"Dusk on Nogie's Creek"
15" x 22" Watercolor using Holbein paint on Fabriano Artistico paper.
June, 2019 Newsletter
*Click on the images for a larger view.
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Spontaneity; a word that I use a lot
Anyone who has ever taken a workshop with me has heard me use this word
quite often when referring to quick and energetic brushstrokes. The energy that it presents in a painting is impossible to duplicate in any other way. I decided to look up the definition of "Spontaneity" to see how it is defined.
"the condition of being spontaneous; spontaneous behavior or action".
REALLY??
According to my Google dictionary this is the definition of spontaneity. Let's dig a little deeper. How do they define
"Spontaneous"?
"performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus"
Now we're getting there. Why do I even bring this up? I love the look of spontaneity, specifically as it applies to brushwork. Sometimes an artist will make a quick and impulsive brushstroke that results in a broken edge or dry brush appearance. I know from experience that it is often without premeditation or express planning. It just happens and suddenly you are faced with a decision. Do you leave it as is or use a damp brush to blend it away? If you decide to leave it alone it implies to the viewer that the artist is experienced enough and confident enough to continue without tampering with that fresh and spontaneous stroke of the brush. So why is this important? Simple; it's all too easy to dampen a brush and smooth out the broken edge in an effort to make it look perfect. That's what I used to do when I was learning to paint with watercolors. My paintings were so clean and precise. It wasn't until I began really studying the works of masters that I realized how often their brush strokes were quickly and roughly applied as a way to create visual excitement in their paintings. Don't for a second assume that they did not notice these edges as they were painting. They saw them and they were experienced enough to cherish them. Those beautiful broken edges are hard if not impossible to fake. They come about as a result of confidence and rapid execution. The novice watercolor painter typically works in a very methodical and exacting manner. Rarely do you find the spontaneous brushwork in their paintings because they often see these broken edges as an irritant or distraction rather than an expressive and powerful statement.
I've been painting for most of my life and it pains me to see early examples of my work. At the time I that I painted the pieces I was doing what I thought was the best way to execute a successful painting. I was so focused on the big picture that I overlooked the small nuances that would have made my painting more than just a pretty picture but rather a creative piece of art. But at the time I was learning multitudes of watercolor techniques that each required a learning curve. Perfecting each technique was a necessary part of the process if I was to ever be successful as a painter. It wasn't until I became educated enough had gained the confidence of an experienced painter that I began to notice how beautiful those quick and broken brushstroke looked in my paintings. At first it took a lot of discipline to leave them alone and not tamper with them. It was tough rearranging my thinking from trying to paint something that is "perfect" to intentionally leaving something that is "imperfect" in my painting. But what a difference it makes.
The next time you're working on a painting and you suddenly make that quick and spontaneous brushstroke that results in a broken edge, consider leaving it alone. In fact look for even more areas of the painting where you can make a quick brushstroke and maybe achieve even more of them. It will give your painting more of a
"Painterly" look. That's another word that we often hear these days. Spontaneity is an element of Painterly. By the way, the definition of painterly is "characterized by qualities of color, stroke, and texture rather than of line. They both imply energetic and impulsive use of the brushes to create more interest in a painting.
On a personal and totally unrelated and note:
I would like to thank the genius who came up with the idea of putting four pivoting wheels on a suitcase. In my opinion you should have been awarded the Nobel Prize. It's true that you didn't save the world but you certainly saved countless millions of backs, mine included. Great job.
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"Constellate"
22"x 30" Acrylic on Fabriano paper.
This is an acrylic on gessoed Fabriano paper that I painted at my Abstract Acrylics Workshop in Calabash, NC last month. My intent with this painting was to capture the dynamics and total freedom with color and design of the mid-century abstract artists. We had a great time at the workshop and there were some incredibly nice paintings produced by those who attended.
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"In the Shade"
22" x 30" Transparent Watercolor
This is a representation abstract painting from the workshop in Hummelstown, PA. It was an afternoon study on stacking negative shapes to create depth in a painting. Deliberately distorting the perspective of the buildings adds to the slight abstraction of the scene.
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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 does NOT include Whiskey Paintings.
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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 and 2020 workshop schedules are full and we are booking the 2021 and 2022 workshops. If you would like to schedule a workshop for your group in 2021 or 2022 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.
- 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.
There are only a couple of spots left in this workshop
- 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.
- January 20 -24, 2020 The Villages, FL
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- February 24-28, 2020, Bonita Springs, FL
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- 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 Conntact; 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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"A Foggy Morning"
4"x 5" Whiskey Painting
I used Iceberg Vodka from Newfoundland to paint this piece on Fabriano 140 lb cold pressed paper. The reason that the image looks grainy is because it's a close up photo of a very small painting. The closer the image, the more grain. I
f you click on
"Paintings"
on my website;
www.sterlingedwards.com
scroll down to
Whiskey Paintings
and read a brief history of the
Whiskey Painters of America.
You can also click to see other examples of my
Whiskey Paintings
. It's a fantastic group of artists with a very unique and proud history. I am very honored to be part of this internationally renowned group.
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"Doors"
Here's something a little different. We had two dark brown and ugly doors in our living room that I decided to paint white to match the walls. Diane suggested that I paint an abstract on them that would accentuate the colors in our living room. It seemed like an usual but great idea so I went to work. Here is the end result.
I cannot believe the difference that these doors made in our living room and the overall look of the house. We bought a 1970's ultra contemporary home about a year and a half ago and are still putting our personal touches on it.
Just for fun I posted this image on Facebook and Instagram to see what kind of response it would get. I couldn't believe just how well it was received. Thanks to all of you who responded.
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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
"If only I had known that my differentness would be an asset, then my earlier life would have been much easier."
Bette Midler
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Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
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