Acrylic and Oil Pen Abstract Painting, a one-on-one Workshop with Debi L. Drew (4 session series)

Using a variety of art elements and principles this painting class will allow participants to explore acrylic abstract painting which also include oil pen markings.

No prior art experience is needed. Beginners welcome. This workshop is for adults and mature teens, age 16 and above.

$80 per session ($320 for the four sessions), all materials included, for each two-hour session

Scheduled sessions:     

     Wednesdays, March 9, 16, 23 and 30, 6 - 8 pm (4 session series)

To register, email, call or visit the Gallery.

 
Please see General Workshop Information and Policies

This drawing class will begin with an introduction to various value techniques and the art of turning shapes into forms. Then drawings from observation will lead to creation of still life images that have impact and interest.

No prior art experience is needed. Beginners welcome. This workshop is for adults and mature teens, age 16 and above.

$80 per session ($160 for the two sessions), all materials included, for each two-hour session

Scheduled sessions:     

     TBA

To register, email, call or visit the Gallery.

 
Please see General Workshop Information and Policies. 

This workshop is designed to teach you how to approach MS Paint as a medium for fine art, and to introduce you to the signature tools:

- Discussion on the medium, and how to THINK about it conceptually.  This discussion guides the artist, setting the proper frame of mind to maximize learning and application. 

- Introduction to the signature tools of MS Paint.  The tools that define the medium will be identified, and their use introduced. There are many tools included in the latest version of MS Paint. But the artist must first understand the signature tools to understand which of the added tools can be a benefit, and which are merely a distraction. You will create your own variation on “Evening Tides” as Joe guides you in the basics of using the pencil tool to cover an area; adjust the hue, brightness and saturation; and then go over it again for a textured, gradient effect.

In the future, workshop sessions will be offered providing indepth instruction on the use of individual tools. This workshop provides the foundation.

PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS: Participants must be 15 years old or older, and must supply their own tablet or laptop with MS Paint software installed.

 
$74 for one 3-hour session

Maximum number of participants:  3

Scheduled dates:
    TBA

Visit, call or email gallery to register. 

Basic introduction to all of the toolsets available in Procreate, such as brushes, smudge tools, layers, color palettes, selection tool, and different actions tools. 

You will learn:

- How to customize your own brushes using the basic brushes tool that already comes with Procreate

- How to paint with the selection tool, what it is used for, and the benefits of the selection tool

- How to work on different layers and the benefit of layers

- How to create your own color palette and apply that to your painting

- How to paint “Moon Rider” step-by-step with Michi

BONUS: Michi will give you Procreate Brushes on the first meeting via “AIR DROP” to help speed the process of painting “Moon Rider.”

PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS: Participants must be 15 years old or older, and must supply their own iPad/Tablet with Procreate software installed, and an- Apple Pencil or any pen that works with their tablet

$72 for one 3-hour session

Maximum number of participants:  3

Scheduled dates:

     TBA

Visit, call or email gallery to register.

In this class you will create a unique raised design/drawing of your choice on a sheet of 8x8 metal.  The opportunity to enhance your art with textural elements and color will increase the appeal of your metal artwork.  

No prior art experience is needed. Beginners welcome. This workshop is for adults and mature teens, age 16 and above.

$120, all materials included, for one three-hour session

Scheduled sessions:

     Saturday, March 19, 10 am - 1 pm

To register, email, call or visit the Gallery. 

Please see General Workshop Information and Policies.

 Balance and fun is the focus of this pen and ink design class   Using your imagination and freehand drawings you will choose to fill a heart shape (approximately 5”x5”) symmetrically or asymmetrically with a theme of your choice. Then pens will be used to ink areas as you please. 

No prior art experience is needed. Beginners welcome. This workshop is for adults and mature teens, age 16 and above. 

$80, all supplies included, for one two--hour session. 

Scheduled sessions:

         TBA

To register, email, call or visit the Gallery.

Please see General Workshop Information and Policies.

One participant per session, meeting weekly.

Pursue your own art dream with individualized instruction and support.

You will share your art goal or project with Debi via an Art Intensive Request Form. You will receive this form in an email upon registration, to be returned at least one week prior to your first session.

Then, across several sessions, Debi will provide the instruction and advice to help you meet your desired goal. You should come prepared to work on your art goal each session, using your own supplies.

This workshop is designed both for beginners, and for experienced artists who need guidance or instruction in a new or unfamiliar art medium or technique.

Available days/times i

     TBD

$90 per two-hour session (participant responsible for providing his/her own supplies)

To register, email, call or visit the Gallery.

 Please see General Workshop Information and Policies. 

Sharon Barnes is a painter working in acrylic. She is a frequent contributor to shows at the gallery, and always has pieces in our ongoing displays.

"There are advantages to aging. I was able to take early retirement and pursue my dream of painting.  I love living with color and observing the color in nature. Nature, both flora and fauna, inspires me want to create the feelings with color. Something as simple as going to the grocery store took on a different meaning when I began to observe the colorful beauty of fruits and vegetables. 

"I have found my passion in putting color to multiple surfaces using brushes, palette knives or scratch tools.  I have explored watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, and now scratchboard and have found satisfaction in being challenged to discover how each allows me to express what I am seeing."

Here to see examples of Sharon's paintings.

Currently a resident of Alamance County, NC, Karin Tilly Dungee  was born and raised in Brazil, "so I was influenced by lots of color. However, I also took a course in classical Japanese painting, which also influences my work, so here we have the ying and the yang.  

"My big love is landscape painting in whatever mode I am working in and I am always looking to improve,  grow, change, learn.  Artists never stop learning, even the teachers and masters and those are the best teachers.  I am mostly self taught. 

"I am fascinated  with what mixing colors can do and a new passion I am trying out, which is working with neutral colors.  Like I said, we never stop, just a bunch of pink bunnies, if you will."

Here to see some of Karin's work.

“Hey there! I’m Robin, an interdisciplinary artist  originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but now local to Orange County.

"I’m a creator by nature and enjoy the challenges, successes and lessons that happen with the pursuit of new interests- both in art and in life.

"I respect art for its ability to connect people and evoke a variety of emotion. The versatility of the craft allows an expressive freedom that the soul relates to, and to me that is beautiful. 

"I enjoy painting with acrylics, and also work with wood, metal, and resin. In addition, functional art such as cornhole boards, are on my ever-growing list of things I create. 

"I’ve always believed that if I can imagine myself doing something, I can execute. And so I fashion my life around this principle.“

Here to see some of Robin's work.

Maria Geary is a self-taught mixed media and fiber artist with a passion for visual journaling.  

Maria always knows where to look for  inspiration--her morning routine. A very early riser, Maria begins each day with  coffee and scripture reading. As the day wakes outside her studio window, or out  for a morning walk, she reflects on the colors and images of nature while  considering her reading. Her work is drawn from these sessions.  

Originally from Harrisburg, PA, she, and her family left the cold winters for  warmer temperatures in Durham, NC. A police dispatcher for more than 10 years,  the stress of the job prompted the shift to look for other work. Her career change  to Project Manager allowed her freedom to travel and work from home, but after  20+ years and another layoff, it was time to decide on her next career move.  

Maria has always enjoyed hobbies such as card making, crochet and cross  stitch to name a few. Her greeting cards were sold locally in Durham, advertised in  trade publications and as popular as they were, she described them as boring. “I  wanted them to say ‘something’. There are rubber stamps that can be used with  different sentiments, but it wasn’t my voice coming through—and my voice is what  I needed to find.” 

In 2016 Maria fully answered the call to create. Today, she enjoys  the spontaneity of her process and the luxury of creating daily.  Maria enjoys the freedom of using “odd things” (such as used dryer sheets  or instant coffee) in a manner other than how they were initially intended to  enhance her work. This curiosity of combining unlikely mediums and everyday  household supplies “just to see what happens,” has afforded her the opportunity  to create work with courage, excitement, and boldness.  

A ‘creative inspirationalist’, her creative practice and business Relaxing In  Art, is a word play of her nickname, ‘Ria. It serves as a reminder that creating art is  a form of relaxing. As a teaching artist, she stresses playfulness to reflect, relate  and release to create.  

Maria is a teaching artist with the Durham Arts Council (Durham, NC) and the  Arts and Science Council (Charlotte, NC). Her work has also been displayed in  several local exhibits and private collections.

Maria is beginning teaching art workshops, including for mature teens, with Margaret Lane Gallery in September 2022.

Gustavo Mahn ,a dentist by profession and an aspiring artist, is originally from Chile. He has been living in Chapel Hill for approximately 3 years. 

His interest in art began during his high school years. From then on, he took elective courses at the University of Chile and with local artists in the city of Viña del Mar during the summertime. 

He has done local exhibits focusing on his watercolor paintings, drawings, urban sketches and photography.

Here to see some of Gustavo's art.

As a young child, Judith Maier grew up in Brooklyn. Her family frequently visited her Grandmother Rosie, who lived in a tiny ivy-covered cottage in Brighton Beach, just blocks away from Coney Island. 

There Judith explored the ocean, the boardwalk, amusement park rides and Friday night fireworks. It was  magical. The cornucopia of colors, faces, music, and exhilarating rides fascinated her. 

Along with her love of fairytales, puppet shows, the ballet and circuses, these experiences stirred Judith’s imagination and inspire her sculptural work today.

“For me, my figures have a life of their own and making them gives me great joy. I want to share this with the viewer and spark their imagination, enabling them to have a personal, enchanted relationship with these companions.”

Process

Judith uses ceramic paper clay for her figures. First, she draws them with all their details and unique traits. Next, she determines how to engineer the piece and does a diagram of the structure, sometimes making a small model to see where there might be challenges to work out. 

As the personality of the figure emerges, Judith decides on textures, finishes and a color palette. Before firing in the kiln, she applies underglazes, terra sig and slips. She frequently follows up after the final firing with cold finishes such as acrylic paints and inks. 

“As an artist I want to explore the creation of characters that delight, intrigue and celebrate the human spirit.”

coming

Nancy Ellen Walker is a former Hillsborough resident. She and her husband recently moved to Kentucky to be closer to an adult child with medical needs.

With her boundless energy, and myriad finely honed skills, Nancy was an early vital contributor to the Gallery. In addition to participating in many of our themed shows, Nancy was the featured solo artist in  All My Children, a showing of Nancy's pictures, with accompanying text, of children from countries all over the world. We have reprints and cards available from that show.

Nancy also taught our first art workshop for adults -- a collage workshop, whose success was followed by other  collage workshops. Nancy also taught a workshop on writing artist statements as part of our series of Hillsborough Artist workshops in collaboration with the Hillsborough Arts Council. 

Here is Nancy's artist statement, written as a poem:

The arch of an eyebrow

        A missing front tooth

               A lifetime of worry

                      etched into leathery skin

                            Each face tells a tale

There is beauty in every one:

           Dark-skinned and fair 

               Abled and challenged

                     Cherubic and gnarled

                            Glitterati and literati

Lives as varied as my media ~ 

       Soft as graphite

               Vibrant as colored pencil

                     Sharp as pen and ink

                            Fickle as watercolor

This is My Portrait of the World:

         195 countries in all ~

               More when borders shift again

                      as they always do

                            Casting lives into chaos

Barbara Younger creates whimsical acrylic paintings for young and old. Each painting tells a bit of a story. The viewer gets to figure out what happens next!  

A new artist, Barbara has sold over 100 paintings in the last two years through galleries, art shows, and her online presence. She teaches art workshops for kids and visits classrooms to share her work. Her “Toys Escaping” series was commissioned by the Orange County Historical Museum. On Bald Head Island, her work is sold at the Nature Conservancy’s gift shop, and she’s a member of the Smith Island Art League.

The author of twenty books for adults and children, Barbara lives in Hillsborough with her husband Cliff.

“I sometimes jump out of bed and begin to paint first thing in the morning, Painting makes me happy. Those who see my work say it makes them happy too.”
 

Here to see some of Barbara's work.

Phillip Howard is a local artist who makes wood carvings -- bees, mice, possums, birds and the like -- from reclaimed wood and tin, often scavenged from local demolition sites.

Here to view some of Phillip's carvings.

Max Dowdle, who resides in Hillsborough with his wife and two young children, may be best known in the community for the "Billy Strayhorn, Take the A Train" mural he painted on the side of Volume Records and Beer at 226 W Churton Street.

"Visual artists have the rare ability to capture the attention of sight, and lodge an image in the memory for a lifetime. 

"No matter what artistic pursuits I’ve involved myself in, from the smallest, most intimate oil paintings, to the largest, building-sized murals, I give myself over totally to the color, the medium, and the conceptual flow of the composition. 

"From large-scale paintings for the George Washington University office foyer in the Watergate Hotel, to a massive 95 foot wide mural for City Hall in Durham, I’ve embraced my place in the community as an artist that engages viewers on a monument scale, while still imbuing the work with dynamic, representative emotion, rendered in fantastic color and texture. My greatest asset is my ability to effortlessly move from lyrical abstraction to fully realized realism. 

"Studying and teaching in the classical vein at Charles H. Cecil Studios in Florence, Italy gave me vital insight into the practices of traditional atelier work, which served as a useful seedbed for my creative journey afterward. While continuing to grow as an artist I have also grown as a storyteller, endeavoring to imbue my compositions with narrative pathos as well as powerful command of the brush. 

"I consider the function of artist as communicator as timeless; and the ability to artfully represent what resides in the mind is an incredibly powerful, and necessary role."

Here to see some of Max's paintings at the Gallery.