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July 2025, Newsletter
Click on the images for a larger view
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"Fixer Upper?"
30" x 22" Watercolor
Stylize it
The center painting of this editorial is a very stylized painting from a workshop that I taught several years ago. It was inspired by a totally dilapidated home enveloped by overgrowth and trees. Why would anyone want to paint something that was so visually unappealing? Like myself and most artists I know, we have spent years, often decades, developing our drawing and painting skills to beautifully render an appealing piece of art that spotlights our talent and trained eye for creating a pleasing design. I still enjoy painting a more traditional snow scene or sunset but I also enjoy being more creative with my art. I have found that my stylized paintings, as represented by the one above and the pieces below, allow me to tweak the viewers imagination and invite them into the world of abstract thinking without pushing them into total abstraction. I have often referred to my paintings done in this style as "Representational Abstracts". In the world of art they are called "Stylized". There is enough recognizable imagery to identify and relate to the subject of the painting but it is also a unique and artistic semi-abstract interpretation by the artist. I love painting in this style so much that I now consider it my signature style of painting. Every award that I've won in a major show was a stylized interpretation of my subject.
The vast majority of my stylized paintings are inspired by a photograph of something that I have personally seen and chose to photograph for a future stylized painting. It might be something that is naturally beautiful, such as a flower or maybe an unusual rock formation. It might be something that most artists would never even consider painting such as the building above. Since my goal is to deviate from the photograph and embellish the design, it doesn't matter what the subject is or how beautiful or unappealing it appears. I usually make a point to use more expressive or unconventional colors in my stylized paintings in addition to tweaking the overall design. Why not since I have this thing called "Artistic License".
If you're a painter, you most likely already have an ample supply of paint, brushes, canvases or paper, assorted tools and gadgets, and the desire to create wonderful works of art. In most cases, creating works of art is much more than just something that we do; it's a passion. I can't under emphasize the importance of always pushing ourselves to see where we can take our work. In my case, I eventually became a little bored with my painting when I was doing my traditional landscapes and floral paintings. I knew that I needed to do something to reinvigorate the creative juices but I was intimidated by the thought of stepping out of my box. Looking back, however, it was the best decision I have ever made regarding my artistic journey. Nowadays, I don't torture myself looking for the perfect beautiful subject to paint because anything I see can be rendered as a stylized interpretation with an exciting design and expressive colors. I only wish that I had discovered this sooner.
| | This stylized painting is obviously a floral but it doesn't suggest a specific type of flower. Never-the-less anyone that looks at this will agree that it is a floral. What makes this painting interesting are the bold and rich colors, the quick and spontaneous brushstrokes, and the abstracted background. By leaving select areas of unpainted white paper I was able to place some bold positive shapes which compliments the negative shapes in the lower half of the painting. | | | This stylized painting is in the style of Picasso. By overlapping the embellished shapes and using expressive and vibrant colors, the viewer is treated to a totally interpretive and uniquely entertaining piece of art. Abstracting the background shapes also contributed to making the piece entertaining. | | | This stylized painting of an ancient tree in the southwest is built around the movement of the branches and the exposed roots. The angular shapes of the rocks are a nice compliment to the wavy shapes of the tree. I used expressive colors to make the painting even more exciting. | | | This stylized painting of buildings is comprised almost exclusively of negative shapes. A simple palette of warm and cool grays added to the intrigue of the painting. By deliberately leaning and overlapping the buildings it becomes very abstracted but is still somewhat representational. | | | |
Hopefully this has tweaked your curiosity enough to give stylized painting a try.
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Art Sales
Recently, we have received several inquiries about our student discount on my original paintings. Here's how it works.
Anyone who has taken one or more of my on-location workshops or Live Zoom Classes is eligible to get a 40% discount on any of my original paintings on paper regardless of the size or medium. The paintings are sold unframed and shipped in a very heavy duty mailing tube for protection. The postage and insurance is included in the price for U.S addresses. This offer does not apply to framed Whiskey Paintings or works on canvas.
If you see an available painting on our website, www.sterlingedwards.com that you would like to purchase, email us at sterling@sterlingedwards.com and tell us which painting you are inquiring about and what workshop(s) you have taken. Upon receiving this information we will email you an invoice with the discounted price.
We regret that because of extremely high shipping and customs fees we do not ship internationally.
| | Upcoming LIVE ZOOM CLASSES | | |
This will be a LIVE CLASS on painting a foggy shoreline with rocks and trees similar to this painting. Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards in a four-hour LIVE ZOOM CLASS where he will show how to paint such a scene with watercolors using a wide variety of techniques.
Some of what you will learn is how to create a strong composition, do a wet into wet block-in, work with large brushes, including large stiff bristle brushes, negative painting, controlling edges, blending techniques, introducing rich dark values into your painting, overlapping shapes to build depth in your painting, texturing techniques, and so much more.
From the initial sketch and discussion on composition to the completed painting, you'll see it all live and be able to ask questions throughout the class.
See for yourself why Sterling Edwards is such a sought-after international watermedia instructor with his very informative and laid back style of teaching.
This LIVE ZOOM CLASS is for the INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED watercolor artist.
Each participant will receive a downloadable video of the entire class plus photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration painting.
Wednesday July 9, 2025 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
The price for this class is $100
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Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards in this ONE-DAY LIVE ZOOM WATERCOLOR CLASS on painting an exciting and totally original abstract piece of art similar to this painting. Sterling considers his abstract paintings his most unique pieces because they are something that he has created rather than something he has copied. Painting an abstract forces the artist to tap into their creative mind and produce a one-of-a-kind piece of art unlike any other. Each painting is unique and it's almost impossible to copy exactly. That is part of what makes abstract paintings so desirable to art collectors and interior designers.
Some of what you will learn in this class is negative painting, controlling edges, blending techniques, introducing rich dark values into your painting, overlapping shapes to build depth in your painting, texturing techniques, and so much more.
Sterling will take you through every step of his process from the initial sketch and discussion on design and composition to the finished painting with clear and concise instructions and demonstrations.
See for yourself why Sterling Edwards, with his relaxed, approachable, and very informative style of teaching, is one of the most sought-after watermedia instructors in the U.S. and abroad.
** This class is recommended for ALL SKILL LEVELS of watercolor artists. **
There will be plenty of student painting time with critiques and assistance.
Wednesday July 23, 2025
Noon til 4:00pm U.S. EASTERN TIME
As an added bonus, participants will receive an unedited and downloadable video of the workshop along with photographs of Sterling's demonstration painting.
The price of this LIVE ZOOM CLASS is $100
As always, registration is first come first served.
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Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards in this ONE-DAY LIVE ZOOM WATERCOLOR CLASS on painting a colorful western sunset over the Sonoran Desert similar to this painting.
Some of what you will learn is how to create a strong composition, work with large brushes on wet paper including large stiff bristle brushes, negative painting, controlling edges, blending techniques, introducing rich dark values into your painting, overlapping shapes to build depth in your painting, texturing techniques, and so much more.
From the initial sketch and discussion on composition to the completed painting, you'll see it all live and be able to ask questions throughout the class.
See for yourself why Sterling Edwards is such a sought-after international watermedia instructor with his very informative and laid back style of teaching.
** This class is recommended for the intermediate to advanced watercolor artist. **
There will be plenty of student painting time with critiques and assistance.
Wednesday August 6, 2025
Noon til 4:00pm U.S. EASTERN TIME
As an added bonus, participants will receive an unedited and downloadable video of the workshop along with photographs of Sterling's demonstration painting.
The price of this LIVE ZOOM CLASS is $100
As always, registration is first come first served.
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Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards in a four-hour LIVE ZOOM CLASS where he will show you his processes for creating an exciting and eye-catching stylized watercolor painting of a cluster of old buildings similar to this painting.
This is Sterling's signature style of painting and is a fun and very interpretive way of presenting the viewer with a unique and artistic statement.
Some of what you will learn is how to create a strong composition, work with large brushes on wet paper including large stiff bristle brushes, negative painting, controlling edges, blending techniques, introducing rich dark values into your painting, overlapping shapes to build depth in your painting, texturing techniques, and so much more.
From the initial sketch and discussion on composition to the completed painting, you'll see it all live and be able to ask questions throughout the class.
See for yourself why Sterling Edwards is such a sought-after international watermedia instructor with his very informative and laid back style of teaching.
This LIVE ZOOM CLASS is for intermediate to advanced watercolor artist.
Each participant will receive a downloadable video of the entire class plus photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration painting.
Wednesday August 20, 2025 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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This is a photo of me and Diane taken at one of the many wonderful vineyards in North Carolina.
A special thank you to Diane for all that you do to manage our business and keep things running smoothly. It's a full-time job and your attention to detail and professionalism is appreciated by all. I couldn't do this without you.
Please Spread the word
Please tell your art loving friends about our website and newsletter; word of mouth referrals are by far the best advertising. They can sign-up for the newsletter on our website; www.sterlingedwards.com . Thank you.
As always, we appreciate your support.
Art; it chooses us
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“Anyone who says you can’t see a thought simply doesn’t know art.”
Wynetka Ann Reynolds
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E-mail: sterling@sterlingedwards.com
Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
USA
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