Workshop Content:
Why do some abstracts feel cohesive while others fall flat? We will explore abstract concepts that will enhance your abstract works.

• Create dynamic compositions
• Develop mark-making as a way to develop and enhance your composition
• Explore different brushes and tools both conventional and unconventional
• Explore depth and layers in your paintings
• Use color that enhance the mood and emotion

The class will include demonstrations on drawing and painting intuitively. We will practice skill building exercises using your unique marks and automatic drawing.

Supply List:

• Acrylic paint – warm and cool colors, black, white and any colors you want to use.
• A variety of mark making tools – pencils, charcoal, colored pencils, acrylic markers, artist crayons, etc.
• Matte Medium
• Brushes of varying sizes (large inexpensive brush from a dollar or hardware store would be nice)
• Palette knife
• Other implements you like to use in painting
• 2 large canvas or board. Examples: 24×36, 24×24, 30×40,36×36 or larger.
• Container for water
• Spray bottle
• Paper towels and/or rags
• Palette (can be freezer paper)
• Painters tape
• Cardboard that will hold a sheet of paper that is 30×22 (paper provided by instructor)
• Anything else you would like to bring
• Suggestion: Take a trip to a dollar store and find inexpensive things that can make marks on the canvas. Kitchen department has interesting things.
• Bring a lunch, please, as we will have a discussion during this time.

Biography:

I use the canvas to tell the bold and sometimes very subtle abstract stories of movement.
Beginning with a loose composition and adding layer on layer,
my paintings naturally unfold and expose an intuitive dance.
These images capture the vibrant attitudes of the human heart.
Soaring Leaping Turning!

Ginger Oglesby, a native Southerner, began studying art in the 6th grade. Saturday mornings were spent in art class learning the fundamentals of drawing, color, composition and medium. In the summer, classes were moved outside for landscapes at Nashville’s Belle Meade Mansion. This continued all through high school under the tutelage of Juanita Green Parks, Director of Art, at Watkins Institute in Nashville, TN. Ginger’s education continued to be concentrated in creative endeavors. She received a BFA from the University of Tennessee in Studio Art with a minor in Dance. After college, Ginger’s first job was with a modern dance company, Sidewalk Dance Theater, where she was a member for ten years. Retiring from the dance company, Ginger missed the movement of dance so she poured movement into her paintings. Her work became more loose and free until they became pure abstraction.

Class Content: Do you seek a way to relax and have fun with a tangible outcome? Tangles & Dangles may be just the thing! This workshop focuses on one project developed from two distinct processes: crafting a 3-dimensional form and drawing Zentangle® compositions. Both are very satisfying! The tangled designs we draw will be adhered to the hexahedral form, which can be enhanced with beads, bells, tassels, etc. and hung to display. The hexahedron created through a clever origami fold can be scaled up or down for future endeavors. During our time together we will explore many tangle options (patterns) so you can select the ones to feature in your project.

Your instructor will provide all necessary materials, but as a creative, you might choose to bring a few to supplement the basics. We will tangle in black and white, in keeping with the Zentangle Method, but you are free to go rogue and incorporate color into your creation.

The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. “Zentangle” is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.

Supply List: All necessary supplies are included in the price.

However participants are welcome to bring their own pens (Micron Pens, Sakura Belly Roll pens, Metallic pens) if they wish to work with a wider range of nibs and colors. Participants may also wish to bring beads, bells, or charms to add to their creation. A score board and/or bone folder would be helpful, but the instructor has several that can be shared. Finally, reading glasses are encouraged if the participant would have trouble seeing and drawing small details.

Biography: Amy Broady, M.Ed., is a Certified Zentangle Teacher™ and a Veriditas-trained Labyrinth Facilitator. She began her career as a professional art educator in 1995. She has spent most of her school career teaching at the elementary level, but loves teaching adults just as much as she loves teaching children. She started practicing and teaching the Zentangle Method in 2010 to children in the school setting and adults in various community venues as well as at retreats and conferences; she has provided professional development to countless art educators at the local, state, and national levels. Amy is delighted that Zentangle permeates her personal and professional life, creatively, philosophically, and socially as she has made dear friends through her involvement with Zentangle. In 2022 she established her own tiny little art studio, Pen & Path, for helping others begin or progress on their creative journeys through mixed media adventures in Zentangle, labyrinths, and more. Amy doesn’t sell her artwork and rarely displays it in public venues, but derives great joy and satisfaction from her personal practice as well as teaching others.

Instructor Website: tanglefish.blogspot.com

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