September 2023, Newsletter
Click on the images for a larger view
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"On the Nantahala"
22"x 30" Acrylic on gessoed watercolor paper
This was a demonstration piece on creating a "Painterly" acrylic painting. Painterly pieces have a minimal amount of detail and composed of very expressive brushwork and suggested shapes.
They say that Abstract art is "subjective"; but isn't ALL art?
I don't think it comes as a big surprise to most of you that I really enjoy abstract art. I find it the most creative of the styles that I teach and also what I usually paint when I get in the mood to spend some creative studio time. Sometimes I will paint a piece that is what I refer to as a "Representational Abstract" or "Stylized" painting whereas other times I just want to create something that is totally non representational, most often referred to as Abstract Expressionism. When I teach my Zoom Classes and Workshops or when I am on location teaching I will often paint a floral or a landscape if that is what I was commissioned to teach. I spent half my life learning how to paint them and I enjoy teaching others many of my techniques. When the painting is finished everyone will agree that it is a landscape or a floral painting. There is no room for speculation; it's what it is. When I paint an abstract piece there is a lot of room for speculation and conversation as viewers try to interpret something into the painting. The most common remark that I hear when the piece is finished is that the painting is "very subjective". That seems to be the catch all phrase used to define an Abstract Expressionist painting. But is that really a definition or a suitable description for an abstract piece of art? Abstract art is a stretch for a lot of people and essentially, some will like it and some will not. The same is also true when eating homemade chili. It is also subjective but we can all agree that it is a bowl of chili, right? In other words, it has a name.
Just to satisfy my curiosity and further my understanding of artwork, including my own, I looked up the word "Subjectivity" in the dictionary. "Subjectivity" is defined as; "based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions".
I certainly cannot argue with that. Some pieces I really like whereas others I do not. But someone else may like the piece that I dislike or visa versa. If you think about it, isn't that true of all art? I have seen many landscapes, florals, still lifes, aquatic scenes, wildlife paintings, etc. that I personally did not like. It is no refection on the artist but rather a decision that was based on how I perceived a piece of art when looking through the filter of my personal feelings, my taste in art, or my opinion of the piece. Maybe I did not like the colors or the composition. Maybe I did not like the medium or the size of the piece. Maybe I did not like the style in which it was painted. In other words, I viewed the piece through my "Subjective" filter the same as everyone else.
Yes, abstract art is definitely subjective, but then, so is all art. So for the time being I think I will to refer to my Abstract Expressionist" paintings as an "Abstract Expressionist" piece of art, and yes, they are subjective. It may seem like a small thing but I am writing this in hope that some of those who think that a "subjective" piece of art must be an Abstract piece of art. In reality the Abstract pieces are merely a form of subjective art, nothing more and nothing less. But as I said earlier, isn't all art? However, it is an abstract painting, so that also makes it objective.
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***PLEASE NOTE***
If you live in the U.S and would like to order from our website store, the quoted price of the item will now include the shipping costs rather than the shipping costs being added separately.
We regret that because of exceptionally high shipping fees we will only ship to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. If you live in Canada or Mexico and would like to place an order, please email sterling@sterlingedwards.com
and we will get back to you with shipping, pricing, and payment instructions.
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Here's what I've been up to lately
August was a very productive month. My video series on Introduction into Watercolor Abstracts produced by The Artefacto School of Art was officially made available for purchase with outstanding results. Here is a link to go directly to my Artefacto page;
I also taught a three-day acrylic LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP on "Painterly Acrylics". We had a great group of students that really seemed to gravitate to this loose and "painterly" process of painting a landscape.
Lastly, I taught a one-day LIVE ZOOM CLASS on "Negative Painting on Steroids". This class sold out very quickly and was attended by a lot of artists from around the globe. It focused on ways the maximize negative painting by layering negative shapes for a strong and dynamic painting. Because of numerous requests, I just scheduled another similar LIVE ZOOM CLASS that is listed below.
Gift Certificates
We have received several request for Gift Certificates recently so Diane and I have decided to offer Gift Certificates for $75.00 or $100.00 that can be redeemed for Videos, Live Classes, Art Supplies, and Paintings. The Gift Certificates can be purchased on our website; www.sterlingedwards.com under Art Supplies.
(Not redeemable for live, on location workshops)
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Upcoming Live Zoom Classes and Workshops hosted from our studio
Please note:
If you live outside of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico and would like to attend one of our LIVE ZOOM CLASSES please email us at
All my Live Zoom Classes and Workshops are designed to illustrate and explain a multitude of creative techniques. There will be plenty of painting time for each participant. I am available throughout the entire class to offer suggestions and/or critiques as you work on your paintings. As an added bonus, you will receive an unedited video of each class for future study.
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"Painting an Atmospheric Landscape with Watercolors"
Only a few spots left. Space is limited
Paintings similar to this piece are what first attracted me to watercolors. It's early morning and the mist is still hanging in the air. It's so quiet and serene. In this four-hour LIVE ZOOM CLASS we'll discuss composition, layering colors and values, blending techniques, big brush watercolor techniques, negative painting, and more.
September 7, 2023
Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time
THIS CLASS IS FOR THE INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED WATERCOLOR ARTIST.
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"Negative Painting on Steroids #2" |
Please note.. This class will fill quickly. If you are interested in taking this class register soon.
The title says it all. learn how to maximize your negative painting skills and create dynamic and intriguing watercolors.
This class is for the ADVANCED watercolor artist
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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"Painting Stylized Structures"
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Old buildings, lots of rust, multiple textures, ramshackle construction and you have the potential for a beautiful watercolor painting. In this three-day LIVE ZOOM workshop I will show how to painting an old factory similar to this piece, and abandoned lumber mill, and an old and expressive barn in a natural setting.
Negative painting, saving whites, building rich dark values, working with large brushes, glazing and charging colors, and much much more in this workshop.
November 14, 15, 17, 2023
Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time
This workshop is intended for the intermediate to advanced watercolor artist.
$300
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"Painting Nature's Beauty" |
In this three-day watercolor LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP I will show a multitude of creative watercolor techniques to create loose and expressive paintings. You will see three different paintings during the course using mostly large brushes to keep the painting loose and fresh.
Day One; A waterfall with lots of rocks and movement.
Day Two; A group of birch trees on the edge of a lake in the early morning hours with a foggy background.
Day Three; A snowy meadow with large pine trees and a distant snow covered mountain.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS, HOWEVER; PREVIOUS WATERCOLOR EXPERIENCE IS ALWAYS BENEFICIAL
December 4, 6, 8, 2023
From noon to 4:00pm daily U.S. Eastern Time.
$300
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2023 Workshops
- September 13-16, 2023 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Watercolors from A to Z.
This watercolor workshop will cover a wide variety of subjects and a multitude of create watercolor techniques. Contact; Louise Hall
louise.hall@shaw.ca www.greatartworkshop.com ALL SKILL LEVELS
- October 4-6, 2023 Reno, Nevada...Stylized Interpretations with Watercolors.
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
Contact; Anita Watson, tarnished@sbcglobal.net ALL SKILL LEVELS
- Oct. 30, Nov 1&3, 2023...Big Brush Watercolor Landscapes, LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP, hosted by Cheap Joe's
In this workshop you will see how to paint a watercolor landscape using mostly large brushes while keeping unnecessary details to a minimum. There will be a lot of creative techniques and subjects in this workshop.
Contact; Edwina May, edwina@cheapjoes.com, 1-800-227-2788
2024 Workshops
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The Villages, FL February 26-27, 2024...Watercolor Landscapes and Floral
- The Villages, FL February 29- March 1, 2024
Acrylic Abstracts
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
- Grifton, NC March 20-March 24, 2024...
Watercolors From A to Z
Painting loose landscapes, flowers, and stylized watercolors
- Littleton, CO April 12-April 14., 2024 Painting Expressive Watercolors
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
- Littleton, CO April 16-April 18, 2024 Painting Expressive Watercolors
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
Contact; cnelsonpaint@aol.com
- Boone, NC (Cheap Joe's) August 26-August 30, 2024
Creative and Expressive Watercolors
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
800-227-2788
- Sioux Falls, SD September 17-September 18, 2024
Painting a Stylized Watercolor
Contact; Janice Bartels
605-222-8033
- Sioux Falls, SD September 19-September 20, 2024
Watercolor Abstracts
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
Contact; Janice Bartels
605-222-8033
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"Perched"
30" x 22" Acrylic on gessoed watercolor paper.
This is a demonstration painting from last month's "Painterly Acrylics" LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP.
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"Nogie's Creek at Dusk"
22" x 15" Watercolor
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"Actuality"
24" x 30" Acrylic on canvas
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This is a photo of Diane and me taken at one of the many North Carolina vineyards that we explore when we have the time.
Sometimes we just have to get back to nature and rough it a little.
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.
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
"In order to create, we draw from our inner well. This inner well, an artistic reservoir, is ideally like a well-stocked fish pond… If we don’t give some attention to upkeep, our well is apt to become depleted, stagnant, or blocked…As artists, we must learn to be self-nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them — to restock the trout pond, so to speak."
Julia Cameron
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Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
USA
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