings.  Watch our “Upcoming Events” page for more information as details are firmed up.  See more of Denise’s work at the Northwind Arts Center in Port Townsend, WA, opening March 3.

From Sarah Lane, class instructor:

We had our “Lovely Dimension” class this afternoon at Gwen’s lovely studio, and I think I speak for all when I say that we had a good time!  We started the class with a little video about Wayne Thiebaud, painter of desserts!  I discovered him after I discovered my attraction to depth in desserts.  We identified both his need for integrity and humor.  He never considered himself Picasso, but his works do sell for $1.7M now.  And while it sounds like any of us wouldn’t mind having that kind of renown and success, we were satisfied to work with gel medium and acrylics. Gwen warmed up the afternoon with a steamy cup of coffee, while Roz’s flowers and cupcake vibrated with brilliant color.  Virginia demonstrated her mastery of color, and Victoria gave herself the opportunity to “play” that she’s offered many children in the past.  She achieved, light  and joy in gel medium!  Whitney, graphic designer and gardener extraordinaire, brought primrose to life, blending watercolor and acrylic techniques and giving us a glimpse at spring.  Beryl applied her natural attraction to subtle color to her cupcake painting.  And Danila worked steadily and delicately, building and drawing the surface of her painting.  And then we ate cupcakes!  Many thanks to everyone for their love of art and community–for sharing a truly lovely afternoon.  A special thanks to Gwen for sharing her light, bright space!