February 2024, Newsletter
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"Windows in the Woods"
60"x 48" Acrylic on canvas.
So why do so many successful artists branch out into new territory?
This is an interesting question that does not pertain to all artists but to a large number of artists. It seems many artists spend years learning to develop a specific style of painting or learning to master a specific medium and then decide to go off in an entirely different direction. This sometimes leaves their long time collectors and customers scratching their heads trying to figure out why. "They were so good at what they did, why did they change everything?"
To the non-artist it doesn't make any sense and it can even anger some of them. Even when the artist tries to explain their decision to evolve into something else they are often met with resistance and demands that they return to their previous way of painting. If you happen to be the artist in question, that really puts the ball in your court because you are now in a situation where you have to decide to be true to your customer or be true to yourself. It's a tough call. You really do not want to disappoint and lose a loyal customer but, at the same time, your creative mind and spirit is telling you that it's time to move on in order to keep the creative juices flowing. For so many artists, learning and mastering something new feeds the creative side of our brains. Imagine spending years learning to play the piano and then limiting yourself to playing only four or five songs for the rest of your life because those are the songs that your friends and family always want you to play when they visit. After you have played them over and over again you will eventually become bored and complacent about wanting to sit at your piano and do more of the same ole same ole. You have reached the point where you realize that you are no longer playing the piano for the personal enjoyment that you get from playing but instead you are playing for their enjoyment. You have kind of put yourself in a box and after awhile, you no longer get excited about playing like you once did.
I know that I have written about this before but some things are worth repeating. When I write about this topic in particular I am speaking from my own personal and professional experience. I've "been there and done that" as they say. Like most professional artists that I know I reached a point where I had to make the decision to paint "for me", and not for the market. Looking back, it was undoubtedly be the best decision I could have made to bolster my career and my self esteem as an artist.
I recently taught a one-day Live Zoom Class on painting a mixed media Abstract Expressionist piece on watercolor paper using watercolors, acrylics, and graphite. Many of those attending had already tried their hand at doing an abstracted piece of art but still found it to be very challenging as well as rewarding. A few days after the class, I received an email from one of the students who had never before tried to paint in a non-representational manner. She said that it was indeed very challenging but that it was also very exciting to do something different. She went on to tell me that she had always been a representational painter and was good at what she did. However, when she took this four-hour class she learned how to see things differently. She said that everything that she looks at now is seen through a different prism and she now finds inspiration in things that she previously paid no or very little attention to. Her excitement was obvious in the way that she described her new found way of seeing and painting. This does not mean that she can no longer paint her more traditional and representational pieces but instead she now can make a choice as to how she wants to approach a subject.
She is not the first person that has told me this over the years I have teaching students how to paint stylized and abstract works. I actually hear this quite often and some of the students share information about awards and gallery sales they have received with their new found skills and ways of expressing what they see and feel. The same thing can be said of trying a new medium every once in a while. There are a lot of ways that an artist can branch out into new territory. It just takes a little curiosity and a willingness to learn something new.
The above painting, "Windows in the Woods" is an example of a new style I have been experimenting with lately. It was exciting and challenging and I didn't quite know if it would work or not. Those of you who know me know that I usually do not use direct saturated blocks of color.
Most of my paintings have a lot of blended and softened edges. This was a stretch for me, especially considering the large size of the canvas (48"x 60") but I was on a mission. I wanted to paint something that was bold, colorful, direct, and creative. I did not throw my usual skills to the side but instead found a way to present them in a different manner than my typical style. I painted this piece for me and loved the experience. Will I do more like this?
Who knows?
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Here's what I've been up to lately
January really kept us hopping. I taught a three-day Live Zoom Watercolor Workshop titled "Stylizing the Landscape".
It was all about landscapes using traditional watercolor techniques but putting a twist on the design of the painting.
I also taught a one-day Live Zoom Class on painting "Mixed Media Abstracts" using watercolor, acrylics, and graphite.
I was proud to have been invited to be a featured artist in the 2024 Watercolor Online Live extravaganza sponsored by Plein Air Magazine. It was a lot of fun as well as being an honor.
My video series on Introduction into Watercolor Abstracts produced by The Artefacto School of Art was officially made available for purchase in August. with outstanding results. Here is a link to go directly to my Artefacto page;
I'm also pleased to announce that I have also produced a video series on how to create a "Painterly" acrylic landscape, floral, and still life. This NEW series is now available through the Artefacto School of Art and can be purchased at the following link. The painting below is an example of a "Painterly" piece of art.
Click below to learn more...
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"The Art of Acrylics"
New video series available through the Artefacto School of Art.
This is a "Painterly" acrylic on gessoed watercolor paper. Painterly works of art generally exhibit strong brushwork and little detail. They capture the essence of a subject in an artistic and somewhat interpretive style.
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Upcoming Live Zoom Classes from our studio
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 and photographs for future study.
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"Painting a Glaring Sunset with Watercolors"
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This will be a one-day Live Zoom Watercolor Class that will focus on painting a strong and glaring sunset with watercolors that will command attention.
Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards as he explains and demonstrates his techniques of layering colors, diffusing edges, and creating contrast with rich dark values. There will be a lot of techniques, discussions on composition, color theory, brushwork, and much much more. You'll also enjoy Sterling's laid back and very informative style of teaching.
THIS CLASS IS FOR THE INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED WATERCOLOR ARTIST.
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the workshop.
February 12, 2024, from Noon til 4:00 pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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"Painting a Bright and Stylized Watercolor Floral"
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This will be a one-day Live Zoom Watercolor Class that will focus on painting a bright and glowing stylized floral with watercolors.
Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards as he explains and demonstrates his techniques for creating movement and stylized shapes with expressive brushwork when painting an eye catching floral. There will be a lot of techniques, discussions on composition, color theory, brushwork, and much much more. You'll also enjoy Sterling's laid back and very informative style of teaching.
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the workshop.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR THE INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED WATERCOLOR ARTIST
February 16, 2024 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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"Watercolor Abstract Expressionism"
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This will be a one-day Live Zoom Watercolor Class that will focus on painting a dynamic and attention grabbing watercolor abstract expressionist painting similar to this piece.
Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards as he explains and demonstrates his techniques for designing and painting a unique and expressive abstract painting that commands attention and triggers the imagination. If you're tired of painting the same ol same ol, then you will enjoy and benefit from this very creative class. There will be a lot of techniques, discussions on composition, color theory, overlapping shapes, negative painting, expressive brushwork, and much much more. You'll also enjoy Sterling's laid back and very informative style of teaching.
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the workshop.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS, HOWEVER; PREVIOUS WATERCOLOR EXPERIENCE IS ALWAYS BENEFICIAL.
March 13, 2024 from noon til 4:00pm (U.S. Eastern Time)
$100
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Diane and I have decided that 2024 will essentially be my last year of traveling and teaching on-location workshops. I have a couple of long term commitments that we will honor then we will primarily be doing LIVE ZOOM CLASSES from our studio.
2024 Workshops
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The Villages, FL February 26-27, 2024...Watercolor Landscapes and Floral
- The Villages, FL February 28 - 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 WAIT LIST
Painting loose landscapes, flowers, and stylized watercolors
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Littleton, CO April 12-April 14., 2024 Painting Expressive Watercolors WAIT LIST
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.
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Littleton, CO April 16-April 18, 2024 Painting Expressive Watercolors WAIT LIST
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.
- Vilano Beach (St. Augustine), Florida May 20-23, 2024, Creative and Expressive Watercolors
This is a four-day watercolor workshop that will focus on tapping into your creative side and creating exciting and expressive watercolors that stand out in a crowd. This workshop is being hosted by Sterling and Diane Edwards.
ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT
- Alma, MI, July 15-18, 2024, Abstract Acrylics
This workshop will cover several styles of abstraction using acrylic paint on paper or canvas.
Contact: Kathy Litwiller, litwi1km@gmail.com
989-236-5368
- 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.
- 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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My Office Doors
A few years ago, I decided to paint my office doors white because they were a dull dark brown and looked like a hole in the back side of our living room. Diane suggested that maybe I should paint an abstract piece of art on the doors.
It was a strange idea but it presented me with a challenge.
So I primed the doors with white latex primer and painted these abstract designs with acrylics. I really wasn't trying to pick up a theme but when they were finished we noticed that they were a nice accent to many of the Asian antiques and that we have in the living room. They have also become a topic of discussion when we have visitors.
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This is a photo of Diane and me taken at Lake Louise in Alberta recently. We had the pleasure of spending a week exploring the Canadian Rocky's and were totally mesmerized by it's beauty.
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
"Art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance"
Aristotle
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Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
USA
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