Everyone Should Make Art

2010-08-29T09:45:00.001-07:00

I had to move my class blog to http://aleshas-art-class.blogspot.com/ [just click on the link to the right]
I created this awhile ago and had a different email address attached to it. Despite my best efforts it wouldn't let me change because I have my other blog attached to my current one. After a year of constantly signing in and out of blogger I have given up and imported this blog into the new one. Sorry if this is a pain, it should be the last blog move I promise!

More Fall Classes

2010-08-24T16:56:00.001-07:00

I am excited to be teaching in a new venue in September.While the Oaklands Community Centre has been around for awhile;they just acquired a new building and have expanded their class offerings. My friend Andrea Soos and I are teaching a new series of art classes for adults and teens,[Andrea is also teaching pre-schoolers.]
To see the program guide click this Link or pick up a copy of the current Victoria Active Living Guide,[it came with the Victoria News check your recycling!]

On Wednesdays Sept 15th-Oct20th You can take Adventures in Drawing
When that ends you can take Adventures In Acrylic Painting Oct 27th-Dec 1st
Both classes are suitable for a beginner or someone with more experience

If you want to explore Watercolour try my one day workshop Oct 3rd 10-4pm

I also have some Teen Drawing and Painting workshops Sundays Sept 26th and Oct 17th noon to 3pm

For my Classes at Island Blue or Henderson Rec Centre see this previous post

Fall Classes

2010-08-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

I've finished with the markets and have no more shows booked for awhile. For the rest of the summer I will be concentrating on updating my Etsy Shop and working on a large canvas I have had on the back burner. I am in no hurry for my summer to end but you may want to think about some of the classes I have coming up in September:

At Island Blue Art Centre:

Wet On Wet Watercolour
Sept 7th to Oct 26th[tuesdays]
Learn how to control paint on saturated wet watercolour paper. The work pictured "Cityview" was painted using this method.

Creative Painting
Starts Sept 9th 9:30-noon.[thursdays]
I will be offering two eight week sessions back to back. This class offers artists of all levels the opportunity to work on their own projects with my feedback. As well as this creative coaching I will still offer demonstrations suggested by the students in the class.

Check Out my one day workshops at Island Blue at this Link
There are some interesting offerings by other instructors as well including some great new watercolour ones taught by Jessica Milne and Jenny Olsen, [both very talented artists and excellent teachers.]

At Henderson Recreation Centre I am offering an Acrylic Class which will focus on exploring colour theory. This will probably be my last offering through Henderson or Monterey Centre, I have decided to cut back on teaching in January.
This class starts Sept 13th and runs for 8 sessions 9:30 to noon[mondays]

I have some classes at Oakland Community Centre but the program isn't out yet, I will post those in a week or so.

Questions? Contact me at starlesha@shaw.ca

Gone Fishing

2010-06-19T22:16:00.001-07:00

I have taken the entire summer off teaching!

I will be nurturing my own artistic pursuits and spending time with the family.

I do know what I will be offering in the fall, so if you have any questions feel free to contact me. I will be posting Fall Classes later when the brochures are close to coming out and my venues are ready to take registrations.Right now only the programmers and I know whats coming up!

You may find me at the Government Street Market, and other fairs this summer,trying to rustle up some grocery money.I recommend contacting me first if you are going to come looking for me,(I plan on keeping a very erratic schedule.)
If you are in Comox on August 7th and 8th you can catch me at the Originals Only Show

This piece "Fish Out Of Water" is on display as part of the Fernwood Studio Tour display at the Fernwood Inn, [corner of Gladstone and Fernwood} until the end of the month.

Creative Acrylic Class

2010-05-01T23:28:00.000-07:00

All my spring classes are underway now and my weekend painting workshops have passed. The last class I am offering before I take a break for the summer is a week long intensive Creative Acrylics Class at Island Blue.
It runs: Mon-Fri, June 14-18, 2010 9:30-3:30PM
Click on the link for a complete class description.

These classes are a bit tiring but are great fun. I am always impressed by what my students get accomplished with their work.
The work pictured is a painting in progress: It has fluid and tube acrylic, modelling paste and interference colours worked in so far.

Spring Classes

2010-03-13T19:29:00.000-08:00

Another full spring session coming up!
Classes at Henderson take place in the Muffin Nook. It's a really nice space with lots of natural light and free parking. Unfortunately the room is a little small, and you have to bring your own table easel,[if you're painting in acrylic.] There's no place to get coffee nearby but you can bring a thermos or use their kettle to make your own.
Island Blue's classes cost a little more but they offer a spacious art studio, proper easels and a discount on art supplies for the duration of the session. Parking is terrible though.
Sessional Classes:

Tuesdays-Hands On Acrylics 9:30am-noon Apr 20-Jun 8 [no class on Monday May 24th for Victoria Day]
8/$104 Henderson Recreation Centre
This class explore painting through simple projects and hands-on demonstrations.It is suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists looking for a refresher on the basics.

Click on the titles for more info about the classes:

Creative Acrylics-Texture,Blending and Glazing
Thursdays, April 22-June 10, 2010
9:30 - NOON Island Blue Art Centre 8/$150

Watercolour Explorations-Beyond Realism
APRIL 22-JUNE 10, 2010 Island Blue Art Centre
1:00-3:30 pm

How to Make Tile Pendants
Sunday, April 18, 2010 Island Blue Art Centre
10:00-4:00 PM

Monoprinting Using Gelatin Plates
Sunday, April 25, 2010 Island Blue Art Centre
10:00-4:00PM

Making Glass Magnets and Decorated Tins
Sunday, May 16, 2010 Island Blue Art Centre
10:00-4:00 PM

You can check out my Etsy Shop for examples of Pendants, Magnets, and Decorated Tins

2010-02-25T17:10:00.000-08:00

Colour Classes start the first week of March at Island Blue
Watercolour theory on Tuesdays and Acrylic on Thursdays from 9:30 to Noon

Both classes run for six sessions,[with a week off in the middle for spring break]
I have a couple of interesting one day workshops in March as well, Watercolour on Yupo March 7th and Acrylic Style Watercolours on March 13th

Winter Classes 2010

2009-12-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

January is always a popular month to take classes, its all about the new start I guess...the new year is a perfect time to try something new you have always wanted to do!
I have been having a lot of fun teaching mixed media classes lately but my schedule after Christmas is all about beginner classes. There are a few of my students who just sign up for anything I am offering just because they like me :) Anyone who wants to work on their own projects with my feedback and guidance is always welcome to sign up for any of my classes, they do not have to follow the lesson plan.
If you have weekday mornings free you might be interested in one of these three eight session offerings
First Steps in Watercolour at Island Blue Tuesdays 9:30-Noon
Hands on Watercolours at Henderson Recreation Centre Mondays 9:30-Noon
Beginner Acrylics Thursdays at Island Blue 9:30-Noon

If you can spare Four Sundays, I am teaching a crash course in Hands On Acrylics
1:30 to 4pm at the Monterey Centre in Oak Bay starting January 24th

If you want a one day workshop you might want to check these out:
Watercolour and Gouache at Monterey January 23rd {Sorry this has been cancelled]
Altered Photos at Island Blue February 28th
Watercolour and Yupo Paperat Island Blue March 7th
Watercolour Style Acrylics at Island Blue March 13th
Fun With Watercolour at Shoreline Community School March 27th

If you are interested in any of these click on the links or contact me for more info

2009-10-30T22:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesdays, Nov 10-Dec 15. 2009

9:30-NOON

$115.00+GST

In this session you will explore an unconventional style of watercolour painting by adding mixed media such as collage, inks, gouache, and colored pencil. This class would suit someone with some watercolor experience or an adventurous beginner. Materials not included. 6 sessions

2009-09-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

I have some interesting workshops coming up:

Island Blue Art Centre
Gelatin Plate Monoprinting - September 27th
Watercolour on Yupo -October 4th
Acrylic Watercolour- November 29th

Gordon Head Recreation [Held at Gordon Head Middle School]
Chiyogami Paper Projects -October 4th
Scrabble Tile Pendants-November 14th

Shoreline Community Centre
Altered Photos- October 17th
Fun With Watercolour- November 7th

Monterey Recreation Centre
Wet On Wet Watercolour-Dec 5th

I also have new weekly Acrylic and Watercolour classes starting again in November at Island Blue and a special session of Hands On Acrylics at the Monterey Centre for ages 50 and over.

2009-02-04T23:19:00.000-08:00

I have nothing new starting until March
send me an email if you want to know whats coming up!
starlesha@shaw.ca

2009-01-17T20:21:00.000-08:00

Would you like to try Watercolour?
Check out my Beginner Watercolor workshop at Island Blue
Two Afternoons 1-4 Jan 24th and 31st
Click on the Island Blue link for more info

2008-12-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

New Classes for January!
Starting the week of the 12th
Tuesday 13th
Beginner Watercolour 9:30-noon
Beginner Acrylic 1-3:30pm [I believe this one is full] Island Blue

If you are an artist looking for some guidance but want to be mainly self directed you should consider taking
Creative Painting [Mentored Painting with Me]
9:30- noon starting Thursday 15th Island Blue

If you are 50+ you can take Beginner Acrylics on Fridays 1-3:30 pm Starting on the 16th at Monterey Centre

These classes run for eight sessions and I also have a couple of one day workshops at Island Blue-check them out by clicking the links at left or contacting me through this blog.

2008-10-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

Wet in Wet Watercolour at Island Blue!
Starts Tuesday Nov 18th and goes for 5 sessions until the 16th of Dec. The time is 9:30 to noon.

You can also join the second session of Mentored Painting.
Paint in Acrylic, Watercolour or work in Mixed Media.
That one also runs for 5 sessions 9:30- noon Thursdays Nov 20th to Dec 18th. Contact me for more details or follow the Island Blue link to register.

Next Workshop

2008-09-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

Gouache is so under-rated. I am sorry this workshop was cancelled, I love painting with this type of paint.
I hope to offer it again, if you missed it look for it at the Monterey Centre in the new year.

2008-08-30T19:32:00.000-07:00

Here is what is new for the fall:
Eight session classes:
First Steps in Watercolour.
9:30 -noon Tuesdays Starts Sept 16th
Mentored Painting in Watercolour or Acrylic
9:30- noon Thursdays Starts Sept 18th
Check out Island Blue for details or to register [link at right]
If you are 50 or over you can take
Hands on Acrylics at the Monterey Centre
That one starts Sept 12 and goes from 12:30-3pm. Contact the Monterey Centre for details or to register [link at right]

I also have a some great one and two day workshops coming up: Watercolour Portraits at Island Blue Saturday Oct 18th and 19th and a Watercolour and Gouache workshop at Monterey on Oct 4th.
And my personal favorite-Painting watercolour on Yupo paper on Nov 1st at Island Blue

2008-07-27T09:08:00.001-07:00

Next week I have my five day intensive Acrylic and Beyond Class at Island Blue, [click on the link to IB at the right for more details.] This class takes acrylics to new dimensions by incorporating elements such as printmaking, collage and sculpture. I expect to be posting some photos from the class here soon, stay tuned!

2008-07-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

Watercolour Painting
Five Day Intensive at the Vancouver Island School of Art July 21-25th
10-5 every day!
Dont miss it!
If you prefer Acrylics try
Acrylic Painting and Beyond
at Island Blue July 28-Aug 1st
Check the links to the right for more info.

2008-04-20T23:27:00.000-07:00

The next watercolor class coming up:
Watercolor and Mixed Media
July 5th and 6th 10-4 Saturday and Sunday
Weekend Workshop at Vancouver Island School Of Art
This class mixes bold unconventional watercolor techniques with mixed media on all kinds of different surfaces.
Click on the VISA's link for registration details

2008-03-09T19:56:00.001-07:00

This is a pear I painted as a demonstration in my Watercolor Primer workshop at the Vancouver Island School of Art on March 8 & 9th. If you missed it you can take the week long version in July on the 21st -25th.

If you want a watercolor class with me earlier than that:

Still Life in Watercolor-at Monterey Centre
Sunday March 30th 9:30-3:30 One Day Workshop

Classes
Wet In Wet Watercolor at Monterey Centre
Thurs. nights 7-9:30pm April 10th-May 1st 4 classes
Expressions In Watercolor at Island Blue
April 22nd-June 10th Tues. mornings 9:30-noon 8 classes
Creative Landscapes In Watercolor
Thurs. Nights 7-9:30 pm May 8th-29th 4 classes

Would you prefer an acrylic class?

Creative Acrylics Thurs Mornings April 3rd 8 sessions

2008-02-22T19:10:00.001-08:00

I have tons of workshops in March! Watercolor painting at Vancouver Island School of Art on March 7th and 8th
Acrylic & Collage at the Monterey Centre on March 15th.
Watercolor Portraits at Island Blue on March 16th
and Still Life in Watercolor at Monterey on March 30th.
In April I have new classes starting at Island Blue and Monterey Centre.
Follow the links or contact me for more details.

2008-01-04T10:07:00.001-08:00

Next week I start Acrylic and Watercolor Classes at Island Blue [click on link to see details]
On February 7th I start teaching a night class at the Monterey Centre in Oak Bay called Watercolour Landscape with Collage.
You can find details about that by going to www.recreation.oakbaybc.org or calling 370 7300

2007-12-01T12:50:00.001-08:00

I will be at the 2nd annual Artisans Show at Iaso Bodyworks. Dec 8th and 9th 11-5 pm.

I will have pendants, magnets, christmas cards and small art for sale.

Other participating artists:
Lovemonkey Designs
Hellbetty
Inflateable Eye
Pinwheel
Parsonage Coffee
Roguewave Glassworks

Check it out!

2007-10-05T21:34:00.001-07:00

2007-10-05T21:29:00.001-07:00

I will be at the Out of Hand Fair at the Victoria Conference Centre
Nov 22nd-25th

My Winter Classes and Workshops are now online
www. islandblue.com

2007-09-17T18:16:00.001-07:00

Spirit Bear is on display at the Nature of Artists Show at the Goldstream Nature House until October 8th.
Check out Naturehouse.ca for more details. It is a great fundraiser for the school programs they do.

2007-08-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

Check out the Vancouver School of Art Link for details on Art Incognito. I cant tell you what piece I am putting in this year but this is my watercolor and collage from last year.

2007-08-21T23:03:00.000-07:00

Classes Starting In September
Wet In Wet Watercolor on the 13th
Creative Acrylics on the 18th
Each goes for eight weeks, check out complete description and details by clicking on the Island Blue Link

Upcoming Classes In July

2007-06-06T21:25:00.001-07:00

Expressions In 2-Dimensional Art
Coming up this week, a mixture of drawing, painting, collage and printmaking.
Follow the Island Blue Link for more details
July 16th-20th 9am-12 pm

Watercolor Painting
Week Long Intensive Workshop at Vancouver Island School Of Art 10am-4pm
For more info follow the VISA website link to the right.
July 23rd-27th

2007-06-05T22:29:00.001-07:00

Expressions In Watercolor and Gouache

2007-05-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

Last Chance to sign up for my Expressions in Watercolor and Gouache Class. The class started Wednesday May 30th but you can join it for the remaining four sessions at a pro-rated price.
Next week we will be studying pen and ink with gouache and watercolor and how to make colored watercolor paper with inks.
Here are some interesting exercises I did last year using Gouache.

2007-05-27T11:42:00.001-07:00

Gouache Painting

2007-05-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

Class Starting May 30th at Island Blue:
Expressions in Watercolor and Gouache.
The class will explore and how to combine watercolor and gouache together in your work. Mixed Media effects with pastel and ink will also be covered.

2007-04-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Classes At Island Blue Art Centre
check out website link for more detailed descriptions.

Expressions in Watercolor and Gouache
Wednesday mornings starting May 30th and going until June 27th
5 sessions

Creative Painting in Acrylics
Monday-Friday 1-4pm
July 9th-13th

Expressions in 2-Dimensional Art [drawing, painting, collage, printmaking etc.]
Monday-Friday 9am-noon
July 16th-20th

Upcoming Class at Vancouver Island School Of Art
July 23rd-27th 10am-5pm
Watercolor Painting
This is a beginner watercolor class which covers all the basics. Check out Visa's website for course description.

2007-03-28T23:32:00.000-07:00

Papier Mache Workshop-Two Days
April 7 and 14th
I am pretty good with paper, glue and paint if I do say so myself...Check it out

Starting In April

2007-03-08T19:24:00.000-08:00

Eight Week Classes At Island Blue Art Centre
Creative Acrylics
Starting April 3rd and ending May 22nd [Tuesdays 9:30-noon]
My usual explorations of creative painting techniques. I have quite a few repeat students in this one so I will try to present interesting and informative lessons while helping them find their own style and creative path
Further Steps In Watercolor
This one starts on Wednesday April 4th [9:30-noon] and goes until the 24th of May
On the first day I am going to ask the students to give me a wish list of lessons they would like me to do and I will create the lesson plan from that.
Absolute Beginner Art
This one is actually taught primarily by Andrea Soos but I will be helping out for two or three classes. This is a great one if you always wanted to do some form of art but didnt know where to start.
Contact Island Blue website [see link to the right] to register or read more detailed descriptions of the classes.

Childrens Classes
At the Victoria Art Gallery [link to the right to website]
Drawing and Cartooning
Ages 8-9 This one starts April 14th 10:30 am -11:45 am Saturdays for 10 sessions

I am not teaching at the Vancouver Island School Of Art until the Summer but their Spring and Summer session is online and really worth a look. They have some great classes and instructors, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking to learn more about the art making process. This is a real art school, you can earn credits to a certificate or diploma, but unlike some of the other art schools, this one is really welcoming and comfortable to the average beginner. Check out the link on this blog to their website.