"A Quiet Place"
15" x 22" watercolor using Holbein paint on Fabriano paper
August, 2019 Newsletter
Click on the images for a larger view
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Ah, those perfect little imperfections
Anyone who has taken one of my workshops has heard me stress my views on trying to make a painting look perfect. I see this all of the time. Artists struggle and stress over achieving total perfection to the point where a painting becomes more of a stressful experience rather than something that you look forward to and enjoy doing. The question that we have to ask ourselves is; "Who are we trying to impress, ourselves or others?" To be honest with you, people are either going to like the piece or they're not depending on their idea of what a "good" painting should be. Even if you have managed to create the "Perfect" painting it won't matter a hill of beans (Does anyone really know where that term came from?) to someone who does not like that subject, or style of painting, or size, or color selection, or whatever. There are so many reasons that people can justify not liking a piece of art that it would be impossible to create something that is universally loved by everyone. The person that does love your painting, however, loves it for exactly what it is; imperfections and all. They see the painting in it's entirety and love what they see.
Diane and I collect art of all types and expect to see the occasional imperfection whether it is in a piece of hand blown glass, a hand woven basket, a slightly uneven hand thrown pot, or a painting with a slight smudge or blossom. It's created by hand and as hard as we try, we cannot create something that is perfect by every measurable standard. In fact, when we're in a gallery looking at an expensive piece of hand blown glass, I expect top see a few bubbles and other imperfections. From my point of view that validates that it really is hand blown. Those beautiful little imperfections reassure me that I'm getting my money's worth. So quit kicking yourself every time your painting doesn't turn out "perfect". Other than you, who else would even notice most of the time.
Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves that about 95% of the population does not have any idea whatsoever how to create a painting. They are often fascinated by those of us who do. Most of them would love to be able to do what we do; perfect little imperfections and all.
On a different note:
I'm proud to announce that I now have a second website that is tailored to showcase my stylized and abstract paintings. There will be acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media paintings with new pieces added on occasion. Click on this link to see the new site.
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"On the Deck"
15" x 22" Watercolor
This is a somewhat stylized painting of some flowers that are in a pot on our deck. I have no idea what they are but I was attracted to the reddish green leaves and the colors of the flowers. I painted this as a demo for my recent class in Petoskey, MI. We had a great group and a productive workshop in Petoskey.
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"A Carolina Prize"
22" x 15" watercolor
This is another demo painting from my recent workshop in Petoskey, MI. This was actually a demonstration on painting falling water and using a credit card to paint rocks. This waterfall is in the western North Carolina mountains between Brevard and Highlands. It's a beautiful area that is famous for it's picturesque waterfalls. To say that I love the North Carolina mountains is a gross understatement. Once you've lived there as we did it, becomes part of your soul.
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Are you an Interior Designer or Decorator?
If so, or if you know someone who is, we would like to talk with you. We extend a professional discount to licensed businesses on our original artwork. We offer a wide variety of sizes, styles and subjects. It doesn't matter if you are working on a commercial job or residential, you might be interested in hearing what we have to offer. If you would like more information, email; sterling@sterlingedwards.com
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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.
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Wholesale pricing on original watercolors
A few months ago we announced a way for current and former students to purchase original watercolor paintings from my website at the same price that they would pay if they purchased the painting at the student wholesale price in one of my workshops. This has proven to be a very popular concept and we have sold quite a few paintings through this special offer. Here's how it works:
If you are a former student of mine and have taken a workshop you are entitled to the same special wholesale price on my original watercolor paintings on my website that you would pay in a workshop. The prices on the website are my retail price and do not apply to my students. If you see a painting on the website that you are interested in possibly purchasing, DO NOT click on the "BUY NOW" tab. If you do it will take you to PayPal and charge you the full retail price of the painting as seen on the website.
Instead, go to the "CONTACT" page and send us an email requesting the student wholesale price of the painting. Please tell us the title of the piece, what workshop you attended, and whether or not you are a U.S. resident. You will receive an email with the student wholesale price plus ordering instructions. All of the paintings are unframed and unmatted and shipped in a heavy duty mailing tube for protection. Each will be accompanied with an Artist's Biography. As a special bonus, we offer
FREE SHIPPING
on watercolors that are shipped to a U.S. address.
This offer is for watercolors only and DOES NOT include Whiskey Paintings or paintings that are currently hanging in a gallery.
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Sterling's 2019 and 2020 Workshop Schedule
***Please Read***
Beginning in 2021 Sterling will be doing fewer workshops. Currently our 2019, 2020, & 2021 workshop schedules are full and we are booking the 2022 and 2023 workshops. If you would like to schedule a workshop for your group in 2022 or 2023 please contact us soon so we can send you the information that you will need to make a decision. Email;
sterling@sterlingedwards.com
and request a workshop information packet. All spots are filled on a first come, first served basis.
Note:
When you write be sure and tell us the name of the group that you represent and where you are located.
If you want more information about any of the workshops below get in touch with the (Contact) person for that particular workshop. They can answer questions about the workshop price, lodging, airports, etc.
- May 20-23, 2019, Folsom, CA
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects using mostly big brushes. Contact: Barbara Otey, cawatercolorworkshops.com, 916-608-9153
WAIT LIST
- June 10-14, 2019, Boone, NC, Cheap Joe’s
T
his is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on painting floral and landscape watercolors primarily with large brushes. Contact:
Edwina@cheapjoes.com
1-800-227-2788
WAIT LIST
- June 24 -27, 2019, Petoskey, MI, Crooked Tree Arts Center
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects. Contact: Megan DeWindt,
megan@crookedtree.org
, 231-838-1566
WAIT LIST
- June 28-29, 2019, Petoskey, MI, Crooked Tree Arts Center
This is a two day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on painting watercolors with big brushes.
- July 15 -19, 2019, Belfast ME, Coastal Maine Art Workshops
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
207-594-4813
- July 29 – August 1, 2019, Evergreen, CO
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- August 12-16, Grand Marais, MN; Grand Marais Art Colony
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on
Stylized Interpretations
of a wide variety of subjects. Contact: Ruth Pszwaro,
programs@grandmaraisartcolony.org
- September 9 -13, 2019, Hendersonville, NC
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
One Spot Left!
- October 7-10, 2019, Morgantown, WV
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- October 22-26, 2019, Reno, NV, Sierra Watercolor Society
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects. The contact person is : Linda Parisi,
parisiart@outlook.com
, 360-589-9330
- November 14 -16, 2019, Raleigh, NC Art of the Carolinas Trade Show
This is the annual trade show in Raleigh, NC sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama
- December 9-10, 2019 Palm Beach, FL, Palm Beach Watercolor Society
This will be a two day watercolor workshop on the 9th and 10th covering floral and landscape painting. Contact;
Steve Philbrook,
561-471-8588, Philbrookstudio52@gmail.com
- December 11-13, 2019 Palm Beach, FL, Palm Beach Watercolor Society
This will be a three day on Creative and Expressive Design with watercolor. Both stylized and abstract will be taught at this workshop for all skill levels. Contact: Steve Philbrook, 561-471-8588, Philbrookstudio52@gmail.com
2020 Workshops
- January 6-10 ,2020 Myrtle Beach, S.C.
This is the annual five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that is hosted by Sterling and Diane at the Brighton Tower in Kingston Plantation. The workshop will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects. Contact: Diane Edwards,
sterling@sterlingedwards.com
, 336-946-1425
Now taking reservations
- January 20 -22, 2020 The Villages, FL
This is a three day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on creating a stylized (semi-abstract) painting with watercolors.
Contact: Wanda Boyd, wboyd2009@yahoo.com, 804-536-1794
- January, 23-24, 2020 The Villages, FL
This is a two day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on painting abstract expressionist watercolors. Contact: Wanda Boyd, wboyd2009@yahoo.com, 804-536-1794 Registration Details;
www.villageartworkshops.com
- February 24-28, 2020, Bonita Springs, FL
This is a four day watermedia workshop for all skill levels that will focus on painting an abstract piece of art using watercolor or acrylics. Sterling will teach two days of watercolor abstracts and two days of acrylic abstracts.
- March 11 - 15, 2020, Grifton, NC
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- March 30 – April 2, 2020, Virginia Beach, VA
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects
- April 20 -23, 2020, Denver, CO
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- May 18-22, 2020, Lowell, MI
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects using Big Brushes. Contact: Kathy Bechtel, Art Director, Franciscan Life Process Center ,
kbechtel@lifeprocesscenter.org
, 616-897-7842 ext 352.
- June 8 – 12, 2020, Boone, NC, Cheap Joe’s
T
his is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on
Big Brush Watercolor Landscapes and Floral
. Contact:
Edwina@cheapjoesartstuff.com
1-800-227-2788
- July 13 - 17, 2020 Calabash, NC
This is a five day acrylic abstract workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of acrylic techniques on paper and canvas.
- August 6-10, 2020, County Louth, Ireland
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- September 14-18 Hendersonville, NC
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- October 5 - 9,2019, Pensacola, FL
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- October 26-29, 2020 Lincolnton, NC
This is
a four day abstract and creative design watercolor workshop for all skill levels. Contact: Liz Poole, liz
@donnadowneystudio.com
- November 12-14, 2020 Raleigh, NC
This is the three day annual trade show in Raleigh, NC sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama Contact; Sharon DiGiulio at 1-800-827-8478, ext 156 or email
Sharon@jerrysartarama.com
- December 1 – 4, 2020. Bradenton, FL
T
his is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will cover a wide variety of styles and subjects. Contact: Frank Perry,
frank@keetononline.com
, 941-4747-2995
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"Seeing Red"
22" x 28" Acrylic on canvas
This is an acrylic Abstract Expressionist painting from my studio. It's my favorite style of painting because it's a "No holds barred" way of creating a piece of art. This is totally intuitive painting.
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"The Great Northwest"
30" x 40" Acrylic on canvas
This is another painting from the "
My America Collection" that I am working on. I anticipate that there will be between thirty and fifty paintings before I am finished with this series.
My objective with this series is to create a collection of original art that reflects the feeling that I had while at the various locations throughout this incredible country. These paintings not totally inspired by what I had seen but also the mood and feeling that the area presented. This painting,
"The Great Northwest" for example, embodies the thick forests and cool air that I experienced while visiting Oregon. It was eerily beautiful and embodied so much history such as the Lewis and Clarke Expidition, the early pioneers that traveled the Oregon Trail, and the Native American tribes that have lived in these forests for thousands of years. The forests were thick and lush so I decided to paint this piece in a portrait format to really accentuate the tall moss covered trees and the moist atmospheric feel of the area.
This is an exciting project that I have thought about for a long time. I will be showing more of these paintings in upcoming newsletters. Some pieces will be more abstract than others but all of them will be inspired by my personal interpretation of the area.
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Diane and I on our recent trip to Iceland. We snowmobiled to the top of a glacier. That was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Yes, that really is Diane behind the mask.
As always, we appreciate your support.
Art; it chooses us
Food for thought
"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it "
Andy Warhol
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Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
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