Barbara Benda

Play Your “A” Game

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?

Thanks to the Red Door Art Gallery of Wahpeton, I will be offering my course The Creative Journey I: Exploration in Drawing and Watercolor this July 15^th and 16th, from 9:00-4:00 daily at the Tech Building on the beautiful 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. The cost of instruction is $150 for two days.  Those who are new to watercolor may purchase a “sampler kit” for a small fee.  Watercolor paper will be supplied.

The Red Door Art Gallery in Wahpeton will be handling the registration and payment. Payment is due upon registration. Call the Red Door Art Gallery at (701) 591-1010 or email the www.reddoorgallerywahpeton.com/ to sign up today. It’s time to jump start your creativity and begin a journey that will last a lifetime.

Creative Journey I and II Supply List:

Note: I will supply watercolor paper for all of the exercises. If you prefer to bring your own watercolor paper , please bring it to the class.

-A container for holding water (ice cream bucket or large plastic container

-masking tape

– any soft brushes of various sizes, but I will have some available for those who do not have brushes

-a sketchbook to be used for journaling and drawing exercises. It does not have to be brand new. Bring a pen you enjoy using for writing.

– a variety of pencils and a fine-tipped Sharpie marker.

– paper towels

– photographs of subject matter you enjoy. If you are able, please enlarge and photocopy one or two of them. Black and white photo references are very helpful

when learning about value.

-a plastic palette or lid to mix paints*

-any watercolor tubes and brushes you may have. IF YOU do not have these, please consider purchasing a sampler kit I will have available for you to purchase for a small fee. *

*Sampler kit includes a plastic palette, a brush,three watercolor tubes, and watercolor paper.

Creating a work in collage involves gluing materials to a surface to create a unique work of art. It is fun, thought provoking, and intuitive. Students are    required to bring a sketchbook or journal and encouraged to bring a box of interesting paper items such as stamps, ticket stubs, letters, colored tissue papers, etc. We will use acrylic paint and gloss medium to explore the possibilities. This is a non-threatening introduction to mixed media collage and will focus on the process of exploration and experimentation using a variety of materials. Many collage materials will be available for use, although students need to supply their own acrylic paints of any colors.

Register by calling the Red Door Art Gallery in Wahpeton at 701-591-1010. Payment is required at the time of registration.

Cost: $85/ per person

Date and Time:  Tuesday, July 8^{th, 2014, 9:00-4:00}

 ^{Location: Tech building on the NDSCS Campus in Wahpeton, North Dakota.} 

Acrylic Mixed Media Collage Supply List

o   Journal or sketchbook at least 9”x 12” in size

o   Container for water, such as an ice cream bucket

o   At least four acrylic paint tubes: yellow, blue, red, and white

o   A few inexpensive, old paintbrushes for use with gloss medium

o   Any scraps of paper that have interesting textures and colors, such as stamps, ticket stubs, tissue papers, gift wrapping paper, gum wrappers, etc.

o   Photo references of an image you would like to create using collage materials.

I will supply additional materials such as magazines, tissue papers, and backings for collages.

” The arts, quite simply, nourish the soul. They sustain, comfort, inspire. There is nothing like that exquisite moment when you first discover the beauty of connecting with others in celebration of larger ideals and shared wisdom.”- Gordon Gee

I believe this!  Through recent trials and tribulations, I have touched base with a loving God who inspires me to paint away my troubles for awhile. Starved for nourishment and sometimes feeling as though I am in a desert, I realize that, when I create from my own hands, the nourishment courses through my veins. Gratitude follows as I  then realize what I have, instead of what I do not have. I celebrate the brush moving, the sounds of a Beethoven symphony in the background, and this amazing opportunity to do something for myself that could nourish the soul of another human being.

Today, nourish your soul with art…if you don’t yet create for  yourself, stop at a local art gallery or museum and soak in colors, compositions, and  ideas that will feed your soul abundantly.