ART Lessons & Workshops 2012
(as of Feb 1, 2012)
HST will be added to prices shown.
Mirja Vahala offers classes through Selkirk Continuing Education and Inspiring Minds, held at the studio at Windborne B&B.
Lodging during art retreats can be arranged and includes a 10% discount for participants staying at Windborne B&B.
Information on this page includes the following:
Classes and retreats with various professional artists.
Classes with instructor Mirja with registration via Selkirk College.
Classes with instructor Mirja with registration via Inspiring Minds.
Inspiring Minds Registration and Cancellation policies
Courses offered by Mirja via Selkirk Continuing Education
They take place at the Windborne B&B/Inspiring Minds Fine Art studio,
3900 Broadwater Road, Robson.
To register, please call 365-1208
http://selkirk.ca/ce/courses/artsculture/mirjavahala
Acrylics for True Beginners
Discover the ways of using this medium; make various brush strokes and mix colours in a variety of shades; learn basic design principles; paint simple shapes and a landscape, step-by-step, using the old masters’ ‘thick over thin’ method. Drawings and images provided. Supply list available.
Sat/Suns, Feb 12, 18, 19; 9:30 to 3:30 $149
Acrylics Plus:
Bright Paintings that Sing with Colour
Learn how grays and shading make bright colours better. Also learn which colours work together for high intensity paintings.
Sat; March 10, 17, 24; 9:30 to 3:30 $149
Learn to Draw in 18 Hours
If you think you can’t draw but want to learn, this class is for you. Learn to access the visual side of your brain and improve your creative thinking. Be amazed at how your drawing skills develop in just 18 hours. This course is based on the book, “Drawing On The Right Side of the Brain”. Contact Mirja for info on a pre-class project. Supply list available.
Feb 26- April 1
Sundays, 9:30 to 12:30 $149
Drawing for Fun
Drawing has the same benefits as meditating — and it’s fun! Learn to draw using gesture, contour drawing, varied marks and shading methods. Play with charcoal, conte, paint brushes and pencils.
Sat/Sun, April 21, 22, 28
3 days; 9:30 to 12:30 $75
Painting for Pleasure;
All Mediums and Levels
Get going with your painting projects. Mirja can help you move forward and provide painting projects, whatever your level or stage of your painting. The painting process is simplified – one step at a time. The sessions are fun and info-filled.
Alternating Fridays Feb 17, March 2, 16 and 30
5 sessions; 9:30 to 12:30 $99
Art Workshops with Mirja At Kootenay School of Arts, Nelson, BC
Becoming An Artist in 5 Days
This workshop is for true beginners. Discover how an artist sees by learning how to draw (2 days). Learn how to paint using acrylics (3 days). Make marks with various brush types, paint simple images, like a box, that looks 3-D. Learn the secrets to painting techniques such as painting thick over thin, scumbling and glazing. Acrylics are easy to use and to correct. Create a landscape painting alongside Mirja, step-by-step. An image and drawing is provided. Mirja simplifies the complex task of creating art, one step at a time.
5 days; August 13 -17; 9:30 to 3:30
$300 plus HST
Fill Your Paintings with Light and Colour
Learn how to make your paintings sparkle with light, plus how to make paintings glow.
An image will be provided for the first painting, which Mirja will demonstrate. Then apply the methods to your own ideas. Mirja will have other images from which to choose as well.
Go to www.inspiringminds.ca for a supply list.
5 days; June 8 - 12; 9:30 to 3:30
$300 plus HST
Creative Surfaces & Painting Methods:
Abstract and Real (Acrylics)
Create textured surfaces using acrylic mediums and grounds, plus objects such as eggshells, fabrics and more. Mirja will demonstrate for both representational and abstract. Your choice! Also learn how to use a limited palettes for powerful colour combos. Fun!
Go to www.inspiringminds.ca for a supply list.
5 days. July 6 -11 ; Friday - Tuesday; 9:30 to 3:30
Looking for Watercolour classes?
Contact Sandra Donohue (AFCA) at 250-365-7084
Art Classes Offered via Inspiring Minds
To register, please call 365-7679 or
email mirja@inspiringminds.ca
Sessions held at the art studio at
Windborne Bed & Breakfast,
3900 Broadwater Rd, Castlegar.
Open Art Drop In Sessions
9:15 to 12:30
Wednesday mornings, ongoing all year
$21 including HST. Every 11th visit is free.
Learn as you go at your own pace. Improve your skills while having fun with other artists in a great environment. Receive one-on-one guidance to inspire you to get started, to keep going and to finish your works of art. Open to everyone: no experience to all levels.
Call or email beforehand as space is limited.
*Classes will be a go or cancelled a week ahead of the start date.
To register, please call 365-7679 or
email mirja@inspiringminds.ca
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Bonny Roberts, A.F.C.A.
“3 Days of Colour and Creativity”
April 13-15, 2012
www.BonnyRoberts.com bonny18@telus.net
April 13-15, 2012, 3 days, $400
Learn to mix amazing, vibrant colour combos with just a set of 6 primary and sub-primary colours plus white. Have fun preparing a canvas with all the various acrylic ‘goops’ in preparation for creating a brilliant, textured abstract. Also do a “Paint-Along-with-Bonny Landscape”, using the primary colours, while our abstract surface of texture is drying. Fun-filled creating and learning!
Supplies:
2 Canvases (not too small please.)
Paints:
Primary Colours (Golden Brand)
Quinacridone Magenta & Quinacridone Red
Phthalo Blue
Hansa Yellow Medium
Sub-Primary Colours (Golden Brand)
Paynes Gray
Quinacridone Crimson
Nickel Azo Yellow or Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide
White
I use fluid acrylics as they seem to work better. However, heavy body will do as well.
For our abstract masterpiece, we can have fun to including some
of the interference and irridescent colours, and perhaps gold leaf.
Mediums:
1.Matte Medium OR Gac 500 (also Golden) I prefer Gac 500
2. Regular Gel Gloss (large bucket if you plan on mounting rocks!
3. Flow Release plus container in which to mix it with water
(make sure you read directions otherwise the paint won't dry! Have it mixed and ready to go.)
4. 99% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol (cheap and available at Wal
Mart) & Eye dropper or pipette. Put it in a spray bottle.
5. Self-Levelling Clear Gel (Golden) or 3D Crystal Lacquer by Sakura Hobby Craft
An assortment of palette knives, brushes, etc. plus all the usual stuff.
Please include a few large and small flat angle brushes.
At least one large old towel to work on.
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Dene Croft Oil Workshop
June 25-27, 2012
3 days, $400 + hst including lunches
www.denecroft.com
Create art using a fresh approach to painting in oils while using master techniques such as grisaille (shades of gray), sfumato (gradual transitions) and more. Dene focuses on human studies and still life. Discover the importance of working with models, setting up still lifes, lighting and photographing, considering composition and the importance of drawing. Take steps to further master
the the ways of creating great artwork.
Liz Wiltzen SFCA, SCA, CSPWC
Skill Building Intensive Fun!
3 days, $400 + hst including lunches
October 8-10th, 2012
(Intermediate to Advanced)
Doing a small painting (6x6”/6x8”) from life is a powerful way to quickly sharpen your artistic skills and to propel you forward as an artist.
Day 1-2: Set up simple still lifes and paint them with the purpose of improving your skills of composition, of seeing and mixing exactly the colour, value and temperature you are looking for, and of ending up with paintings that breathe with life. Learn too, to use effective paint handling and brushwork by applying focused, deliberate marks.
Day 3: work from a live, clothed model, doing very quick studies focused on the essence of the subject. Most of these studies will be wiped off and painted over.
Liz believes it is extremely valuable to paint without the expectation of a finished result, and to be connected with the exploration of the subject, of the paint and of ourselves as artists.
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Please call or email Mirja Vahala:
1-877-365-6693 • 250-365-7679
mirja@inspiringminds.ca
www.inspiringminds.ca.
Please make payments to Inspiring Minds Fine Art.
3900 Broadwater Road, Castlegar, BC V1N 4V4
Major credit cards, cheque or cash.
Inspiring Minds cancellation and registration policies
• Registration forms will be accepted on a first-come,
first-served basis.
• For workshops, a 50% deposit is required to reserve a space. The balance is payable by the stated Reserve Date. This is non-refundable unless there is a replacement student.
• Whether a class will run is decided the day of the indicated RESERVE DATE. Confirmation and supply lists are provided upon registration.
• Withdrawal from the workshop after the reserve date forfeits the full fee unless there is a replacement student, less a $25 admin fee.
• If full payment is not received by the RESERVE DATE, your space may be given to another registrant.
• If a workshop is cancelled, your full registration fee will be returned.
• Workshop fees include instruction, lunches and snacks unless otherwise stated.
• Workshop hours are 9:30 to 4:00 daily unless otherwise indicated.
Accommodations, meals and transportation
• Arrangements for lodging to be made by each participant.
• Participants receive a 10% discount when staying at Windborne B&B.
• For dinners, there are many great restaurants and pubs in Castlegar, Rossland,Trail and Nelson – all within a 5 to 40 minute drive.
• Airport pickup available from Castlegar Airport.
Art supplies*
• Unless otherwise specified, please bring the suggested art supplies. Supply lists are provided for each class.
Discounts on Art Retreats:
• Save $25 for bringing a friend.
• Save 10% on accommodations when staying at Windborne B&B.
Activities for partners:
Partners accompany students have many ways to spend their time: golfing, fishing, sailing, hiking, cycling, ATVing, kayaking, and more.
We had a blast at the Bonny Roberts Tri Hue Workshop. We look forward to more inspired painting in April 2012!
Andrew McDermott demonstrating his style using soft pastels.
Click here to see some of the work done by particpants.
Mike Svob demonstrating his popular techniques.
As a method art instructor, Mirja facilitates classes that allow students to quickly learn techniques in a relaxed atmosphere. Her purpose is to inspire artists to new levels of skill and creativity. Mirja’s 20+ years of graphic design experience is put to your advantage with well-designed, informative handouts.
Over the last five years Mirja has instructed hundreds of satisfied students in the Lower Mainland and the West Kootenays. She instructs with Selkirk College Continuing Ed and at Inspiring Minds new location, Windborne B&B.
For beginners, lessons are step-by-step. Individualized attention and time for group interaction are provided – we learn lots from our fellow students!
For intermediates and experienced artists, learned skills are applied to developing personal style, creativity and greater levels of expertise. To learn more about Mirja Vahala, please visit www.mirjavahala.com