Ink & Watercolor Workshop Round Up

The temperature was hot (35C), and the enthusiasm was high for the Ink & Watercolor Workshops that I delivered through Black Spruce Gallery in early August.

I’m not a novice in the world of leading workshops. I’ve been doing that my entire career. However, I am new to delivering workshops in the world of art. And, in a word, I had a blast!

When participants are eager to learn, it adds so much to the workshop experience. And that was definitely the case with the two groups of enthusiastic artists who took part in these programs.

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Second Watercolor Workshop Added At Black Spruce Gallery

Dipping my toes and my brushes in the waters at Cannon Beach, Oregon.

Are you still thinking about registering for the one day Splash & Squiggle Ink & Watercolor Workshop that I’m delivering at Black Spruce Gallery next month?

Well, here’s some news you need to know.

Since the workshop on Friday, August 10th is now fully subscribed (Yahoo!), I’m also going to be delivering a second one-day workshop on Thursday, August 9th. (Yahoo!) 

It will be the same great ‘See & Try’ format for learning on each day. So if you’re interested in joining us, delay no longer!

To register and reserve your space in the workshop: Contact Cheryl Tuck Tallon at Black Spruce Gallery.  Phone:  306-229-1471 Email: ctuck@sasktel.net

PS1 – If you were hoping to attend the workshop on the 10th, check with Cheryl anyway. With the opening of a second day, there may be some individuals who shift to the Thursday, freeing up a few spaces in the Friday session.

PS2 – In case you missed the initial description of the workshop, you’ll find it below.

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Splash & Squiggle Ink & Watercolor Workshop

I’m stepping out and delivering my first ‘open to the public’ art workshop this summer at Black Spruce Gallery in Northside Antiques on Highway #2, just south of Christopher and Emma Lake.

The one day workshop will run from 9 am to 3:30 pm on Friday, August 10th.

If you want to learn more about painting lively, light-hearted, colorful ink and watercolor sketches, this workshop is for you.  I will be sharing a sampling of the techniques I use to create my whimsical, colorful vignettes of the world.

You’ll be treated to a series of ‘See & Try’ experiences – brief demos followed by hands on experiments. There will be no pressure to create a grand masterpiece – just an invitation to explore and enjoy.

You will learn more about:

  • Using continuous line contour drawings to loosen up and warm up
  • Cultivating the art of noticing as a way to breathe more life into your images
  • Creating dynamic lines and taking a creep ‘n’ crawl approach to composition
  • Playing with an Elegant Writer to produce fun and easy images
  • Mixing and applying watercolors in ways that keep them fresh and lively (using place ‘n’ pull and toss ‘n’ tease techniques)
  • Combining watercolor splashes with ink lines – for contrast and emphasis

Morning instruction will be held in the classroom and (weather permitting) the afternoon session will take place en plein air (in the great outdoors).

Instructional Level: Some prior experience with watercolors will be an asset, but is not essential. Instruction will be geared to Beginner/Intermediate levels.

The workshop fee will be $125 for the day with lunch included. This link will take you to complete details on my session (and other workshops being offered this summer at Black Spruce Gallery), as well as a materials list and an online form for registering for the workshop.

I hope to see you there!

Commissioned Painting For CAPS

I’ve been a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers since its inception two decades ago. Over the years, I’ve attended and presented at conventions and chapter meetings, played roles on various committees, and served as the President of our National Board.

Last year, CAPS celebrated its 20th anniversary as an organization. In honor of the occasion, I was invited to use my skills as an artist to create something unique to mark this special milestone.

Since our 20th Anniversary aligned with the 150th anniversary of Canada, and our 20th convention was held in Ottawa, I was asked to create a painting that featured Parliament Hill and to include a special element that would reference the CAPS 20th.

The image you see here is the original painting that I created featuring an autumn view across the Ottawa River looking towards the Peace Tower and the Parliamentary Library. Cruising down the river in the foreground is a boat carrying the name, CAPS 20.

This original painting was presented to the CAPS National President, Suzanne Stevens at a special pre convention reception hosted on Parliament Hill. Here is a photo of Suzanne with the framed original ready to take a place of honor in her home.

In addition, each person who served on the planning committee, volunteered for special tasks at the event, or presented a session at the convention received a reproduction of the image, matted and ready to frame and display.

Print in Recipient Grant Ainsley’s Office

The paintings were a tremendous hit. Some declared it the best convention gift they’ve ever received! Many recipients have sent me photos showing their prints proudly on display in their homes and offices.

I was delighted to be able to use my skills as an artist to support an organization that has played such a significant role in my professional life. Special thanks to Rhoinda Scharf for the inspiration that led to the request and, ultimately, a throng of happy recipients.

 

PS – You can purchase your own copy of Celebrating Canada 150 – CAPS 20 through this online link.

 

Pat On Art Video

Last summer, I was fortunate enough to have a video crew offer to interview me about my experiences in the world of art.

This is the final edit of the footage taken on that warm sunny July day in our backyard garden.

I hope you enjoy this conversation about the place of art in my world, and that this prompts you to give a thought to the place of art in your world, too.

Thanks a million to videographer, Justin Upshaw, and interviewer, Adam Leclaire, for their kindness and generosity.

Parliament Hill In The Snow

 

It’s dusk in Ottawa. The snow has been softly falling all day long.

You’ve just spent two hours roaming the salons of the National Art Gallery.

Inspired by what you’ve seen, your fingers are itching to sketch.

You sit down for a coffee in the NAG cafeteria.

 

 

 

As you gaze through the glass walls across the Ottawa River towards Parliament Hill, the lights begin to glow through the snow.

You only have ten minutes before you catch your cab to the airport.

You decide that’s just enough time for a quick sketch to capture the moment.

And so you do, and here it is!

 

See larger version of color image.

See larger version of shades of gray image.

Special Bonus Offer – Celebrating Sketches of Saskatoon Reprinting

I’ve recently taken possession of the third printing of my book, Sketches of Saskatoon. Copies of SOS continue to be very popular as gifts for travelers, family and business visitors, colleagues, clients, as well as lovers of art and this city of Saskatoon.

To celebrate the third printing, this special offer is available from now until the end of 2017. With each bundle of 10 or more copies that is ordered from my online shop, I will also include a special bonus gift of an original painting with a Saskatoon theme or image.

Each original will be 5×7, mounted on a 6×8 mat board (as shown here) and wrapped in a cello pack ready for presentation and gifting – or to keep and enjoy yourself.

The image shown on the right (that of a Saskatoon classic – the Delta Bessborough) is the gift that will accompany the very first ten-pack purchased.

The price of a bundle of 10 books is already discounted by 10%. The bonus painting is in addition to that discount. Deeper discounts are available on larger quantities.

To take advantage of this special offer, go directly to this link for complete pricing details and to place your order.

If you’re new to the book, this SOS website will give you an overview of the contents, and then link you to the online shop.

DoodleWash Featured Artist

How cool it was to be invited to appear last week as the November 3, 2017 Featured Guest Artist on the Doodlewash website. Click here to see the feature for yourself.

You’ll be able to read about: my philosophy of art, my creative process, how art evolved in my life, how I market my work, and my favorite materials.

Doodlewash is a website coordinated by Charlie O’Shields. It and Charlie are dedicated to all things watercolor. One of the services that Charlie provides is profiles like these on various watercolor artists and their work.

So far, some 340 watercolor artists from around the world have been featured on World Watercolor website. This map shows you who has been featured in the past and where they live. It also offers live links to their feature articles.

I hope when you enjoy these peeks behind the scenes in the lives of artists around the world.

I’d be delighted if you’d share link to my Guest Artist Feature with the art appreciators in your circle of acquaintance.

  • PS – A special welcome to all the new PauseWorks Studio blog subscribers who have joined in to follow news from the studio as a result of the DoodleWash feature. I look forward to staying in touch and sharing more of my art and my world with you.

Canada 150 Gallery Of Images Now Online

I hope you enjoyed the series of paintings of our ten Canadian provinces that I released over the summer as my Canada 150 art project.

It was such fun recalling my experiences with all of these parts of this great country of ours, and creating images to represent each.

All but two of the paintings have found new homes. Quebec and New Brunswick originals are still available.

If you are interested in either of those, you can contact me directly and the same special Canada 150 pricing will apply.

Many people have asked if they can purchase prints of one image or another, and the answer to that question is yes.

I have now posted all ten of the images to a Canada 150 Gallery on my fine art website. You can view all of them and their accompanying stories online. And you can order prints in sizes and styles that suit you best.

The Fine Art America service that hosts my online gallery reproduces images on paper, canvas, metal, acrylic and wood. So many options !

Here, again, is the link to the Canada 150 Art Gallery.

Happy browsing! And Happy Canada Sesquicentennial!

And thanks for all the kind words about the project and the paintings.

Hues Plein Air Art Show – September 2017

For the last couple of years, I’ve been participating with the Saskatoon Plein Air Painting group on outdoor painting excursions in and around Saskatoon.

For the month of September, Hues Art Supply has invited our group to show some of the work we’ve created in and around Saskatoon as well as places further afield.

I’ve contributed three pieces to the show (including a couple of garden scenes and a lakescape).  All three are available for purchase.

Our Artists’ Reception will be held this coming Saturday (September 9/2017) between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 pm at Hues Art Supply – 1818 Lorne Avenue here in Saskatoon.

Drop on by to say hi, enjoy the refreshments, and take a stroll through a sampling of our plein air work.

Hope to see you there!

Copyright © 2016 - Pauseworks Studio - Patricia Katz, Optimus Consulting
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