Winter 2018 : Workshop : Understanding and Enjoying Art: Al Gury
How do methods, materials, and styles of art influence what artists do and the choices they make? This evening survey will provide a useful approach to art history – the how and why of art, both past and present. Al has many years of experience as an artist and professor at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Bring your art questions, no matter how simple or complex, and join us for a lively conversation about art and culture with an emphasis on color mixing. Al’s palette set will accompany the slide lecture to help illustrate color mixing and resolve issues you may be experiencing in your own practice. Enjoy an evening in the studio, no art experience required. www.algury.com
Winter 2018 : Workshop : Bigger and Better Landscape Painting: LYNN MEHTA
Lynn won the top awards in the 2016 BSSS plein air festival with her expressive, gestured oil paintings that were singled out by judge Nan Covert for their exceptional qualities. Now you have an opportunity to study with Lynn and gain insight into ways you can develop better composition, more expressive paintings, and bigger statements in your landscape paintings. “I will help people key in on their inspiration and be expressive while following the elements of good design and composition,” says Lynn of her course. www.lynnmehta.com
Winter 2018 : Workshop : Enameling for Painters: Janly Jaggard
This workshop will allow you to discover what happens when you fuse powdered glass to copper at 1500F. You will resource your knowledge about aesthetics to create images as you add layers of color, both transparent and opaque, using various methods. Janly uses vitreous enamel to make wall work as painting. She is excited, intrigued, and informed by materiality and by the enameling methods she uses that feed back to her work on canvas. Most materials such as enamels and tools are provided and included in tuition. Copper provided and sold at cost price directly to artists by Janly: limited to five students.
Winter 2018 : Workshop : Botanical Watercolor Painting in Sepia: Lara Call Gastinger
This one-day painting workshop will introduce you to the process of drawing and composing a botanical painting using winter nuts, berries, seed pods, and other exquisite natural specimens to pick from. You will be using one color (sepia) which is a perfect color choice for beginners or for those who want to refine their painting skills. You will learn detailed dry brush watercolor techniques including brush control and layering. Paint will be provided – additional materials list provided. www.laracallgastinger.com
Winter 2018 : Workshop : Painting Traditional Subjects With Modern Material: JAMES DEAN ERICKSON
We are excited to have this gifted young artist (who studied both at University of Virginia and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts) offer his first workshop at BSSS. James will help you explore traditional motifs with modern tools and mediums as he does in his own figure, still life, and landscape paintings. He will emphasize the use of acrylics, the water-soluble paints that dry quickly and permanently. Many artists prefer acrylics rather than solvent-based oil colors. James will demonstrate ways to develop a rich surface and to emphasize the abstract quality in representational paintings, and he will work with you one-on-one as you explore the creative options he presents. www.jamesdeanerickson.com
Winter 2018 : Workshop : Simplicity and Synthesis: JAMES DEAN ERICKSON
The most interesting expressions in art often come from combinations of seemingly opposite ideas and influences. When we juxtapose the real with the impossible, the observed with the imaginary, and the natural with the artificial we challenge ourselves as well as those who view our work. During this lecture, James will show some of his recent oil and watercolor paintings and talk about finding harmony in diversity. www.jamesdeanerickson.com
Winter 2018 : Workshop : Fresh Ideas About Observation and Abstraction:
We are fortunate to have one of the most celebrated contemporary artists offering this workshop. Bill will work with experienced painters on ways they can structure pictorial space by relying primarily on color. “In my own painting practice, I am an abstract painter but my pictures are based on observation,” Bill explains. “If you are patient and trust me to not steer you wrong, I will likely succeed in proposing new ways you can approach painting and fresh ideas you can consider.” Bill has had a remarkable career as a writer, gallery director, art historian, and painter. He worked in the studio of Joan Mitchell and has contributed essays to catalogs for exhibitions of Berthe Morisot’s paintings. www.hollistaggart.com/artists/bill-scott
Spring 2018 : Class : Watercolor Creativity Booster Course: Peg Sheridan
Do your watercolor paintings need something more? Join Peg in this new course designed to give your creative journey a jumpstart. Peg will demonstrate fresh new ways to start a painting, to save paintings you thought were lost, and to bring paintings to a higher level of finish. She will show you how to use products to enhance or correct your paintings such as watercolor mediums, gouache, and acrylics. She will also show you ways to work on different types of paper. As always, Peg will emphasize planning through design, value sketches, and color palettes. Some watercolor mediums provided. www.pegsheridan.com
Winter 2018 : Class : Italian for Travelers: Marsha Fuller
In preparation for BSSS’ travel study trip to Naples this spring, language instructor Marsha Fuller will be teaching Italian for Travelers, a class designed to provide a foundation for your next Italian adventure. For travelers and armchair travelers alike, no language experience is necessary. Class size will be limited to 10 participants. Marsha has lived and studied in Italy at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia and at the Università degli Studi di Siena. She has completed Ph.D. level graduate course work in Italian at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and taught language classes at both UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University.
Winter 2018 : Class : Indirect Painting: Jeffery Stockberger
Explore the concept of indirect painting: developing an image and resolving problems through multiple layers of paint. Working from still life, you will concentrate on developing a painting’s composition and color palette by responding to and building on marks made on the canvas. Through group and individual critiques, you will work on establishing good oil painting habits and techniques. You may work in other painting materials with the permission of instructor. www.jefferystockberger.com
Winter 2018 : Class : Beginner and Intermediate Drawing and Painting: Janly Jaggard
Do you want to learn to draw or paint and never had the time or courage? This beginner and intermediate class will guide you through the process of learning to see through an artist’s eye. You will be shown how to work from direct observation as you experience drawing processes that lead you forward towards painting in the medium of your choice. If you have experience but know there is more to learn, Janly will help you continue to improve your technical skills as you begin to develop your personal style. www.janlyjaggard.com
Winter 2018 : Class : Better Still Life Paintings – Studio/Online Version: Elizabeth Geiger
Here is a new low–residency option for those who live further away, have allergies to solvents, or don’t want to drive in winter weather! Attend the first and last class at the School and then check in with the instructor for e-mailed assignments (with photo of the still life set up in the studio) and weekly critiques of your progress. After meeting with Elizabeth in the first session, you can study with her through email correspondence and pictures instead of attending the weekly Friday sessions. You can then return to the School for the final Friday session. www.elizabethgeigerart.com
Course Guide:
- You will attend first (January 26) and last (March 16) classes in person at the BSSS.
- For the remainder of courses, Elizabeth will email you three documents weekly:
- “Lesson of the Week” which will focus on a specific topic of still life painting (ex: composition)
- A painting assignment which will parallel the in-person classes occurring the same week
- A critique of your previous work assignment
- Assignments (est. 3-4 hours): Take the best photo you can of your painting assignment (you may use your phone to do so) and email it to Elizabeth (elizabethgeiger1@gmail.com) by 5 pm every Wednesday. Elizabeth will respond with an email critique, the next “Lesson of the Week”, and the next assignment. The advantage to an online class is the schedule is flexible! Multiple assignments can occur in one week; if you cannot complete that week’s assignment, you can do two the following week and email both photos to Liz. It is up to you; however, Elizabeth will not take assignments submitted after the final class date of March 16.
- You should bring all of your work to the final studio class on March 16 to receive an in-person critique. This is an opportunity to get feedback on the assignments and help you continue to develop the work after the class has completed.
- The cost of this course includes two in-person classes and one weekly email from the instructor with the documents listed above.
Winter 2018 : Class : Better Still Life Paintings: Elizabeth Geiger
“This class examines the various aspects of making a good still life painting: studying examples from art history, setting up a still life, drawing, classical vs. baroque ideas of composition and painting,” says Elizabeth Geiger, one of the most popular teachers at BSSS. “Students will learn how to do preliminary drawings and tonal studies from my demonstrations, and they will paint set ups from my personal collection of still life objects.” Elizabeth will also share her most recent work and talk about her new emphasis on the relationship of shapes. www.elizabethgeigerart.com
Winter 2018 : Class : Art as Exploration: Critique Class: Robert Stuart
Bring your work in any media for constructive review. The goal is growth as an artist through a deepening discernment of strengths and challenges in one’s work. Artistic development will also be supported with the study of current art exhibitions and topics in contemporary art. Exhibition catalogs, articles on art, and pertinent visual material will be presented and discussed at the beginning of class. The remaining time will be equally divided among participants to present and discuss their work. www.robertstuart.net
Winter 2018 : Class : Monday Mornings on Beverley Street: Mary T. Echols
Join a great group of fellow BSSS members in looking at and discussing art and how it works. Enjoy sharing ideas and information while learning about the many forms of art, both past and present. You will cultivate an enhanced appreciation for art and an improved ability to express artistic opinions. For all levels of education and experience. http://coartgallery.com/artist/echols/echols.html