Snowbirds Take Flight

Though the studio in Northern Minnesota "provides a warm, supportive learning environment...." for several months a year, when the snow flies and the temperature falls below freezing, it is time to take flight with many other Minnesota snowbirds.   Our journey takes several days as we travel through several states before arriving in Southern Florida.

Nature Can Be

So beautiful!

  The adventures in art instruction continue in Florida, with the intermediate oil painting class I will be teaching at The Estero Art League AND the opening of 'Creative Expressions Studio & Gallery'  Fine Art and Fabulous Jewelry.    Beginning shortly after The New Year, my artist friend, Lee and I will be offering painting and jewelry design classes at a wonderful artist cottage in the heart of Bonita Springs, Florida.  Class information will be provided on this website as well as on a new website dedicated to this new business.  We will also keep everyone informed of special events via an electronic newsletter.  Following is a photograph of the artist cottage all decked out for the Christmas Holidays.

Merry Christmas,  Happy New Year  and Happy Times Painting!

Summer Wrap Up

Returning artists and new artists get into the creative zone.

The red leaves appearing on the maple tree outside the studio windows are a sure sign of the summer ending.  It has been a good season for classes and a joy to work with so many enthusiastic artists.  The 2-day workshop with visiting artist, Sandy Pontius, was well attended and had everyone working hard on mixing colors, using contrasting values to create form, and reviewing the elements that will result in an interesting and appealing composition.  The paintings completed in neutral tones were lovely.  

Some workshop attendees display their paintings on the second day.

We can still look forward to several more weeks of classes and, of course, a colorful Indian Summer.
Enjoy the beauty around us,
Jeanni

Surrounded By New Shades Of Green

May is an exceptional time in Northern Minnesota for seeing all the beautiful shades of green that appear as the trees come to life after the long winter.  I often think that if I painted the yellow-green leaves on the white birch trees as they actually look against the blue sky, it would look too bright to be real.

Those who enjoy the challenge of painting landscape scenes, know how many pools of green appear on the pallet in an effort to paint all the hues in nature.  Spring is a good time to do some mental mixing of cool and warm primary colors to create as many shades of green as can be seen.
Enjoy the beauty around us.

Great To Be Back In The Studio

Spring brings all the beautiful birds back to the lake, including all the 'snow birds'.  It's a great time to get the studio/gallery set up for the new season of art classes, workshops and art exhibitions which will be starting in just a few weeks.  Many artists from previous years have emailed their excitement to get back to the studio and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.   Check the Calendar and Events Page for class details.
Enjoy the beauty around us!

Clouds Can Be So Awesome!

These are a few photographs from my 'inspiration' collection.  There is movement, color and great reflections on the lake.  All images that nudge the creative spirit.  Enjoy the beauty around us.  

Seeing As An Artist

Looking at nature and the world around us with an open mind and a 'fresh' eye helps me to see things as an artist.  Clouds are a good example.  They appear to be big, puffy white objects in the sky.  But upon closer observation, there are usually more colors created by light from the sun or other reflected light.  I like to look at the sky, clouds, leaves and the bark on trees, water etc and challenge myself to find as many colors as possible in each of them.  Soon it becomes a way of seeing without even thinking about it.  Spring is a great time to see as an artist.  Have fun and enjoy the beauty around us.  Don't forget to check out the classes available starting in June.

Welcome to the new Paintbrush Blog

I hope you're as excited as I am to have a new blog on my web site! This is where I'll be keeping you up to date with all the freshest artist news - including tips and hints for your own artistic growth along the way.

For now, welcome! And be sure to check the Calendar of Events for new classes!