» Blog

Category Archives: Seminars

Paint a Happy New Year 2017!

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Paint a Happy New Year 2017!
Winter Skies Liz Miller CDA

Winter Skies
Liz Miller CDA

Welcome to 2017! I hope you had a holiday season filled with family, friends, and holiday fun. And now it’s time to look forward to the new year with all it’s possibilities.

2016 was a busy year for us filled with lots of new painting techniques and creativity in our weekly classes and workshops. We had four seminars with wonderful instructors bringing us various new ideas and techniques, and bringing students from around the state and beyond. We’ve stretched our abilities, tried new concepts, succeeded and failed, and learned from all.
Did you see our pictorial review of 2016 on the blog?

At Artful Endeavors I’ve had 3 weeks off from class that have sped by all to quickly. I’ve worked on the web site, updated schedules, explored some new painting ideas, and taken some needed time off for family and relaxing. And now I’m preparing for our 2017 classes.

cat-scarf-web

This year at Artful Endeavors we have some exciting exploration planned: more acrylics of course, more watercolors, learning about new products and their possibilities, pushing our artistic and painting knowledge, and just having fun with our art and fellow artists. We are scheduling some time for painting scarves, batik, portraits, pet portraits, and original “paint your own” projects. And more seminars with Ros Stallcup, Mark Polomchak, and Kathie George! Be sure to keep checking the schedule for updates.

As you know our winter weather in NC is somewhat unpredictable so watch the blog for class changes due to weather. Our painting time is important but more important is keeping our painters safe and off the roads if the weather conditions are unsafe. I’ll post any class postponements that day and schedule adjustments as needed.

Let’s get ready for some painting in 2017!
Liz

And Then There Were the Seminars

By | | , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on And Then There Were the Seminars

Highlights of the year always include our seminar with some awesome visiting instructors. This year we had Susan Crouch, Ros Stallcup, Mark Polomchak, and Kathie George here to share their knowledge and wisdom with us.  Enjoy the photos.

Painting With Kathie George

By | | , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Painting With Kathie George

Our last seminar of the year is coming up soon and it’s an awesome painting time with Kathie George. There are still seats available so let me know if you would like to join us.

Rose Spoonbill watercolor

Rose Spoonbill
watercolor

Flower silk scarf

Flower silk scarf

Nov 14-16 & 17, 2016.

Remember there are the 3 day seminar and the special workshop. More details.

Register now!

Blowing in the Wind

By | | , , , , ,
Comments Off on Blowing in the Wind

Wow, what a memorable seminar we had with Mark Polomchak. We had a full house for the entire weekend whether rain, wind, or sunshine. An adventure for sure.web-mark-painting

On Friday we actually completed 2 terrific paintings, the hummingbird and the ocean view, and were pleased with our accomplishments. Painters new to painting with Mark and repeat enthusiasts were smiling as we left for the day or went out for a group dinner, all in anticipation of a blustery next day. Friday evening was spent watching the hurricane progress up the east coast.

Saturday brought everyone back for more painting as we watched the rain and wind outside the windows. Appropriately we painted a rain scene, a group favorite. Then home early just in time, we hoped, to miss the worsening weather.

Painting with Mark Polomchak 2016

Painting with Mark Polomchak 2016

Then Sunday amidst sunshine most everyone was able to return to paint

again and share personal hurricane stories. Our bicycle paintings, a relatively new painting for Mark to teach, were not disappointing.  And we kept Ryan, The Framer, busy framing our favorites.

And Mark says he come teach for us next year, hurricane or no hurricane. Watch for dates as our plans develop.

14590081_1465839070109927_7072686275958204459_o

 

 

Save

Workshop Suprise with Kathie George!

By | | , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Workshop Suprise with Kathie George!

In addition to our yearly 3 day workshop, Kathie is bringing us a special surprise workshop this year, her Creative Figure. This looks like so much fun. I’m sure that this funky workshop will appeal to the creative spirit in those of you adventurous artists. Plan to join us for some Kathie type experimentation.

Thursday’s Special Workshop: Creative Figure!

This workshop requires separate registration.  $100

Note From Kathie:  THIS IS FUN, ACTUALLY. IT’S ABOUT DOING FIGURES, BUT NOT WORRYING ABOUT A LIKENESS.  THE WONKIER THE BETTER. IT IS DONE ON GATORBOARD, BUT COULD BE DONE ON HEAVY WATERCOLOR PAPER OR A PANEL. NOT CANVAS, THOUGH. NEED A MORE RIGID SURFACE SO THINGS WON’T CRACK OFF. IT’S ACRYLIC AND COLLAGE AND TEXTURE GELS. WE USE ALL SORTS OF STUFF. ANYTHING GOES. PAST STUDENTS HAVE HAD A BLAST. THEY CAN BRING PHOTO OR I JUST USE A PHOTO OR TWO FROM A FASHION MAGAZINE.  I GIVE THEM A BASIC FACE HAND-OUT – LIKE HOW TO LINE UP THE NOSE, EYES, ETC.  WE CONCENTRATE ON THAT A BIT, BUT THE CLOTHING, HAIR, ETC. CAN GO WILD. THEY CAN PUT THEIR PET INTO IT, AS I DID .

Register Now!

Here are just a few examples of Kathie’s creations.

Creative Figure

Creative Figure

Creative Figure

Creative Figure

Creative Figure

Creative Figure

Now doesn’t that look like fun?  Register Now!

Where Did It Go?

By | | , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Where Did It Go?

It’s been a busy summer around here! It’s hard to believe that summer is in it’s last half and autumn is peaking around the corner. We’re scheduling fall projects and planning for our holiday and Christmas painting!

Many of our painters have been in and out of classes this summer with vacations, and visitors, so scheduling upcoming classes has been a little slow. And, I’m sure you won’t be surprised, we change our collective mind. I am in the process of updating the class schedules now so keep checking back to see what’s coming.

Winter Lighthouse

Winter Lighthouse, a Keith Sluder design

We’ve just finished with our seminar with Ros Stallcup and it was even more terrific this year. All the paintings turned wonderful. We met with old friends and made new ones as happens each year. Our participants helped us come up with some ideas for next year, too. It’s always fun each spring to see what Ros created from our basic ideas each year as she paints entirely new projects for us. We’ll just have to wait to find out, and it’s always a surprise.  We have dates for 2017 so mark your calendars for July 19-22, 2017 and plan to join us. Seats this year filled up quickly so keep checking back for more details.

2016 Ros Stallcup Seminar

2016 Ros Stallcup Seminar

Our seminar with Mark Polomchak is coming up next, Oct 7-9. There are a couple of seats available for all 3 days. On Aug 1, next Mon, single seats will be available so if you want to participate for the 3 days, contact me this week. If you are looking for a single day, contact me next week before the seats are gone.  Pay balance or register now.

11253742_10153254406712898_3578189492983362431_nI’ll have news for you on our seminar with Kathie George very soon. I’m in the process of selecting projects from some new exciting painting from Kathie. Check back just a little later.

Save

Seminars at Artful Endeavors

By | | , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Seminars at Artful Endeavors

We have some wonderful teachers traveling to Artful Endeavors to hold seminars for us this year.

French Country chair

French Country chair

Our seminar with Ros Stallcup is almost full. There are just a few seats available. Contact Liz regarding availability.  Register now!

Hummingbird

Hummingbird

We still have a couple of seats available in our seminar with Mark Polomchak.

Kathie George and I are making plans for our Nov seminar. Sure to be exciting.

Artful Spring

By | | , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Artful Spring

What a beautiful day with the sun shining and a nice breeze. I’ve been taking reference photo of the flowers beginning to bloom in our yard…. painting inspiration…..

We’ve been busy at the studio. This past weekend CADANC chapter of SDP had a seminar with Patty Stouffer and what fun they had. I painted a loose daffodil with them on Friday and enjoyed exercising my loose self. I was so glad to meet Patty and now have another painting friend! Love having these travel teachers visit to teach for us.

We’ve been working on the schedules and have new, exciting classes planned. Now I just need to get busy on painting samples so that you can see what’s coming.web-rose

Notes:
* Tue am class: We have not had the attendance for the Tue am class so I am going to take a break on Tue am. No class on Tue am May, June, July, and Aug. I’ll reevaluate at the end of the summer. This way I can schedule workshops on Tue am or use the time to paint.

▪ Right now our Wed classes are small enough that anyone wanting to make up a class or work on an individual project can join us on Wed. Just let me know when you want to come. You can come 10-12:30p, 1-3:30, or 4p-6p.
▪ I have updated the class schedules on the web site so be sure to check. I plan to post a newsy letter about once a month and try to not take up so much time on the computer. Watch the web site and Face Book for photos and updates.
▪ I still have seats in our seminars with Ros Stallcup and Mark Polomchak. Details are on the web site. I just sent out the Mark Polomchak info. again.
▪ Check out my on line classes at Creative Workshops. Cat’s Eyes and Sunning Turtles are new this year. I you can’t come to the studio to paint with me, this in a great option
▪ Our seminar with Susan Crouch is next week! All participants should have received an email from me and one from Susan with a pattern. Let me know if you didn’t receive it. Be sure to check you spam folder first.
▪ We have more watercolor classes coming up. Come join us. Check the web site for our schedules.
▪ We have a portrait workshop with me scheduled for May 19 and 20th. If you would like to join us, find a photo that you would like to use and contact me by May 2. I’ll work with you on any level of experience, beginning portrait artist are welcome. It’s fun!
▪ We have the John Gutcher Santa scheduled for May 26 and 27. And hope that the weather is good and we are all well and can finally have this class. Let me know if you can join us.

Class Schedule:
Tue 6:15p-8:15p Cary
Wed 10 – 2p. Raleigh
Wed 4-6p. Raleigh

Workshops and Seminars as scheduled.
DSC 0051

I have the new DecoArt paint colors and some of the new products at the studio!
Beautiful colors!

No classes Wed Apr 27, that next week. We’ll be getting ready for our seminar with Susan!

No Tue am class Apr 26th. No Tue am classes May – Aug.

Hope to see you painting with us soon.

Liz

Fantasy Flower Patricia Reichenbach design

Fantasy Flower
Patricia Reichenbach design

I’m Back and Inspired!

By | | , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on I’m Back and Inspired!

I’m back from business research/photo trip otherwise called vacation. We had a great time and I took lots of reference photos of waterfalls, water, clouds, and more. Now I’m inspired and ready to start painting something.

I’m here for classes to resume this week and we have lots happening in the next few weeks.
We’re working on the Dorothy Dent fall scene in our Wed classes, but have a workshop on this same design on Friday, 10-3p. If you have missed it let me know quickly so we can get you into the Fri workshop.

web-Autumn-Dorothy-Dent-finThen on Saturday is our Pet Portrait class with lots of pet enthusiasts ready to work on portraits. I’m looking forward to seeing all the animals take shape. I’ve seen the photos to approve them and we have some terrific designs about to happen.

Halloween weekend Mark Polomchak is coming to teach for our chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters, CADANC. So it’s an exciting watercolor weekend planned. There are still a couple of seats for Sat and Sun available if you would like to join us. Mark is awesome and this will be my first opportunity to paint with him.

116And then Kathie George is here, Nov 16, 17, & 18 for our seminar! Kathie is always such fun and she is always introducing us to new techniques and products. What in the heck do we do with sanded paper? Kathie will show. There are still a few seats available if you can join us. There’s more information on the web site and you can register there also.

web-Strutting_edited-1

Then we have more holiday painting coming up in Nov, a Santa, ornaments, watercolor, and silver! So plan to join us.
I’ll get the web site schedules updated this week so please check them for what’s happening before Christmas.

More later!
Liz

Wow, That Was Quick!

By | | , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off on Wow, That Was Quick!

Our seminar with Susan Crouch is now full and I’m not surprised because Susan is such a wonderful, sharing artist. We had such a great time last May and learned so much.

And registrations for our seminar with Kathie George are coming in quickly.  Reserve your seat now so that you don’t miss out.  Register Now!

web-Strutting_edited-1