Is there anything more exciting and rewarding than painting plein air? Join us as we navigate the thrills and challenges of painting in nature this Fall! Learn or master the skills of judging the light, fending off the breeze, capturing that certain something that appeals to you in an outdoor setting! This highly engaged, friendly and supportive group is intrepid and inclusive. 

Each week we are at a different location - we’ll paint the ocean, marshes, architecture and gardens!  Perhaps this year we will add a figure in the landscape?!?!  I will get all of your phone numbers so I can text you if there is a sudden change in location due to weather, or any other reason. Students can use any media they have familiarity with.  All levels, but I will be painting in acrylic or gouache.  I usually know where there is a nearby restroom.  Some weeks I will demo but will mostly be occupied with your progress and efforts.  

MATERIALS LIST: Materials List for Safari 2023.pages

About the Instructor: Kelley MacDonald 

After getting her Art History degree at Wheaton College, Kelley continued taking art classes at various Art Associations for 10 years before she started painting.  First with watercolor, then oil and now happily with acrylic and mixed media, it has been a lifetime of growing and exploring all things art.  

Kelley has won numerous awards, and has taught classes and workshops for many years.  While for the majority of her career Kelley has been a literal, representational painter, in the past 4 years she has been diving into abstraction, particularly Intuitive Abstraction.  The history involved on the canvas, the multiple layers, the reveal and conceal and push and pull are what attracts her to this method. 

A favorite thing to do is to travel, and be inspired by different landscapes and  cityscapes.  Kelley has traveled to Holland to paint, along with many places on this side of the ocean, namely Nova Scotia, Sedona, Santa Fe, St. Simon’s Island, Seattle, San Miguel de Allende, MX, California and Maine. 

In 2009 Kelley founded the Artists’ Challenge Group “Girls Just Wanna Paint” which is a collection of award winning artists  who post a response to a new topic every month consecutively since July of 2009. Aside from the Providence Art Club Kelley is a member of the North River Arts Society in Marshfield, MA.  She has taught at the Art Club, Bristol Art Museum, and at North River Arts Society.

Looking for more space to spread out and work on a project? Or maybe you want to work amongst other artists to feel inspired and get some helpful feedback on your work. Join other local artists any time between 9am-12pm, for Open Studio. Please pay $10 cash at the door. Bring all supplies you need to use, NRAS has easels available. 

No registration, drop in only, cash or check.

Whether you're an absolute beginner or a skilled artist looking to collaborate and receive feedback, all are welcome. In this class, I'll show you how drawing can motivate your creative thinking. We will cover the basics, including value, form, and how light affects form. I will demonstrate several drawing techniques, providing you with a solid foundation.

During this first class, students can choose to work with still life or from a photo. We will explore classical compositions and learn to recognize them in our surroundings. I'll start with a demonstration on how to select and isolate compositions, followed by a review of perspective and aerial perspective.

Step out of your comfort zone and try something new! Drawing is fundamental and an essential part of any artist's practice. Join us and enhance your artistic journey.

About the Instructor: Bonny Opie 

I grew up in the hills of New Hampshire and near the beaches of Maine which allowed me the opportunity to enjoy nature at its best.  This love of nature inspired me to pursue a career in art.
Henry Henshe deserves the a great deal of credit for my teaching and painting abilities.  In 1980 I began studying plein air painting with Henry focusing on light, color and forms of nature.  Painting in Provincetown, Massachusetts for eight summers with Henry left a lifelong impression on me.  

My journey has led me to the field of art education. Teaching and working with others inspires me to try different techniques and common procedures that lead to an individual's success without dampening their enthusiasm for painting. I have taught all grade levels in the public school system and am currently teaching adult classes at the Bonnet House Museum in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. My teaching style includes painting demonstrations. Art is my passion!

Materials List:

Artists may bring any materials they wish to explore or are comfortable using. All students should have the following for the first class:

- a variety of drawing pencils, primarily 2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B
- sketchbook, ideally 9"x12"
- eraser

This fun class is designed for experienced painters working in any medium, who want to explore ways to create more modern, bold, and expressive paintings by taking a less representational approach. Each week we’ll explore ways to employ one of the abstract elements of painting; line, value, color, shape, and texture to express an unexpected idea or statement. There will be a short presentation, followed by some simple exercises. This is not a “how to paint” class, rather a place to explore and experiment with fellow artists. We’ll be working independently (using materials of your choice) from still lives and/or photos. There will be a quick critique at the end of every class and “homework”. Any specific materials needed will be emailed each week.

About the Instructor: Nancy Colella 

Nancy earned a BA in Fine Art from Muskingum University, then studied painting at the Aegean School of Fine Arts in Paros, Greece and at the Instituto Allende in San Miquel Mexico. After a career in the hospitality business and while raising two children, she resumed her studies at Mass College of Art. She teaches numerous on-line and live workshops throughout New England. She lives in Norwell with her husband and yellow lab Limoncello. 

Over the course of 4 weeks, you will learn the fundamentals of drawing with charcoal! You will be introduced to this expressive wonderful art medium, practice drawing skills while exploring a range of techniques, applications and uses that a variety of charcoal can offer.

Jessie will provide students with all materials with the exception of a drawing board (see materials list). Enjoying learning a new medium without the commitment of purchasing all the materials.

With a hands-on teaching approach, I will be showing you how to apply and remove this medium, step by step, watch while your drawings interplay between lights & shadow then develops into something simply wonderful! You will really feel the power of shade & tonal value as you create beautiful drawings with the intensity that only charcoal offers.

Step by step instructions each week will be accompanied with a finished sample work to be used as a visual guide. You will practice your drawing observations, learn to simplify shapes, contours and ideally learn how to create a nice composition. You will get to know the medium, tools and techniques that you will then be able to apply to your own future drawings. My goal is to get you to enjoy the joys of charcoal and help build your confidence while we have fun creating!

About the Instructor: Jessie Fries

 My name is Jessie Fries, and I am a freelance artist-painter & free spirited creator of things. 

Within my body of work my subject matter may vary from animals, birds, flowers, nature, sunsets & moonrises here on earth & outer space, to unusual creatures such as monsters, aliens or abstract expressive figures. 

In my artwork -I may use bold colorful acrylics, or play with striking pastels, or get dirty with moody charcoals, maybe even get stained with funky inks, or perhaps express with earthy juicy watercolors, even upcycling ‘trash to treasure’ is something I enjoy! It all depends on my creative mood & where studio time takes me on any given day. I let my inner muse decide what I shall make, not always knowing which direction I will go towards until the idea & inspiration feels right. 

I am a self-taught artist. I have a deep conviction to put forth my very best efforts in everything I create. I continue to learn and push artistic boundaries daily. Over the last three decades, I have been blessed to receive a multitude of ribbons & awards from various juried art shows on the South shore. More importantly I proudly co-own and operate a successful working art studio full-time in Plymouth Mass. called The Art Shoppe. 

I am humbled & appreciative of the fact I get to chase my art dreams daily. I do, however, work at my art, learn from it and practice my craft daily. There is still so much to learn, so much more to create. I hope to inspire others that ‘Art is fun’, and indeed it is. 

Materials Provided:

-Willow/vine charcoal

-Charcoal compressed blocks (both hard and soft)

-Assorted charcoal pencils / also a ‘white’ charcoal pencil included

-An eraser pencil

-White eraser

-Gum (kneaded eraser)

-Chamois cloth

-Stumps/ assorted blenders

-Wax paper

-Powdered (ground) charcoal

-Paper and painter’s tape will be supplied as needed, as will fixative art spray

Materials Required from Students:

- It is required that students bring their own drawing board.  13in. x 17in. or larger drawing board would be great!

- Please also dress appropriate, you are going to get dirty! This for sure can be a messy medium.  (Hand cleaner will be offered by instructor)

This is a Plein air and/or preparatory class of larger studio paintings done from the color studies created in the early Fall months.

The objective: To enable artists to explore options in creating solid color studies as the foundation for larger studio projects, using those studies as the primary framework for composing and creating larger paintings in studio.

The focus will be on returning to two or three different locations in different light/weather. We will gather photos and color studies for studio work.  Sometimes, a fabulous all prima plain air painting is a one-and-done!

This is a guided plein air class with the intention of creating various color studies for a larger studio piece. Ann will coordinate with students to visit and paint at three locations. Each location will be visited twice, with the first visit involving a demo from Ann and hands-on guidance. The second visit will allow artists to work on their study mostly independently. Get outside, do intentional color studies together and prepare for a larger studio landscape!

A general understanding of working with oils is recommended but otherwise open to all levels.

About the Instructor: Ann Musto

Ann has been a plein air and studio oil painter for over twenty years. Her interest lies in working to capture the beauty of what we see in light and color.  Ann’s work includes portraits, landscapes and still life. Ann completed her studies at the Academy of Realist Art in Boston, a traditional atelier. She has been a long time member of North River Arts Society and has served on the NRAS Board of Directors and on the NRAS Arts Committee.

AnnMustoArt.com

Materials list:

• French easel or comparable travel easel.
  
• Rectified Turpentine/ container
  
• Gamsol/ container
  
• Rags or paper towels, trash receptacle
  
• Brushes(large and small) and palette knife (medium size with flexibility)
  
• Suggest canvas on board or mounted on foam core. No bigger than 12x24
  
• Drawing pad (small) and graphite/ fine maker or charcoal for thumbnails.
  
• Paints - limited to split warm/cool primaries - ask if you need help. White.
  
• Sunscreen and bug spray! Use canvas bag or backpack for easy travel.
  
• GPS!
  

All Levels Welcome

In this class, you'll learn to create larger and more defined studio landscapes using an academic approach. We will build on color studies, smaller plein air and alla prima paintings, and our imaginations to craft stunning, large-scale landscapes.

Join me in the studio as we progress from accurate drawing to sophisticated color manipulation and composition, culminating in a final piece measuring over 20-24 inches on each side—perfect for display over the couch!

Over the course of 8 classes, we'll focus on a layered painting process, starting with drawing and small studies and advancing to a masterwork. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this class will provide you with the techniques and confidence to create beautiful, large-scale landscapes.

About the Instructor: Ann Musto

Ann has been a plein air and studio oil painter for over twenty years. Her interest lies in working to capture the beauty of what we see in light and color.  Ann’s work includes portraits, landscapes and still life. Ann completed her studies at the Academy of Realist Art in Boston, a traditional atelier. She has been a long time member of North River Arts Society and has served on the NRAS Board of Directors and on the NRAS Arts Committee.

AnnMustoArt.com

Materials list:

Easels and small tables provided by NRAS.

Students are responsible for bringing paints, OMS, rags, drawing materials, drawing board and tape, palette, brushes and palette knife.

Paints: It's important to have the warm/cool basic limited palette. Other “additions” can be added later in the process. Complete list to follow from instructor.

Paint from the heart, there are no rules and no judgement! Paint like a kindergartener, dare to have a "bad" painting, let yourself be surprised by your art. This class is for beginners or experienced painters and all mediums are welcome. 

Page will do some demonstrations in acrylic paint but the focus of the class is to paint in your own unique style, to have fun, and to be inspired by each other as your work improves each week. An open "critique" will wrap up the class each week for feedback and encouragement. 

About the Instructor: Page Railsback 

Page never learned the rules in Art school so as a self taught painter enjoys the freedom of experimenting with no boundaries.
Page received a Masters in Education and her natural talent as a teacher is reflected in her ongoing workshops and classes. She has lived on the South Shore of Boston for over forty years. She was privileged to receive a Residency at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown MA in 2013  granted through the Copley Society of Art. She is a juried Gallery Artist at the Copley Society of Boston, The South Shore Art Center in Cohasset MA and Solace Gallery in Long Beach Island New Jersey. Her work can be seen at her Studio in Rockland and at NEST in Dedham MA.

Materials List:

• Canvas pad  16x20 or 4 small canvas boards ex. 8x8 12x8..
• Sketch pad
• Twig Charcoal and or Sharpie
• 4 Larger canvas 20x20, 20x16 or larger…one for each class
• Water container or turps
• Brushes 3 or more -1/2 inch, 1 inch ,2 inch…Big Brushes
• Palette knife
• Paints: 6 Essentials 
• Light yellow, medium yellow (or ochre)
•  Ultramarine blue and one other : Thalo blue,cerulean or manganese. 
• Alizarin red or deep magenta, Cadmium red light 
• Big tube of White titanium 
• Black, optional
• Any other color you like is optional…Viridian green, orange, pink etc
• Palette, paper palette is an option
• Water spray bottle for acrylics or watercolor
• Rags or paper towel
• Apron
• camera (phone)

One great way to strengthen your skills, and hone a consistent voice around a subject is to do a series. In this 10 week class we will explore what it takes to develop a series of work based on your own interests and desires. Examples of this may be: skies, trees, critters, ocean, marsh, vessels, figures, tablescapes, abstracts …. Etc, etc. You will be guided and prompted to dig deep and yet stay within your subject. Any medium that you are familiar with is acceptable, as a matter of fact the series may cross mediums - for example you may enjoy watercolor AND acrylics, or pastels…or mixed media. All levels welcome. 

About the Instructor: Kelley MacDonald

After getting her Art History degree at Wheaton College, Kelley continued taking art classes at various Art Associations for 10 years before she started painting.  First with watercolor, then oil and now happily with acrylic and mixed media, it has been a lifetime of growing and exploring all things art.  

Kelley has won numerous awards, and has taught classes and workshops for many years.  While for the majority of her career Kelley has been a literal, representational painter, in the past 4 years she has been diving into abstraction, particularly Intuitive Abstraction.  The history involved on the canvas, the multiple layers, the reveal and conceal and push and pull are what attracts her to this method. 

A favorite thing to do is to travel, and be inspired by different landscapes and  cityscapes.  Kelley has traveled to Holland to paint, along with many places on this side of the ocean, namely Nova Scotia, Sedona, Santa Fe, St. Simon’s Island, Seattle, San Miguel de Allende, MX, California and Maine. 

In 2009 Kelley founded the Artists’ Challenge Group “Girls Just Wanna Paint” which is a collection of award winning artists  who post a response to a new topic every month consecutively since July of 2009. Aside from the Providence Art Club Kelley is a member of the North River Arts Society in Marshfield, MA.  She has taught at the Art Club, Bristol Art Museum, and at North River Arts Society.

Materials List - All, or as many as you can manage:

Materials List for Developing A Series Class

-Any size canvas (new one each week) you choose - from 6x6 to 30x30 - whatever you are comfortable with.  Canvas, board, canvas board… whatever you like to paint on.  Your goal is to start a new painting each week

Disposable Palette

Colors - whatever medium you choose (acrylic, watercolor, pastel, oil) I would suggest  at least this limited palette:

• Large tube of titanium white
• 1 warm and 1 cool tube of
• Yellow - (ex. Cad lemon and cad yellow medium)
• Red (ex. Cadmium red light and Alizarin Crimson, magenta or rose)
• Blue (ex. Ultramarine and pthalo)
• Neutral such as BURNT umber (not raw)

Brushes in an array of sizes - I use flats, but you may use whatever you are comfortable with, in a 1/4 inch size, a 1/2 in size and a 1 inch size.  Then a BIG one and a tiny, detail one.

At least one palette knife - any size

Water container such as a large yogurt or ricotta tub

Apron or overshirt - optional

Paper towels

Class will be carving and painting a lifesize American Kestral - known  as a Sparrowhawk. 

This class is not for beginners and carving experience is recommended. Carving with micromotor power tools and detailing with woodburners is emphasized but use of hand tools is possible.

Kevin Dunn has been carving birds for over seventy years and his birds have been sold in gift shops and galleries in Washington, D.C., Cambridge, Cohasset, Martha’s Vineyard, as well as the Marshfied Fair, the South Shore Science Center Corn Festival, and the South Shore Audubon’s Webster Farm Day. “There is such creativity involved. A lot of decisions go into creating something,” he said. “But at the same time it’s very therapeutic. You lose yourself in what you’re physically doing. Mentally, all the cares of the world just fade away.”
- Kevin Dunn in Patriot Ledger

In this 3-week class, students will begin to explore the world of creative embroidery. Students will learn the basics of conceptualizing and starting an embroidery project, what stitches and threads to use and where, and how to let go of their preconceived notions about embroidery. Olivia will help students bring their designs to life using nothing but needle and thread (and maybe a few sparkles here and there). This ain’t your grandma’s needlepoint!

Materials List:

• Embroidery needles

• Embroidery Thread - NRAS will supply students with thread to get started but you may want to purchase additional colors specific to your project after the first class

• 6” embroidery hoop

• Scissors

• Pencil

• (Optional: beads and beading needles)

About the Instructor: Olivia Harvey

Olivia Harvey is an avid sewist and upcycler who first learned how to sew as a kid right here at NRAS with Brooke Stanton — and she hasn’t stopped since! Along with making and embellishing her own clothes, Olivia also sells her upcycled creations through her online shop OHpleeze. She believes that everyone should learn how to sew because it makes life (and your closet) a lot more interesting!

Embark on an exploration of creating a portrait with artist and educator, Lauren Bass. Portraiture, a time honored tradition, is commonly regarded as being exact and difficult. However. over the course of this 6-week class Lauren will breakdown the process into simple steps and tricks that make rendering the head easier and help achieve likeness. Students will enjoy gaining a solid foundation in understanding the structure and solidity of the human head. They will learn essential principles such as proportion, perspective, light logic and color theory. Also discussed will be gesture, composition, edge quality, planar division of the head, comparative measuring, the anatomy of the features and more. This class starts with drawing, progresses to monochromatic painting (grisaille), and culminates in the vibrant world of full-color painting. From week to week we will build our knowledge base. Clear instruction will be given weekly through demonstrations, lectures and handouts. Students can progress at their own pace and will receive individual critiques appropriate to their level.

“Faces are the most interesting things we see; other people fascinate me, and the most interesting aspect of other people - the point where we go inside them - is the face. It tells it all.”  - David Hockney

About the Instructor: Lauren Bass

I have been an artist my entire life, but my path as an artist hasn’t been linear. Whether doodling in the margins of notebooks or sketching at home, I was always drawing as a child. However, the high school I went to didn’t offer art so I had no formal training until college. There I took my first painting class and was hooked. I would observe a still life setup, mixed colors, replicate the abstract shapes and then step a few paces back. Incredibly, there was the image on my canvas. It felt like magic! I found that time stood still when I was painting I was so absorbed! After getting a BA in Humanities, I got a BFA in graphic design and worked in advertising for several years. I put my career on hold when I had children but continued taking painting classes. As my children got older and more independent, I was able to be more serious, paint more frequently and study with many fabulous artists whose work I admired. I sought out some of the best artists in the country that work in my area of interest to study with. Luckily, many live locally.

Supply list.pdf

This 3-week class will dive into the world of block printing, covering a crash-course on all things blocks for artists of all sorts who want to bring their creativity to life in the printed world. This class will cover techniques for drawing, carving, and printing block prints on a variety of mediums. Rachel will help you bring to life a block and a variety of prints in different mediums of your own imagination.

About the Instructor: Rachel Nerger (Ray Prints)

I started block printing in 2020 when I was looking to reconnect with my creativity outside of the everyday hustle and bustle and a full-time job in finance. I have always been an artist at heart, and have continued to explore new mediums even as I jumped into the professional world.

Over the past few years, all the hours of drawing, carving, and printing blocks has led me to “launch” Ray Prints where I’ve been able to share my love of block prints with the south shore at different pop ups and markets. I have fallen in love with block printing for the way that it fits into life - it is accessible, affordable and has provided me with hours of escape as I work through each step in creating totally unique pieces of art with each stamp and Speedball carve.

Materials List:

(1 per student) 8"x10" block, black ink, rollers and paper provided by NRAS. Students should bring a set of carving tools, Rachel recommends this one for beginners. Rachel also suggests bringing watercolor supplies, different ink colors if you want and any old clothing, canvas bags, etc. that you may want to play around printing on!