Painting the Cardinal in the Dogwood or in the Snow!

Mom and son painted the same thing

 Although I posted a collage of these painters in an earlier post, I wanted to show better photos!

So this group came together the other day and enjoyed one of our "Choice" classes! It's been popular-you choose which of the paintings you would like to paint.
So we had some Moms and sons, families and friends spend two hours in the Art Zone and the results were fabulous! 

Mom and son did it differently!

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Friends painted

 http://www.artstudentacademy.com/Calendar-Classes-&-Workshops.html

Friends painted!

The Community College Art Students!

Our classes at Art Student Academy accommodate ALL  ages-and we have a ball!

My Art Enrichment class is at the Vance County Community College and I have a dedicated evening class of participants :-)
So our most recent class was a mixed bag of subjects although everyone had acrylic paints!
Check out the examples of what they created below-Their homework? Practice blending! Wet on wet acrylics blend well if you work quickly and let the wet paint do all the work!

Painting Mountains

Since my artist husband, Stephen Filarsky and I are full time artists, we must constantly coordinate our art schedules with our instruction schedules and it takes some serious organizing to do that!

Recently, we completed a show in the stunningly beautiful mountains of NC near Blowing Rock. It must be the cool weather combined with mountain vistas that is so inspirational but whatever it is we squeezed in a workshop for a group of ladies. Only one had painted before. The others were total beginners. Apparently a former group experience had not inspired confidence nor enthusiasm so it was fun to watch them not only create a beautiful painting but become enthused enough to later run out and purchase paint to continue their art studies!

Learning to paint is all about learning to"see". That was the missing component that no one had ever showed them. None of them will ever look at clouds or mountain vistas again without experiencing that "AHA!" moment when what we shared, clicked with them! And that is a good place to be for an artist of any skill level!  The tips and techniques we shared for painting mountain vistas is the same for ALL mountains whether it is the Blue Ridge, Adirondacks, Himalayas or the Rockies. Painting such a scene once and painting it well is often the inspiration needed for a beginner to become and enthusiast.  And painting is one hobby that can be enjoyed year round, at all ages and for minimal expense (compared to other hobbies!)

Happy Painters :-)

If your group would like us to to share our methods of instructing with them, contact us!
classes @ artstudentacademy.com  (just re-do without spaces!)

Painting with acrylics

Painting Butterflies

 

Evening Stroll on Beach

So we were so busy with classes, art shows and new animals at the farm that TIME slipped up on me!

But not to worry! The following are images of what our painters have been creating and they have been busy!

Whether you are experienced, a total beginner, 5 years old or 105, you will leave with a beautiful painting in just 2 hours!

Piglet in Acrylics

Acrylics are water soluable, easy to clean off of you (not your clothes) and dry quickly. That means you can paint oiver areas you may not like or add to areas that you have already painted!



So from Farm animals to insects, to beautiful scenes, to abstracts.......well we are painting it all!

Southern Magnolia

Realistic flowers to Pop Art Pets!

Scroll down a bit further and you can ssee what ASA can been doing with the MIchael's Store on Caital Blvd. in Raleigh!

Want to join in? Email us at artclasses@artstudentacademy OR visit us on the web at www.ArtStudentAcademy.com and check out the calendar!

Pop Art Pets

Classes by ASA at Michael's!

 

Holiday Art Class

A Saturday in December is always a busy day everywhere  with parades, sports, parties and Christmas events. But we had participants come out to the Holiday Inn Express in Apex, NC to participate in a fun filled "Holiday Art Class" sponsored by the Apex Arts Council!
Each person decided what she would like to paint and brought along a photo. See the remarkable results below!

The BLUE Peacock class!

You gotta love it when  groups of friends come to paint! We always say that "Friends should not let friends paint alone" and last night everyone took it to heart! A group of four came complete with wine, chocolate and popcorn and had a delightful time!
Another group of four were enjoying an evening in the Art Zone without the complications from the day to slip in and a pair of friends came to encourage each other to create!

The "Blue Peacock" is one on those paintings that can be taken to a very detailed level or a less detailed one. It is easy to just keep painting away and adding embellishments. And any artist can take the same image and paint it a dozen different ways and colors. Maybe a red, lavender, rainbow peacock....it's your painting!

ALL the results were stunning!

And unbeknownst to the painters, they all absorbed some valuable tips about blending, color harmony and details :-) We love to sneak the ART into HAVING FUN!

I think I'll bring popcorn next time.......

Painters of the "Blue Peacock"

Tulips and Cats on Windowsills...

Three weeks in Seattle may have put me behind but it did not affect our many classes-the advantage of 2 artists in the family :-)

 To the left are four friends who were part of a larger class and they settled at a table together to paint. Needless to say, theywere thrilled with their results in our "Vase of Tulips" class.


While the adults tend to stick to the painted example as we paint,,,but obviously with very different results. the other part of the class was a group of nine year olds who simply.....painted!

Check out their results and individual efforts!

Further down was a Saturday group who enjoyed painting "Peonies on the Table" and "Cat on the Windowsill", all with remarkable results!


Saturday will be our "Tea for Two and later "Ladies Art Journal Retreat"

Whimsical POP Art PETS!

Nothing is more fun and less stressful than painting with no holds barred! No expectations, no predictable outcome! Bring a photo of a pet and turn it into a whimsical pop art experience! Why should Andy Warhol have all the fun?

See what others have created and enjoy!

A husband and wife team

mother and daughter

 

A family Painting event

So the next time you are at a loss of what to do or want to reach into that artsy side of you, come to one of our no stress (well they are all no stress!) classes and unleash your creativity!

Painting the Figure and getting past the fear

Although we are missing a few additional examples from this collage, the participants stepped up to the plate and in 2 hours painted their beautiful renditions in the "Gone Fishing" class! The figures on the dock were changed into what they envisioned as each artist made her (yep all women for this class!) painting into personal  masterpieces! Painting the figure from the back presents less challenges to the new painter of figures than trying to get a likeness from the front. It opens up a whole new range of options and paintings and many a famous painter from the past only included figures in their paintings from the back or small scale. It's a very good beginning!

Were they doubting artists beforehand? Sure. But they did it!

Speaking of doubts.......I had a phone call yesterday from a woman wanting to join our upcoming "Paint your Pet" class and she shared with me all her doubts and concerns about her artistic abilities. Seems her current instructor kept telling her she

wasn't ready to paint her dog, needed more instruction, etc, etc.

Seriously-why would anyone hold someone back in the realm of painting using that ridiculous statement? Why turn the creation of art into a mystery that can only be unlocked by the hallowed halls of professionals?

I am a professional and yet nothing brings a smile quicker to my face than to see a student of any age realize that "they can do it!"

Having said that-Taking just one class isn't enough to begin to master the art of painting. One class isn't enough to master ANY hobby! So get over your fear and jump in. If you are committed, you will know that a whole new world has opened up for you. We are there to help you and guide you but the dedication must come from you!

So join the many others who have discovered their "inner artist!"

Class schedule (remember August is SHOW times for us!) for August coming and Sept-full steam ahead!

http://www.artstudentacademy.com/Getting-Started-Dates-and-Times.html

Let go of the dock-start swimming!

The Two hour Blitz...

The Two Hour Blitz that we  refer to, is the two hours of the Art Zone where you are literally, "one with your art."

For many of our participants, it's a totally new concept and a totally new event. And it only becomes apparent at the end of class......and they all marvel at it!  Because for two hours, they were encompassed in a world of art. And while they were creating, they thought of nothing else-no worries..... nothing to distract them from "the Zone." A happy place. 

And that is a wonderful place to be!

Look at the results below and join us in our next class on Wed, July 18, 6:30-8:30 for a beautiful painting "Gone Fishing" http://artstudentacademy.com/Gone-Fishing.html

Painting the Hammock on the Beach!

Fun painting the Abstract Cow!

Hammock on the Beach, Dolphins and Abstract Cows!

Summer is a busy month for us! We are artists after all and participate in many events such as shows, gallery showings, etc. so take advantage of the upcoming classes if summer painting is what you want to do!

So what's coming up? 

How about painting a fun,  Abstract Cow?  

 http://artstudentacademy.com/Abstract-Cows.html

Or a Hammock on the Beach?  

 http://artstudentacademy.com/Hammock-at-the-Beach.html

Maybe a beautiful "Fishing on the Lake?"  

Hammock on the Beach

 http://artstudentacademy.com/Gone-Fishing.html

July 11, wed we will be painting DOLPHINS! 

 (http://artstudentacademy.com/Painting-Dolphins.html)

Want something specific for your kids (or the kid in you?) Try our July 13 6:30-8:30 fun class at the Wake Forest Art After Hours event! Peace Sign or Skateboards!  

http://artstudentacademy.com/Skateboard-Peace-Signs.html

"Gone Fishing"

 More coming but we will not have many classes in August due to shows so come on this month!

Flower Tree brings much Happiness!

May 11 was "Art After Hours" and a gathering of friends and strangers joined together for a few hours to enjoy wine, snacks, art and the joy of art!

 

As much as our students love the variety of classes that we offer, they particularly love the "Flower Tree!"

It does not matter how many people start off with  the same version, as by the end of class, everyone's painting is as different as the people painting! 
So  no matter how we refer to it: the "Hearts and Flowers Tree" or "Flower Tree" we should really be calling it "The Happy Tree!" considering all the fun that participants derive from getting into the art zone to create it!

Group collage

 Now if only I could position these photos.......? :-)

Friends paint together!

PAINT with MOM! 3 classes! May 11, 12

We have 3 fun packed "PAINT with MOM" classes scheduled for this weekend! Just in time for Mother's Day! All held at the 139 S. White St , Wake Forest (27525) Remember-just $30.00 each (but bring MOM for just $15.00 more!) or  both Saturday classes for $45.00. All art supplies included. All paintings in acrylic!

Friday, May 11 is our popular  "Heart and Flower Tree" from 6-8 pm

.

Heart and Flower Tree

Saturday, May 12 from 10:00-12:00 is "Butterfly Medley!"

Butterfly Medley

Saturday, May 12 from 1:00-3:00 is "View through the Window"

Sign up today! Or call us at 919-880-7431

Cows and Pigs and sheep..... oh my!

Simply beautiful paintings by our students. All ages, all abilities! This collage shares their efforts and individuality! 

The more they come, the better they get! Check out the colors being used now!

Paint Like Monet Success day!

Never let it be said that our students are not up to a challenge! With two classes n April 7, they successfully painted a Monet favorite "Water Lilies" and then diligently completed the challenging, "Lady with a Parasol!"

A group collage of talented painters!

Students from from Wake Forest, Holly Springs and Raleigh and some of their individual images appear further below!

Remember to check our calendar  for our next classes! Hint:An April 11 "Paint your PET" in Wake Forest!



 More coming next post!

Eileen, pleased with her final results

Kim did a terrific job!