Monday, July 29, 2013

Open Studio Event is This Friday!

I'm having an Open Studio event this Friday at my studio in Kennett Square, and you're invited! Come by my studio at 105 Kabob Lane and watch me paint, or bring your own supplies and paint along with me. You may come and go anytime during this FREE event, and no reservations are required. The studio is open from 9am to 6pm. Other events going on in nearby Kennett Square include a farmer's market during the day, the monthly Kennett gallery stroll begins at 6 pm, and the annual Kennett Murder Mystery game begins at 6:30pm. So come on out and make a day of it, and treat yourself to an "art spa" experience!
 
 


posted by Annie Strack @ 3:13 PM   0 Comments

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Special Effects in Watercolor with Salt

Using salt in watercolor painting and watching it dissipate into blooms is a favorite lesson that is enjoyed by all of my students in my Watercolor for Beginners classes. This sample shows how the salt reacts, depending on the amount of moisture on the paper. On the left side, the salt was applied while the paint was very fresh and wet. With more time to react before it dried, the blooms are larger and the edges are darker. About a minute or two later, I applied salt to the center area o the paper. Now the paper was not quite as wet, so the blooms are a little smaller and less defined. Lastly, another or minute or two passed before I sprinkled the salt on the right side of the paper. This area was now only slightly damp, so the salt had very little time to react which resulted in blooms that were very faint and quite small. This is a fun excercise to practice, go ahead and give it a try!
My next online course, Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner, begins August 27 at Artists Network University! Sign up NOW to learn this technique and more!
 
Yesterday I went to pick up my painting from the Philadelphia Watercolor Society's Board Member's Exhibit at Freeman's Auction in Wayne. It was a short exhibit, only lasting a couple of weeks, but very well attended. Thank you to all of my friends and fans that came out to see it!

While I was out and about in Wayne, I stopped in to visit (and shop!) at Wayne Custom Framing and Art Supplies. Wow - I had sooo much fun in there! This store appears small, but they have everything -- and then some. Owners Dave and Lori are barrels of fun, and I ended up hanging out with them all morning. I loaded up on art supplies, but I know I won't be able to stay away for too long. Lori and Dave made me feel right at home, and I felt like I've known them forever. Be sure to stop and and tell them I sent you, and follow them on Facebook, too!
 

posted by Annie Strack @ 1:34 PM   0 Comments

Monday, July 8, 2013

New Work and Exhibits for July

Come to Freeman's Auction Gallery at the Eagle Village Shops in Wayne, Pennsylvania to see my work in the Philadelphia Watercolor Society Board Members' Exhibit. The reception is 6-8pm on Friday, July 12, and the paintings will remain on display through July 19. Due to limited space I only have one painting in this exhibit, but I'll be at the reception and I hope you can come out and meet me there!
 This painting of a white dinhy was the subject of one of my recent workshops. I've painted this same dinghy before, from other angles and in other settings, and it's such a nice little subject that I keep returning to it. I haven't named it yet, I supposed I could call it "white dinghy #27" or something like that. I could use some naming suggestions -- any ideas?
I'm having an Open Studio session at my Kennett Square studio on Friday, August 2, from 9am - 6pm. This is a free event, and reservations are not required! You can come or go anytime during the event, and you can hang out and watch me paint or you can bring your own supplies and paint along with me. Nearby events in Kennett include a farmers' market during the day, and the Kennett Square Gallery Stroll begins at 6pm that evening. Come to my studio at 105 Kabob Lane and have an "Art Spa" day!

posted by Annie Strack @ 9:30 AM   0 Comments

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