"Good composition is like a suspension bridge--each line adds strength and takes none away." Robert Henri

To design a bridge one must know and use timeless proven principles and best practices. To paint a strong painting that transports the viewer from where they stand to where you want them to go, the artist must know and utilize the time-honored principles and best practices of composition. I continue to learn both the fundamentals of good composition and the best ways of using them in my paintings. I am not a master, I am a serious student. And I will teach you what I have learned.

This two-hour workshop is a primer for the principles and best practices of composition for two-dimensional, visual art. We will talk mostly about watercolor, but these principles apply to other media such as oil and pastel with a focus on landscape painting. Join us if you want to learn . . .

* How to choose and photograph a scene for a strong start

* The four-letter word no one wants to talk about

* Four lines that will improve any composition

* Executing the first, and perhaps most important, line on your paper

* How to use and manipulate both the "Rule of Thirds" and the "Rule of Threes"

* 8 ways to make your center of interest more compelling

* How to improve your painting with a little difference in the sameness

* The value of providing an entrance to your painting

* Examples and samples of classic compositions that have worked for master artists through the ages

* Ways to "fix" a "bad" painting

This two-hour workshop is offered Thursday, October 28, 7 to 9 PM, via Zoom. A link will be sent to you after registration and payment. Cost for the on-line workshop is $30.

A similar three-hour workshop is scheduled PRIOR TO THIS on September 23 from 1 to 4 PM (Mtn) via Zoom. Please see www.artbylinden.com/workshops

The Gunnison Arts Center is presenting a unique show….all works on paper, unframed art for sale at (because It’s unframed) reasonable prices. Artists of the Gunnison Valley are Susan Crawford (CWS member), Debby Phelps (CWS member), Chris Miller, and Patricia Amlin.

it is on display the whole month of August.

Cherry Hills Village Watercolor Exhibit Sponsored by CHV Art Commission and juried by Boris Shoshensky Enter paintings of Colorado Landscape only. They will be on exhibit Nov. - May at Cherry Hills Village City Hall. Awards will be: Best of Show $1000, 1st $600, 2nd $500, 3rd $400, and People’s Choice in monetary prizes. 10% must be donated to CHV Art Commission. Entry Deadline: Aug. 16, 2021 by 4:30 pm Notification: Sept. 1, 2021. Jpegs of entry sent to: jsager@cherryhillsvillage.com The painting must have been painted within the last year, have been in no previous shows, must be a Colorado Landscape, be titled, have a description and vision statement, your name, price, phone number, and location of painting. If accepted, if must be in a light colored frame with white or off white matting, only watercolor, must be an original from your photos or plein air, AND must not be larger than 16W by 20H framed! No exceptions!

PAINT OUT at Aspen Grove Paint Out Competition at Aspen Grove Shopping Center 7301 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton CO 80120 Info@AspenGroveCenter.com Event Date: June 19, 2021 10am – Noon (Check-in begins at 9:00 at ROX Arts Gallery) Entry Deadline: June 15, 2021 Entry Fee: $25 per participant (Fee is non-refundable. All fees will support the cash prizes) Registration Site: RoxArtsGallery.com (and promoted on AspenGroveCenter.com/paintout) Media: Paint, pastel, ink, graphite, colored pencil (please no photography, 3-dimensional or sculpture) Images: One piece per person Requirements: All pieces must be on a stiff backing, with a frame or matt, acceptable for display on easels or easily hung and will be available for sale. See additional notes below. Overview: Calling all Plein Air artists! Saturday, June 19 from 10am – Noon, artists are invited to come paint at Aspen Grove shopping center, Littleton’s fresh air shopping destination, for a quick draw competition. This community center offers modern agrarian architecture, abundant flowers, an urban atmosphere and is working to foster a focus on art! Bring your paints and easels and find your perfect landscape. Shoppers are invited to observe the artists as they create. At 2pm, an expert juror will award cash prizes to three stand out paintings. All paintings will be available for sale that day and on the ROX Arts Gallery website through June 30, 2021! Come enjoy a day painting in the outdoors and the chance to win! This event is co-hosted by Aspen Grove shopping center and ROX Arts Gallery. All registration funds received above the cost of the event, will be contributed to Roxborough Arts Council, a 501C3 supporting arts involvement in the local community. Artwork: All canvases or paper must be stamped at check in. Art can be representational or abstract. Entries must be original, entirely the work of the artist, and checked in on June 19 before 1pm. All participating pieces should be presented in a finished, professional manner including a frame or matt for display. Aspen Grove and ROX Arts Gallery reserve the right to disqualify any selected entry upon arrival that does not meet the requirements or is deemed unsuitable for display. No artwork may be removed from the exhibit prior to the close of the exhibition at 3pm, including sold art. Purchased art may be collected from ROX Arts Gallery following the event. Aspen Grove is not responsible for damaged or missing art pieces. Each piece will be displayed for sale with title, artist’s name, and price. Interested customers can contact ROX Arts Gallery for purchase. A 15% commission will be contributed to support the non-profit cause of ROX Arts Gallery, please price work accordingly. Checks for any sold art, will be mailed by July 15, 2021. Rights for photo representation and reuse of all art will be maintained by Aspen Grove for the use of event promotion. Awards: Best in Show: $300 First Place: $150 Second Place: $50 Three prizes will be awarded. All prizes will be determined by the designated juror. Prizes will be announced at 2pm on June 19, 2021. Timeline: MAY 1 - Registration open on AspenGroveCenter.com/paintout (click through to Rox) JUNE 15 - Registration deadline 5pm 19 – Event 10am – Noon (Registration at 9:00am ROX Arts Gallery) 9:00 Registration 10-12 Paint Out 12-1 Submittal of Art 1-2 Judging and Photos 2 Awards /Sales 30 – Online gallery sales close at ROX Arts Gallery JULY 15 Checks sent for all salesJuror: Victoria Kwasinski Victoria Kwasinski holds a BFA from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design where she graduated class valedictorian. She has over thirty years of experience as a Professional Artist and has worked as a Corporate Graphic Artist, Freelance Illustrator, Gallery Owner, Fine Artist, Art Instructor. Ms. Kwasinski has been teaching drawing and painting extensively throughout the Denver Metropolitan area since 1996. She serves as juror for exhibitions and holds critiques and demonstrations for a variety of arts organizations. As a juror, she looks for work that has sound art principles that include good color, value, composition, design, and technique. Awards are chosen based on these principles, as well as those works that express the artist’s unique voice, create a sense of wonder, and invite the viewer to be involved in the work

https://www.foothillsartcenter.org/calendar/cafe-nunn

CaFe- Flowstate: A Watermedia Exhibit featuring Janet Nunn

Monday, February 1, 2021 7:30 PM 

Sunday, March 14, 2021 8:30 PM

Foothills Art Center was built upon a community of watermedia artists forming a coop to display and sell their work. Over the years FAC has created exhibitions in partnership with watermedia societies to continue to foster a love and appreciation for the complexities of watermedia. For 20 years Janet Nunn has been a foundational part of the watermedia community at FAC. As an educator she has inspired students to experiment and fall in love with art, building the most dedicated following of any teacher in FAC history. She has also been featured time and time again in various FAC exhibitions. With this show we would like to highlight her art, educational style and her students alongside an open call for watermedia artwork. 

As the first show in our Young Curator’s Series this exhibition will serve as an internship program for some local high school’s students to gain professional experience conceptualizing, designing, organizing and installing a fine art exhibition. Janet will serve as our professional watermedia expert and mentor the student’s through the process alongside FAC staff 

Deadline to Apply: March 14, 2021

Exhibition dates: April 23 to July 11

Join me for a new ZOOM Watercolor class for four consecutive Monday mornings beginning February. Time: 9:30 - 11:30 

                Dates: Feb. 15, March 1, March 8

• Class Session One (February 15): Achieving Depth in Landscapes–You’ll learn about and practice all the different aspects of achieving depth in your landscapes, whether plein air, or from photos. You’ll have tips and tricks and all the tools you need for spectacular watercolor landscapes.
• Class Session Two (February 22): Don’t Be Afraid of the Water–You’ll learn about and practice all the ways to be successful when you paint water, whether it’s a rushing stream or a peaceful lake.
• Class Session Three (March 1): Head Painting–You’ll learn about and practice what it takes to make a beautiful portrait, whether it’s a rough cowboy or a pretty girl or a baby. You’ll come away confident that you can paint beautiful portraits of your family and friends.
• Class Session Four (March 8): Animals!–Let’s learn how to paint fur, and hair, whether it’s smooth or fluffy or shaggy, black or white. You’ll be confident when you paint your pet or your friends’ pets for a gift.

Register HERE

Carol Newsom

carol@newsomart.com      303-257-0142