New Basic Decorative Painting Technique Classes

Basic Techniques Yellow Daisy clock Session 1

Basic Techniques
Yellow Daisy clock
Session 1

I’ve designed a new series of workshops to introduce basic decorative painting in acrylic techniques to new painters, but they will also be good technique refreshers and enhancers to you experienced painters. Each painter will be encouraged to work at their own level. 

Individuals have been asking me about learning more basic technique to establish a good foundation for our decorative painting. There are some beginning level techniques that our paintings are base upon knowing and we will be covering this information in these classes as well as using them.

These classes are especially designed for those of you who have asked about starting basic technique classes.  In each class we’ll work on specific skills and paint a subject that involves that skill. It’s best if you can take the workshops in order but not imperative.  Each session will build on previously sessions.  We’ll complete a small painting in each class. 

Classes start in July.


More information…

Invite Liz to teach for your Chapter

Invite me to teach for your Chapter.

I’d love to visit you and share any of my knowledge about art and design.  I am a DecoArt Helping Artist and DecoArt graciously provides paint and products for us to use during my seminars.

Check out details of my travel teaching information and see project samples.

Contact me!

Under The Maple Liz Miller CDA

Under The Maple
Liz Miller CDA

It’s June at Artful Endeavors

Night Vision workshop

Night Vision workshop

June 2013 started with a hot day outside and some cool painting inside the studio.  We had a lively group of painters here on Sunday painting stormy skies of Night Vision: learning, laughing, and scheduling more workshops for the summer.  Students left the studio commenting on how much they learned from this class.

Cobalt and Hydrangeas

Cobalt and Hydrangeas

On Aug 31 the students have schedule for me to teach my Cobalt and Hydrangeas design. This will be the last time I can teach this design for the year so be sure to join us in Aug.

I’ve been busy painting upcoming projects for workshops. I finished my Rope Swing design for our Summer’s End ArtFling.  I’ve been wantign to paint mist and have had a request for a weeping willow. Here I’ve combined them both for what I think is a nostalgic painting bringing back memories of early morning  from younger days.  I’ve designed this painting for all levels, so no prior painting experience is required, but always appreciated.  Gail has become a Gelli printing addict and she is planning to share her Gelli passion with us. Each participant will get their own Gelli plate to experiment with and keep. You’ll mono-print on fabric as well as paper.  Find more information and register here!

Bodie Lighthouse at Sunrise

Bodie Lighthouse at Sunrise

The Bodie Lighthouse was another of my recent paintings. This is one of the 3 hr workshops coming up June 21, either day or evening, your choice. No experience needed to join us for one of these workshops.  Supplies and surface is included.  Register now!

Starting this Wed evening we will paint the Susan Crouch Watercolor Sheep.   This will be a 2 week class June 5 & 12, starting at 5:30p until 9p so that we’ll finish in the 2 weeks.  We’ll have fun exploring new watercolor techniques for novice watercolor enthusiasts.  Register now.

Our seminar with Ros is approaching quickly. We still have seats for most days.  Mabry’s Mill is full on Tue,

Garden Cart

Garden Cart

but I am keeping a wait list and if we get enough interest on the wait list we can see about adding another class.  More information and registration!

 

Registration is open for our seminar with Kathie George, Nov 11, 12, & 13 and we have an exciting assortment of projects chosen.  We’ll create a trendy watercolor Shell Weave using cheese cloth for an interesting effect in our paintings.  We’re also

Shell Weave Watercolor with cheese cloth accents.

Shell Weave
Watercolor with cheese cloth accents.

painting a batik, Cat in the Snow, who is actually my cat from a photo that I took in the 70s.  How “cool” is that.  Then there is the Ducks in a Row, my personal favorite, using powdered inks for a very interesting effect.  Leave it to Kathie to keep coming up with exciting new techniques for us.   Register now!

Gail and I are ready for our Summer’s End ArtFling, Aug 17 & 18.  We’re asking everyone to register by July 31 so that we can make sure to have all the supplies ready for class.  Plan to join us for some Gelli-licious, paintabulously, creative fun.  Register now!

Gelli Class Summer ArtFling 2013

Gelli Class
Summer ArtFling 2013

 

My next trip to Litchford Falls Healthcare and Rehab Center to demonstrate for the residents is coming up June 13, 2p,  if anyone would like to accompany me. I have a following of residents that join me each month to make suggestions and approve my painting. This is a very rewarding trip for me, sharing my love of painting, and giving back to our community. And enjoying some special people I’ve met there.

My vacation is coming up the last week of June. It’s time to study the ocean waves, sand dunes, and coastal skies, just for reference of course.  So no classes June 23 – 30!

Be sure to check the schedule for updates and additions. We’re being creative with our class times this summer so double check hours too. So much to paint and so little time.

Paintingly,

Liz

 

Summer’s End ArtFling with Gail Schmidt and Liz Miller

Summer’s End ArtFling at Artful Endeavors  

with Gail Schmidt and Liz Miller     Aug 17, & 18, 2013, 9a-5p  

 

Gail Schmidt (my very good friend) from Shabby Cottage Studio and Creative Workshops online classes and I are teaming up again this summer to bring you an exciting Aug weekend workshop/retreat at Artful Endeavors.

 

Gail will teach some splendid Gelli design techniques. Each participant with get their own Gelli mat. I’ve seen her working sample and I want to do that! Just so you know, Gail is artistically fearless and has an awesome design sense that she willingly shares. We always learn so much and have such fun with Gail. She is very creatively inspiring.

I will bring some fabulous different painting techniques including an original new design never before offered.

Saturday: Mixed Media  Get Your Gelli On!  With Gail Schmidt

Gelli Class Summer ArtFling 2013

Gelli Class
Summer ArtFling 2013

Come join me for a day of immediate gratification with some of the most art fun you’ll ever experience without using a brush or a palette. We work with the Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate that allows for some fabulous monoprinting results without a press. The results are always spontaneous, always a surprise.

Absolutely no experience is needed and you will be amazed at the gorgeous prints you create. The Gel Printing Plate and brayer needed for this technique is included in the price of the class and is yours to keep when the class is done.

Be careful though…this form of art has been known to be highly addictive and

stress relieving.  Sometimes art just needs to be about play and Gelli printing is all about play!   

 I promise it will be a blast!  Gail

$145 includes Gel Plate, brayer, and most supplies.

 

Sunday: Acrylic Painting  Rope Swing   With Liz Miller

 

Rope Swing Summer ArtFling 2013

Rope Swing
Summer ArtFling 2013

In our acrylic class we’ll create the effect of a misty background with a tree swing waiting to invite you to join the unfolding story.  We’ll learn to create atmosphere and texture on canvas with our acrylic products as we develop the feeling of anticipation in our painting.

No prior experience is needed (although always appreciated) to join us for this nostalgic painting.  Liz

$85 includes 12 x 12” canvas, paints, and products.

Register Now!

Registration is open for our Nov seminar with Kathie George

We have our dates.  We have our paintings chosen. And we’re excited!  Registration is now open for our Nov 11, 12, & 13 seminar with Kathie George. I’m excited to show you photos of our projects that encompass watercolor, batik, and mixed media, all wonderful imaginative designs. Plan to spend all 3 days with us or register for a single day.

Ducks in a Row Mixed Media with powdered dyes.

Ducks in a Row
Mixed Media with powdered dyes.

Kathie George is an award winning artist who’s work is primarily watermedia or collage, but she is best known for her watercolor batik on rice paper. Kathie is very willing to share her techniques and knowledge in a patient and student oriented style.

These classes are appropriate for all levels of painters, each person gaining from the learning experience.  Supplies and papers will be offered by Artful Endeavors.  We make everything easy for you to participate in Kathie’s classes.

Shell Weave Watercolor with cheese cloth accents.

Shell Weave
Watercolor with cheese cloth accents.

Mark your calendar and register now!  To register and for more information.

Cat in the Snow

Cat in the Snow

Going to the Beach

The sea breeze must be reaching all the way to the Triangle because we’ve had lots of painters registering for our beach related classes. I’m right there with the rest of you, dreaming of some leisure

Beach Time 3 hr workshop

Beach Time
3 hr workshop

time at the beach.

The Beach Time, 3 hr workshop has been quite popular, and we have painters attending the day class and more for the evening class. What can be more fun that painting the coast.  No prior experience is needed but also fun for those of you who already paint.

Register now!

In Cary we’re getting ready to paint one of Ros Stallcup’s wharf designs with a long fishing pier on a misty coast.  Ros is a master at coastal themed paintings. Always fun for us to paint too.

Wharf A Ros Stallcup design

Wharf
A Ros Stallcup design

Register now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have just finished the colored pencil design for our workshop on May 15.  We’re “painting” one of Janelle Johnson’s Great Blue Heron. It was lots of fun and an excellent basic colored pencil lesson. We’ll learn the basic strokes and blending while creating a fun piece of art.  If you’ve wanted to try colored pencil join us for some new techniques.

Register now!

Great Blue Heron Colored Pencil a Janelle Johnson design

Great Blue Heron
Colored Pencil
a Janelle Johnson design

Ros’ paintings are at the studio for you to see.  And they look like so much fun to paint.  Ros designed these just for us and we’ll be the first to paint them. Registration is open for the July whole week or single days. I have our surfaces for purchase and have you prep ready for you. Register for Ros’ seminar now.

We have lots more exciting workshops and classes starting soon, so plan to join us at Artful Endeavors.  Visit our class schedule pages to see more information.  All classes except our Tue evening Cary class are held in our Raleigh studio on Sawmill Rd.

Come paint with us!

Liz

 

Our Latest Paintings for Upcoming Classes

 

Here are my latest paintings for our upcoming classes at Artful Endeavors.  Here’s your chance to join us.

 

Beach Time 3 hr workshop

Beach Time
3 hr workshop

May 10, Beach Time.  $34. One of our 3 hr workshops where we complete a painting in one class.  This time we’re painting a bit of warm weather at the beach with this weathered post waiting for a sea gull’s landing.  My version of a Ros Stallcup design. There are day and evening options.  And no prior experience is required.

Register Now! More information…

 

 

 

Wharf A Ros Stallcup design

Wharf
A Ros Stallcup design

April 30, May 7, & 21.  Wharf.  A moody Ros Stallcup design with a little extra texture.  Our Cary class has been waiting for this painting.

Register Now!

 

What We’re Painting in April at Artful Endeavors

Spring is finally here! I was away April’s first weekend and when I returned, spring had happened. The wisteria, forsythia, monarda and lots of other plants have busted into bloom.  NC is looking very colorful right now. And after the rains the last weeks we’re looking very green, all the lively, fresh, spring greens. I love to see all these different shades of green. Now I would like to see a little more rain to wash away some of the yellow pollen.

Speaking of being away the other weekend, Gail and I took a long over due get-away-trip to Nashville TN to Art Is You, art retreat, and had a wonderful time. I thought I would enjoy my 2 classes but was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed them.  What fun, doing something totally different and learning new skills.  Did you see the photos from my last post? There you’ll see my sculpted doll, Maureen I named her, and my wild Baba Yaga birdhouse. I’ve had such fun showing them off. Now I want to do more………….  Gail and I had a chance to catch up with each other, share an art experience, and meet lots of new friends and some that we had just known over the computer. Nice to put a face with the text.

The theme that kept coming up at the retreat was that it’s not about finishing a project that’s so important to our creative souls, but the creative process. That’s been on my mind a lot recently even before AIY. I have so many not yet finished paintings and some of them I am not interested in finishing because I’m at a different place in my artistic journey. I’ve progressed in my art knowledge, technique, and, most importantly, what excited and inspires me. So, it’s OK if I paint over something and start a new painting. Now that liberating.  I hope my students are learning, stretching and are motivated to try new processes or go further with what intrigues them.  I’ll still rejoice with them when they finish a painting too.

Ros Stallcup’s samples are at the studio! Her paintings are wonderful. It’s always such a treat to see what she creates from our vague ideas from the previous summer. Come by the studio to see these beautiful paintings, register, and/or pick up your prep and surfaces.  I do have surfaces for sale and they are at the studio.

Register now and see larger photos!

Mabry's Mill/Tuesday

Mabry’s Mill/Tuesday

Crepe Myrtle/Sunday

Crepe Myrtle/Sunday

 

Copper and Zinnias/ Monday
Copper and Zinnias/ Monday
Garden-cart-with-flowers-w

Garden Cart/Thursday

Hydrangeas/Friday

Hydrangeas/Friday

 

 

 

 

 

Sunflowers/Saturday

Sunflowers/Saturday

I’m working on our upcoming class samples and have several started. Be sure to check the schedule and plan to join us for some exciting painting.  We have more Dorothy Dent designs, a paint your own building scape, a large beautiful Iris, a colored pencil workshop, and several requested workshops. We also have new 3 hr workshops coming in May and June. These workshops require no previous experience so are excellent for anyone wanting to experience a painting class with us, children 8 and up, plus our experienced painters who are enticed by the subject. You can find all of our classes and workshops by clicking on classes on our menu.

Kathie George and I are working out the detail for her Nov seminar at Artful Endeavors. She has sent photos for us to choose from and that’s the difficult part, narrowing down our choices. They are all terrific. Stop by the studio soon if you would like to offer an opinion.  We’ll have some combination of batik, watercolor, and mixed media. Be sure to mark your calendar for Nov 11, 12, & 13, that’s Mon-Wed, 2013.  More detail soon!

More later.  Enjoy your painting journey.  Liz

On the Easel- in progress…

Just a peak at what I’m painting right now. Just wish I have twice the painting time. Each one is totally absorbing.

Oranges and Brass a Donna Bryant Waterson design

Oranges and Brass
a Donna Bryant Waterson design

Sunflowers in Vase

Sunflowers in Vase
a Dorothy Dent design

Out to Pasture A Dorothy Dent design

Out to Pasture
A Dorothy Dent design

Wharf a Ros Stallcup design

Wharf a Ros Stallcup design