Oil Painting Beginner's Intensive - Jan. 14-15, 2012

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity for a beginning painter to get started off on the right foot!

Next month Charles will be teaching a 2-day beginner's intensive workshop: Beginning Still Life - Getting Started with Oil Paint. Two full days of solid nuts and bolts information on oil paint, mediums, brushes, canvases and everything related.

- January 14-15, 2012
- Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 - 4:30
- $175 - 16 yrs and up

For artists who have found oil painting daunting or frustrating, as well as those who want to paint but don’t know where to start. A nuts and bolts primer to get you started painting your first oil painting without photography or group pattern.

The workshop begins with a demonstration by the instructor, followed by a walk-through of the oil painting and other related sections of Binders explaining what supplies you need and what you don’t need. Students need to come prepared to purchase supplies the first day.

Students will paint a simple still life from life to begin exploring the principles of art. Charles provides a solid foundation of information for the student to take home, and to build on, to continue the beginning of their artistic journey.

Download the flyer in PDF format to print and share!

The Art School at Binders
Piedmont Peachtree Crossing
3330 Piedmont Road, Suite 18, Atlanta GA 30305
register online -- www.BindersArt.com
contact person: Jacob Gunter -- 404-237-6331 ext 203

Painting Class Dates thru August 2012

Upcoming session dates for Charles' ongoing painting classes at Binders have been set through August of 2012. The next session starts with the new year on January 3.

These classes utilize both the still life and the figure. Hope we'll see you there!

Painting - Design and Technique
Tuesday afternoons (1-4 pm) or evenings (6-8:30 pm)
$140 for six weeks

next 4 session dates:

- January 3 - February 7, 2012
- February 21 - March 27, 2012
- May 29 - July 3, 2012
- July 24 - August 28, 2012

The Art School at Binders
Piedmont Peachtree Crossing
3330 Piedmont Road, Suite 18, Atlanta GA 30305
register online -- www.BindersArt.com
contact person: Jacob Gunter - 404-237-6331 ext 203

Chattanooga Still Life Workshop - Dec 1-4, 2011

 ArtWorks Chattanooga is our host next month for a 3 1/2 day painting workshop focused on the still life.

The workshop is open to all levels, and the kick-off demonstration on the first evening will be open to the general public for a $20 fee.

Download the workshop flyer in PDF format to print and share!

Contact Lisa Seago at ArtWorks Chattanooga to register:
770-235-1156
info@ArtWorksChat.com

ArtWorks Chattanooga's webpage
ArtWorks Chattanooga on Facebook

A Beautiful Day for a Plein Air Paint Out

On Saturday October 15 Charles and I spent a beautiful sunny day in the Olde Town area of Conyers GA. The Olde Town Gallery & Studio was hosting their First Annual Olde Town Paint Out & Plein Air Exhibit, for which Charles had been asked to serve as judge.

We got there in the early afternoon, took a stroll to get the lay of the land and chat with other artists, got distracted for a bit by the treasures inside Sadie's Antiques, and finally settled down to paint. Charles had completed the judging by 6:30 that evening, and an awards ceremony and reception followed shortly thereafter.

Ten artists submitted 13 paintings over the course of the day. Congratulations to the award winners and to Lynda Ellis of Olde Town Gallery for planning and putting on a great event.

The exhibition's closing reception next Saturday will coincide with the Olde Town Fall Festival and an additional award, People's Choice, will be presented then.

Numerous photos from throughout the day can be found in albums on Charles' Facebook page and on Olde Town Gallery's Facebook page.

-- Photo album on Charles' Facebook page
-- Olde Town Gallery's Facebook page
-- Olde Town Gallery's webpage

Plein Air Paint-Out in Olde Town Conyers GA, Oct 15

Charles has been asked  to serve as judge this Saturday at the 1st Annual Olde Town Paint Out in Conyers GA.

We'll be there bright and early Saturday morning to paint with everyone; judging will start shortly after 5pm.

If you're interested in joining us, info is on the Olde Town Gallery's website. First place award is $300; at-the-door registration is $40. All the paintings will be for sale and on display at the gallery until Saturday Oct. 22.

Olde Town Gallery and Studio
909 Commercial Street, Conyers GA 30012
770-929-9242 -- Colye2@gmail.com
They're also on Facebook - more info here!

Painting Class Dates thru May 2012

Upcoming session dates for Charles' painting classes at Binders have been posted through May of next year. These classes utilize both the still life and the figure. The next session starts in 2 weeks! Hope we'll see you there.

Painting - Design and Technique
Tuesday afternoons (1-4 pm) or evenings (6-8:30 pm)
$140 for six weeks

next 3 session dates:

- October 25 - December 13, 2011 (no class on Nov. 8 or 15)
- January 3 - February 7, 2012
- February 21 - March 27, 2012

The Art School at Binders
Piedmont Peachtree Crossing
3330 Piedmont Road, Suite 18, Atlanta GA 30305
register online -- www.BindersArt.com
contact person: Eli Pelizza - 404-237-6331 ext 203

"Imperia Prima" Accepted into OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition

She's packed in her box and ready to go!

"Imperia Prima" will be shipping out soon to Addison Art Gallery in Cape Cod where she'll be included in the 2011 Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition.

The Eastern Regional this year had about 800 entries, and we're very pleased to be among the only 95 paintings selected as finalists.

Most of the exhibition is available now to view online, and the real thing will hang from September 17 - October 15 at Addison Art Gallery in Orleans MA.

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Oil Painters of America
2011 Eastern Regional Exhibition of Traditional Oils
Sept. 17 - Oct. 15, 2011
opening recep: Sat. Sept. 17, 5:30-7:30 pm
Addison Art Gallery
43 Route 28, Orleans MA 02653
508-255-6200 -- art@AddisonArt.com

New Works: "A Spot of Tea"

I just love this simple little still-life. I'm always amazed how Charles can convey so much with so few brushstrokes. (12 x 16, oil on mounted canvas)

"A Spot of Tea"   12 x 16   oil on mounted canvas

Two Figure-Painting Workshops Scheduled this Fall

Both the Art School at Binders and The Winsor Gallery have invited Charles back to teach "The Essentials of Figure Painting" - a 3 1/2 day oil painting workshop which addresses underlying structure and sculptural relationships within the figure.

Please contact the hosting venues for registration information. The Thursday evening demonstrations for both workshops will be open to the interested public for $20.

Sept. 29 - Oct. 2, 2011

Atlanta GA
The Essentials of Figure Painting
The Art School at Binders
$350 + $50 model fee
contact person: Eli Pelizza
404-237-6331 ext. 203

Here's the direct link to the workshop's information page at BindersArt.com

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Oct. 27 - 30, 2011

McDonough GA
The Essentials of Figure Painting
The Winsor Gallery
$350 + $50 model fee
contact person: Vicki Anglyn
770-957-7292

And here's the PDF version of the flyer to print or share!

New Works: "Tomatillos and Terracotta"

This lovely new painting started out as a demonstration piece for Charles' recent still-life workshop. We both liked it so much at the end of the evening that he brought it back to the studio after the workshop and worked on it for a little while longer. (16 x 20, oil on panel)

"Tomatillos and Terracotta"   16 x 20   oil on panel

He had originally planned some other type of fruit to accompany that beautiful terracotta vase, but when we stopped by the grocery store on the way to the demo that afternoon "just to see about other options" those vibrant green tomatillos struck him as perfect. Always be willing to change at the last minute for something better!

Workshop Students Excited about the Still Life

Charles recently taught two workshops focused on painting the still life. And from what we've heard from several participants since, he's also ignited in them a new-found excitement for the genre in the process. We love reading those emails from workshop students!

ArtWorks Chattanooga was our workshop host in April. Housed on the ground floor of an old industrial building in downtown Chattanooga TN, owner Lisa Seago's new instructional space will soon see the likes of Bill Davidson, Dee Beard Dean, and Nancy Franke. We were very pleased to be Lisa's choice to lead off this procession of well-known southeastern painters and workshop instructors, and we're currently in the process of scheduling with her through 2012.

We then brought the still life excitement back home where, during the first weekend in June, Charles was teaching at The Winsor Gallery, just off the square in historic McDonough GA. This was the second painting workshop of his that's been hosted by the folks there, and we're looking forward to returning again in October for "The Essentials of Figure Painting."

If you'd like to see firsthand what all the excitement was about, photos from these two workshops are available online. Many thanks to Lisa Seago and June Teuscher for the Chattanooga pics.

Photos from the ArtWorks Chattanooga workshop.
Photos from The Winsor Gallery workshop.

ArtWorks Chattanooga
ArtWorks Chattanooga on Facebook
The Winsor Gallery
The Winsor Gallery on Facebook
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Charles will be teaching two more oil painting workshops in the Atlanta area in the coming months. Details and links will be posted here on the blog as they are finalized.

The Essentials of Figure Painting
Sept. 29 - Oct. 2, 2011
The Art School at Binders - Atlanta GA

The Essentials of Figure Painting
Oct. 20 - 23, 2011
The Winsor Gallery - McDonough GA

"Figures in the Garden" Celebrates a Friend's Triumphant Spring

What a great way to spend a Saturday!

Nineteen artists and 4 figure models from the Atlanta area came together on a beautiful Saturday in May in a show of support and celebration for a fellow artist and friend during her medical recovery.
 
The models, arranged amidst the beauty of an intimate Japanese garden, donated their time while the participating artists' entry fees raised in excess of $500.

Aside from raising funds, organizer Kristina Laurendi Havens laid out the main goals of the day when she charged the artists that morning to "create beautiful art and send good thoughts to Marghe."

New Works: "Alexey at the Lakeshore"

"Alexey at the Lakeshore"   12 x 16   oil on canvas panel

(12 x 16, oil on canvas panel)

On the last day of the Portrait Society of America's 2011 National Conference in Atlanta over 100 artists traveled to Piedmont Park for a plein air paint-out. Each group of 10 was accompanied by a member of the conference faculty. Charles was with the group led by Los Angeles painter Alexey Steele.

As Alexey began a small demonstration on the very edge of the lake, Charles was struck by the scene and the patterns created by the light. He had to set up and work fast - he didn't know how long the group would stay there!

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Piedmont Park, Atlanta GA 
Alexey Steele 
Portrait Society of America

Portrait Society of America 2011 National Conference

Last night I was flipping through a beautiful imported book about the 19th century Russian artist Ilya Repin. Couldn't read a word of it, but it sure was pretty to look at! Charles picked up this rare treasure when the Portrait Society of America was in town a few weeks ago for their annual national conference. Over 800 artists descended on Atlanta for a very busy weekend.

The conference opened on Thursday night with the "Face-Off" demonstrations. Fifteen artists, all members of the conference faculty or previous award winners, painted 5 models in a huge studio set up in the hotel's main ballroom. It was a packed house as some spectators took seats to watch their favorites, while others prowled the circuit in order to see them all.

The next 3 days were full of more demonstrations and lectures. David Leffel painted a self portrait on the main stage Friday morning, Jeremy Lipking painted a nude figure Friday evening to a packed house, and Michael Shane Neal painted a moving target (his mentor, Raymond Kinstler) on Saturday morning. Lectures on the business side of art and portfolio critiques were also offered.

Saturday evening was the Banquet and Awards Presentation where the International Portrait Competition winners were announced, followed by the keynote address by Dr. Johan Cedarlund, director of the Zorn Museum in Mora, Sweden. He gave an excellent talk on the history of turn-of-the-century Swedish artist Anders Zorn (1860-1920).

On Sunday afternoon over 100 artists loaded onto buses for the trek to Atlanta's Piedmont Park. Once there groups of 10, each led by a member of the conference faculty, spread out for an afternoon of plein-air painting. A lot of these portrait artists got to experience the joy of painting on location for the first time! Charles was with Los Angeles painter Alexey Steele's group and as Alexey was giving a short demonstration down by the water's edge, Charles was struck by the scene, grabbed his brushes and set to work!

Overall it was a great weekend. We discovered a new brand of brushes we'd been hearing a lot of buzz about (Rosemary & Co. Brushes) and bought several beautiful imported books we can't read! (Dick Bell Book Maven). We met a lot of new people and made several new friends, and are definitely looking forward to the next time.

If you're interested, there are a few more pictures from the weekend in an album on Charles' Facebook page.

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Portrait Society of America
David Leffel
Jeremy Lipking
Michael Shane Neal
Anders Zorn
Zorn Museum, Sweden
Alexey Steele
Rosemary & Co. Artist Brushes
Dick Bell Book Maven

Still Life Workshop, June 2-5 2011, McDonough GA

Painting the Still Life
hosted by The Winsor Gallery
McDonough GA
June 2 - 5, 2011
www.TheWinsorGallery.com
contact the gallery for registration information
PDF version of the flyer to download and share

This summer, we're pleased to be returning to The Winsor Gallery in McDonough GA for this 3 1/2 day workshop. The weekend will consist of a Thursday evening demonstration by Charles, followed by 3 full days of painting from life.

Informative and passionate, Charles approaches art instruction by addressing visual principles and the material power of technique to equip the student with the skills to fulfill their own artistic vision. "I understand the artistic hunger for good instruction and I don't waste time in my class with unnecessary gimmicks or tricks. I teach the fundamentals that all artists can use regardless of style or subject matter. ...Observation from life, not photos, is how your eyes, your mind, and your hand can develop artistic honesty."

"A Study in Blue"   12 x 16   oil on panel

It's The Season for Plein Air Paint-Outs!

It's finally springtime, and time to unpack the outdoor painting gear in preparation for all the upcoming plein air painting opportunities that are showing up on the calendar. Our inbox has been flooded with paint-out notices these last few weeks.

Last fall, before Charles stowed his gear away for the winter, we were able to participate in 3 paint-outs hosted by various organizations:

We joined the folks of Plein Air Georgia at Indian Springs State Park in Jackson GA on September 11 for International Plein Air Paint-Out Day.

Mid-October found us at Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw GA for their twice-yearly paint-out. The trees were starting to turn and the roses were still in bloom - it made for a beautiful 2 days.

The very next weekend we were south of Atlanta in Newnan GA for Oil Painters of America's 2010 Georgia Paint-Out. Every autumn OPA sponsors paint-outs in numerous states. This year 42 Georgia artists gathered at the home of out hostess, oil painter Millie Gosch, to capture the beautiful autumn colors across the rolling hills.

Photos from all three of these outings can be found in albums on Charles' Facebook page:
--  Indian Springs paint-out 
--  Smith-Gilbert Gardens paint-out 
--  OPA paint-out

Painting Class Dates thru August 2011

The new session of Charles' painting classes at Binders has just started this week, but dates have now been posted for classes through the end of August.

Painting - Design and Technique
Tuesday afternoons (1-4 pm) or evenings (6-8:30 pm)
$140 for six weeks
sign up 2 weeks early to avoid $15 late registration fee

next 3 session dates:

- April 12 - May 17, 2011
- May 31 - July 5, 2011
- July 26 - August 30, 2011
class flyer PDF available here

The Art School at Binders
Piedmont Peachtree Crossing
3330 Piedmont Road, Suite 18, Atlanta GA 30305
register online -- http://Learning.BindersArt.com/
contact person: Eli Pelizza - 404-237-6331 ext 203

Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition

I've been a little delayed getting our past events and such onto the blog lately, but I definitely didn't want to leave this one off!

One of our big events of the last few months would have to be the opening reception of the Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition, held over the weekend of October 15, 2010. Charles' still-life painting "Remnant of Empire" was chosen as one of only 98 finalists in this prestigious show. It was hosted this year by the Walls Gallery of Fine Art in Wilmington NC. Close enough to us for a road trip!

The opening weekend was scheduled chock-full of painting demonstrations and lectures by OPA Master Signature members and the exhibition itself was full of beautiful art. We met some new friends and re-met some old ones. (We also slipped out a few times to enjoy the beautiful weather!) Dinner Saturday night was on the pier at the Oceanic Restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Great food, new friends and a chilly ocean breeze wrapped up the weekend.

The Walls Gallery still has the complete exhibit available to view on their website, if you're interested.

Photos we took during the opening weekend and reception are also available to peruse in an album on Charles' Facebook page.

Portrait Demo at Augusta's Westobou Festival

Last September, Charles and I traveled to Augusta GA, where Charles gave a 2-part portrait demonstration as the capstone event of Art Experience 2010, the visual art division of Augusta's Westobou Festival.

His demonstration and talk focused on the beginning steps of his portrait painting process. Photos from the demonstration and our few days in Augusta have been compiled in an album on Charles' Facebook page.

Loads of thanks go out to Lisa Marks, our lovely demonstration model; Rich Borgotti, our helper and right hand Wednesday night and all day Thursday; Art Experience 2010 organizer LouAnn Zimmerman; and everyone who attended the event at Gallery on the Row in downtown Augusta.

New Works: "Imperia Prima"

Another of my favorites from amongst Charles' most recent pieces.
He has several paintings in the works along this same theme:  powerful women painted in a powerful way. I love looking at this piece and can't wait for the others to be revealed!
(24 x 18, oil on panel)

"Imperia Prima"   24 x 18   oil on panel

New Works: "The Calling Unknown"

I think this has to be one of my favorites from among Charles' most recent paintings. The power of the pose and the energy evoked by this painting's attitude belie the focus and simplicity of its composition. A friend has even recently described it as "electrifying."

I sometimes catch myself leaning forward as I look at it, almost as if I'm reaching with him and can feel that unseen pull of the calling unknown.
(18 x 26, oil on linen)

"The Calling Unknown"   18 x 26   oil on linen

Upcoming Class Dates at Johns Creek Arts Center

The Johns Creek Arts Center, in Johns Creek GA, has posted their Spring 2011 schedule to their website.

"Intermediate and Advanced Oil Painting," Charles' new painting class there, has been very well received and is again offered on Wednesdays, in both the morning and evening. Classes are 3 hours long.

Because of the arts center's Spring Break Camp kid's activities, there will be no adult classes on Wednesday April 6 or Wednesday May 4.

Intermediate and Advanced Oil Painting
March 23 - May 11, 2011
(6 week session)
Wednesdays: 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
                      7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
$155 for 6 weeks

2011 Workshop Schedule

So far on the calendar, we have 5 workshops scheduled for 2011. Please contact the hosting venue for registration information.

March 10-13, 2011

Atlanta GA
The Essentials of Figure Painting 
The Art School at Binders
www.BindersArt.com

April 7-10, 2011

Revised Dates!

Chattanooga TN
Painting the Still Life 
ArtWorks Chattanooga
www.ArtWorksChat.com

June 2-5, 2011

McDonough GA
Painting the Still Life 
The Winsor Gallery
www.TheWinsorGallery.com

Sept. 29 - Oct. 2, 2011

Atlanta GA
The Essentials of Figure Painting 
The Art School at Binders
www.BindersArt.com

October 20-23, 2011

McDonough GA
Painting the Figure 
The Winsor Gallery
www.TheWinsorGallery.com