This 6-week class is designed for the beginner and intermediate watercolorist, this course will first provide the fundamentals and then explore the many techniques of watercolor. Artworks may be based on still life setups, photos or your imagination. Emphasis will be on color and design with the goal of creating an original emotional statement.

About the Instructor: Mary Callahan

Mary Callahan is a Copley Master in the Copley Society of Art, an Honorary Lifetime Member of the New England Watercolor Society and is a member of many other fine art organizations in Massachusetts and New York. 

Materials List: 

•  Paper 
• • 140 lb.  Is a good weight.
  • Paper comes in different surfaces.  I prefer cold pressed or rough. Blocks are the easiest.  If you prefer loose sheets, you will need a board to tape it to.
• Brushes
• • A one inch flat
  • A 12 and a 10 round
• Pallet
• • John Pike pallet is a good one
  • Or a heavy butcher tray can be used. 
• Easels (NRAS has easels for use)
• •  You will need a board to tape your paper to if you are not working on a block.
  •  If you like to work flat you won’t need an easel.
• Water container
• Paper towels or tissues
• Tape
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Sponge
• Pencil
• Paint 
• • Cadmium yellow
  • New Gamboge
  • Cadmium red light
  • Alizarin crimson
  • Cobalt Blue
  • French Ultramarine Blue
  • Cerulean Blue

Throughout the ages artists have studied with and learned from masters of the craft.  In this class we will take 4 artists who’s great skill at painting has been inspirational and influential.  We’ll study the different techniques of 4 different artists, some from history, some from the present time, and examine their techniques, figuring out their particular methods of creating paintings.  With this knowledge we will create our own paintings… either a copy of one of their works, for our own edification, or paint a subject of our choice using their methods.  It will be both fun and challenging and we will all grow from this experience! Best for artists familiar with their medium. 

Monet, Van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Colin Page

*please note, no class during April Vacation*

This class is along the lines of the book ‘Steal Like An Artist” by Austin Kleon, whose book by the same name is a great addition to any artist’s library.  Join us and explore techniques that will inspire you and push you to grow your own style!

About the Instructor: Kelley MacDonald 

After getting her Art History degree at Wheaton College, Kelley continued taking art classes at various Art Associations for 10 years before she started painting.  First with watercolor, then oil and now happily with acrylic and mixed media, it has been a lifetime of growing and exploring all things art.  

Kelley has won numerous awards, and has taught classes and workshops for many years.  While for the majority of her career Kelley has been a literal, representational painter, in the past 4 years she has been diving into abstraction, particularly Intuitive Abstraction.  The history involved on the canvas, the multiple layers, the reveal and conceal and push and pull are what attracts her to this method. 

A favorite thing to do is to travel, and be inspired by different landscapes and  cityscapes.  Kelley has traveled to Holland to paint, along with many places on this side of the ocean, namely Nova Scotia, Sedona, Santa Fe, St. Simon’s Island, Seattle, San Miguel de Allende, MX, California and Maine. 

In 2009 Kelley founded the Artists’ Challenge Group “Girls Just Wanna Paint” which is a collection of award winning artists  who post a response to a new topic every month consecutively since July of 2009. Aside from the Providence Art Club Kelley is a member of the North River Arts Society in Marshfield, MA.  She has taught at the Art Club, Bristol Art Museum, and at North River Arts Society.

Materials List for Learn From The Masters

You can choose whatever medium you have experience with. Kelley will be painting with acrylics. You will need:

A canvas or substrate between 9x12 to 16x20.

A Sketchbook and ‘paintable’ paper such as canva pads or paper for acrylics, etc. to experiment on.

In your medium:

• a warm red (cad red light) and a cool red (alizarin crimson or magenta or rose)
• A warm blue (pthalo or cerulean) and a cool blue (ultramarine)
• A warm yellow (cad yellow medium) and a cool yellow (lemon)
• White and burnt umber and black if you like.

Paper towels, tubs for water, aprons or painting shirt

Pencils, ink pen, 

Bring your open heart and a beginners mind.  All levels familiar with their medium.

This 3-week class will dive into the world of block printing, covering a crash-course on all things blocks for artists of all sorts who want to bring their creativity to life in the printed world. This class will cover techniques for drawing, carving, and printing block prints on a variety of mediums. Rachel will help you bring to life a block and a variety of prints in different mediums of your own imagination.

About the Instructor: Rachel Nerger (Ray Prints)

I started block printing in 2020 when I was looking to reconnect with my creativity outside of the everyday hustle and bustle and a full-time job in finance. I have always been an artist at heart, and have continued to explore new mediums even as I jumped into the professional world.

Over the past few years, all the hours of drawing, carving, and printing blocks has led me to “launch” Ray Prints where I’ve been able to share my love of block prints with the south shore at different pop ups and markets. I have fallen in love with block printing for the way that it fits into life - it is accessible, affordable and has provided me with hours of escape as I work through each step in creating totally unique pieces of art with each stamp and Speedball carve.

Materials List:

(1 per student) 8"x10" block, black ink, rollers and paper provided by NRAS. Students should bring a set of carving tools, Rachel recommends this one for beginners. Rachel also suggests bringing watercolor supplies, different ink colors if you want and any old clothing, canvas bags, etc. that you may want to play around printing on! 

Looking for more space to spread out and work on a project? Or maybe you want to work amongst other artists to feel inspired and get some helpful feedback on your work. Join other local artists any time between 9am-12pm, for Open Studio. Please pay $10 cash at the door. Bring all supplies you need to use, NRAS has easels available. 

No registration, drop in only, cash or check.

Is there anything more exciting and rewarding than painting plein air?  Join us as we navigate the thrills and challenges of painting in nature this Spring!  Learn or master the skills of judging the light, fending off the breeze, capturing that certain something that appeals to you in an outdoor setting!  This highly engaged, friendly and supportive group is intrepid and inclusive. 

Each week we are at a different location - we’ll paint the ocean, marshes, architecture and gardens!  Perhaps this year we will add a figure in the landscape?!?!  I will get all of your phone numbers so I can text you if there is a sudden change in location due to weather, or any other reason. Students can use any media they have familiarity with.  All levels, but I will be painting in acrylic or gouache.  I usually know where there is a nearby restroom.  Some weeks I will demo but will mostly be occupied with your progress and efforts.  

MATERIALS LIST: Materials List for Safari 2023.pages

About the Instructor: Kelley MacDonald 

After getting her Art History degree at Wheaton College, Kelley continued taking art classes at various Art Associations for 10 years before she started painting.  First with watercolor, then oil and now happily with acrylic and mixed media, it has been a lifetime of growing and exploring all things art.  

Kelley has won numerous awards, and has taught classes and workshops for many years.  While for the majority of her career Kelley has been a literal, representational painter, in the past 4 years she has been diving into abstraction, particularly Intuitive Abstraction.  The history involved on the canvas, the multiple layers, the reveal and conceal and push and pull are what attracts her to this method. 

A favorite thing to do is to travel, and be inspired by different landscapes and  cityscapes.  Kelley has traveled to Holland to paint, along with many places on this side of the ocean, namely Nova Scotia, Sedona, Santa Fe, St. Simon’s Island, Seattle, San Miguel de Allende, MX, California and Maine. 

In 2009 Kelley founded the Artists’ Challenge Group “Girls Just Wanna Paint” which is a collection of award winning artists  who post a response to a new topic every month consecutively since July of 2009. Aside from the Providence Art Club Kelley is a member of the North River Arts Society in Marshfield, MA.  She has taught at the Art Club, Bristol Art Museum, and at North River Arts Society.

This is a guided plein air class with the intention of creating various color studies for a larger studio piece. Ann will coordinate with students to visit and paint at four locations. Each location will be visited twice, with the first visit involving a demo from Ann and hands-on guidance. The second visit will allow artists to work on their study mostly independently. Get outside, do intentional color studies together and prepare for a larger studio landscape in the fall! 

About the Instructor: Ann Musto

Ann has been a plein air and studio oil painter for over twenty years. Her interest lies in working to capture the beauty of what we see in light and color.  Ann’s work includes portraits, landscapes and still life. Ann completed her studies at the Academy of Realist Art in Boston, a traditional atelier. She has been a long time member of North River Arts Society and has served on the NRAS Board of Directors and on the NRAS Arts Committee.

AnnMustoArt.com

Any medium and experience levels welcome.