Recap of the Fabulous Sedona Trip!

Last year a friend and I discussed entering the Sedona Plein Air Festival which is held the end of October. Then we decided it would be great to spend a month in Sedona ... rent a house for the month .... and do loads of painting. We were already planning to be at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico for a week long plein air workshop with Ann Templeton at the first of October. So .... no brainer, right?

Ghost Ranch Canyon -- Plein Air Oil, 11" x 14"
at Windrush Gallery, Sedona AZ

I started thinking about what artist friends would be most interested in this type of immersion in the Western landscape .... extreme painting even! To plan a trip of this kind, thinking of the personalities involved, and the hope that all would be compatible .... well .... five women for a whole month in one house and agreeing on what to do next? Was I crazy? .... No Way! I believe that as artists, we are the most accommodating and sharing people on the planet. Fantastic .... no worries!

This past fall, Camille Day, Wanda Crane, Denise Champion, and Virginia Dauth joined me on this adventure ... making the trek to Sedona, Arizona for a month of painting and inspiration in the land of the red rocks. Although we hoped to be inspired artistically, we all experienced far more spiritually than ever expected.

Morning Arroyo
Plein Air Pastel - 12" x 9"

Our unique experiences included friendships formed with artists from the Southwest and the invited artists to the Sedona Arts Festival, encounters with local wildlife, excursions to the Grand Canyon and Jerome, painting a nocturn painting (night-time), the search for vortexes, and many days of "extreme painting" to round out the adventure!  “If you asked each of the artists who took this trip, all would say it was an "art-changing" if not a life-changing experience,” says Camille aka "Candy" Day.

Also, one of our group was able to secure a venue for showing the plein air paintings, and the studio ones done after our return. The ‘Sedona Five,’ as we started to call ourselves, shared paintings, journals, memorabilia, and recollections in a special show at the GAHA Gallery in Ellijay, GA, May 13 through 31. The name of the show was ... Sedona: A Journey of Art and Spirit.

de Chelly Bluff -- Oil Studio 16" x 20"

Canyon Blues (Studio Painting)
Pastel .. 9" x 12"

To make things even better, I approached a wonderful gallery in Sedona and was accepted. They have already sold three of the paintings I left with them! Their web site is www.windrushgallery.com. Be sure to visit the site, or the gallery itself if you are in Sedona. Tell John I sent you .... he is the owner!

I will be posting many of the plein air and studio paintings to my personal website as soon as I can. Be sure to take a look: www.marshasavage.com .

Teaching Pastel

There are wonderful days of painting in the studio .... and of course the best is painting outdoors from life! Spending time with nature is by far my favorite painting past time!

But, having said that, almost as good is when I teach a workshop and get to watch the proverbial "light bulb" go on in the aspiring artist's face.... when they suddenly see and know something they had not been able to grasp just a few moments before! Fun, fun, fun!

My pastel box
This was made by my Dad!

Last weekend I had a pastel workshop -- two days of teaching at a wonderful place called the Atlanta Artist Center. Look them up online and see what this great organization is all about. I will give you a link for them at the bottom of this post. The first day was the busiest --- setting up my easel and supplies, and then helping them set up and decide what they wished to paint this first day. Then I do a demonstration: first the thumbnail, then my watercolor underpainting technique and the starting of a pastel painting.

I start out by talking a little about what pastel painting is to me and the correct way to frame these wonderful vibrant paintings. Then I ask the students questions about what they want to learn in this workshop and why they chose me to take from. This gives me a little insight into what I need to help them with. I pass out a few cheat sheets with information about various aspects of painting in pastel .... and some of the hints and tips can be applied to any of the painting mediums... composition, color theory, value study, etc. 

The watercolor "splashy"
underpainting

I continue by showing them my set up, discuss why I choose a particular photograph to work from .... but for me it is a digital image on a 15 inch photo screen.  This is way better than looking at a printed photo ... but as most of us know, not nearly as good as being outdoors and painting from life. But, when you teach a studio workshop, then you work with photos or digital images. The underpainting is started, questions are asked, and then some of the first layer of pastel is applied.

At this point, I usually take a break from mine to allow the students to stretch and start their paintings: doing a thumbnail, discussing the reason choosing their image, how to simplify their thoughts, and then do a small bit of the underpainting. This order for the morning seems to keep students from getting tired of just listening and watching the teacher!

Before lunch, I go back to my painting, students return to their seats, and I continue to show the process I use for layering the pastel on the surface. I discuss working on the darks, adding some intense color, what I want in the sky .... and how these things affect the rest of the painting. I keep up a bit of back and forth talk and answering questions from the students. They ask why did I do a certain color, or value ... or shape, .... or why did I change something. It allows them to see how I push and pull the image into something that is an illusion .... making a two dimensional image look three dimensional! It's magic! We fool the eye with our use of value changes, and especially color theory with warm and cool play back and forth!

My plein air painting in oil ...
the resource and then the larger pastel.

The remainder of the day .... after lunch .... the students work on their paintings with input from me. I go back to my piece maybe once or twice for a few strokes and discuss something that I have seen the students need to watch. A couple of the students do enough on their paintings that we decide they need to stop. Better to leave it a little underworked and fresh .... instead of doing way too much and having it look too fussy! Tomorrow they get to start a new one .... and maybe after lunch start another one. I tell them it is more important to plan the painting .... taking the time in the beginning .... and then start the paintings with a better chance for success!

So, this was the first day. On the second day, the students worked on the start of another painting. I tell them it is more important to plan the paintings, then start them, than it is to finish them completely in the workshop. I also started another demonstration as they worked. They are told to periodically take a break from their painting and come take a look at what I have done on this demo. There are times I tell them to come watch a specific thing I am doing to it. But, I am always walking around and offering advice and answering questions.

Here is the second demo .... though I will be assessing both of them to determine what I need to do, if anything to further the idea I had in the beginning!

Chama Chamissa -- Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord

Here is the link to the Atlanta Artist Center which is located in Buckhead ... a great little area in the Northern part of Atlanta .... www.atlantaartistscenter.org.

Pastel Plein Air Workshop in Littleton Colorado

Wouldn't you enjoy coming to the Denver, Colorado area to take a workshop where you get to paint the beautiful scenery .... and also visit Terry Ludwig's wonderful pastel workshop where he and staff make these awesome sticks of pastel? You need to look at his web site: www.terryludwig.com. They are my favorite pastels to work with from start to finish!

Willeo Park Misty
"Best in Show"
Great Chatthoochee Paint Out 2010

So .... I will be teaching a plein air (outdoors) workshop the weekend of June  10, 11, & 12 (Fri., Sat. & Sun.) for Terry Ludwig Studio. His workshop is in Littleton, Colorado and will be the meeting place before we head out to the beautiful landscape in surrounding Denver and Littleton.

Two great reasons to take this workshop: Painting plein air in Colorado -- a beautiful area of our Country .... and a perfect opportunity to see Terry Ludwig pastels and to purchase what you want! The cost of this workshop is only $300 for the three days. The workshop will be on location (plein air) and/or his classroom studio weather permitting.

This workshop will be the weekend after the close of the IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies) convention in Albuquerque NM. So, if you are attending the convention, plan a side trip on the way home to take a workshop with me in Colorado! We will paint on location in the beautiful area surrounding Denver / Littleton, Colorado. My teaching has much to do with developing the ability to really see color relationships, aerial perspective, edges and drawing skills. Be sure to read the article about my painting in the February 2011 edition of the Pastel Journal for more insight on my painting philosophy.

Put this on your calendar -- registration is happening now. Please contact me to ask questions!!!!!
  marshasavageart@yahoo.com
...... and ....Visit my web site and see what my paintings are all about!
  www.marshasavage.com

Acrylic Workshop in Ellijay, GA

Although I am better known for my paintings in pastel or oil, I also paint occasionally in acrylic.

"Gladiola Profusion"
24" x 20"

I have done several commissions in acrylic, one of those being eight paintings for a restaurant, Enigma Cafe at Satellite Beach, Florida.

The painting shown here is acrylic and was done from life. I walked into a Kroger and the glads were $1 for a bunch ... so I bought about 10 bunches and had fun painting them for a couple of days!

So .... I have been asked several times, "when are you going to teach in acrylic?" Here is your opportunity!

Studio Workshop -
Acrylic's Split Personality
Gilmer Arts and Heritage Association -- Ellijay, GA

May 14 and 15, 2011
Saturday and Sunday

This is a special opportunity ----
the cost of this workshop is $150 for the two days, 
supplies included!

The workshop will follow the "theme" of the GAHA upcoming show sponsored by the Garden Club. The intention for this workshop is to have each student leave with a completed sunflower painting. You will paint along with the teacher, following stroke by stroke as the painting comes to life. I will also discuss learning from the experience, creating studies instead of thinking of creating a "painting." This thought process most times takes the pressure off trying too hard! Try it, you'll like it and it might just give you a boost to try more!

Gilmer Arts and Heritage Association (GAHA) members receive 10% off class fees. Call 706-635-5605 to schedule the class.



207 Dalton Street
Ellijay, GA 30540

(706) 635-5605
gaha@ellijay.com

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday --- 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Closed: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday

Three Key Benefits of Marsha Savage Workshops

1. The workshop engages the student to study the key elements of starting a painting in a controlled way. A plan is made, started and keeps the student on track, instead of just "flying by the seat of their pants."

2. Study with a teacher in a workshop allows students to ask their own questions, but more importantly to see and listen to other students' questions and processes.

3. Learning to enjoy the journey, not necessarily trying to finish a piece is a key element in my discussions during the whole of the workshop. This also means to follow their own path, taking what they need from the workshop and are capable of at their stage, not just learning to paint in the style of the instructor.

So ..... contact the Gilmer Arts and Heritage Association and plan to participate in a very fun workshop. You can also contact me with any questions: marshasavageart@yahoo.com.  I hope to see you there.

Sunflower Fun 1
Pastel

Sunflower Fun 2
Oil

Lost Mountain Nursery Paint Out

This Saturday, April 30, I will be painting on location at Lost Mountain Nursery which is located in Dallas, GA. I will be joined by my painting buddies from Georgia Outdoor Painters and other artist friends. We should be there when it opens and for most of the day. Here is the information for the nursery:

LOST MOUNTAIN NURSERY
824 Poplar Springs Road
Dallas, GA 30157

Phone: (770) 427-5583
Hours of Operation
Monday-Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday (March-December): Noon-5:00

 
Web site: http://www.lostmountainnursery.com/aboutus.html
The web site has several pages, but I have included the link to the page telling about some of the wonderful people that work for the nursery and what kind of expertise they have. There is also a map to show you where it is located.

Come see the nursery and some wonderful plants. Enjoy the day watching artists paint flowers, pots, the potting shed, and all kinds of things you would find at a nursery.

Hope to see you there!

Painting in Madison GA and Blue Ridge GA



My painting and the scene from the
World Wide Paint Out last September

 There are several Plein Air paint outs in the Atlanta area in the next couple of months. This is one of our most beautiful times of year here ... we have dogwood and cherry trees in bloom, azaleas will be reaching their peak bloom in the next month, etc. Sometimes it is hard to decide which plein air event to respond to! Here are two I will be attending.

Madison, GA
I will be participating in a paint out in Madison GA on Friday, May 6. It will be in conjundtion with their Madison in May Spring Tour of Homes. This is a beautiful community located East of Atlanta and very easy to find.

Here is the link to the web page about the homes on the tour: Madison Spring Tour of Homes.

I received an e-mail from my contact there who asked me to let other artists know about the opportunity. So, here is her message to me:

"Just wanted to send you the link to the Cultural Center's Tour Homes so you can preview them. You are not required to paint at these locations, but this is where a lot of folks will be walking around during the tour of homes.

I can't wait till May 6th! I will keep my fingers crossed for the lovely weather we usually get for this event!

If you know of any other painters who might be interested in participating, please pass my email along to them!"

Blue Ridge Plein Air Festival

I will be painting in Blue Ridge for their Plein Air Festival on Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10. Here is the link to the BRMAA Plein Air Festival page. We may even be photographed for inclusion in a magazine article. We need to have loads of artists painting for this one!

Contact the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association to pre-register for this. But, you can just show up and register that morning! We would like to know there will be many artists there, so pre-registering would be wonderful to know you'll be there.

Blue Ridge is a wonderful place to paint -- in town, along the Toccoa River, Lake Blue Ridge, Mercier Orchard, and the pastures and mountains! There will be maps, snacks, prizes, and you can show your plein air work at the Art Center.

Come join us in the fantastic community and paint! Contact me if you need any more information, or contact either of these organizations. They would love to hear from you.

Atlanta Artist Center Workshop

I have a pastel workshop scheduled for May 21 and 22 (Sat. and Sun.) at the Atlanta Artist Center which is located off Pharr Rd. in the Buckhead area of Atlanta.

Three Key Benefits of Marsha Savage Workshops

1. The workshop engages the student to study the key elements of starting a painting in a controlled way. A plan is made, started and keeps the student on track, instead of just "flying by the seat of their pants."

2. Study with a teacher in a workshop allows students to ask their own questions, but more importantly to see and listen to other students' questions and processes.

3. Learning to enjoy the journey of painting, not necessarily trying to finish a piece is a key element in my discussions during the whole of the workshop. This also means to follow their own path, taking what they need from the workshop and are capable of at their stage, not just learning to paint in the style of the instructor.

Here is the information you need:

Evening Cypress - Pastel

Atlanta Artist Center
2979 Grandview Avenue
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Sat. / Sun., May 21 & 22, 2011
9:00 am – 4:00 pm  (8:45 arrival please)

Cost:
$225 – Members / $275 – Non-members
Deposit of $50 required

The 8:45 am arrival time is to get your gear into the classroom and set up. A supply list will be given upon registration. Please bring your own bottled water or drink and a snack or sack lunch. You can order from Basil's which is next door to the Atlanta Artist Center. Basil's offers a special for AAC students for $7.

This workshop is appropriate for beginners through advanced. Advanced students will learn how to raise their art to the next level.

The workshop will consist of instruction on composition, thumbnail sketches, value, temperature, and color theory. We will discuss painting from photographs, and how to make a painting look as if painted on location. Critiques will be continually as each student is helped.

A demonstration will start the day on Saturday morning. We will discuss quickly creating a thumbnail sketch to work from, blocking in the darks and lights, finding the colors and developing the painting. You will not necessarily finish each painting. This class is not to paint a pretty painting from start to finish – but how to plan and start properly with less problems.

For more information about me, my bio and my artist statement see my web site, www.marshasavage.com , or you can call 770-926-3623 (Smyrna, GA), or e-mail me at marshasavageart@yahoo.com.

To Register Call -- 404-237-2324 Atlanta Artist Center (AAC)

Website: http://www.atlantaartistscenter.org/