Take a moment and paint it

Moment in art, landscape

This moment is full of blossoming outdoors and still takes our breath away. Endless cloud of fragrances and all colors of the rainbow: how not to love this spring time? I think, I only live in spring. Summer brings its pleasure, too, but I’m already concerned in the fall because that means the dreadful winter is not far away. That’s just how I am, a spring and sun person.

I was so upset that my health decided to give me hard times exactly when everything just asks to be painted. Well, up to today, I didn’t get done much and kept everything to minimum, that unfortunately included posting, as well. Things seem to be easing up, so, I’m quite hopeful that the improvement will finally start. I’m using that expensive pills at the moment that I pretty much should be skipping other stuff like the daily bread.

Even though struggles were inevitable, we managed to get done something very useful in the studio. The regular Wednesday class was painting wildflowers and so did the Saturday Fun and Pleasure acrylic painting event participants.

Moment in art, spring
Behind the ben: acrylic painting of spring road is 20 x 16 in or 51 x 41 cm art on canvas

I had big difficulties with picture-taking because I don’t have filters that make a photographed acrylic or oil painting look nice, but nevertheless, I took quite a few. I will let these pictures speak for me this time. Nothing makes me happier than somebody admitting they like my paintings.

Spring birch trees, acrylic painting
Some of my paintings at the studio. Birches are sold.
Summer flower fields, acrylic painting, abstract
I hope people, who bought this painting, enjoy it!
Spring, acrylic painting
Road to spring was created during art class as a demo for group.

Thanks for reading!

Orchards blossoming in the art studio

acrylic painting for beginners

Waiting for something can be as exciting as the upcoming event itself.

Spring is late this year, and that makes us more impatient. Everyone is tired of storms, cold, snow and icy winds. However, why to wait when you can create sensation of spring and speed up its arrival on your own?

We’ve been busy with blossoming apple trees painting during the last 4 classes.

Unlikely many North American art schools, we are focusing not only on technical abilities, but also on the emotional impact of our creations. We pay attention to emotional aspect and the energetic potential of painting.. Great art creates fantastic energy.

When painting a certain subject, we are trying to capture not that much its photographic likeness, but rather to implement the idea  and emotions, the emotional charge within and behind the painted image.

We are trying to paint our vision in the way others could experience it, too. That requires freedom in our approach, experimenting with colors and brush stroke, immediate decision-making, and high confidence level, as well.

The painting subject was very attractive this time, and we got really great results on our canvas.

It is important that we use the same basic image and the same medium (acrylic, watercolor or pastel) in a class since every medium requires different handling and specific techniques for bringing the painting subject to life.

acrylic painting for beginners

Acrylic is actually very forgiving, and everything can be adjusted, changed and improved when necessary.

All artists were not present at the time of taking pictures, but all paintings looked fantastic. They are beginners! This is a great achievement.

We will just have to learn how to paint sky and water yet, and these students could surprise us with fantastic paintings which they have created without a guidance.

Christmas Show and Sale: Art, Crafts, Gifts

Christmas gifts, beautiful gift boxes

It’s Christmas show time again, and we are having our annual Christmas sale. It is richer and more interesting than ever before. I have no doubt, everyone can find something great, whether it’s a Christmas decoration, nice, hearty, one of a kind gift, painting, card or gift certificate. Gift certificates for classes and workshops are available every day, not only during the sale.

You can enjoy and possibly purchase more than 200 paintings and crafted gift items.

All Christmas show decorations and gifts are crafted in the gallery and range in style from traditional to modern and trendy, both, regarding the color scheme and design. We have used mostly nature materials: fir and pine cones, apple-tree and maple branches, spruce tree branches and also some paints, glitter, tissue paper and interesting containers. You should definitely check out the one of a kind gift boxes, note books, diaries and photo albums.

We are offering only original paintings and art, including three-dimensional acrylic nature paintings in subtle and soothing colors.

Variety of Christmas cards can be ordered from the Fine Art America site: Inese Poga’s art collections

Please have a look at some gifts and decorations for sale.

Traditional Christmas colors

Christmas show gift boxes

Crafted Christmas show gift boxes

Decorative center piece

Gold and red

Red and green: tissue paper roses and glitter on branches

Christmas show gift box and red roses

Christmas gift box, very elegant and delicate, matches the Christmas decoration very well.

Celebrating the light and warmth with beautiful things in beautiful settings: fun and pleasure!

White and red: Christmas gift boxes

Festive and uplifting, sparkle and shine: Christmas settings

I hope you enjoyed the decorating ideas!

Create art and make your soul sing

Don’t allow routine blocking your intentions and create

We have our routine duties, we have to make our living, but how about the soul? What are we doing to feed not only the body, but also our soul? Some people express themselves playing music or dancing, some are writing poetry or stories, and some love to create. Most people never forget to devote time, money and huge efforts in order the physical body stayed young and healthy. When it comes to mind, it is a completely different picture.

Art is special

I don’t think anything compares with the wonderful feeling when I have a white blank canvas or sheet of watercolor paper in front of me, and I’m about to put down the first lines or brush strokes. Creation is straight the opposite to consumption, and I really have deep respect for people who love to create and give something to others instead of just taking and using. Create art: it is a rewarding way of self-expression. It takes away from our daily troubles and routines, and this time is never wasted.

Need for self-care and relaxation 

Adults need relaxing self-care time even more than teens and kids. My art classes always bring together people of all ages and all walks of life who create something for themselves. We are experiencing the miracle of creative makeover every time when we have an art class. Participants come with all kinds of mental and physical conditions sometimes, but all of them report feeling better after an artistic workout.

Art classes and painting workshops for adults

We had busy October and November. I met many interesting people,  who definitely were amazed by my art and wanted to learn doing something artistic for themselves, they all love new things and create them. I gave many adult and teen art classes, and my November workshop was also successful.

Create - Acrylic painting classes

Article about me in women’s life style magazine

We were discussing the magazine article which will be published in Laura’s online site devoted to making lives of women richer and more satisfying. This article will describe my personal and art concepts, I will also share my experience living in Europe and in Canada. It is very important to provide women with their personal space and breathing space because women are frequently the ones who have never a moment specifically for themselves.

Participants of art classes report life improvements

I had extremely talented and diligent students. They created fairly large paintings to decorate their living and dining rooms along with small nature scenes. All participants told they gained a great experience regards painting and especially acrylic painting and also became better people who had no more signs of depression and troubled mind. Some recovered from anxiety. Art classes always work as meditation with color and shape since creativity takes over our mind and cleans it.

Decorate with your own art

We spent approximately 6 hours doing large decorative floral paintings. No doubt, these paintings will make every space look more attractive and inviting.

Create - Acrylic painting classes
I started Wednesday night acrylic painting class for adult beginners. The first painting came out very nice, even though nobody had too much experience painting with acrylics.

Art workshops: one time painting events

I am running workshops once or twice a month. This time, we decided to paint winter landscape, and we think the flower painting would be a great subject for the next workshop. Workshop takes 2 hours in average, and we got done the entire painting during these hours. I’m providing with template to speed up the drawing and planning part. We have more time for application of paint when using a template.

Acrylic painting classes
Diana with her winter creek painting. She had to leave early, so adding final touches during barn class.

Age doesn’t matter

We had one younger participant, but she left a bit earlier because she already had done two winter and spruce tree paintings with watercolor. Watercolor is a faster medium, especially when painting winter and snow, many areas can be left white. Winter creek is a fantastic subject for any beginning artist.

Acrylic painting classes
Thursday group paintings summer park. We are working on an old farmhouse painting with the other group, and I will post ready paintings next Wednesday.

Please, join us for live art classes and workshops: Sign up here

Moving to a new studio space: Moving to a new art studio

How to become an artist: 5 stages you can count on

Studio and art gallery: Art for sale

Finally, you can stay in touch easily, finding my studio on Facebook: Inese Poga’s art studio

Fall Art Show at Camp Samac: Sunday

Fall art festival at Camp Samac

Wide variety of art

The Fall Art Festival at Camp Samac not only allows one to explore a wide variety of different artists works, but also gathers many hundreds of people interested in art, crafts and creative achievements. It was not surprising that the majority of artists presented smaller size art, art prints and art cards. Even though, there was a fairly large crowd of visitors at some art displays throughout the show, the most buying activity involved smaller, more inexpensive original pieces and art prints. The impression was that the original art was loved and admired, but not that much purchased.

More than 70 artists

However, taking into account the large number of participating artists (71) and the even larger number of art presented, I must say this event had great success and resulted in many nice transactions for artists and gorgeous acquisitions for art lovers. Certainly, less expensive art and art prints sold faster. Many people were just enjoying the look of art, as well as having conversations and discussions with artists.

The Fall Art Festival at Camp Samac
The very textured maple trees painting in acrylic was sold right away!
Fall Art Festival
Just putting together artworks which would fit not that big space.

Great interaction

We had many thoughtful conversations and discussions, but I only could get a few pictures from this event since photo taking was not allowed. Nevertheless, it was interesting to see what other artists had created. I was new to this event (I’m new even to Canada), and I had no idea what and how should be displayed. My spot wasn’t that good, quite far in the back part, but most visitors crowded around food space and front parts. My paintings were really  eye-catching, and I couldn’t complain about lack of interest.

Fall Art Festival
The two panels which I could use.

Great art show

I was very satisfied with this art festival. This was a great opportunity to get better understanding of the local art scene, make friends, get to know other artists, and sell some paintings. 3 of my originals were sold, and I thought that was great because I did not bother with printing cards or getting art prints.