"Discovery Art Workshop" at SeaView Gallery!

At the end of June we had a successful Art Workshop, held over two days in my studio at SeaView Gallery in Ballycastle. I had the pleasure of hosting this event for four wonderful, very talented, lovely ladies. Apart from all the laughter and dry wit, we had fun dabbling and experimenting with a fairly wide range of mediums - hence the Workshop being named "Discovery Art". The whole idea was to give everyone a chance to step outside their normal painting comfort zone and 'discover' what was possible by utilising different styles and mediums.

To the best of my knowledge, my "students" not only enjoyed the two days, but actually learned a few things along the way! Pretty amazing when you take into consideration that three of the ladies are elected members of the "Ulster Society of Women Artists" [uwa] and, all four are accomplished artists!

You know 'that' feeling when something finally works out [or not] the way you want it to!

We started Day One with a fun exercise - spending the morning painting individual interpretations of the proverbial apple, using watercolour. The end results were amazingly different, and entirely a result of four very personal painting styles. It just proves how variable the 'eye of the artist' really is! After lunch the ladies started on a painting of their own chosen subject, each with a different medium and style - we had everything from fine art realism to loose impressionism. I, of course, tried not to bore anyone with the mini demos and 'technical-type talks' in between! Day Two saw a continuation of the ladies' work, interrupted for tea/coffee/lunch and another mini acrylic seascape demo by yours truly. The Workshop ended with four really impressive paintings [not forgetting the 'apple' interpretations as well]. I wanted everyone to pose with their work so I could take a pic for the record... SO....after some pleading, encouragement [and even more hilarity] here are the results. Of course I only told everyone I was going to post their pics online, AFTER I took them!

I so enjoyed these two days and look forward to meet up with the ladies in the near future!

PUPPIES and PAINTINGS

Well, it's been REALLY far too long since my last post and I've probably lost you [wonderful followers] as a result.  However, since I will be posting regularly from now on, I am hoping that some of you will drop by again?

It's not been particularly hectic [in the studio] since the start of the new year, but rather, it's been slow and steady as I completed several commissions.  This is why I haven't been posting...

In approximately two or three weeks, we'll be adding a new ball of fur to our family.... his name is "Bruno Bournville" [just Bruno for short] - he is the puppy at the top right in the photo above....isn't he just so cute?  Bruno and his four sisters and one brother are about 8 weeks old in this photo.  They are growing so quickly now and even a few days brings big changes.

Bruno is a chocolate labrador, the same as his Mummy and Daddy.  Every time I've been to visit, he has snuggled up under my chin and gone to sleep!  Can you imagine how utterly adorable it is to have a warm puppy curl up on your shoulder [I just wonder if he will want to do the same when he's fully grown - yikes]?!

Mika, our German Shepherd, will be over the moon when Bruno comes home - another little soul for her to follow around, play with and 'mother'.... poor pup will constantly have soggy ears because Mika is a very 'licky' dog!  On the other hand, Mugsie our Havana cat, will probably NOT be so happy to see Bruno - at nearly 17 years old I guess he's allowed to be grumpy - I anticipate he will retreat to the safety of upstairs for a while.  After our beloved black labrador, Cody, died of cancer seven years ago, Mugsie was really depressed - he wouldn't come downstairs.  It was a stand-off between us but eventually I had to take his food/water/cat litter up, and, because he wasn't exercising at all, he got SO fat that he looked like a sausage with four toothpicks stuck in it!

I am looking forward to have to work around TWO furry bodies at my feet in the studio instead of just one - how wonderful it's going to be! 

Please do come back to join me to find out how [and WHAT] Bruno, Mika and Mugsie are doing..........

NEW WORK

Good morning!

I am about to start a new painting, simply entitled "SEASCAPE".
At each relevant stage I'll take a photo and, upon completion, will post  the FREE DEMO here. 

Hopefully it will be helpful for other artists who want to either start or perhaps improve their seascapes.

so WATCH THIS SPACE!
Happy painting everyone........................................

NEW TUITION SCHEDULE for 2012 - 2013

Just announcing the new 2012 - 2013 schedule 

 WATERCOLOUR CLASSES, WORKSHOPS & DEMOs:

TUTOR: Edith McClelland aea uswa wcsi

all enquiries/bookings through website please

<www.emcclellandart.com>

"WATERCOLOUR YOUR WAY"

at SeaView Gallery Studio 

[maximum 4 students per class]

Two classes each Tuesday [2 sessions per day]  

11.00am-1.00pm AND 3.00pm-5.00pm

Who would be likely to benefit from these classes? 
Beginners, intermediate and even more advanced level students who can expect to receive individual tuition within the group in a relaxed and fun environment. This class will benefit those students who are serious about advancing their art.

What will we do in class?
We will cover all aspects of this exciting medium, including materials, colour theory, tonal values and composition with strong emphasis on developing each student's individual style of painting.

Cost per student:  £56 [for four 2 hour sessions] payable in advance.
Price includes tuition and Class Notes [but not materials which would be extra if required] as well as tea/coffee & biscuits.

"FUN WITH WATERCOLOUR" 

at SeaView Gallery Studio

[maximum 4 students per class]

Ongoing classes each Thursday

2.30pm-4.30pm

Who would be likely to benefit from these classes?
Students who want to go beyond the traditional and be more experimental, pushing  the boundaries of watercolour.

What will we be doing in class?
This fun class will involve splattering, pouring and just otherwise exploring the medium.  We will experiment with different types of salt, cling film, paper towels, block printing, tinfoil and various other everyday objects.

Cost per student:  £56 [for four 2hr. sessions] payable in advance.
Price includes tuition, Class Notes, plus some materials for the first session only and tea/coffee & biscuits.

"ONE DAY WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOP"

at SeaView Gallery Studio

[maximum 4 students per workshop]

Full Day [10.00am-5.00pm] 

scheduled upon request

What will we be doing in this workshop?
Introductions over morning tea/coffee and biscuits will break the ice, after which there will be an interactive demo of our chosen watercolour subject.  Students will then work on a painting of their own choice.  There will be a lot of personal tuition in this relaxed fun workshop.

What can I expect to achieve in this workshop?
Students will benefit from the intensive study of their chosen subject and near one-on-one tuition.  There is great pleasure in working together in such an interactive exercise and the exchange of ideas will be beneficial. Students can expect to learn as they have fun.

Cost per student:  £55
Price includes demo, tuition, a light buffet lunch, tea/coffee & biscuits.  Students will bring their own materials [a list will be provided at time of booking].

"ONE DAY ART WORKSHOP"

at SeaView Gallery Studio

[maximum 4 students per workshop]

Full Day [10.00am-5.00pm]

scheduled upon request

What is this workshop all about?
The main difference in this workshop is that each student will be working with their preferred medium on a subject of their own choice.  Rather than watching a demo, students will spend the full day receiving intensive tuition in their chosen field in a relaxed fun environment.

What can I expect to benefit from this workshop?
As well as the near one-to-one tuition, students can expect to interact with the other participants, picking up a wealth of hints, tips and ideas on each of the mediums in use.

Cost per student:  £55
Price includes tuition, a light buffet lunch, tea/coffee & biscuits.  Students will bring their own materials [a list will be provided at time of booking].

"PAINTING DEMOs" & "ONE DAY WORKSHOPS"

can be arranged for art societies, institutes, schools or other groups

scheduled upon request

Cost  per Group Demo:  £90 per 2 hour session [minimum 2 hours]
plus mileage at £0.40p/mile and other materials will be extra [as agreed].

Cost per One Day Workshop:  £160 per person* - includes tuition, demo, 1 lunch and refreshments.  Materials not included and mileage at £0.40p/mile plus other expenses extra [as agreed].

* dependent upon venue.

"INDIVIDUAL ART TUITION"

at SeaView Gallery Studio

upon request

Tuition tailored to individual requirement

Tuition Cost:  £120* per student - full day tuition [6 hours]
                          £65* per student:  half day tuition [3 hours]

*Includes tuition, class notes, materials, light buffet lunch [for full day tuition   only] and tea/coffee & biscuits.

NEW WEBSITE and a new HOST!

Finally it's live.... my new website is now online

<www.emcclellandart.com>

After having to give up my last host package [sadly losing www.edithmcclelland.com as well] because of high costs, it took quite some time to select a new host package.  My main concern was not only the cost but most importantly, the software had to be user friendly so I could set up and run the site myself.

I can't recommend <www.webs.com> highly enough for simplicity of use.  Cost wise they're not over the top either!

I was so fed up with all those hosts who claimed their software was easy to use, only to find myself having to contact Customer Help and then having someone spout technical talk over my head!  Happy days then when I came across this new host - if you can read, you can use it!

Hope to have lots of  site visitors [perhaps even a few who want to sign up] who will come back often to see new work added.

Cheers!

Finished Painting & NEW WORK

Finished Work

Painting in Progress.... continued:

I laid several more glazes over the background to soften the overall effect and pull the Jug and Fruit into the foreground.

The Jug was treated to another glaze of reflected colour from the Grapes, Pear and background fabric.  It is now ready for framing.

NEW WORK

"Manchu Picchu Boy"

Transparent Watercolour on Arches 300lb paper

15 x 16.5ins [38 x 41.4cms]

This is one of two works just completed for exhibition at the Watercolour Society of Ireland's forthcoming 158th Annual Exhibition in Dublin.

Another new OIL PAINTING

This is another still life, using Vasari oils on 12x16" canvas board.  My medium of preference is M. Graham's Walnut Alkyd Oil and, of course, a selection of bristle and synthetic brushes.

Much of the painting was laid down thinly, wet into wet.  Subsequent layers and finishing details were glazed in once everything had dried.

OK, now that I have eaten all the fruit, this is the last of this series for the time being [except of course perhaps for the juicy pineapple I bought yesterday..... would be really good in watercolour!].

I will shortly start on some wildlife and landscape/seascape paintings next!