November 2023, Newsletter
Click on the images for a larger view
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"Looking Out"
15" x 22" Watercolor
This was a demonstration painting for the Sierra Watercolor Society in Reno, NV.
Artists, history's record keepers
Where would the history of mankind be without thousands of years of artists leaving visual records of what they saw during their time? Artist have played a monumental role in understanding where we came from and what we have accomplished. Even as far back as our cave dwelling predecessors we find incredible drawings of the animals that they hunted and most likely saw on a daily basis. How else would we know what a Woolly Mammoth, a Woolly Rhinoceros, or Giant Sloth looked like. They have been extinct for tens of thousands of years yet we know how they looked based on the cave drawings that our ancient ancestors left for us. It seems as though creating visual art is just part of what separates us from all of the other species on earth. Something compelled these early humans to leave a visual record of the animals they hunted. Perhaps it was a way of paying homage to the creatures that kept them alive by providing meat and fur. We'll never really know for sure.
We also know how people from different cultures dressed, what type of tools they used, and the weapons they carried. We know how the gods that they worshiped looked and how their dwellings and cities looked. Everything from the stone carvings on the walls of temples, beautiful tapestries, paintings, depictions on pottery, books, and sculptures are windows into the past and have been used by archaeologists, historians, and scholars to educate future generations and allow us a glimpse into our past.
There certainly weren't any cameras throughout most of our history, but fortunately, there were artists. We have seen paintings of our Founding Fathers and we know what they looked like and how they dressed. The artist George Catlin traveled throughout the western United States and produced incredibly detailed paintings of members of the numerous Indian Tribes in the middle of the 19th Century. It's how we know exactly what they wore, how they wore their hair and what kind of ornamentation they added. The list of works of art made by past artists is probably innumerable. We always read about the artists that became famous but I would speculate that there were probably millions of artists throughout history that were just as talented but remain unknown. Do any of us know who created the beautiful paintings or carvings in the tombs of the ancient Egyptian kings? They were done by exceptionally skilled artists that were most likely hand chosen for such important projects. We know who the king was but the artists who honored them, and probably spent years honing their talent, have vanished into history.
These are just a few examples of the priceless contributions that artists throughout history have made that allow us to learn about and honor our past. I am sure most of them never imagined that their work would be so cherished by future generations, not only for the beauty but also as a historical record. At the time they were probably just painting or making what they knew and felt inspired to capture. Sounds familiar doesn't it?
Personally, I find artists to be very interesting and insightful individuals. I can't count the times I have shown some of my art or talked with another artist who state that they often hear someone say, "I wish I could do that". Artists are a special category of people because they not only have the desire but also take the initiative to learn how to create art. The unknown individuals that painted the Woolly Mammoths on the walls of a cave 60,000 years ago undoubtedly had no formal art education. But they took the time to study how that animals looked and moved and then felt compelled to take a piece of charcoal or ocher and produce a piece of art depicting what they saw. It's in all of us; it's part of the human experience.
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NEW
I have recently begun selling prints of some of my favorite digital photographs on my website. Unknown to most, I have been a photographer for several years and decided to put some of my pieces "out there" as they say. I love photography almost as much as I love painting. The new Print on Demand service offered by FASO has made it possible for me to offer my photographs as well as prints of some of my paintings; they are available as open edition prints. You can order them in different sizes, on canvas or paper, and even framed and matted if desired. To view the prints click the link below.
***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
October was a great month. I taught a watercolor workshop for the Sierra Watercolor Society in Reno, NV and taught a sold out watercolor Zoom class titled "Negative Painting on Steroids II". We have also been fortunate to teach a full house three-day Live Zoom Workshop that is hosted by Cheap Joe's on "Big Brush Watercolor Landscapes and Floral". The rest of the month was used to catch up on household projects and get some studio time in.
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;
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 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 Stylized Structures"
This Workshop is filling quickly
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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.
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration pieces and an unedited downloadable video of each day of the Workshop.
November 13, 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
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration pieces and an unedited downloadable video of each day of the Workshop.
December 4, 6, 8, 2023
From noon to 4:00pm daily U.S. Eastern Time.
$300
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"Mixed Media Abstract Expressionism"
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This is a one-day class on painting a mixed media painting on watercolor paper. Join renowned watermedia master artist Sterling Edwards as he combines watercolor, acrylics and graphite to create a unique and thought provoking mixed media abstract expressionist painting. As always, Sterling will thoroughly explain his process for designing an abstract piece of art including his unique way of finding inspiring abstract designs.
There will be a multitude of watercolor and acrylic techniques taught in this very creative workshop.
This class is intended for ALL SKILL LEVELS
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the class.
December 13, 2023 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
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.
- 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.
- 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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40" x 20" Acrylic on canvas
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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
"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art."
Andy Warhol
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Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
USA
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