Barbara Benda

Let’s Paint Birds Together!

You are invited to a hands-on watercolor session for Red River Watercolor Society members and guests at the First Congregational Church, 406 8th Street South in Moorhead, Minnesota. Our meetings are free and open to guests.

Tuesday, April 11^th, 2017, 7:00- 9:00 pm

I will teach and guide this lesson from the drawing to the final bird painting. No experience is necessary!

Members will need to bring their own supplies for this meeting. Guests who do not have painting supplies will have an opportunity to try painting using some available materials.

Recommended supplies for this meeting:

French Ultramarine or another blue of your choice

Quinacridone Burnt Orange or another orange or red of your choice

New Gamboge or another yellow of your choice

(If you are new to painting, bring what you have).

IF YOU HAVE WHITE GOUACHE, please bring a tube with you and share with a friend. We will use it sparingly.

Bring a palette (white dinner plate or plastic lid); a water container, and a few brushes suitable for painting on 5”x7” paper. Suggestion: Size 6-8 watercolor brush.

Bring about 4-5 sheets of watercolor paper, torn or cut to size 5”x7”.

REMEMBER to bring painting supplies to this meeting. It is more fun if everyone paints! Those who don’t paint will be put on kitchen detail.

I am excited to announce that I will be teaching a drawing and watercolor workshop this June 5-8th, 2017 in beautiful Medora, North Dakota! My twin sister, Beverly, and I are traveling to the western side of the state to guide you in an unforgettable week of drawing, painting, and socializing in the quaint western town in the North Dakota Badlands located near the entrance to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This is the first time we have had this opportunity to offer such a workshop. The workshop will be taught indoors at the new Bill and Jane Marcil Life Skills Center; however, there will be many opportunities for you to explore wildlife, plants, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets and take your own photographs of bison, wild horses, deer, buttes, birds, and rock formations. A variety of workshop packages are available, but I urge you to purchase the workshop, lodging, and musical package as the Medora Foundation has made the prices irresistible when you choose this option. You’ll want to check out Bully Pulpit Golf Course if you are a golfer. I have played this course and it is spectacular! Please consider a vacation for yourself to include your family and friends. If you come as a single, you will meet new friends as each night has social outings for our workshop group. This is an ideal workshop for all levels of learners as I walk you through the essentials of drawing and watercolor painting using Medora’s unique beauty as a source of subject matter. For more information on the workshop, contact Beverly Benda at 701-610-9529. To register for a Stay and Paint package, please call 1-800-MEDORA-1. This workshop is limited to 21 participants so I urge you to consider registering as soon as possible to secure a spot. Thank you!

These are small paintings done after shoulder surgery. Recovering from surgery teaches me to be patient and try new subjects and practice old subjects-whatever suits my fancy. I can’t paint large, yet, so I paint many “Little Originals”.Bloom where you are planted. Paint when you can, however you can. I painted left-handed one day and found I laughed more when I do that. Yes, bloom where you are planted-and feed the desire within.  Have fun, my friends…I am heading back to the studio to bloom a little more.