Today I was notified by Michaels Arts & Crafts that they are going to discontinue classes in their stores effective April 1, except for Wilton Cake Decorating classes.
To all my loyal students who have attended so many of my classes at Michaels, I thank you for your support. I will continue to teach at Paradise Valley College in north Phoenix, and I will try to find another location that is more convenient for those of you in Mesa.
I've been told that Michaels made this decision because of the cost associated with running class programs in their stores. While it may seem strange to those of us who buy so many class supplies at Michaels, I'm sure they have good reason. No doubt business is tough right now, as it is for every retailer.
If you want to voice your opinion with Michaels, visit their website and send an e-mail. It wouldn't hurt for them to know what their customers think about this.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
The Artist in Everyone
Some people think that art is only for "gifted" people, not for everyone. If I were to ask you, "Well then, do you think only gifted people can read or write?" How would you answer that question?
I've heard so many people (including my own mother) who say, "I can't even draw a stick person. I couldn't possibly learn to paint." I always try to change that perception when I talk to people by comparing it to learning to read or write.
Many years ago when I was going to start First Grade, I could hardly wait to go to school -- I really wanted to learn how to read. My dad had been sitting with me every afternoon to read the paper, and although I couldn't read it, I remember that I really wanted to learn!
I have a vivid memory of the first word I learned in First Grade -- it was "Look". For those of you who remember the Dick and Jane series of readers, there was a big poster in the classroom of Sally sitting at the bottom of the stairs. So why am I telling you this?
Just like reading and writing, I believe anyone can learn to paint, or do any other kind of art. It is not just for a gifted few. There are different degrees of reading and writing, just as there are different degrees of skill in painting. Just because I can't write a novel like John Grisham, it doesn't mean I can't write. And just because you may not have painted before, it doesn't mean you can't learn the skills to produce a good painting. Maybe it won't be the Mona Lisa, but it will be yours.
I really love to see people try something they never thought they could do. I love to teach beginner painters because it is so rewarding to see them discover they can actually do it, and there's no great mystery to it. Just like anything else, we have to learn the basic techniques and principles, and then we have to practice. I tell my students that their progress is completely dependent on their willingness to paint, and the effort they put into practicing the skills and techniques they learn.
And what's wrong with the "Sunday Painter" who just wants to paint as a hobby and never expects to be a professional artist? What a great way to get lost in time and forget about your cares for a little while. It's great therapy. I like to ride my bicycle around my neighborhood each day, and while I never expect to be a long-distance rider in those tight clothes, I can guarantee you I have just as much fun as they do (and maybe more!).
It's all about expanding our horizons and learning new things. I'm a firm believer in life-long learning, and painting is just one way to focus on something different for a while, learn a new skill, and make great friends in the process.
Winston Churchill was an avid amateur painter, and I love what he said about it: "Just to paint is great fun. The colours are lovely to look at and delicious to squeeze out. Matching them, however crudely, with what you see is fascinating and absolutely absorbing."
Give it a try sometime.
I've heard so many people (including my own mother) who say, "I can't even draw a stick person. I couldn't possibly learn to paint." I always try to change that perception when I talk to people by comparing it to learning to read or write.
Many years ago when I was going to start First Grade, I could hardly wait to go to school -- I really wanted to learn how to read. My dad had been sitting with me every afternoon to read the paper, and although I couldn't read it, I remember that I really wanted to learn!
I have a vivid memory of the first word I learned in First Grade -- it was "Look". For those of you who remember the Dick and Jane series of readers, there was a big poster in the classroom of Sally sitting at the bottom of the stairs. So why am I telling you this?
Just like reading and writing, I believe anyone can learn to paint, or do any other kind of art. It is not just for a gifted few. There are different degrees of reading and writing, just as there are different degrees of skill in painting. Just because I can't write a novel like John Grisham, it doesn't mean I can't write. And just because you may not have painted before, it doesn't mean you can't learn the skills to produce a good painting. Maybe it won't be the Mona Lisa, but it will be yours.
I really love to see people try something they never thought they could do. I love to teach beginner painters because it is so rewarding to see them discover they can actually do it, and there's no great mystery to it. Just like anything else, we have to learn the basic techniques and principles, and then we have to practice. I tell my students that their progress is completely dependent on their willingness to paint, and the effort they put into practicing the skills and techniques they learn.
And what's wrong with the "Sunday Painter" who just wants to paint as a hobby and never expects to be a professional artist? What a great way to get lost in time and forget about your cares for a little while. It's great therapy. I like to ride my bicycle around my neighborhood each day, and while I never expect to be a long-distance rider in those tight clothes, I can guarantee you I have just as much fun as they do (and maybe more!).
It's all about expanding our horizons and learning new things. I'm a firm believer in life-long learning, and painting is just one way to focus on something different for a while, learn a new skill, and make great friends in the process.
Winston Churchill was an avid amateur painter, and I love what he said about it: "Just to paint is great fun. The colours are lovely to look at and delicious to squeeze out. Matching them, however crudely, with what you see is fascinating and absolutely absorbing."
Give it a try sometime.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Plein Air Painting
Have you ever tried plein air painting? The French term "en plein air", meaning "in the open air", refers to people who go out on location to paint outdoors. The idea is that the outdoor light changes throughout the day, and it cannot be duplicated in studio painting. Plein air painting became popular with the French Impressionists in the 19th century, and it has become quite popular again, along with the surge in impressionistic painting.
I've done a little plein air painting, and I'd like to do more. Here in Arizona it's too hot to do it in the summer, but springtime is great. Last year I went on an outing with the Mesa Art League, and we painted in the desert at the Superstition Museum, at the foot of the Superstition Mountains. It was great fun, but what a challenge! The day was really windy and cold, and our easels kept blowing over. But the scenery was spectacular.
The day I went with the Mesa Art League I used oil paints; and they work well for plein air. Acrylics would dry very quickly outdoors in Arizona (as would watercolors), so that's a challenge. The next time I go, I think I'll try pastels -- they're lightweight to carry, and I won't have to be concerned about long or slow drying time.
There are several companies that specialize in making supplies for plein air painting. Everything needs to be lightweight and compact, since it usually requires at least some moderate hiking. You don't want to carry 50 pounds of art supplies! I've purchased a small, lightweight Pochade Box that only weighs about five pounds. I have a small covered palette that fits inside the Thumb Box for my paints, and I can even fit small 5x7 watercolor cards or canvas in it! It's very clever, and it all fits inside a backpack.
The company that sells the Thumb Box is Judson's Plein Air Outfitters (Guerilla Painter) in Colorado -- check them out. They also have larger pochade boxes to accommodate larger-size supports; but they're all fairly light-weight.
A little bit of history on the Pochade Box (Pochade is a French word meaning "quick sketch"): I believe this also came from the Impressionist painters, who needed a lightweight box to carry their art supplies. They took cigar boxes and cut a hole in the bottom for the thumb to hold the box (like holding a palette) -- hence the name Thumb Box. Sometimes the word Pochade refers to a small painting that was done all at once (alla prima).
I think everyone should try plein-air painting at least once in their life -- it is the most fun!
I've done a little plein air painting, and I'd like to do more. Here in Arizona it's too hot to do it in the summer, but springtime is great. Last year I went on an outing with the Mesa Art League, and we painted in the desert at the Superstition Museum, at the foot of the Superstition Mountains. It was great fun, but what a challenge! The day was really windy and cold, and our easels kept blowing over. But the scenery was spectacular.
The day I went with the Mesa Art League I used oil paints; and they work well for plein air. Acrylics would dry very quickly outdoors in Arizona (as would watercolors), so that's a challenge. The next time I go, I think I'll try pastels -- they're lightweight to carry, and I won't have to be concerned about long or slow drying time.
There are several companies that specialize in making supplies for plein air painting. Everything needs to be lightweight and compact, since it usually requires at least some moderate hiking. You don't want to carry 50 pounds of art supplies! I've purchased a small, lightweight Pochade Box that only weighs about five pounds. I have a small covered palette that fits inside the Thumb Box for my paints, and I can even fit small 5x7 watercolor cards or canvas in it! It's very clever, and it all fits inside a backpack.
The company that sells the Thumb Box is Judson's Plein Air Outfitters (Guerilla Painter) in Colorado -- check them out. They also have larger pochade boxes to accommodate larger-size supports; but they're all fairly light-weight.
A little bit of history on the Pochade Box (Pochade is a French word meaning "quick sketch"): I believe this also came from the Impressionist painters, who needed a lightweight box to carry their art supplies. They took cigar boxes and cut a hole in the bottom for the thumb to hold the box (like holding a palette) -- hence the name Thumb Box. Sometimes the word Pochade refers to a small painting that was done all at once (alla prima).
I think everyone should try plein-air painting at least once in their life -- it is the most fun!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Hello and Welcome!
Welcome to Stevie Paints, a blog for people who love to paint (whether or not you're any good at it). I teach painting classes in Arizona, and I'm always amazed at how many people want to learn to paint.
Do you need an artistic talent to learn to paint? Absolutely not! It does help if you're one of those naturally-gifted people with great talent for painting, but most of us are not that way. So for the rest of us, it just means a lot of hard work -- like most other things in life. The more time and effort you put into it, the better you'll be.
I'm a certified Bob Ross instructor (Landscape, Floral and Wildlife painting); and I also teach acrylic and watercolor. While I do have many regular students, my classes are designed for beginners to participate as well.
I believe painting is for everyone -- just like reading and writing. While some artists make fun of the Bob Ross method of painting, but I can tell you from my own teaching experience that I've introduced many people to painting through the Bob Ross method; and many have gone on to study more traditional forms of painting. The Bob Ross method is the best I've found to teach people the basics of painting. I have a great respect for Bob Ross. He motivated people to try something they never thought they could do.
This Blog is for my students, and for anyone else who wants to learn more about painting or share their ideas. And if you're ever in the Mesa, Arizona area, I hope you'll come to one of my painting classes!
Do you need an artistic talent to learn to paint? Absolutely not! It does help if you're one of those naturally-gifted people with great talent for painting, but most of us are not that way. So for the rest of us, it just means a lot of hard work -- like most other things in life. The more time and effort you put into it, the better you'll be.
I'm a certified Bob Ross instructor (Landscape, Floral and Wildlife painting); and I also teach acrylic and watercolor. While I do have many regular students, my classes are designed for beginners to participate as well.
I believe painting is for everyone -- just like reading and writing. While some artists make fun of the Bob Ross method of painting, but I can tell you from my own teaching experience that I've introduced many people to painting through the Bob Ross method; and many have gone on to study more traditional forms of painting. The Bob Ross method is the best I've found to teach people the basics of painting. I have a great respect for Bob Ross. He motivated people to try something they never thought they could do.
This Blog is for my students, and for anyone else who wants to learn more about painting or share their ideas. And if you're ever in the Mesa, Arizona area, I hope you'll come to one of my painting classes!
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