Call to Paint Thursday, Feb 4, 11-2, Hammonasset Shoreline Greenway Trail

We are looking at a week of warm weather, though Wednesday is forecast for rain all day and Monday many of us are locked into our all day winter studio.  Thursday seemed like the best day to call a paint out in preparation for an upcoming plein air event in April. The temperature forecast is 46 degrees and mostly sunny so let's plan on 11-2, the warmest part of the day.

The Madison group of the Shoreline Greenway Trail asked our plein air group if we were interested in painting along the Hammonassett section of the Shoreline Greenway Trail on Saturday, April 2.  Madison Art Society did this last year and it was a lot of fun.  MAS will also participate this year.  The event is widely advertised and filled with trail walkers who love to stop and talk and look at your painting.  This year there might be an option for a show at Friends & Co for the works painted that day.

The trail committee also provides golf cart transport to various areas along the trail and frequent the trail during the morning to take people to rest rooms or back to their cars.

You'll notice the boardwalk on the right before you enter the park.  That's the beginning of the trail and can be reached from the campground parking lot where we'll park.  You can walk along the trail to explore where you might want to paint on April 2.

This will be the only posting to the blog for Thursday's paint out so if you are not on my winter email plein air list, please send me your email and I will update you on Wednesday to confirm in case the weather changes and is not conducive to a paint out.

Hope we get the good weather to be outdoors and painting this week,
Sally
sbrown (at) snet (dot) net

Openings

Greetings to All,

Getting the year off to a great start with winter openings -- I received the the announcement below from Diana Perron and lifted the photo of Scott Paterson's painting from his announcement for their shared show at the New Haven Lawn Club.

Other openings you may want to catch are Maple and Main's first juried show January 30, 6-8 PM, and Lyme Art Association's Associate Artist and Wonders of Winter shows, Sunday, January 31, 1-3 PM. Nudging into February and thinking of Valentine's Day, perhaps you would be interested in the Jewelry Trunk Sale by four jewelry-makers at Clinton Art Gallery (20 Main St.) on Saturday, February 6, Noon to 5 PM.  And Madison Art Society's member show opens at the Scranton Library on Sunday, February 7, from 1:30 to 3:30 PM.

That should keep us busy enough.

Watch for details soon regarding the Guilford Art League member show in March. Are you painting?

But keep reading (below) for more details on Diana and Scott's opening at the Lawn Club.

/j

From Diana -

I look forward to seeing you at the reception for this show on Wednesday February 3, 5-7 PM.
The exhibit is also open for 9-5 daily viewing from now through February 28th
at the New Haven Lawn Club.  It features new paintings by me and people places things
by Scott Paterson.  In case of bad weather, the show will be held one week later-
on Wednesday February 10th
Come and celebrate the new painting year with us!

Winter Tune Ups at Clinton Art Gallery

Greetings to All,

Clinton Art Gallery, 18-20 Main Street in Clinton, is offering several classes and workshops over the winter/spring months. All are based in our comfortable, well-lighted classroom, where you will find upholstered chairs, an accessible sink (for water-media), and coffee (or tea) ready to brew. If you don't find something that interests you here, watch for future offerings.

/j

ART & MIND CONNECTION

Wednesdays, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Explore and use the art and mind connection to improve your art, and enrich your art making experiences. Clinic, classes, and workshops, led by veteran artist and teacher Bill Colrus, will help you assess and rethink the way you see and execute your work. Designed for the experienced and semi-experienced artist.

8 Wednesdays, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm. Plus one make-up session. $232.00

Classes are open-ended; you can join at any time

Instructor: Artist Bill Colrus

Call 203-689-5675 TO SAVE A SPOT

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CAN’T EVEN DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE

Wednesdays, 12:30 – 3:00 pm.

A class designed expressly for absolutely non-talented beginners. Learn how to draw and paint, and coax your artist out of hiding. Create and feel comfortable with your equally ungifted classmates.

8 Wednesdays, 12:30 – 3:00 pm. Plus one free make-up session. $232.00 ($60 materials cost).

Classes are open-ended; you can join at any time

Instructor: Artist Bill Colrus

Call 203-689-5675 TO SAVE A SPOT

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FIGURE DRAWING
Saturdays, starting Jan. 9 - Mar. 5.  10:00 - 12:00
For aspiring illustrators and painters alike, from quick gestural sketches to detailed art, learn to draw convincing figures from observation and memory.  8 Saturdays, starting Jan. 9 - Mar. 5.  10:00 - 12:00 plus one free make-up session.  $192.00.

Instructor: Artist Bill Colrus

Call 203-689-5675 TO SAVE A SPOT

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SKETCHER’S TEA
ALL ARE WELCOME, BRING A FRIEND!

Saturday, January 23, 2016,
1:00-4:00 pm

Bring:  Your sketching supplies, some goodies and a tea cup, tea pot, tea cozy etc. to sketch.

Everyone is welcome from beginner to experienced.  This is not a class, just a fun mid-winter get together to enjoy sketching tea cups, tea pots and goodies while enjoying the company of other sketchers. The gallery will provide the tea.  Each sketcher is asked to bring a tea cup, a tea pot, or a tea cozy to sketch and a plate of scones, cookies, etc. to share.  Cost is $10. 

Instructor: Artist Jan Blencowe
Please email jan.blencowe@comcast.net to reserve your spot

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CAKE DECORATING FOR BEGINNERS

1:00 – 3:00 pm

Saturday’s: February 13^th, 20^th, and 27^th

Taught by experienced decorator and instructor Emy Triay

Learn the basic techniques for preparing, icing, and decorating cakes.  Cost: $54.00

Email Emy Triay to join at cakesandcakes@sbcglobal.net

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ARTISTS PAINTING TOGETHER

Every Monday starting Feb. 8

12:30 to 3:30 pm in the Laurel Ann Olcott Art Center at Clinton Art Gallery

Bring:  Your painting supplies, table easel

All artists at all levels are welcome.  This is a drop-in session; not a class; artists work on their own paintings or a still life set up in the classroom; critiquing at the end of each session for those who want to participate. Cost is $5 per session payable when you arrive.

Please email claudiavannes@aol.com to get your name on the list or if you have questions.

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INTRODUCTION TO ALTERED BOOK ART JOURNALING - two-day workshop with Jan Blencowe

Friday, March 4, 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday, March 5, 12:30 - 4:30 pm

This two-day workshop is an introduction for those new to art journaling, as well as those who are already involved with art journaling as a practice.

Art journaling is not about making art, it is about using the process of art making as a vehicle for creative inquiry, self-discovery and growth through a transformative and multifaceted art and life practice.  

Honor your experiences, deepen your understanding of the life journey you are on, explore your connection to your own stories, symbols and myths.  

Cost: $120

Instructor: Artist Jan Blencowe

To register email jan.blencowe@comcast.net 

limit 12 participants

Participants will learn to:

§   prepare an existing book structure for use as a journal

§   alter it through the process of visual journaling

§   set an intention as the foundation of a journal entry

§   create layered backgrounds

§   use various collage techniques

§   incorporate paint and collage together

§   incorporate words onto the journal page

All materials will be provided, participants are asked to bring with them collage materials such as: magazine pictures or words, scraps of decorative papers, copies of old photos, and any bits of ephemera, for example: receipts, ticket stubs, postcards. Bring anything that has meaning for you, is part of a story in your life or simply catches your eye for any reason, even if that reason is not clear to you at the moment. Collecting materials is an intuitive process. 

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ART RESOURCE CLUB - $25 for 5 weeks or $6 each time you come

    Watch Art Instruction Videos, Hosted by Artist Joan Handschumacher

    5 Tuesdays - February 2 - March 1, 12:30 - 3:30 PM

We will get together over a byo lunch and then watch and discuss an art instruction video. The gallery will provide coffee, tea, and cookies. We will have an assortment of videos available for watching at the gallery. Although some subjects may be relevant to all members, depending on member preferences, we may alternate between the various media - watercolor, acrylic/oil, pastel.

This group could end up to run indefinitely, especially as members may wish to share favorite DVD’s from their personal libraries. However, on March 8, 15, 22, and 29, we will plan to attend the Galleries in Motion series of art lectures on Tuesday afternoons at the Guilford and Madison libraries.

To obtain more information and/or to register, email handschuj2@gmail.com

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Hammonasset on Christmas Day in 62 degree weather

Five of us painted at East Beach at Hammonasset Dec 25.  There were hundreds of people running, biking, walking, many with dogs happy to be out, and the mood was indeed festive.  Jay, Betsey, Diana, Cheryl, and I each found different views to paint while still remaining within relative shouting distance.  This is an area that has no shade so in the hot summer sun, it would not be a desirable venue, however, I won't forget the area for spring and fall paint outs.  Plus there's Middle Beach which also has some nice perspectives.

And four of us painted Wednesday on the Guilford Green, though by noon the wind had made the day quite chilly.  Didn't get photos from Wed but below are the photos from today.

It doesn't look like there will be any good days to paint next week, with much cooler temps and a possible wintry mix one day.  So cheers, everyone, for a great year of plein air painting.

Stay tuned for that post-snow day in 2016 with bright sun, no wind, and 40 degree temps for a call to paint, either from Jay or me.

Happy New Year!

Sally

Dudley Farm Dec 16

This still may be not be the last paint out of the year.  Next Tuesday, Dec 22, is looking good for mild weather, 54 degrees, albeit cloudy.  Let's meet at the Guilford Green as long as there's no rain.  Same time, 11-2, and then go to Cilantro's to celebrate the winter solstice.  From there on, days get longer.

Eight artists (Bev, Jay, Betsey, Diana, Cheryl, Rosanne, Ed, Sally) had a very enjoyable day at Dudley Farm.  Winds were not what was predicted and being in the sun was actually too warm when dressed in heavy winter garb.

Will we ever tire of painting at Dudley Farm?  I have been in touch with the president of Dudley Farm Association about an artist fund-raiser for the old barn restoration project.  We don't want that barn to collapse on those lovable sheep, do we?  Janet Dudley will follow up on this in the new year.  Would you be willing to donate a portion of the sale of one (or more) of your Dudley Farm paintings towards the barn project fund?

Sally

Essex @ 60 degrees on Dec 15, 2015

There were seven (Betsey, Cheryl, Beverly, Ed, Tina, Jay, Sally) who painted in Essex with little puffs of wind now and then and warm temperatures.

Betsey, Cheryl, and I painted off the beaten path after obtaining permission from a dock manager.  I doubt this spot would be available at any other time of the year.   It's next to the Corinthian Yacht Club and I have been chased out of the latter area in the winter when I was bird watching.  

Jay painted at the end of Main St and Beverly was by the CT River Museum.  Ed and Tina painted streetscapes.  

Next week doesn't look good for painting outdoors.  

Happy Holidays!

Sally 

Beautiful day at Essex Dec 10

There were five painters (Rosanne, Anne, Marge, Cheryl, Sally) who showed up at the little park in Essex.  We were so fortunate to be outside enjoying painting on this incredible day.  I stayed till almost 3.  Cheryl and I then visited the new gallery on Main St.  This is the 4th iteration.  Let's hope this is a lucky four.  Next time you're in Essex, visit the Cooper and Smith gallery. It's filled with wonderful and interesting art.

The forecast for next week is in the mid 50s with Tuesday and Wednesday looking like the best days.

Sally