Wee One's

Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to teach 8 young aspiring impressionist artists!  The workshop was part of Meta4 Contemporary Craft Gallery's SUMMER ART CAMP!  Our theme for the painting day was to paint anything based on a famous artist!

Now who do you think is my FAVORITE and famous painter of all time?? Claude Monet!

After a brief lesson on the colour wheel, we launched ourselves into the impressionistic style!!!  Some students decided to paint their own version of impressionism, but most stayed true to the lesson and worked with me to create a wonderful seascape!  Here are a few pictures taken during the class.

Enjoy!
Marissa

The Chosen One

Here is a picture of an abstract painting I started as a demo with the Visual Arts in Clarington class last year.  It was part of a collage to abstract painting  lesson I wanted this painting to be very "grey".  

 

 

 

After abandoning it for about 5 months, to focus on working on new lessons, it is only now that I had time to continue working at it.  I added Naples yellow, white and transparent red iron oxide to the grey and here it is now with a new life. It is called "the chosen one".

 

Never give up with your paintings!

 

Marissa

Taking a break

Most of my friends and clients ask me, what shows I am doing this year or where am I going to show next and honestly, I am NOT showing next.  YUPPer, Am taking a break from shows for a while.

Of course, it is not to say I am terminating my career as a visual artist.   Certainly NO WAY!!!  But rather just taking a bit of a hiatus, an interval or rather a break from showing my art through shows and fairs.

I am teaching a lot and continue to work on my own paintings and gather new reference materials for future work.  I have a ton on unfinished work and have made efforts to finish them one by one as I create new ones.  Due to this more relaxed atmosphere, I feel more inspired to create and continue with conceptual work soon to be unveiled.

Even without shows to gear up to, I feel the most productive as I have ever been in years!!!  Even without the deadline, I continue to work on my projects whether it be painting, research, motivation, marketing, teaching, mentoring, administration, networking, and web social media.  This break really isn't the break people think it may seem to be, but rather this break has pushed me to work harder than ever before.

Here are two finished works, I am sure my Bold Floral students will be happy to see.

Happy Summer!!
Marissa

Peace 24" x 24" Acrylic

May Belle 24" x 24" Acrylic

Should I go indoor or outdoor??

If you are an artist, do you prefer to participate in an indoor or outdoor art show and why?

Personally, I have participated in both venues and some quite far away from home.  Depending on the location and type of  show, there are more things to consider when choosing which art show to apply for and join.  Finding an art show where your work sells, is trial and error.  It takes years to weed out the duds and find the gems.  Some art shows takes years to even be accepted and the waitlist too long to even be considered.  Patience and determination is key.

Some outdoor art show are exclusive to original fine art visual work, 2D and 3D, while some shows combine fine art with photography and crafts, which often reduces your chance to sell your work due to the competitive prices some smaller items can carry.  Outdoor shows in downtown cities are popular, as city dwellers enjoy coming for the show and continue on with their errands, some walk their dogs and happen to chance that particular piece that would fit their space!!  Of course, outdoor show are subject to the weather, so everything has to be considered such what to bring such as tents, chairs, tables, hanging equipment, lighting, and security!

Riverdale Art Walk 2012

Indoor shows can shelter you from the weather which makes things a bit more comfortable.  But some have no air-conditioning which could be extremely hot and uncomfortable during warm summer months. Juried show are excellent to participate in because the caliber of artists are selected and most have high standards to quality.  Let me know your comments and lets get some buzz going!

Marissa

Upcoming Art Camps

Whoooahhhh, is it almost JULY????  July comes with workshops and new gigs to share.  So here goes!

July 13 - Abstracted Landscapes at Sweet Art Studio in Oshawa $85.00 from 10-4p.m.

July 14  - 101 on Acrylic Mediums at Sweet Art Studio; $120.00 from 10-4p.m. supplies included

July 15-17 - Beginner's Acrylic at Currys Art Store in Whitby 905-728-2868 10-2p.m.

July 20 - Mixed Media with Collage at Meta4 Art Gallery in Port Perry
www.meta4gallery.ca

July 25 - Meta 4 - Art Camp ,  from 6-10 years, from 9:30-12:00nn


For more information, you can check out my website www.marissasweet.com or call me at 905-718-7289!!

Summer Loving... having a Blast!!
Marissa

Rainy Weather and Cloud

Claude Monet has been so influential for me, when I was growing up in the Philippines, my uncle (a painter) introduced me to the impressionists from France.  I read as much as I could on Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Degas, Van Gogh, art books, literature articles, magazines and history books.  I was totally inspired and made me want to paint in this style!  Years later, as I continued to paint and find a style I could call my own, I still revert back to this captivating style with nostalgia and passion.

Not only is the style unique for its time, it was neither highly finished or realistic and the subject matter neither classical or historical.  It was very cool to paint what happened in real life, life's adventures, and capturing the essence of light.

Rainy weather and cloud could not hinder 6 avid students from attending my workshop today at The Painted Tree, in Cobourg Ontario.  The workshop " Paint your gardens like Monet" introduced students to the impressionistic style of 'broken colour'.

Below is the demonstration painting, I painted with the class.

Till the next time,

Marissa

Demonstration Painting by Marissa Sweet

 

Bumblebee and me

This was such a great weekend! The sun was shinning and I had the opportunity to visit a few gardens around town participating with the "Artists in the Garden" fundraiser and show.  All proceeds go to the Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre and I am sure they have made their goal this year to help their programs!

Linda Gidora at a rustic garden on Nash Road

Ron and Sharon Backwell at an ornamental garden in Bowmanville

 

I only had time to visit 3 gardens, but it was well worth it.  The work of all who participated and those that opened their gardens for public viewing was such a treat.  I know, I will have lots of garden painting references for future work and classes!  Check out www.hearthplace.org for more details.