The learning season at my studio is getting close to the finish line. Paintings in 3 pictures are done by my students who started attending my art classes as beginners. They progressed very fast from not knowing how to mix paint to students who pretty much were sure what they wanted to achieve. We were exploring multiple techniques and subjects; we created quite many beautiful artworks. We feel enriched and inspired, and hopefully, the newly acquired skills will enable our students to capture their impressions during summer and their vacations.
Summer plans
I have been extremely busy recently, and I need a break, too. I’m going to spend some time in Europe, in my homeland Latvia this year. My art studio is getting reorganized, as well. We will start out again in September with new classes, seminars, practical learning in both, life skills school and art school.
Adjustments to online presence
I’m working on new updates of website which will contain all relevant information, and I might be very busy for a while yet. I intend to implement store pages and add new art products to these pages. It’s difficult to decide on art store format and what online options to use. There won’t be that many posts during this time.
Adult acrylic painting class: river scene. The river scene was finished a small while ago. Some students were not present at picture taking. This is painting by Diana. Well done!River paintings by my art students, this is Bev’s painting. It looked really good in reality, not every great detail is visible on photo.Gordon’s painting with river and rocks. It is amazing to see how beginners in art develop their skills and art becomes their passion. Good job, Gord!
My demo painting
Reflection of clouds, summer stream, acrylic, 24 x 20 in or 61 x 51 cm
My demo painting was waiting patiently for 7 years to be completed. I have a few paintings at different stages of completion, this was one of them. I wish photos captured colors better because my real painting has fresh summer green and good bright contrast. All my pictures with light green color have turned into some strange mustard-green color. I personally do not like and I do not use this color, not in summer or spring paintings. However, iPhone keeps damaging all my pictures. I should use only the big camera every time, but convenience sometimes comes first.
Spring time: we’ve been waiting long for sun to show up and wake up the nature. At my studio, we have been very busy with creating spring time watercolors, too. We keep enjoying the pleasure of being able to create something great, cheerful and uplifting. That would be art which is simple, but speaks to us.
Watercolor painting of pink garden anemones: demo version for adult watercolor class
While there’s some useful advice contained in all learning materials, it’s most often a description of a common, basic and simple techniques and approaches. When you try painting in reality and on your own, it might seem more difficult. However, we have to start with something, therefore, we can do easy spring time nature paintings.
Kristina is genuinely happy since the chickadee painting came out extremely nice
Presence of immediate advice is extremely important. That not only speeds up everything, but also provides students with plenty of information in a very short period of time, allowing to experience and apply everything right there and right away.
This is a very direct and very immediate “how to”. Any question receives answer on the spot, any problem gets solved when it occurs.
Watercolor wash: spontaneous and simple application of watercolor
Students, who want to learn, are very happy with my classes, and so am I. It’s always a pleasure to see fast development of young, talented artists. It is great to know that I have contributed quite a lot to this development.
To create something from nothing takes creativity, knowledge and commitment. We were doing some negative painting exercises, and after that we were getting ready for the next painting which will be seaside with some birds.
Big things start with small accomplishments
Psychologists are certain that everything is based on confidence and high level of self-esteem. Art tremendously helps achieving these goals. We also become aware that we can create, we can pursue our goals. It is a new stepping stone when walking through the life. Step by step, brushstroke by brushstroke: big things start with small accomplishments.
Students paint
Only benefits
Everybody benefits from engaging in arts, and it is something valuable for our entire life. Some artists of adult acrylic painting group completed their first painting, some – their third paintings.
Friendly companyPainting is ready, very good for the first one!
No more fear, just pleasure
We are overcoming the fear from blank canvas and learning to apply paint with confidence, and results speak for themselves. It is never too early or too late to engage in creation of something artistic. We sometimes need 30 or 40 years to realize that art is what we want to learn. It is a pleasure to watch this happen as we progress more and more with every single painting.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
