Drawing wherever you find yourself is a joy and a way to observe, record, and absorb your surroundings. During this workshop you will work to quickly capture the excitement and interest of the world around you on paper. Through demonstration, and a variety of exercises, you will learn strategies for composing, drawing, then adding color to your sketches. Jody will show her compact sketching tools, designed for portability and working in public spaces. Start your year off with a sketching adventure. It’s a beautiful and busy world out there.

All levels welcome.

About the Instructor: Jody Regan

Jody is an artist and a recently retired math teacher. She loves drawing and painting on location in Boston, and along the beautiful New England coast. Jody came to painting and teaching Math after a twenty-two-year career as a software engineer. Jody committed to the practice of daily drawing/painting over seven years ago. She uses her sketchbook to capture the energy, activity, and atmosphere of every place she visits. Making art each day trains your hand, eye, mind, and heart to design a personalized meditation for you. You can see Jody’s daily work on her Instagram, @jodypaints.

Materials:

• Watercolor sketchbook, 9 x 12 suggested
  
• Your choice of color materials; watercolor, colored pencils, markers,etc
  

If you've ever wanted to learn to paint portraits or need to improve your oil paint portraiture skills, don't miss this class. In this two-day hands-on workshop, Copley Society Master Artist Matt Miller covers how to compose, light, and paint a portrait from life from start to finish in a direct style of painting. Matt will remove the terror of painting a person, show you how to select the correct colors, how to define geometry and space, and to improve your skills in "sculpting" a finished portrait. Matt teaches a solvent-free style of painting so no smelly and toxic mineral spirits will be used. Matt will start with a short class, and demonstration on day one and will continue the demonstration on day two to show you how to take the painting further towards finish.

About the Instructor: Over the past two decades Matt Miller has returned from corporate life to representational art, his first passion. At an early age Matt was enthralled by the works of Rembrandt van Rijn and, not surprisingly, during his development as an artist his most influential teachers and mentors were David A. Leffel and Sherrie McGraw. Under their tutelage, Matt has expanded his understanding of the logic and language of painting and human perception, and he uses this knowledge to explore the interrelationship of abstract concept, composition, and paint application, and how they drive the creation of representational fine art.

Matt paints in a direct style with no underpainting or layering. This direct application of paint allows him to see and paint to the finished work throughout the development of any given painting. He prefers to paint from life, on board, with a limited but powerful palette. Matt has been juried into numerous national shows and exhibitions, is a Copley Master Artist, a co-founder and teacher at the online academy Epiphany Fine Art, and currently paints and teaches out of his studio in Norton, Massachusetts. 

Materials List: Matt Miller Supplies List.pdf

Do you want to explore your creative side? Do you want to experiment with colors without fear of making a mistake? Come join me in this easy, magical, and relaxing adventure into the world of freedom and creativity, after which you will get a masterpiece created by your own hands.

We aren’t going to learn how to paint or try complex techniques but observe how the paint lives and reacts on the fabric, directing it wherever our imagination wants the paint to go. During this master class, you will tap into your creativity and grow your unique Flower, a symbol of feminine beauty and divine blessing.

We will be working for 2.5 – 3 hours in a small group. The maximum number of participants is 12 people. You don’t need to bring anything. All necessary materials will be provided.

Looking forward to painting on silk with you!

About the Instructor: Lidia Mikhaylova is an abstract artist inspired by the simple beauties of everyday life. Her work ranges from sensual artwork and still life to fine floral paintings. The elegance, playfulness, and depth of her work are demonstrated through rich, vivid colors composed on silk fabric, with oil or watercolor paintings and pastel drawings. Her creative facilitation creates a space where participants can truly tap into their natural creativity to help bring it out to the surface.

·Lidia is a highly creative artist and art facilitator with more than seven years of professional experience delivering visual art classes in the areas of painting.

·In 3 years, Lidia has conducted over 70 different workshops in art studios, public libraries, educational centers, and private and corporate events among people of all ages.

·Lidia’s work has been featured in international art festivals, Art Hole Magazine, A5 Magazine, and art galleries from Brooklyn, NY to Laguna Beach, CA.

·Lidia is the winner of the Billboard Contest 2022, and her work has been featured on the billboard in Sacramento, CA.

Join us for a creative and relaxing 3-hour frame loom weaving workshop at North River Arts Society hosted by Nina Cherie Cahill.

What you'll learn:

What's included:

• Your own small frame loom to take home
  
• A variety of weaving yarns
  
• Essential weaving tools (needles, wood shuttles)
  

Nina is a textile artist, designer, and mother. She holds a degree in Fibers from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her inspiration comes from her great grandmother, Nana Reta, who was an avid crocheter and knitter.

Pastels are a wonderfully versatile and tactile medium. Rather than painting with liquids on a brush, when we paint with pastels we use our hands to apply a stick of pigment directly onto a painting surface. Every aspect of this application can be varied and adapted, including how you hold the pastel, the amount of pressure you apply, and the kind of strokes that you make. In this one-day workshop, we will work on different kinds of mark making with pastels, learning and practicing a variety of techniques and considering the ways in which they influence the feeling of a final painting. 

We will talk about mark making with intentionality, understanding how different methods can enhance or detract from a painting’s area of focus.  We also will discuss the differences between harder and softer pastels and how each can be used effectively. In the morning, you will create a number of different studies, all from the same photo reference, exploring distinct mark making methods.  You will get a sense for how your choices can change the dynamic of a painting, creating a sense of energy and motion or a sense of calm.  In the afternoon, you will create a larger piece combining two or three of the mark making methods that you find best fit your subject.  You will have personalized feedback and guidance as you explore the pastel medium and expand your repertoire of mark making. 

This class is appropriate for all levels.  A materials list will be provided in advance.

About the Instructor: Heather Quay

“My goal is to have my paintings capture the feeling of a particular time and place. I have always been fascinated by the way that painters portray the quality and temperature of light. As a pastel painter, I continue to be drawn to scenes where the light is the central character. Whatever I am painting – from landscapes, both natural and manmade, to figures, animals, and portraits – I’m always striving to render the light I see onto the surface of my artwork.”

Heather’s work has been included in juried exhibits across New England and online, and has won a number of awards. She is an Associate Member of the Pastel Society of America, and a Signature Member of the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, the Connecticut Pastel Society and the Maryland Pastel Society. She is also a member of the North River Arts Association, the Central Massachusetts Pastel Society, the Pastel Society of New Hampshire and the Lyme Art Association. Heather is a Featured Artist on the Artsy Shark website. More about Heather and her work can be found at www.heatherquay.com

Materials list:

Quay Materials List 2025 Mark-making.pdf

The best way to learn how to paint portraits is to practice - and there is no more readily available model than yourself! In this course we will find inspiration in the self-portraits of artists that have come before us, explore creative color mixing strategies to maintain vibrancy in our palettes, learn portrait drawing strategies, and create a self portrait. The aim is to jump courageously into the subject matter, release perfectionism, feel the freedom and joy within the possibilities of color, and to spend some time in mindful self-reflection.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll receive personalized feedback and guidance to help you develop your skills and confidence. By the end of the day, you’ll have a completed self-portrait that captures your unique presence and personality.

About the Instructor: Lauren Karjala

Lauren Karjala is a figurative painter based in Newmarket, NH. Her paintings incorporate figures and symbolism to reveal dreamlike, autobiographical narratives that blur the line between memory and imagination. She received a BFA in painting from the University of New Hampshire in 2014. Lauren has been exhibited widely throughout New England, and her work has been featured in three issues of Vanity Fair UK (2022) and the I Like Your Work Podcast Catalog (2023).

Materials List:

Paint - I will be going over traditional oil paint as well as water-soluble oil paint. Traditional oil paint is thinned in odorless mineral spirits, which releases fumes that require a well-ventilated room. Water-soluble oil paint can be thinned in water, and is preferable if you will be painting for long stretches in a small or enclosed space.

Brands:
Traditional Oils: Gamblin, Windsor and Newton
Water-Soluble Oil Paint: Windsor and Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oils Recommended Palette (Small or 37ml Tubes)
***Please have these colors or similar. The rest are optional. You may also bring an introductory set of colors to the class and I will help you use what you have. Feel free to reach out with any questions

Reds:
Burnt Sienna ***
Cadmium Red (Medium or Light) ***
Quinacridone

Red Yellows:
Yellow Ochre ***
Cadmium Yellow Light (or Lemon Yellow)
Cadmium Yellow Medium***
Indian Yellow

Green:
Viridian***
Sap Green

Blue:
Ultramarine Blue***
Cerulean Blue

Purple:
Quinacridone Violet (or Magenta) ***
Dioxazine Purple ***

Neutrals:
Titanium White ***
Burnt Umber ***

IMPORTANT: I want you to choose at least 2-3 additional “fun” colors - when you look at the list of available paint colors, what non-traditional colors speak to you? Radiant Blue? Cadmium Chartreuse? Select some colors that draw your eye to incorporate into your painting and make it your own. 

Hog Bristle Brushes - quality does not matter. Try to avoid the soft and synthetic style of brushes. You want them to have some tooth. Brush sets are recommended so that you can try varying sizes and shapes to see what you like best. For example, https://www.dickblick.com/items/winsor-newton-winton-hog-bristle-brushes-set-4-pkg-of-5/

Don’t go too small! We will be keeping it loose.

Palette - Paper tear off palette, 9x12 or larger, or a piece of glass painted white on the underside.

Palette Knife - medium trowel https://www.dickblick.com/items/blick-painting-knife-78-x-2-34-painting-style-30-/

Brush Cleaning Jar https://www.dickblick.com/products/silicoil-brush-cleaning-tank/

Second Glass Jar (recycled from the kitchen)

Rags or Paper Towels

Apron

Drawing implement - I recommend bringing a set of watercolor pencils to create washes with, but you can bring a regular pencil or colored pencils, or non-permanent markers.

Painting surface of your choice.Primed canvas, primed panel, or primed paper. I would recommend the size to be at least 8x10” but encourage you to go larger if you desire!

Reference: There are a few different ways to approach self-portraiture, and I encourage you to explore whatever method you feel the most comfortable with. Many traditional portraits were done from life in a mirror. So if you’d like to go the most traditional (and most challenging) route, bring a small mirror on a stand with you. Personally, I like to work from reference photos to allow myself to focus on creative color, rather than spend so much time and energy tweaking a drawing. Having a subject that doesn’t move is valuable in this way. If you take a photo and bring it with you, have fun with the light sources! Point an artificial light at one side of your face, and natural light on the other side of your face. Or even a colored lightbulb! Get creative! Please avoid toothy smiles. Trust me on this one! Your mouth closed with a slight smile will still produce a pleasant result. Or pick a different facial expression, just no visible teeth. You can bring a printed photo with you, at least 8x10”, or bring a tablet with the image loaded onto it. I usually look at reference photos from my iPad. 

Collage has the incredible capacity to combine materials, text, and imagery into a single, coherent composition that is textural, colorful, and visually interesting or even surprising. It also can serve as a great means of personal expression, story-telling, or self-exploration, combining objects from the artist’s life or surroundings. 

Explore the many ways you can create your own imagery through mixed media collage by examining composition, communication, and assembling techniques. 

Experiment with painted papers, images, text, paint, ink, and dry media on various surfaces. This workshop is open to all levels. No prior experience necessary.   

About the Instructor: Sue Casey

I don't think of “art” as being separate from myself - it is and always has been a part of who I am. I've been thinking about, looking at, making, and teaching art for as long as I can remember. 

My inspiration for my work comes from nature where I enjoy walking along the beach, hiking in the White Mountains and paddle-boarding and kayaking in the North River. Every day I am inspired by the beauty of nature and the light and color that surround me. 

I have always been drawn to mixed media due to the ability to experiment with layering materials and textures help me reset and work through ideas. I am particularly drawn to geometric shapes and how they appear in an organic setting. My goal is to simplify these shapes and be less deliberate over the arrangements of found and painted paper shapes and edges to create an overall cohesive composition.

Suggested Materials List:

• 2 or 3 wrapped canvases, canvas panels or matte board (choose sizes based on your comfort level)

• Matte medium to apply collage materials (Utrecht, Golden, Liquitex are all good)

• Collage materials such as: newspaper, old book pages, tissue paper, old sheet music, fun printed cocktail napkins, old receipts, 

• Stencils (if you have them)

• Any mark making tools of your choice: lead pencils, charcoal, oil pastels, paint markers

• Acrylic paints: red, yellow, blue, white, black or more if you'd like

• Brushes to apply paint

• Palette knife or old credit card to apply matte medium

• Spray bottle for water

• Masking tape

• Paper towels

• Scissors

• Reference photos: still life, landscape (bring a few ideas to choose from)

Marshes, beaches, and waterways describe the local landscape of coastal southern New England. In this three-day workshop with locally based internationally recognized artist, Liz Haywood-Sullivan, we will devote one day to each of these topics. Day One will explore the beauty of the marshes. Day Two we go to the beach and play in the waves. Day Three we trace waterways winding through the marshes. We will cover correct drawing, value choices, aerial perspective, sky and water valuework, and how to make underpainting work for you. Each day will start with a demonstration and there will be plenty of individual instruction at your easels.

Instructor Bio:

Liz Haywood-Sullivan, PSA-MP, IAPS/EP, has been dedicated to working exclusively in the pastel medium since 1996. Her attraction to the medium is pastel's unique ability to capture light and atmosphere in the landscape. She is a sought-after instructor and judge for pastel societies and arts organizations around the world. Liz authored the popular book Painting Brilliant Skies and Water in Pastel (Northlight, 2013). Her award-winning pastel paintings have been featured in numerous books and magazine articles, and have appeared in national, international and museum exhibitions worldwide. Liz is a President Emerita of the International Association of Pastel Societies (2013-2017) and is the current president of the North River Arts Society in Massachusetts. Her work is represented by Vose Galleries of Boston. 

www.lizhaywoodsullivan.com

Materials List for Workshop: _2025 Materials List.pdf

Recommended Lodging for Out-of-Town students:

Inn at Scituate Harbor

Fairview Inn

The goal of this workshop is to expand the participant’s understanding of what sculpture is through discussion and a slide show. The workshop will also provide an opportunity to work with three-dimensional forms culminating in the creation of a small sculpture.

We will use cardboard to create volumetric forms. Cardboard will be cut, folded, taped, glued, painted and affixed to wooden bases which will be provided by the instructor.

About the Instructor: Jake Basso

Jake Basso is an interdisciplinary artist living in Norwell, Massachusetts, who creates sculptures, drawings, paintings, and poetry. His abstract and figurative sculptures are made from reused materials that he collects at construction and industrial sites.

Jake is a graduate of Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. His work has recently been featured at the Brickbottom Gallery in Somerville, MA, the James Library & Center for the Arts in Norwell, MA, and the South Shore Art Center in Cohasset, MA.

See his work on Instagram @jakebassoart

Materials:

The materials used include cardboard, tape, glue, string, and all variety of materials which can be affixed to the cardboard forms, such as buttons, labels, photos, string, ribbons, small pieces of wood, plastic and light metal.

North River Arts will have some of the above supplies; However, students are encouraged to bring assorted paint brushes and a selection of items they would most might like to incorporate into their sculptures.