December 2021 Newsletter

Click on the images for a larger view

"On a Quest for Fine Wine"
22"x30" Watercolor on Fabriano Artistico paper.

I photographed this tree while Diane and I were with some good friends visiting vineyards in North Carolina and Southern Virginia. It's a full sheet studio piece that I painted as an exercise in negative painting. In answer to numerous inquiries; there was no masking used on this painting.


Why I Paint

This is a question that I'm asked a lot at workshops. "When did you start painting and why?" Sometimes things just seem like the logical decision. I tried River Dancing but I never could get my shoes to throw sparks as I danced. My career as a Personal Trainer was very short lived; I might add that I am still trying to figure out why. At one time I thought about becoming a Cowboy but I learned very quickly that horses just don't like me.
Then I thought that maybe I can just dress like a Cowboy and make my living singing. As it turns out, I have a terrible voice and can clear out a room in seconds when I start singing. Several years ago I sang a song for Diane and she made me promise that I would never do that again. Then I thought about becoming a stunt driver. That was definitely not a good decision because I break easily and bleed a lot. Being a Viking was really a bad choice; I have arthritis in both of my shoulders and all of that rowing was brutal. Being a politician didn't last long at all. I made the mistake of telling the truth one day in a speech. Being a Body Guard might have worked out had my first client not been kidnapped by a band of Gypsies at the County Fair. That was years ago and the last time he was seen he had long hair, earrings, and was playing a Tambourine. Not bad for a guy that used to be a banker. My idea of becoming a roofer was kind of humiliating. On my very first roofing job the guy who was training me told me that if I nailed one of my feet to the roof I would not fall off; I didn't know he was just kidding with me. Roofers have a weird sense of humor. Next I tried my hand at Bartending. I'm not quite sure why that one didn't work out. A Chef in a Japanese Steak House was a really, really a bad choice. First of all I am not Japanese and secondly my doctor told me that "this is the last time I'm sewing that finger back on". A Diving Coach seemed like a good choice because I'm not afraid of heights and I love to swim. But a belly can only take so much abuse. My career as a Transcendental Meditation Coach only lasted for three sessions. It seems that my snoring was very distracting. Needless to say, this is all in good fun and not intended to be taken seriously. I just felt like ending the year in good humor and hopefully it got a smile out of you during these stressful times.

Getting back to reality however; one day I decided to try my hand at becoming a full time professional artist. Lo and hold, this is something that I can actually do, and furthermore, I enjoy it. After a few years of refining my techniques and doing the Art Fairs, I opened a small art gallery because I just knew that every person in the world wanted to purchase one of my paintings. It was a beautiful gallery full of masterful works of art. I kept myself occupied each day by watching the little spiders build their webs from one painting on the wall to the next. The only person that visited my art gallery from time to time was my landlord coming to tell me that my rent was due. I think that is where the phrase "having a give and take relationship" comes from. I gave and he took. I soon realized that I could make enough money teaching a beginners watercolor class to pay my gallery expenses each month. From there it just grew and grew. As the saying goes; "the rest is history".

If you celebrate Christmas, I wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. To those of you who do not I wish you a HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON. To ALL of you, I wish you a safe, healthy, and prosperous NEW YEAR.


Special Sale!

ALL of the ORIGINAL paintings on my website
Have been reduced by 20%
(This does not apply to prints)

and also on my NEW companion website:



Yes, we now have a NEW Companion Website:

For several years we have received numerous requests that we offer prints of some of my paintings. To accommodate these requests we have designed a new website that is a companion to our current site.

This new site allows us to offer a large selection of prints of my paintings and even some prints of my photography. Yes, unknown to most, I'm also a photographer. There are also two galleries that feature original watercolors and original acrylic abstracts on paper that are available.

Another great feature of this new site is that you can choose from a variety of sizes and surfaces that you would like for your prints. We hope that you will check it out and be as excited about it as we are.


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)


On a personal note:
(Please read)

Lately I have seen more and more artists selling copies of my paintings on their artist websites, at my workshops, and in small shops and galleries. This is both illegal and unethical. It is also illegal and unethical to enter a copy of someone else's painting in a competition.

All work that you sell or enter in a competition should be of your own design and execution. Not a copy of someone else's work.

I really don't like having to even write this but it is becoming a big problem and it needs to STOP IMMEDIATELY.

It's theft of Intellectual Property and can result in severe consequences.
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Upcoming December Live Zoom Classes


All my workshops are designed to illustrate a multitude of techniques and allow plenty of painting time for the participants. I will gladly offer suggestions and/or critiques as you work on your painting. You will also receive and unedited video of the class for future study.

View all upcoming Live Zoom classes.

Acrylic Abstracts on Paper

December 6, 8, 10, 2021


This is a three-day Live Zoom Acrylic Workshop for all skill levels on painting an acrylic abstract on paper.

$300.00



A Peaceful Snow Scene

December 15, 2021


This is a four-hour watercolor Live Zoom class for intermediate to advanced watercolor artists.

$100.00



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.

***Please Read***
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. When you write, be sure and tell us the name of the group that you represent and where you are located.
All spots are filled on a first come, first served basis.
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.

2021 Workshops

  • December 6, 8, 10, 2021 LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP
This will be a three-day Live Zoom Workshop on painting acrylic abstracts on paper. There will be a wide variety of subjects and styles explained and demonstrated in this workshop.
Go to www.sterlingedwards.com and click on "Live Zoom Classes" to learn more or to register.

  • December 15, 2021 LIVE ZOOM CLASS
This is a four-hour LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting a peaceful and relaxing snow scene with watercolor. A lot of techniques will be explained and demonstrated in this class.
Go to www.sterlingedwards.com and click on "Live Zoom Classes" to learn more or to register.

2022 Workshops

  • January 3, 5 7, 2022 Cheap Joe's LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP
This is s three-day LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP on Big Brush Watercolor Landscapes. The workshop is being hosted by Cheap Joe's. For more information or to register, contact; Edwina May at edwina@cheapjoes.com 800-227-2788, ext 1123

  • January 17, 19, 21, 2022 Painting Watercolor Abstracts LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP
This is a three-day comprehensive workshop on learning a variety of styles and techniques for painting a watercolor abstract.
Go to www.sterlingedwards.com and click on "Live Zoom Classes" to learn more or to register.

  • January 31, 2022 LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting a stylized and colorful cityscape with watercolors.
This a four-hour LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting a very stylized and unique watercolor of a cityscape using a wide variety of watercolor techniques.
Go to www.sterlingedwards.com and click on "Live Zoom Classes" to learn more or to register.

  • February 7-9, 2022, Three-Day LIVE ZOOM CLASS.
Santa Clara Watercolor Society. This will be a LIVE ZOOM CLASS
on painting stylized and creative watercolor paintings. Contact;
sgjochheim@gmail.com

  • February 17, 2022..LIVE ZOOM CLASS on Painting a Sunny Day at the Beach.
This will be a LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting a beach scene.
Go to www.sterlingedwards.com and click on "Live Zoom Classes" to learn more or to register.

  • February 28-March 1, 2022, The Villages, Florida
This will be a two-day watercolor workshop that will cover landscapes, floral, and abstract. Contact Wanda Boyd, wboyd2009@yahoo.com 804-536-1794

  • March 2-4, 2022 The Villages, Florida
This is a three-day Acrylic Abstract on Paper Class. Contact:
Wanda Boyd, wboyd2009@yahoo.com 804-536-1794

  • March 17-20, 2022 Grifton, North Carolina Watercolors from A to Z
This will be a four-day watercolor workshop that will cover a wide variety of subjects and painting styles using watercolor. Contact; Judy Dye, jadye@embarqmail.com 252-939-6121

  • March 25, 2022 LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting a colorful Acrylic stylized tree painting.
This is a one-day LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting an acrylic stylized painting on gessoed watercolor paper. Go to www.sterlingedwards.com and click on "Live Zoom Classes" to learn more or to register.

  • March 31, 2022. Painting a colorful and funky watercolor floral.

This is a one day LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting a very stylized and playful floral with watercolor. Go to www.sterlingedwards.com and click on "Live Zoom Classes" to learn more or to register.

  • April 2022 Valley Watercolor Society, Los Angeles, CA
This is a four-day Live Zoom Class workshop on Expressive Watercolor Techniques for Painting a Floral.
Selena Cheng, selenachengart@aol.com 310-283-4105

  • May 2-5, 2022 Pensacola, FL. Palette Productions
This is a four-day watercolor workshop on Expressive and Creative Watercolor Techniques.
Pat Page, pat@paletteproductions.net or Diane Goeller,
diane@paletteproductions.net 850-384-3652


"Rolling In"

20"x 15" Watercolor on Fabriano Artistico paper.

This is an older demonstration painting That was inspired by my visit to the southern Oregon coast . The morning fog rolling in from the ocean and the gentle sound of the waves was mesmerizing.
"Cambria"

22" x 15" Watercolor on Fabriano Artistico paper.

This is another demonstration piece from a few years ago. I had been studying various styles of abstract painting and was experimenting with paintings that had a little bit of Picasso influence in them. This is an exciting way to paint because it's all about color, textures, unusual shapes, and doing something totally original.

This is a selfie of Diane and me taken somewhere in Montana. We spent almost two weeks driving the entire state and loved every minute of it.



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




Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
USA


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