6 Hour Painting Workshop - the last few miniutes!!

mmmmmmmm
These results are from our second day-rich colors, varied brush strokes,no blending,painting wet on wet, good values and a lot of fun!!

                          

What a great Idea!

'Down Stream" Oil on canvas L.Watmough

How about an art show that ALL the artwork is for sale???
Duh, not to revolutionary but...Hidden Talent has always shown work for SHOW OR SALE. So many HT artists do not want to part with their art work. Definitely not ready to hand over their 'children' to someone, especially for money.

Some of the advanced students have no more room on their walls and have very wonderful artworks they are ready to part with, soooo.....
We are having an ART SHOW in March where all the eye candy on the wall will be for sale at very resonable price. They will all be originals, most oils and a variety of subjects.
Some of the confirmed artists are Sylvie Ferguson, Joan Stang, Wendy Pfeifer, Pearl Der, Jeannette Sommers and Sandy Topilko and Laura Watmough. 

Hanging starts next Monday! Spread the word!

Chaos Art!

What emerged from chaos this week!

I ran into a fellow who was making some 'cool' art! I had to chuckle because he was doing what most of us 'beginner' artists were doing in the 60's and 70's! Mom called it HIPPIE art and it was inventive, creative and just plain odd. You know- trees with plug ins, gnomes, elves, Yellow Submarine-ish weirdness.
So.....I started to throw paint across the canvas, splatter, color and just made a creative chaos. Low and behold I had to fiddle until an image appeared...here it is! My early years were not a waste! (teehee) I'll see if it was just a trip down memory lane or if I can repeat the process and experience another CHAOS PAINTING!!
Anyone else influenced by the kaleidoscope, doodle art, record covers of the 60's and 70's???

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