Workshop Content: Color is everything!!! Have you ever done a painting but felt that the impact was missing? The composition, design, and subject matter all check the boxes but it’s not “quite right.” It’s probably your color choices! I will guide you through the maze of color choices and simplify your palette and give you the knowledge of making the “right” color choices. We’ll finish the workshop by applying those choices to a painting. I will also add some easy techniques to add texture and interest!

Supply List:

• Tubed watercolor only, no pans: Bring your yellows, reds, and blues-we will evaluate which colors to use.
• Good watercolor papers: This project will use a quarter sheet 11 x 15. The color exercises will require many sheets of watercolor paper scraps or backs of failed paintings. Bring what you have.
• Brushes: We will use watercolor brushes
  • A large soft flat brush 2″ or 3″ wide. A Hake will work too and I have some brushes for sale.
  • A #12 or similar pointed brush.
  • Your regular favorite brushes
• Large palettes: a few plastic deviled egg trays from Dollar Tree will work fabulously!
• Two good sized water buckets: large yogurt or cottage cheese containers are good!
• Saran Wrap
• Salt: small amount of large grain and small grain
• Paper towels
• Sponge
• Prepared tracing project on 11 x 15 w/c paper trapped down to a sturdy backing board.
  NOTE: I will have saral paper and the image to use available for tracing- If you come early to class they will be available.

Biography: Gail Ribas worked as a graphic designer and art director in the NYC area for over 30 years. Returning to her first love of watercolor, she taught classes at her studio in Maine. Gail works in all media but watercolor presents the most challenges and rewards for her. Gail’s enthusiasm for watercolor shines through in both her own and her students work. She also founded the Acadia Workshop Center in Bernard, Maine where nationally known instructors held 4 or 5 day workshops and ran a local plein air group. Gail served as Vice President, President and Workshop Coordinator for the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society. She now resides in Loudon, TN.

Class Content: Paint these bright summer poppies with me! This painting is very impressionistic with loose strokes. We will be painting a 11×14 canvas with acrylics. (If you have payment issues, contact me to pay directly at the Contact Information link above.)

I will guide beginners step-by-step through the following, and of course more experienced painters might add more detail. We’ll focus on:

• Simplified shapes (no overwhelming detail)
• Loose, painterly brushwork
• Creating depth with soft drybrush stroke layers
• Building confidence with acrylic techniques

This class is designed to help you finish a painting even if you’re a newbie. I will have an outline available, but encourage you to change it up and make it your own. The style is very loose but allows for you to put your own touches on it if you like more detail.

All supplies included – just come ready to paint and have fun.

Supply List: All supplies included, just wear an apron or shirt that can get paint on it just in case

Biography: I’m an artist and teacher with a lifelong love of art. My journey began raised as the daughter of missionaries in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where as early as the age of 3 my mom said art was the only thing that could get me to sit still!

In Argentina, art is heavily interwoven into school curriculum, so it was the perfect place to fuel my creative spark. After three years at a professional art school there, I moved to the U.S. for college and continued to find ways to make art a part of my world including painting portraits for a little extra cash.

Teaching has always been close to my heart. I’ve been sharing my passion for painting for over 20 years, starting out teaching kids in homeschool co-ops. Now I’m lucky enough to teach in-person classes at seven different locations, including a gallery, local art store and a College Lifelong Learning program.

My teaching philosophy is simple: I believe that art should be fun and stress-free. I’m a patient and encouraging teacher who wants everyone to feel confident and relaxed in their art journey. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to explore new techniques, My mission is to guide you step by step in a friendly, supportive environment.

No matter your experience level, you’re welcome in my classes—and I can’t wait to help you discover your Inner Artist!

Instructor Websites:

• http://www.CarolRobinKing.com/
• http://www.PaintingTogether.com

Class Content: We will make a 3D object with wool roving. For this wool vessel, we will create the “cracked earth” effect. If you have tried felting before, but would like to learn new techniques, I welcome you to take this class. Also, if you have never felted, you will be successful in creating this sturdy and clever wool vessel. The final size will be about 8 inches in diameter.

I will bring all the wool roving you will need. I will bring grey, black, orange, and white. You will choose any 2 colors.

We will use a resist to create the 3D hollow form of a vessel. We will use soap and water to agitate the wool fibers over the resist. The process will take us about 5 hours, but we have the room all day in case we need more time.

We will stop for a lunch break at noon.

Supply List: Students, please bring the following:

• 1 old small bath towel
• 5 old dish towels
• 5 pillowcases or several cloth napkins (for stuffing the vessel as it dries)
• 1 ball brause if you have one (for squirting water)
• 1 quart bowl
• 1 bar of soap (any kind)
• 1 chopstick (if you have one)
• 1 pair of small sharp scissors
• 1 pair of large (4 inch blade) scissors

Biography: I discovered felting in 2016, and I have made hundreds of felted gnomes, pumpkins, vessels, purses, and 2D wall art. I have taken many classes with some of the best felt artists around the globe. I have been developing my own style, and I will continue to learn. I love to teach felting to others so this wonderful fiber art might generate an enthusiasm for the versatile sheep’s wool.

Instructor Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoolFeltedDesigns?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Class Content: We will be knife painting with acrylic paints on a 11×14 canvas board. We will layer acrylic paint on our canvas by using pallet knives, dry the layers with hair dryers, and apply more layers of paint on top of the dried layers many times to achieve our pallet painted hollyhocks. I will guide you step by step to create a beautiful painting of hollyhocks. All materials provided! No experience necessary!

Wear clothing that you don’t mind getting paint on or bring an apron. Come to enjoy the process and have some fun!!!!

Supply List: All supplies provided!

Biography: Christian Freeman is an artist and Knoxville native with a BFA degree from the University of Tennessee. Having begun her career working with The Symphony Showcase Homes and Parade of Homes, she paints murals and custom finishes. She has completed countless residential and commercial projects, and has the ability to work on any scale, and within nearly any budget. Christian’s work is her passion, and she uses it to transform homes and businesses into aesthetically beautiful and better functioning spaces. One well known local mural she did was that of the lovely ladies in the windows at Patrick Sullivan’s, which were auctioned off several years back by Knox Heritage. Inspired by Toulouse Lautrec, she created the ladies of the night with fun line, lush color, and enticing energy. Christian is also an accomplished canvas painter and art instructor. Having taught privately, some of her students have gone on to win scholarships and show in galleries on their own. Christian has recently made Lenior City, Tennessee her home and is continuing to create, teach, and consult locally and beyond.

Instructor Website: Christian Freeman Creations on Facebook

Class Content: A lively, one‑day acrylic workshop focused on playful color mixing and simple composition. Students will work from a shared set of vibrant colors and create their own three‑color palette (main, supporting, grounding). Through guided demos and hands‑on exercises, students will explore light, medium, and dark variations of color and complete a small, modern abstract painting. No experience needed.

Supply List:

• Acrylic paints (craft paints are fine to use for this class)
  • Teal, Coral, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson (or Rose), Sap Green, Titanium White
• Palette paper
• Brushes and tools of your choice
• 1 small Canvas if desired and acrylic paper or practice notebook or paper
• Water container + paper towels

Biography: Catron Wallace is an abstract artist from Nashville who works with modern color palettes and soft, expressive compositions. She brings a relaxed, encouraging approach to teaching and loves helping students discover new ways to play with color.

Instructor Website: https://www.catronwallace.art