Barbara Benda

Fellow artist and friend Steve Johnson and I were accepted into the Midwestern at the Rourke Art Museum in Moorhead, MN. Steve and I collaborated on a large painting/collage called The Story of America. Steve’s extensive postage stamp collection and my 1965 Harris Stamp Map collided in a work of art. I didn’t know I could paint on a canvas at the same time as another artist, but it was a breeze to accomplish with Steve. We simply agreed on the composition and colors in advance. The rest of it came from our guts. It was a challenging piece that came together seamlessly.

Thank you, Steve. for creating this with me. I hope it is one of many collaborative paintings we create as a team. I loved rising to the challenge of trying to tell the story of our country with postage stamps and paint!

I am happy to announce that my painting, “Clownin’ Around”, has been accepted in the Red River Watercolor Society’s National Watermedia Show held at the Hjemkomst Heritage Center in Moorhead, Minnesota. This painting was inspired by a rodeo clown I watched at the 2012 Hawley Rodeo. I am giving you a “teaser” here to the left.  This is just one small section of the painting. If you want to see the whole painting, you must come to the Hjemkomst and see the “big picture”.

There will be an opening reception on June 18th from 6:00-8:30 pm at the Hjemkomst Center’s lower gallery at 202 1st Avenue North in Moorhead, MN. Juror Arne Westerman will do a presentation at 6 pm. I encourage you to check out his website as he is a master watercolor painter in his 80’s. He will be presenting a week-long workshop that week and I will be in attendance. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn under Arne Westerman! Check him out at :  http://www.arnewesterman.com

I would like to invite you personally to come to this exhibit which will be up until July 28th,2013. More importantly, please come to hear Arne speak on June 18th. He has a reputation for being an excellent and knowledgeable teacher. We are so blessed to have him here in Moorhead for a week.

   Are you interested in learning how to start painting or perhaps, you have let those paints and pencils sit for a few years, collecting dust, and you need some motivation to respond to your creative urges?

I will be offering my course The Creative Journey I: Exploration in Drawing and Watercolor this July 9th-10th, 2013, from 9:00-4:00 daily on the NDSCS campus in Wahpeton, North Dakota.  This two-day workshop is an introductory overview of non-threatening drawing and watercolor techniques to spur the creative energy of all levels of artists. This course will include  topics such as sketchbook journaling, making effective value studies, making sense of the color wheel, tips on creating strong compositions, and learning to deal with the “inner critic” and other blocks to creative progress. This course is sponsored by the Red Door Art Gallery in Wahpeton. The cost of instruction is $100 for two days. A supply list will be available soon. Those who are new to watercolor may purchase a “sampler kit” for a small fee.

I will be also teaching my 2-day workshop titled, “The Creative Journey II: Exploration in Value and Composition”, on July 16^th-17th, also on the NDSCS  campus in Wahpeton. This course goes into greater depth to better understand and practice key topics of value and composition in drawing and watercolor.  Creative Journey I is a recommended prerequisite to this course.

The Red Door Art Gallery  in Wahpeton will be handling the registration and payment. Payment is due upon registration. Minimum class size is 10 and maximum class size is 15. I prefer to keep my classes small to allow for more individualized instruction.

I hope to see you at either class this summer!- Barbara