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WORKSHOP-VACATIONS

DILLMAN'S CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION

2008 ART WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

 

For its 31st year, Dillman's has been bringing nationally known art instructors and special interest programs to beautiful northern Wisconsin's resort setting.

We are proud to offer over 35 art instructors on this year's calendar.  The instructors come from across the country to offer students new techniques and skills.  The studios offer students 24-hour access to state-of-the-art rooms featuring large tables, chairs,excellent lighting and are handicap accessible.

Turn a learning experience for you into a vacation for everyone in the family.

This is a family resort, activities for all members, fishing, golfing, exploring, boating, biking whilst you receive the best instruction in Watercolor in the world.

For more information please go to http://www.dillmans.com

Check out the Watercolor star studded list that follows:

 

Betsy Popp     May 18 – 24, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Watercolor – Vibrancy and Spontaneity the First Time

Put the fun back into watercolors. Learn to pour, splash, splatter, and flick your way to vibrant, spontaneous watercolors the first time. Create unique applications that cannot be achieved by attempting to paint the effect with a brush. Make new and exciting works even if you are a beginner. If you have worked with watercolors before, be prepared to add a new approach to your work and refresh your creative spirit. By the end of the week we will have paintings, handmade cards, bookmarks, and journal covers. Nothing created will go to waste.

Betsy enjoys her small town surroundings of Townsend, WI. as a place to work on her art forms. Betsy has received many awards for her wood carvings as well as her pastel work. A regular at the annual Wild Wings, "Fall Festival," sponsored by Wild Wings, Lake City, MN. Betsy has also had her art juried into the prestigious "Birds In Art" Exhibit at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI.

Studio and on location: Something for all levels.
Betsy offers a partial tuition scholarship.
Workshop Fee: $395 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $433 + tax


Bruce Neville    May 25 – 31, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Creating Mood and Energy in Architecture and Landscape – Watercolor

In this five day workshop you will learn new techniques in mixing and how to apply fresh transparent paint in lush colorations. Learn timing and how to apply deft brushstrokes In developing your style in watercolor. Bruce's work reflects a direct approach and his demos reflect his creative energy in his paintings. He spends time with student each step of the way from drawing technique to finishing a painting. Also he will do a group critique so everyone can learn for others. Instructional material each day will be in the form of hand outs and outline of day's lesson in markerboard. The amount of instruction time will depend on specific needs and level of experience. Bruce will provide all photo material and weather permitting a one day plein-air demo at midweek. Please join Bruce's class and learn his creative approach. The class is open to all levels and Bruce suggests having some drawing skills for the architectural subjects.

"I must first have the fundamental visual skill of a drawing. This is combining imagination with rational thought, my private thought process that enables me to process my paintings. This is just a beginning to explore and develop my thinking process and to be able to convey that sensibility. My goal is to develop not a way of painting, but a way to think, interpret and create. Each of my paintings I hope conveys this unique experience leading the viewer into a new way of seeing and hopefully understanding my process.

I emphasize good drawing skills and will illustrate this each day of the workshop. It is essential to have a well-designed subject before beginning a painting and the only way to do this is combining imagination and ability to draw." - Bruce

Studio: Something for all levels.
Workshop Fee: $495 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $433 + tax.


Tony Couch       June 1 – 7, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Watercolor: You Can Do It

This will be a thorough workshop, with Tony doing a full sheet demonstration painting each morning, plenty of time for you to paint in the afternoon, and a critique at the end of each day of all of the work done that day. He will unravel much of the “mystery” surrounding design while he shows you how to make your paintings fresh and crisp – and he’ll make color much simpler for you. Many students have said they have learned more in one day at his workshop than in four years of art school.

The workshop is geared to beginner, intermediate and professional painter, alike. You’ll work hard, but Tony will show you how to have fun doing it. The eight principles of design will be cut down to size for you and each day you will see how they are applied to a painting. You will learn something valuable and practice it on the spot, coming away with increased understanding and several paintings of your own of which you will be proud.

Classes start at 9 each morning. After a brief talk on the day’s objectives, Tony will do a complete painting, telling you what he’s doing, and why - as he does it. At noon we break for lunch, then YOU paint in the afternoon, while what you have seen and learned that morning is fresh in your mind. It’s the fastest way to learn. One afternoon Tony will give a slide/lecture on the principles of design, using his paintings and those of other artists. He’ll cover the major value patterns as well as a simple way to effectively use color. On Wednesday afternoon Tony will get the “beginners” together to cover basic watercolor, including equipment and how to make the monster behave, create the 3 textures and many other things that “no one ever tells you about because they think you already know it”. You may either attend or use this time to paint. About 4pm each day Tony will critique all the work produced that day, including his own. It’s a time at which much is learned by everyone.

Tony Couch received a BA degree in art from University of Tampa, and did further work at Pratt Institute in New York, while an artist for Associated Press, and for years freelanced and studied with Edgar A. Whitney, ANA. His book, WATERCOLOR, You Can Do It, was published by Northlight Books in 1987 and to this day remains the publisher’s all time best selling book on painting. His books been translated into Chinese and Japanese for those markets. Two other books on technique and design were also published, as well as 10 videos/DVDs on painting. He has written several articles on watercolor for national magazines and his work is included in the instruction books of 11 other painters. He conducts workshops throughout the US and abroad.

Studio: Something for all levels.
Workshop Fee: $525 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $433 + tax


Arleta Pech INTERNATIONAL GUILD OF REALISM     June 22 – 27, 2008 (4 Teaching Days)
Color Glazing in Watercolor

Lean to achieve luminous glazes of color. New Class Format! Arleta’s popular realism and color workshops show you step by step how to create fun or beautiful objects in your paintings. Fun painting exercises each day. Arleta demonstrates each step of a fun object each day of the workshop. So you learn how color theory glazing creates realistic forms and can be used to paint any subject. Students will take home pre-printed study drawings with notes on the color glazes & other need to know information. Listed in “Who’s Who in American Art” Arleta is recognized as a leading painter of realism. Capturing her favorite subjects with a careful blending of high technical skill and a deep aesthetic appreciation for their inherent beauty.

Arleta is recognized as a leading painter of realism. She captures her favorite subjects with a careful blending of high technical skill and a deep aesthetic appreciation for their inherent beauty.

Arleta began her fine art painting career with a local organization in Colorado. She entered the limited edition print market in 1989 signing with Mill Pond press, followed by the release of 40 editions thru 2000. Hadley House now represents her images for reproduction. Arleta’s work has been in selected invitations such as the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco, The Museum tour of Birds In Art for the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, 2004 and 2005.  Arleta has also been included in the archives of The National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Show credits include; The Best of Realism at Winstanly-Roarke Gallery, International Guild of Realism Exhibition at The Manitou Gallery, Realism Today Show at the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco, Birds In Art museum tour in 2004 and 2005 for the Woodson Art Museum.

Publications on her work have been in Australian Artist Magazine, The Artist Magazine, and the American Artists Magazine and most recently International Artist Magazine. She is also the author of “Painting Fresh Florals in Watercolor” released in 1998, selling out and a paperback version in 2003.

Studio: Beginning to intermediate
Workshop Fee: $480 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $367.25 + tax.


Tom Linden WHS, NWWS, WSA    June 22 – 28, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Techniques for Landscapes in Watercolor

In his workshop, Tom reveals and teaches the watercolor techniques used to achieve the variety of textures found in his Realist landscapes. Tom paints exclusively in water media due to its ability to accept layers of transparent glazes to achieve a glowing contrast between light and dark passages. His creative use of colors, patterns and textures come together to capture details that make his paintings come alive. His students learn to combine these textures and methods along with design principles, color concepts and creativity to create their own paintings.

Throughout the week, Tom will offer demonstrations, critiques and one-on-one assistance. Each day specific concepts will be covered and the students will be given the opportunity to work and ensure understanding. Class assignments are designed to enable his students to have fun, open up and discover new ways of handling watercolor. Students will leave this workshop with new ideas as how to energize their artwork.

Tom Linden grew up in suburban Chicago, Illinois and now resides in Rockford, Illinois. Painting the landscape allows Tom to explore the effects of light and weather while yielding to his love of the outdoors. Bring your art supplies, reference material (photographs and sketches), sense of humor, and prepare to have fun.

Studio: Something for all levels.
Workshop Fee: $525.50 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $433 + tax.


Tom Lynch     July 13 – 19, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Secrets to Watercolor Painting Revealed

Tom’s objective is to show the vast range and flexibility of watercolor and to put emotion and conviction into painting by exploring, experimenting and developing creativity. He likes to put fun into the process of painting, along with enthusiasm, new techniques, and knowledge you can use for a lifetime. Tom sets a goal for each day and sees to it that each student has an example and understanding of that day’s lesson. You will see daily demonstration paintings, with detailed explanation of all the how’s and why’s, followed by individual attention. You will come away from this workshop with enthusiasm for watercolor painting, some new ideas, a new friend and knowledge you can use for a lifetime. Past students have said: “The best workshop I have ever had”...”Never a dull moment”...”Learned more in one day than I have in years.”...”Patient, positive and knowledgeable.”

To this class, Lynch brings the same energy as seen on his national PBS series “Fun With Watercolor” that has aired for the last 20 years. His vast list of accomplishments, credits and awards are listed in Who’s Who in American Art, and he is the recipient of two lifetime achievement awards. He has also authored six books. He is a signature member of the Society of American Impressionists. His works are featured in all the leading art publications including the American Artists Magazine and even the Wall Street Journal. Among his many prestigious exhibits were a one man show at the American Embassy in Paris and 4 U.S. Open Golf Tournaments.

Studio and on location: Intermediate to advanced.
Workshop Fee: $557 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $433 + tax.


Rose Edin NWA, TWSA MASTER STATUS    August 24 – 30, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Color Harmonies Sing with Light — Watercolor

A wonderful world of color awaits the student who participants in a watercolor workshop with Rose. Rose emphasizes the use of color harmonies to create brilliant paintings. Pure color is often used in layers to create special effects. She also utilizes and teaches the use of liquid mask, stencils and the actual tracing around shapes of flowers and leaves. Other techniques, such as painting wet into wet, and pouring and splattering paint directly on the paper, are designed to “loosen up” the painter and bring freedom and spontaneity to the painting. You will be amazed at your progress and the fun you will have in the process.

Subjects in the workshop will include florals, landscapes, buildings in a setting, and animals or figures incorporated into the painting. A typical day consists of several demonstrations with adequate time for students to practice and paint on their own. Each student is given individual assistance as needed or requested. The day culminates with a critique where individual paintings are shown and positive criticism is given.

Rose is a graduate of North Park University where she received the “distinguished alumni” award.  Graduate studies have been pursued at Colorado State University and the Minneapolis College of Art.

Rose is the author of several best selling watercolor books including “Around the World Scenes” and is also a contributing artist in “Watercolor Landscapes” and the large format book entitled “Watercolor”. These books are published by Walter Foster Publishing and widely available in art supply stores. A large format book co-authored by Rose and Dee Jepsen will be available North Light Books in 2007.

Rose is a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America where she holds master status and the National Watercolor Society. She is a popular teacher much in demand all over the United States. She also teaches widely in Europe, Central America and Africa. She recently received the “Best of Show” award in the Venice, FL all media show where she resides during the winter. 

Studio and on location: Something for all levels.
Workshop Fee: $467 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $433 + tax


Laurin McCracken NWS, TWS, PWCS    Aug 24 – 30, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Flowers–Realism in Watercolor

Add the ability to paint a higher degree of realism to your paintings. Laurin is a national renowned watercolorist that specializes in realism. Learn how he uses trad-itional watercolor techniques to bring a fresh, dynamic realism to his paintings. Your floral paintings will be more true to life and more dynamic. He uses a combination of lecture and demonstration to trace the development of still life paintings in the history of still life painting. He will show you how to add drama to the lighting of your still life paintings and describe how to use a digital camera to facilitate the creation of your paintings. He will demonstrate his techniques in creating “alive” floral paintings while providing personal assistance is helping you create a life-like floral painting.

Laurin is an award-winning artist whose paintings have been exhibited in more than 20 juried shows coast to coast including the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society and the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors and the American Watercolor Society. He is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, Philadelphia Watercolor Society, and Texas Watercolor Society. His paintings have been published in American Artist, The Artist’s Magazine, Watercolor, Watercolor Magic, Drawing, International Artist and several books on watercolor.

Studio and on location: Intermediate to advanced.
Laurin offers a partial tuition scholarship.
Workshop Fee: $507 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $433 + tax.


Jan Boelte RRWS, IWS, TSWA    August 31 – September 5, 2008 (Four Teaching Days)
Watercolors: Bright, Luminous and Radiant

Enjoy a four-day workshop of garden and landscape painting in transparent watercolor. Jan captures the essence of her subject matter in a beautiful balance of light and color. The day will start with a demonstration of the day’s subject matter and will cover design, techniques and color harmony. Examples of how to keep your paintings transparent, loose and impressionistic will be discussed and implemented into the practice session of the day. The painting for the day can be taken from your own garden and landscape references or you can use the demonstration as your reference source. We will do plein air painting, weather permitting. Each student will be given individual attention during the painting session. Each day will end with a critique of the day’s work and with suggestions on how to improve or finish your painting.

Jan is known for her impressionistic garden and landscape painting. She is an established watercolor artist who has taught studio and college classes for over 25 years. Her work has been accepted in both regional and national shows. She has had several one-woman shows and her work is showcased in galleries and shops in Wisconsin and Illinois. Her work has been featured in Watercolor and North Light Magazines and in numerous corporate and private collections. She is a signature member of the Red River Watercolor Society, the Illinois Watercolor Society and serves on the Museum Search Committee for the Transparent Watercolor Society of America.

Studio and on location: Something for all levels.
Workshop Fee: $355 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $367.25 + tax


Cindy Agan & Jane Freeman    September 7 – 13, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Dynamic Duo Watercolor Workout: Still Life and Portrait

Jane Freeman and Cindy Agan have joined forces to offer you a unique workshop experience. This innovative approach to teaching is like having two workshops in one! You will explore realism in watercolor through the eyes of two top instructors, who share their secrets in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned painter, Jane and Cindy will take you to the next level of your ability through lecture, demonstrations and critiques, all the while giving you the personal attention that you deserve.

Here is a sampling of the topics that will be discusses and demonstrated:

  • learn the common elements of painting still life, floral, portraiture and pets
  • how to develop a stronger and more dramatic composition with interesting shapes and lighting
  • compose with photographs, find and accent the center of interest and how to trust your color choices
  • how to paint textures such as flowers, glass, lace, metal, wood, skin, fabric, hair, fur, grass, fruit, backgrounds and much more!

Jane is the author of the book titled “A Celebration of Light” and Cindy is the author of the book and video titled “Painting Watercolors that Sparkle with Life.” Collectively, Cindy and Jane’s publications include ten books and six artist magazines. They have exhibited their work in national and international juried shows and solo exhibits, have attained signature memberships and are the recipients of over 75 awards.

Cindy is from South Bend, IN and Jane from Bemidji, MN. They share a love for realism and portraying light in their watercolors.

Bring your art supplies, photographs and your sense of humor because we are going to have a lot of fun!

Studio: Something for all levels.
Cindy and Jane offer a partial tuition scholarship.
Workshop Fee: $475 + tax.
Room & Meail Fee: $433 + tax


Tom Francesconi NWS, TWSA    September 14 – 20, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Watercolor – Painting with a Purpose

Tom’s passion for watercolor and his love for teaching combine to create a dynamic workshop experience that is enjoyable, informative and inspirational. This workshop will focus on the importance of concept, designing for effect and bringing an original idea to fulfillment with paint. Tom will discuss such topics as value relationships, planning the painting, the how and why of good design along with color and its usage. Daily demos will show how Tom approaches a work from concept to finish. Students will work from their own references as they are presented each day with challenges intended to promote thought and encourage exploration. Ample opportunity is provided for everyone to paint with individual direction/guidance a priority. Group critiques will allow everyone to learn from the works of others. Tom welcomes all painters, regardless of experience.

Tom Francesconi studied art at Eastern Illinois University and later focused his education on watercolor with Irving Shapiro at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. After working more than twelve years on national advertising as a commercial artist, he has devoted himself to his painting.

He has earned signature membership in five watercolor societies, which include the National Watercolor Society, the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, and the Northwest Watercolor Society. He has juried regional and national exhibitions and has lectured on the topic of watercolor at museum and college venues. Along with his weekly classes in Chicago, he has conducted watercolor workshops for art organizations and watercolor societies throughout the country.

His work has been published in seven books and he has written articles for Watercolor and Watercolor Magic magazines. His paintings have been exhibited in over 35 national exhibitions, which include the American Watercolor Society, The National Watercolor Society, The Transparent Watercolor Society of America and the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition.

Tom has served as president of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. His work has received numerous awards in regional and national exhibitions and can be found in many corporate and private collections.

Workshop Testimonials:

“Tom Francesconi is a terrific teacher. His was the best workshop/instruction that I have ever had. (And I sincerely mean it.) The structure of the class was well planned and presented in a clear, concise and understandable manner. The demos were superb and extremely helpful. The critiques were thoughtful, honest, helpful and, most of all, presented in a kind and encouraging way. Tom found and accentuated the positive with everyone, while at the same time giving the appropriate feedback to help them progress individually. Even though there was great variety of skill levels in the class, amazingly, no one dreaded critique time. That was a unique experience. The class was a real joy in every aspect. At the end of the week, everyone was ready to start over instead of leave. Tom’s enthusiasm and energy infected the entire class in a very positive way. I look forward to taking another class from Tom in the future.”
Jane Tine – 2005 Dare County Arts Council/Roanoke Island Festival Park workshop, Manteo, North Carolina

“You get every penny’s worth that you spend on a Tom Francesconi workshop! His lectures and demonstrations are comprehensive, enlightening and filled with passion.”
Peggy Saporito – Coordinator of the Dare County Arts Council/Roanoke Island Festival Park workshops and Vice President of the Dare County Arts Council, Manteo, NC

“A workshop with Tom Francesconi is a special treat. Tom demonstrates with enthusiasm and clarity. He has a knack with words – being able to precisely describe something so that it is clearly understood. He is interested in his students, and they feel that interest and are encouraged by it. There is no wasted time – he works hard; the students work hard and love it. Students in his workshop sponsored by the Watercolor Society of North Carolina, Inc. were greatly inspired by this artist.”
Motsie Brooks – 2002 Exhibition Chairperson for WSNC

 

  • “Tom worked every minute of the day, whether doing a demo, giving individual help or doing an intensive critique.”
  • “I’ve learned more in this workshop than I have in the last 2 years.”
  • “Finally, an instructor who gives an honest critique and doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear. A wonderful teacher.”
  •  “Where did you find this guy? He’s fantastic!”

Excerpts taken from the Rhode Island Watercolor Society Newsletter that refers to Tom’s 2003 RIWS workshop

Studio: Beginners
Workshop Fee: $525 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $433 + tax.


Frank Webb   AWS (DF), NWS    Septemebr 21 – 26, 2008 (Four Teaching Days)
Painting with Enjoyable Color – Watercolor

Frank is one of the nation’s premier watercolor teachers. He brings energy and talent to his class, making painting exhilarating. The aim of this class is to re-create a new reality, establish unity, and to produce unique works. Participants are encouraged to recognize and nurture their personal vision, sharpen their craft, and awaken a critical view of their own production. Frank’s intelligent sense of humor and his whimsical style is appreciated by his students. Demonstrations will explore a wide variety of approaches. All styles of painting and levels of expertise are welcome.

For studio work participants should bring landscape drawings or photos which will serve as a basis for a design approach to painting. Another alternative would be to bring a finished painting which could be redesigned. Bring a sketch pad and a soft, graphite pencil for making preliminary design drawings.

In demonstration and lectures, the instructor will clarify the use of design principles. All styles of painting and levels of expertise are welcome. A typical day begins with an hour and a half demo. Participants then paint their own subject with help as requested. One hour before the end of the day’s session, a group critique will explore the faults and glories of each work. The objective of the class is that each participant is invited to become his/her own best teacher, critic and audience.

"One of life’s chief blessings is the comfort and ease that comes to the artist who has developed a craft or art. " - Frank

Frank Webb is a world-class watercolor painter who has been self employed as an artist since 1958. He has authored three books on painting and design, and he is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, and in Who's Who in the East. He is a frequent juror and has conducted painting seminars in 50 states and in numerous locations worldwide.

A recipient of more than100 major awards, Webb is a vice president of the American Watercolor Society, and has been awarded its Dolphin Fellowship. His affiliations include the National Watercolor Society, Allied Artists of America, Audubon Artists, and the Rocky Mountain National Water Media Association. Among his awards are the Philadelphia Watercolor Society’s Crest Medal for Achievement in the Arts; the Bronze Medal of Honor, the Pleissner Memorial Award, the Alan Chiara Meorial Award and the Walser Greathouse Award of the American Watercolor Society, the Sizek Award of the Butler Midyear, the John Young Hunter Memorial Award of Allied Artists and the First Award of the Audubon Artists.

His works are in the collections of the Southern Alleghenies Art museum, the Butler Institute of American Art, the Palmer Museum of Penn State University, the Baylor Collection and the Taiwan Art Education Institute.

Studio and on location: Intermediate and advanced.
Frank offers a partial tuition scholarship.
Workshop Fee: $455 + tax.
Room & Meail Fee: $367.25 + tax.


Don Andrews    September 21 – 27, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Watercolor Figure

Addressing the figure as the subject for a painting with the same artistic freedom employed when attempting other subjects in nature is the central theme of Don’s figure classes. "Throughout the workshop, I will be putting forth the concept that successful figure painting is more than a visual explanation of anatomical parts. While there is nothing wrong with reporting detail, perhaps we have traveled down the "detail road" long enough. We can benefit from exploring the figure in other directions as well." Don's classes are geared to intermediate and advanced painters who are looking for a challenge. Daily demonstrations will excite and stimulate those artists who are eager to stretch beyond the usual answers, and discover a new looseness and expressive quality in his or her work.

Don is a graduate of the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida and a resident of Fairhope, Alabama. He is an active member and past board director of the American Watercolor Society. His painting have received numerous awards in national watercolor competitions, including three awards from American Watercolor Society. A nationally known artist and teacher, Don has conducted over 300 painting workshops through out the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Don is the author of the book Interpreting the Figure in Watercolor as well as the video Making Watercolor Glow. He is also featured in the Watson Guptill publication Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Watercolor and has twice had feature articles published in American Artist Magazine.

Studio and on location: Intermediate and advanced.
Don offers a partial tuition scholarship.
Workshop Fee: $566 + tax. Model fees included.
Room & Meal Fee: $525.50 + tax. Model fees included.


Nita Engle AWS     September 28 – October 3, 2008 (Three Teaching Days with Nita)
How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself

Nita is one of the internationally known leading watercolorists. She exclusively paints wilderness scenes and paints nothing she has not personally experienced. Photographic material will be supplied for you prior to the class. Nita’s atmospheric watercolors - her illusions of reality - emerge from her inventive experimentation with watercolor. She will teach how to control the water in watercolor, color transition, edge control, wide use of textures, and achieving light in watercolor. Nita will instruct on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. In order for you to be prepared for all that Nita has to offer, on Monday, Dennis Robertson, DCAF president, will offer a “prep day” to assist you with her specific preparation of painting supplies, palette and warm up exercise on the first day.

Nita, a native of Marquette, Michigan, attended the Art Institute of Chicago for four years, with affiliated study at Northern Michigan University and Roosevelt University, Chicago. She was employed as a graphic designer and then art director of an ad agency in Chicago before becoming a full time illustrator in watercolor for publications from Readers Digest to Playboy. Member of American Watercolor Society since 1969 and frequent exhibitor, winning several awards in their annual shows. She has also served them as a judge and a juror. She has exhibited with Society of Illustrators, New York, including an exhibition in 1976, “200 years of American Illustrators.” Selected for Watercolor Page, American Artists Magazine 1983, Artist of the Year cover artist 1994, 1998 Art Master in watercolor teaching. Nita was selected as one of 25 artists to be part of “International Waters” traveling show in US, Canada and Great Britain. Selected one of 40 US artists to show in Tai Pei, Republic of China, with artists from China and Australia. PBS made a half hour documentary of her work and life called, Wilderness Palette, Nita Engle in Michigan. Elected Hall of Fame by US Art magazine and received honorary doctorate NMU 1986. Accepted by Mill Pond Press for limited edition reproductions since 1981. Has been published in many art books and in 1999 Watson-Guptil published her own book, How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself, which is available for purchase at Dillman’s gift / art shop.

In 2003 she was one of twenty three artists invited to contribute to a book called, The Watercolor Landscape Techniques of 23 International Artists. To quote directly from the book - "...23 best landscape watercolor painters in the world today."

Studio: Intermediate to advanced.
Nita offers a free tuition scholarship.
Workshop Fee: $525 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $367.25 + tax.


Kathy Kovala   TWSA, Lake Area Artists    Sept 28 – Oct 4, 2008 (Five Teaching Days)
Fall Foliage and Flowers in Watercolor

Kathy is a passionate watercolorist, who will unlock the secrets of this magical medium. Recognized nationally as an exceptional teacher and expert colorist, Kathy is represented by galleries in the Midwest, Kauai and Big Sky, Montana. Her work has been commissioned by large corporations and individuals. Kathy's style can be described as eclectic - as an instructor she has ventured into many watercolor experiences, so she will delve into many techniques. Presently she is noted for her realistic flowers and landscapes, but she might surprise you with some innovative loose and spontaneous abstractions. Kathy is always looking for new and interesting ways to challenge herself and her student's abilities to fully enjoy the excitement and awe of watercolor.

Her students attest – Kathy’s the Best!

Using her experience of thirty years of teaching art in college and her own studio, she teaches you how to plan and demonstrates the steps to a finished watercolor painting. Kathy truly enjoys teaching, and she willingly shares her knowledge: designing, composing and using pure pigment.

As part of the Fall Foliage and Flowers experience, students will take an instructor-led tour into the colorful outdoors – here they will look for painting possibilities, from which to compose their own original nature paintings from their own photos. Choose this experience, to meet fellow painters, recharge your creative energy and experience a watercolor paradise.

Studio: Something for all levels.
Workshop Fee: $475 + tax.
Room & Meal Fee: $433 + tax.


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