July, 2020 Newsletter
Click on the images for a larger view
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New,
"Mastering Negative Painting"
video
The video is 1 hour and 36 minutes in length and can be downloaded or streamed. When you're on the website click on
"Videos"
at the top of the page to see this and my other videos.
Do you think people are born with talent?
For years I have been told by people that I'm doing what I was born to do. This way of thinking implies that it was my destiny to be an artist. I really can't argue one way or the other about that mind set because I don't know if I was born with a natural talent or not. What I do know, however; is that when I was around twelve years old I was fascinated with drawing and learning how to manipulate a pencil to create recognizable shapes. I remember seeing a photograph of the the watercolor painting "Young Hare" by Albrecht Durer. I spent hours upon hours trying to draw that darn rabbit in an effort to get my drawing to look somewhat close to that incredible painting. I think that I was already hooked on art by then but that painting was the reel that pulled me in.
My parents went to a PTA meeting shortly afterwards and were shown some drawings that I had done in class. The teacher suggested to my parents that I take some art classes. She also told them that my grades were not good in other areas but she liked the way that I could draw nice pictures. So my parents did some asking around and found a lady that taught oil painting lessons in her home studio. They signed me up for private lessons and off I went. From that point until now I have almost always either had a brush or pencil in my hand practicing my drawing and painting skills or I have been searching with eager anticipation for my next subject to paint. Needless to say, this is a very condensed version of my quest to be an artist but I needed to tell this part of the story to lend context to the rest of the story. Most of my life has been spent studying various forms of visual art and trying my hand at most of them to see if I could find the right fit. I've worked in pastels, oils, acrylics, charcoal, graphite, watercolor, pen and ink, and just about anything else that would make a mark on a piece of paper or a canvas. Every one of them required a learning curve and a lot of practice. In other words; it didn't come natural and I had to really work at it.
So this gets back to my original question; "do you think people are born with talent?" Personally I don't necessarily think that they are born with talent, but I do think that some people are born with a natural and inquisitive curiosity to learn as much as they can about something. At times it can become an obsession. The more they learn, the more they practice. The more they practice the more proficient they become, whether it is painting, dancing, pottery, sculpting, or anything else that requires a great deal of study and practice. The more proficient they become the more they are revered as being very talented or a master at their subject of interest. I know there are always exceptions to the rule regardless what you are talking about. We've all heard of the people that have suffered severe brain injuries and suddenly paint masterful pieces of art having never received any training or having never even picked up a brush. That's just one example; there are many more but they are extremely rare occurrences.
I know a lot of excellent painters who are often revered as "naturally talented". I have also known professional singers and musicians. Literally every one of them made a lifetime commitment to master their craft which eventually led to their success. So I think that a more appropriate question would be; "are some people born with a calling that they are driven to develop?"
My wife and business partner, Diane (AKA "The Boss"), totally disagrees with my thoughts on this. It's her belief that some people are born with a natural ability to do certain things that others are not. That is usually referred to as "natural talent". Even though she and I don't totally agree on the premise that some people are born with natural talent, we both agree that it takes hard work and perseverance to make it happen. I think that this quote says it all;
"Talent is only the starting point"
, Irving Berlin
WEBSITE NEWS
We have just posted our
2021
workshop calendar on our website and newsletter.
I now have two websites that feature my paintings. The first is:
sterlingedwards.com
which has our workshop schedule, store, FAQ page, paintings, newsletter sign-up, and more.
Both of the websites will be edited from time to time with new artwork and announcements.
NEW
The original paintings in this gallery are priced
50% off
of the regular retail price. We have already sold several of the paintings and will be adding others from time to time. Once on the website, click on "Paintings" to see the sale gallery and the other galleries as you scroll down.
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FYI
I
have just added a list of my favorite color mixes using my new palette of Holbein Watercolors. The information is listed under the FAQ tab on my website;
www.sterlingedwards.com
. I have also included the comparable Maimeriblu colors when possible for those of you who are still using my old Maimeriblu palette. I am sure that I will be adding more custom color mixes to this list as time goes on so check back from time to time.
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"Gray Day"
26" x 36" Acrylic paint on Fabriano paper.
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This painting is part of a new series of paintings that I call "Texturescapes". They are painted with large brushes and incorporate a lot of dry brush and sgrafitto to acquire bold and impressionistic brush strokes and textures. Other examples can be seen on my abstract website;
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"A Bright and Sunny Day"
22" x 30" Watercolor on Fabriano paper. canvas.
I just found this piece in one of my old archives of paintings. This was probably painted around fifteen years ago.
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Do you need an artist's website?
If so, go to
www.faso.com
(Fine Art Studio Online). This company will help you design your own custom website to your specifications. They have numerous templates that you can choose from and a great support system. I designed and built my website even though I am very computer challenged. The best part is the price. I'm only paying $28.00 a month for my website even though it is very lengthy. There are less expensive programs if you don't need a huge website. If you haven't already seen my website go to
www.sterlingedwards.com
and check it out. They can also assist you with registering your domain name. Once again, when I find something good, I pass it on.
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Wholesale pricing on original watercolors
A few months ago we announced a way for current and former students to purchase original watercolor paintings from my website at the same price that they would pay if they purchased the painting at the student wholesale price in one of my workshops. This has proven to be a very popular concept and we have sold quite a few paintings through this special offer. Here's how it works:
If you are a former student of mine and have taken a workshop you are entitled to the same special wholesale price on my original watercolor paintings on my website that you would pay in a workshop. The prices on the website are my retail price and do not apply to my students. If you see a painting on the website that you are interested in possibly purchasing, DO NOT click on the "BUY NOW" tab. If you do it will take you to PayPal and charge you the full retail price of the painting as seen on the website.
Instead, go to the "CONTACT" page and send us an email requesting the student wholesale price of the painting. Please tell us the title of the piece, what workshop you attended, and whether or not you are a U.S. resident. You will receive an email with the student wholesale price plus ordering instructions. All of the paintings are unframed and unmatted and shipped in a heavy duty mailing tube for protection. Each will be accompanied with an Artist's Biography. As a special bonus, we offer
FREE SHIPPING
on watercolors that are shipped to a U.S. address.
This offer is for watercolors only and DOES NOT include Whiskey Paintings, paintings on canvas, or paintings that are currently hanging in a gallery.
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2020-2021 Workshop Schedule
***Please Read***
Beginning in 2021 Sterling will be doing fewer workshops. Currently our 2020, and 2021 workshop schedules are full and all that we have left in 2022 is a December date. We are currently booking 2023 and 2024 workshops. If you would like to schedule a workshop for your group in 2023 or 2024 please contact us soon so we can send you the information that you will need to make an informed decision. Email;
sterling@sterlingedwards.com
and request a workshop information packet. All spots are filled on a first come, first served basis.
Note:
When you write be sure and tell us the name of the group that you represent and where you are located.
If you want more information about any of the workshops below get in touch with the
Contact person
for that particular workshop. He or she can answer questions about the workshop price, lodging, airports, etc.
2020 Workshops
- June 8 – 12, 2020, Boone, NC, Cheap Joe’s
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on Big Brush Watercolor Landscapes and Floral. Contact:
Edwina@cheapjoesartstuff.com
1-800-227-2788
Rescheduled to July 20-24 due to Coronavirus
- July 13 - 17, 2020 Calabash, NC
This is a five day acrylic abstract workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of acrylic techniques on paper and canvas.
- July 20 – 24, 2020, Boone, NC, Cheap Joe’s
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on Big Brush Watercolor Landscapes and Floral. Contact:
Edwina@cheapjoesartstuff.com
1-800-227-2788
CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
- August 3-6, 2020, Denver, CO
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- September 21-25, 2020 Flat Rock, NC
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- October 5 - 9, 2020, Pensacola, FL
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on painting a stylized (Semi-abstract) watercolor.
Contact: Diane Goeller, diane@paletteproductions.net
or Pat Page, pat@paletteproductions.net
850-384-3652
- October 26-30, 2020, Lowell, MI
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects using Big Brushes. Contact: Kathy Bechtel, Art Director, Franciscan Life Process Center ,
kbechtel@lifeprocesscenter.org
, 616-897-7842 ext 352.
- November 12-14, 2020 Raleigh, NC
This is the three day annual trade show in Raleigh, NC sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama Contact; Sharon DiGiulio at 1-800-827-8478, ext 156 or email
Sharon@jerrysartarama.com
- December 1–5, 2020. Bradenton, FL
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will cover a wide variety of styles and subjects. Contact: Carla Nierman,
carla@artcentermanatee.org
941-746-2862
2021 Workshops
- January 11-15, 2021 Myrtle Beach, S.C.
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects
- February 1-5, 2021 Boise, ID
This is a five day watercolor workshop that focuses on painting expressive and dynamic (Semi-abstract) paintings with watercolors. Contact: Anne Watson Sorensen, aewatsonart@aol.com, 208-780-2570
- March 9-12, 2021 Palm Dessert, CA
Coachella Valley Watercolor Society.
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of abstract designs and techniques.
- April 7-11, 2021 Grifton, NC
- May 24 – 27, 2021 Fairbanks, Ak
Fairbanks Watercolor Society:
- June 27 – July 2, 2021 Boone, NC
Cheap Joe’s: T
his is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on
Big Brush Watercolor Landscapes and Floral
. Contact:
Edwina@cheapjoes.com
1-800-227-2788
- July 19 -22, 2021, Alma, MI
Creative Art Guild of Mid Michigan:
This is a five day workshop focusing on painting a stylized and expressive (Semi-Abstract) painting with watercolors. Contact: Kathy Litwiller,
klitwiller@cmsinter.net
, 989236-5368
- August 12-15, 2021, Manhassett, N.Y.
- September 13 -17, 2021, Flat Rock, NC
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- October 12 -15, 2021, Muskogee, OK
Muskogee Art Guild,
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects. Contact: George Fulk, 918-261-1192
fulkgeorge401@gmail.com
- October 25 – 28, 2021 Ocean City, MD
The Art League of Ocean City
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects. Contact: Katrin Huber, katrin@artleagueofoceancity.org,
410-524-9433
- November 11-13, Raleigh, NC
This is the three day annual trade show (Art of the Carolinas) in Raleigh, NC sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama.
- December 6-9, 2021, Portland, OR
Oregon Society of Artists.
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects. Contact: Emily Fox, efox@osartists.org, 503-228-0706.
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"Bridging the Gap"
11" x 15" watercolor
This is a painting from about ten years ago. It's fun to dig around in my old archives.
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"Autumn Glow"
22" x 15" Watercolor on Fabriano paper.
Here's another painting from the past. I had forgotten about a lot of these older paintings.
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Diane and I at Looking Glass Falls near Brevard, North Carolina. This photograph was taken a few years ago and is still one of my favorites. I am one lucky guy!
If you enjoy our monthly newsletter be sure and tell your art loving friends about it. They can sign-up for it on our website;
www.sterlingedwards.com
As always, we appreciate your support.
Art; it chooses us
Ponder this:
"Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist"
Pablo Picasso
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Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
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