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Sedona Arts Center — Field Expeditions to Grand Canyon / Mexico

by Community Contributor • January 31, 2020 • Comments Off

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Grand Canyon: Painting from the Rim
with Bill Cramer
June 5 – 7, 2020

Bill Cramer
Growing up in southern California, Bill always had an interest in exploring nature and creating art. As an experienced rock climber, he spent much of his youth enjoying the more vertical places of the American west. This gave him a perspective of the world that few others would ever experience. He received a fine arts degree from California State University Long Beach and later moved to Prescott, Arizona with his wife Michelle to be closer to the scenery they both enjoyed. It was there that Bill discovered the joys and challenges of landscape painting, his outdoor experiences providing much of the insight and inspiration expressed in his art. Today with his wife and two daughters, Sarah and Megan, Bill divides his time between family, art, and outdoor pursuits. “I’m satisfied when a painting is as rich as the landscape that inspired it. My goals are to keep exploring the southwest’s wild places, search for new ideas and express what I find exciting about landscapes and about painting.

Nothing really compares to painting at the edge of the Grand Canyon. This three-day intensive offers: master instruction, the support of the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute (GCCFI) and coordination through the Sedona Arts Center. We will car pool or use GCCFI van to get to various locations on the south rim over the course of the workshop, coordinating our locations to create optimal lighting for the painting experience.

Bill Cramer teaches various approaches to working on-site and how to efficiently compose and complete plein air paintings. Emphasis will be placed on how to effectively translate the often complex three dimensional landscape onto a two dimensional plane using thumbnail sketches, limited palettes, and the thoughtful use of colors, values, shapes, edges, and textures. Further emphasis will be placed on the creative process to make paintings that are more than strict representations of the landscape we see. Multiple demonstrations will be complemented by individual attention and group learning.

All students should have a good familiarity with their equipment and some previous workshop experience with plein air painting. Bill will be demonstrating with oil paints. This workshop experience is limited to 10 students.

Included: Three-Day Workshop includes: Park Pass, use of Grand Canyon Field Institute Van, Rainy Day back up studio the community building (if needed).

Not Included: Lodging, Meals or Transportation to and from the Canyon.

(Note: First Meeting 9:00 am at the Community Building on the first day. The next two days we will be meeting at 6:00 am for morning painting then after a long lunch break we will paint till sunset.)

GRAND CANYON: PAINTING FROM THE RIM : SIGN UP

A Painting Adventure in Mexico
with Gretchen Lopez
November 17 – 24, 2020

Gretchen Lopez combines traditional as well as contemporary elements in her works, from the figurative to still life to plein air painting. Gretchen teaches classes and workshops at the Sedona Arts Center and leads international workshops. She has been nominated for the Viola Award for Excellence in Art Education.

Her works are included in numerous private collections both nationally and internationally, and can be seen in select galleries throughout the Southwest.

Join us at the beautiful boutique hotel, La Casa de Espíritus Alegres in Guanajuato, Mexico. We will paint markets and plazas, the ruins of rock walls and arches at Mellado, and visit nearby San Miguel de Allende for a day of painting. We’ll start painting in the courtyard with outdoor still-life scenarios and the environs of the hacienda to get our painting juices flowing. The last day will feature the option of working with models in the outdoors. Gretchen Lopez will demonstrate and provide one-on-one teaching during the entire experience.

Included: 7 nights lodging (shared occupancy*) and full breakfast daily. 6 days painting workshop. Welcome dinner on first night. Lunch on first and last day at the hacienda. Ground transportation to all painting locations. Guide and translator throughout.

*Rates based on shared occupancy with other student or other paying partner. There are limited single rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Not Included: Flight to Leon BJX, taxi to hacienda and return. Food other than described. Painting materials.

The hotel: This is not your cookie-cutter chain hotel! It is full of historic charm and beauty!

From their website: In the heart of Guanajuato, luxury hotel “Casa de Espiritus Alegres” offers exclusive accommodation for travelers looking for a peaceful haven within easy reach of the city’s delights. The beautifully restored building is set on a magic and peaceful old hacienda of picturesque colonial gardens, under the shade of ancient trees. A relaxing hideaway in pure surroundings.

The property, which includes a nine-bedroom old hacienda building, with a big kitchen, embraces both the heritage of the hacienda lifestyle and its inherent connection to the colonial Guanajuato and, while honoring rustic simplicity, growth, modesty, and transience.

The interior décor features expertly selected antiques, elegant furniture, and rustic details, making guests feel completely at home.

A PAINTING ADVENTURE IN MEXICO : LEARN MORE / SIGN UP

Sedona Arts Center is celebrating The Year of the Woman as the theme for 2020, the centennial year of the 19th amendment allowing women the right to vote. We believe it is important to recognize women artists and to empower women through the arts.

Sedona Arts Center is one of Northern Arizona’s most well-established cultural organizations and serves as the creative heart of Sedona. Founded in 1958, the nonprofit organization is based at the Art Barn in Uptown and offers year-round classes, exhibitions, festivals, and cultural events that enhance the creative life of the Verde Valley. The Center’s Fine Art Gallery, open daily from 10am to 5pm, promotes the original works of over 100 local artists and regularly offers special assistance for collectors and art buyers, offers private studio visits, and fosters hundreds of arts education opportunities each year. For more information, call the Gallery at 928-282-3865, the Administrative offices at 928-282-3809 or visit us online at SedonaArtsCenter.org.

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