The first 3 hours.....

And here are the results!!! Stay tuned for next weeks 

final paintings

Wonderfully unique interpretations!

Drawing, value and color blocking produced some interesting results!

Expressive brushwork Workshop at Hidden Talent Art School

Another BIG step at the workshop!

We did it! Or at least we are half done- our Saturday workshop was so cool! We 'drew' directly onto the stained canvas and used the 'subtractive method' to remove all the lights. The 18 of us are going to finish a complex oil painting in less than 6 hours and have fun incorporating 'painterly brush strokes' too!

This direct style of painting is in sharp contrast to our indirect, monochromatic smooth surface painting that we excel at at Hidden Talent. This 'next step'  had the whole class excited. The results were more than I could have hoped for :0) . Just you wait until next Saturday!!!

SETH GODIN: SOME VERY WISE WORDS

The humility of the artist

It seems arrogant to say, "perhaps this isn't for you."
When the critic pans your work, or the prospect hears your offer but doesn't buy, the artist responds, "that's okay, it's not for you." She doesn't wheedle or flip-flop or go into high pressure mode. She treats different people differently, understands that she is working to delight the weird, not please the masses, and walks away.
Isn't that arrogant?
No. It's arrogant to assume that you've made something so extraordinary that everyone everywhere should embrace it. Our best work can't possibly appeal to the average masses, only our average work can.
Finding the humility to happily walk away from those that don't get it unlocks our ability to do great work.

Seth Godin  I have followed Seth's words of wisdom for a long time. Not only does he have interesting and inspiring comments on business, he makes business real in an everyday sense. He also reminds us inspiration, passion and uniqueness can make a huge difference in the world we live it. A slight change in attitude results in seeing yourself, you art and your live as an artist in an entirely new and meaningful way! No bad for a man known as a business guru! I encourage you to follow this wise man of our generation!

The Most Common Mistake Artists Make!

Painting lessons offer group support for Hidden Talent artists.

I personally know a few artists that have had a bit of success and suddenly-they know everything, they isolate themselves as though their good fortune might at any time be stolen by those artists around them. They are now beyond any critique and why would they have to go to any art lessons if they know everything??

Do you know one of these? I think it happens more in the art world than anywhere else. How sad!
THE BIGGEST MISTAKE AN ARTIST CAN MAKE IS TO LOSE THE DESIRE TO LEARN!

Wildlife artist at Hidden Talent

I have made it a mission to have a supportive, positive studio. I SHARE my secrets! Students are treated with respect and my ego is not running the classes. We all learn each day of our lives and it is so wonderful to share the majority of my day with fellow artists- very beginner to advanced! I see wonderful advances by a great number of my students- this is possible BECAUSE THEY KEEP COMING TO CLASS!

Students learn faster, develop great skill faster, make wonderful friendships and contacts, and enjoy more success! If it ain't broke- don't fix it! Experience has taught me that once out of the structure of a good class students tend to find less time to paint and all the other things in life take priority. They also DO NOT PROGRESS! Sure, you can paint at home, but without a neutral and experienced artist keeping you on your toes you do not grow. You do not discover the solution to a painting, or what app is best for drawing or how to sell a painting, etc.

Capturing color in a floral

Equine Commission work

Do not isolate your self- join an art class and learn not only from the instructor but the fellow students. Be open to try new ways to paint ( the experience alone energize your brain and help with your own art). Be willing to learn. I attended a workshop not long ago and one of the students did not even try to do what the guest instructor asked. The student merrily painted the same way they had always painted throughout the 4 days. Good money thrown away? To much ego? To afraid to become a beginner?? To good to have to learn???

Painted Israel and other exotic places

Bringing nature to life.

Painting the world!

Painting Italy 2013

All creature big and small!

Beyond decorator art

So, I am thrilled to have long time student artists at Hidden Talent! I encourage you to come by and see the amazing paintings these men and women produce. So many have learned soooo much and have attained wonderful skills and produced stunning works of art. As always though, there is so MUCH MORE TO LEARN! ( We will again be in the St. Albert Lifestyle expo in April with paintings on display). Here's to a great start in 2014!

NEW DAYS AND HOURS

Great oil paintings from Hidden Talent artists

 Come join us! We are eco friendly, non competitive, and have a lot of fun while painting extra ordinary works of art!!
As requested- here are the new times and day for the Winter session;

Wednesday  9:30-12:30 Jan. 15- Mar. 19

Friday          9:30-12:30 Jan. 17 to Mar. 2I

 Our regular class times can be found here

Register by calling 780-419-2055

MORE HIDDEN TALENT ART

A SAMPLE OF THE EXCELLENT OIL PAINTING DONE AT HIDDEN TALENT!

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HIDDEN TALENT ARTISTS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SHOW.

EVEN THE GOODIES WERE ARTISTIC

A FULL HOUSE AT OUR ART SHOW!

   

                  

   

IS IT TIME YET?

Artist of all ages at Hidden Talent Art School Christmas Show!

Why is it that we always put our creative needs last, like they are some sort of optional guilty pleasure?
This weird type of self denial really hit home last week. A friend of mine Pat Wagensveld had lost her battle with cancer. She fought hard , cramming every moment with goals and art and family. She was always planning and ready to mobile the art community, herself and others. As her pastor spoke of her as not gone but transformed into another essence, I reaffirmed that life itself was creativity.
To lose and find yourself at the same time through art is a blessing, a healing and renewal. It is just plain GOOD FOR YOU!
Ok, I will stop my little venture into the spiritual vortex.....
I am going to ask you why are you waiting? Why not pick up a brush and learn a new skill? Why not look at the world in a completely different way? Why not discover the 'artist's high'? ( if runner can have one, so can we!) Why not dedicate more time to the things that make you feel good?

When I think of all the wonderful artists that are at of Hidden Talent, I am humbled and amazed- the look of excitement, the puzzlement, the ah ha moment, the pride. Anything worth doing takes patience, desire, practice and a willingness to learn.
And that is all.
No talent.
No hereditary art gene.
And no excuses!Where could YOU be in one year?

Our private boat ride to Lenno and Villa Balbienello

The next day was sunny and warm- perfect for the short hop across the lake to see the market at Lenno and walk to Villa balbienello.
Lenno market was colorful!! Candy, shoes, under wear, barbq chickens,tablecloths- a  traveling Zellers complete with gypsy children playing music for a few euros.

Lenno Italy- some of the characters at the market...

Fresh everything at the Lenno market

Trip to Brunate in the Funicular

This is our trip to the town of Lake Como. We took the funicular to Brunate and enjoyed the viewand the church. We headed back down and has a free day to explore the shops and ruins in the ancient town center- one of the oldest inhabited settlements in northern Europe.

Hidden Talent Painting trip to Italy included the amazing Villa Carlotta- an artist's dream!

Lucky! Lucky!
This is the second year we went to Villa Carlotta -in FULL BLOOM and in the SUNSHINE! It's pretty much like winning the lottery twice.
The pink and purple azaleas blossoms are on bushes the size of small houses and are clearly visible from across the lake. There is great variety- from bamboo gardens and bonsai to a fragrant herb wall and turtles in a pool with Calla lilies.Needless to say we split up and proceeded to photograph everything that wasn't another tourist.

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The gardens of Villa Carlotta

 We spent the whole day touring around the grounds and ferried back to Belagio then back to Lezzeno for our chef cooked supper.

Always time for a quick watercolor sketch!

Paint in Italy- Varenna

Varenna is a painters paradise-one of the many places that begged to be painted on this  trip!

Next was a trip to the most beautiful town in Europe! Varenna never disappoints- even on a cloudy day. The colorful buildings, the mountain mists and the reflection in the Lake make this a perfect place to take out the paints and capture a moment in time.

Varenna- a short walk from the ferries along the lake take countless photographs!

A short walk past the gelato booths brings us to Villa Cyprese. Two minutes past that is Villa Monestero. Both are worthy of a day to explore.

Can't resist the urge to paint!

Roman landscape elements and informal gardens and orchards!