February 2023, Newsletter

Click on the images for a larger view

"Docked", 22"x30" Watercolor.

Experience and Intuition; they work hand in hand

For years I've read articles and books where an artist is referred to as being "an intuitive painter" or someone says his or her work is so intuitive. It's a good thing to be referred to as intuitive because it is considered a complimentary designation that can elevate the artist in the mind of art collectors and designers. When you hear that term mentioned you automatically have a higher opinion of the artist and they seem to command a little more respect with art lovers. In fact, I often refer to myself as an intuitive painter because I have been told by many that's what I am. I even make reference to it on the front of my website. I wear it like a badge of honor because to many, it is. More than likely many of you are as well and you may not even know it.

I decided to look up the definition of the word "intuitive" to see how it is defined by Oxford Languages. Their definition of intuitive is; "using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning: instinctive". I think that the key word here is "instinctive". I cannot remember ever working on a painting and looking at the work in progress without trying to figure out what I could do to make it better, more dynamic, or entertaining. That's what we do; we're artists. It's not an exact science so we work and modify and work some more and modify until we think it meets our expectations. We instinctively know that it's either not right or is ready for our signature. This comes with experience and practice.

Out of curiosity I also decided to look up the definition of "Experience". Here is what I found. "Practical contact with and observation of facts or events".

Is it just me or do both of these sound rather vague? When working on a painting, you usually have a reference or visual idea as to what you want to paint. So I would presume that the reference or idea is based on the observation referred to in the definition of experience. In most paintings, however; unless you are an absolute photographic realist, you will usually use some artistic license with your colors, brush work, composition, shapes, and values. If so then you would be falling into the category of painting intuitively because you are painting what you feel the painting needs more so than what you see.
Does that not make you an intuitive painter? Maybe I am wrong, but I think it does.

The painting above, "Docked", is a full sheet watercolor that I painted several years ago. I did not use a reference photograph but I did have a mental vision of what I wanted to achieve. I guess that fell under the "Experience" category. After a few small pencil sketches I came up with a composition that I was happy with and proceeded to draw my design on the watercolor paper. Since my only visual reference was a gray pencil sketch I was free to use whatever colors I desired. This must fall under the intuitive category. As the painting progressed, I made modifications on my shapes, values, and colors depending on what my experience as an abstract artist has taught me. So would that fall under my "Experience Category" or is it my "Intuitive Category?" It's getting a little confusing isn't it? Can we all just agree that the painting was successful regardless of what category I used to achieve the end result.

Every time we work on a painting we are pulling together all of our experience from the first time that we ever picked up a brush to the present. As we work on the piece we usually have a preconceived idea where we want the piece to go and what we want to say to the viewer. To achieve this we make choices, lot's of choices; what brush, what color, what value, what shape, hard edge or soft edge, positive shape or negative shape, and on and on. Your experience as a painter will have a major influence on how the painting turns out, but more often than not, your intuitive sense of design and color management plays a major role as well. The end result is an original piece of art.

So yes, I am an experienced painter and an intuitive painter and most likely so are you. They really do work hand in hand. Enough of this, let's go paint something.
***PLEASE NOTE***
When ordering merchandise from our website store, the quoted price of the item will now include the shipping costs rather than the shipping costs being added separately.
For international orders, please email sterling@sterlingedwards.com
and we will get back to you with shipping, pricing, and payment instructions.

Here's what I've been up to lately

January was a busy month. I taught a sold out Live Zoom Class on "Painting Poppies", and a three-day Live Zoom Class on "Painting Stylized Watercolors hosted by Cheap Joe's ." In addition, I did a Live Virtual Demonstration for the Spokane Watercolor Society in Washington and a one-day Zoom Class for the Essex Watercolor Society in New Jersey.

I'm also pleased to announce that I finished and submitted an interview with The Art of Watercolor Magazine that will be published in their March issue. The article/interview will focus on my watercolor abstract paintings. This magazine is published in The U.K and is sold in over thirty countries worldwide.

Lastly, I cleaned and reorganized my studio in preparation for a busy year. I also sold and shipped out six original paintings. Most important of all, I stayed out of trouble last month. That was the hardest task.

New Print Service

We are pleased to announce that we now have a new print on demand service thru FASO and are offering prints of some of my favorite paintings. Go to our website; www.sterlingedwards.com and click on

The images are printed on Premium Archival Matte Photo paper or canvas and come in a variety of sizes and prices. You can also choose to have the print custom framed and shipped directly to you.

Newsletter Archive

If you would like to see some of our past newsletters click on "Newsletter Archive" in the top tool bar of my website; www.sterlingedwards.com.


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)
Upcoming Live Zoom Classes hosted 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 for future study.


‌
Painting Water with Watercolors

February 6, 8, 10, 2023


Only a few spots left
This is a three-day watercolor LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP that will cover various ways to paint water.

Day One: Crashing waves on rocks
Day Two: A Lake with reflections
Day Three: Rushing water

There will be tons of creative watercolor techniques explained and demonstrated in the workshop. Participants will receive a downloadable or streaming video of each day's class.

This class is for the Intermediate to Advanced Watercolor Artist.
"Stylized Buildings with Watercolors"

February 20, 22, 24, 2023


Space is limited
This is a three-day watercolor LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP that will cover various ways to paint stylized buildings.

Day One: A colorful and stylized cityscape.
Day Two: A stylized painting of Taos Pueblo.
Day Three: A stylized painting of old wooden buildings

There will be a lot of creative watercolor techniques explained and demonstrated in the workshop. Participants will receive a downloadable or streaming video of each day's class.

This class is for the Intermediate to Advanced Watercolor Artist.

$300
"Stylized sailboats with Watercolors"

March 23, 2023


Space is limited
This is a four-hour LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting stylized sailboats and waves. There will be a wide variety of creative watercolor techniques taught.
Each participant will receive a downloadable or streaming video of the class.

This class is for the Intermediate to Advanced Watercolor Artist.

$100
"Acrylic Abstracts on Paper"

April 3, 5, 6, 2023


Space is limited
This is a three-day watercolor LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP that will cover various ways to paint Acrylic Abstracts on paper or canvas.

Day One: Abstract Expressionism
Day Two: A Stylized Abstraction of trees with lots of negative painting.
Day Three: An Abstracted Landscape with expressive brushwork.

There will be a lot of creative acrylic painting techniques explained and demonstrated in the workshop. Participants will receive a downloadable or streaming video of each day's class.

This workshop is for ALL SKILL LEVELS.
ARTIST WORKSHOPS
***Please Read***

We are currently booking 2024 and 2025 workshops. If you would like to schedule a workshop for your group please contact us soon so we can send you the information that you will need to make an informed decision. Email us via the Contact Page on our website and request a workshop information packet. https://www.sterlingedwards.com/contact

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.


2023 Workshops


  • March 9-12, 2023 Grifton, NC Watercolors From A to Z
This is a four-day watercolor workshop that will cover a wide variety of subjects and creative watercolor techniques. Contact; Judy Dye, 252-939-6121 ALL SKILL LEVELS
jadye@embarqmail.com

  • April 17-21, 2023 Santa Fe, New Mexico. Creative and Expressive Designs with watercolors.
This is a five-day watercolor workshop that will focus on expressive and creative designs with watercolors. ALL SKILL LEVELS.
Contact; https://madelineartschool.com/workshops

  • May 9-12, 2023 Lowell, Michigan...Watercolor from A to Z. All SKILL LEVELS
This workshop will focus on painting a wide variety of subjects with watercolor. You'll see landscapes, floral, stylized, and abstract. There will be techniques galore in this four-day class.
Contact; Kathy Bechtel, kbechtel@lifeprocesscenter.org

  • June 12, 14, 16, 2023 Big Brush and Bold Color Watercolors LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP hosted by Cheap Joe's.
This Live Zoom Workshop will focus on using big brushes to paint the majority of your painting and on creating different and exciting colors that make your work unique. A lot of creative techniques will be covered in the workshop.
Contact Edwina May, edwina@cheapjoes.com 1-800-227-2788
Now taking reservations

  • August 21-24, 2023 Colonial Beach, Virginia, Creative and Expressive Watercolors.
There will be a lot of creative ideas and techniques in the exciting workshop. All designed to make your work stand out and command attention. ALL SKILL LEVELS
Contact Janice Jones, theartscenterofmontross@gmail.com

  • 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

"Day Dreaming Again"
30" x 22" Watercolor


Untitled
36" x 48"

Acrylic on canvas

This crazy looking Abstract Expressionist painting hangs in our dining room.




"Corner Table"

22" x 15" Stylized Watercolor

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

Ponder this:

"I do not suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it". Edgar Allen Poe

(Scroll to the very bottom for one more painting)


15" x 11" monochromatic Liquid Graphite value study.

These small studies are where I work out my composition and values before I dive into a larger painting. They're fast and fun. I don't always do one before I began a painting but every time that I do it works to my advantage. I should also add that once you have completed a study such as this you really do not need the photograph you used as a reference. Everything has been worked out except for the colors. In fact, I often do not even refer to the photograph while painting the finished piece.

In doing this I can be much more creative with my colors than I might be if I am trying to copy the colors in the photograph. The freedom of having total artistic license with my color selection for the painting rather that merely trying to copy the colors in the photograph is refreshing. Sometimes I will paint these monochromatic studies using Sepia or Payne's Gray.




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


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