Check out my Etsy shop: ShelleyKardosStudio! Art helps us dream and travel to places far away. And it’s just plain fun browse artwork from around the globe and support the arts from the comfort of our home.
If you need a unique gift or want to brighten up a room, check out the fine art prints I have for sale on Etsy! https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShelleyKardosStudio!
Yay, summer is here! I can’t wait to get out in my garden and paint! Life began in a garden, so what better way to kick off summer than with a garden painting! A summer garden is such a great subject to introduce basic acrylic painting techniques like wet-on-wet; scumbling; dry brush; and impasto. I think you’ll find walking through the process of designing a garden with paint is like a walk in the park (but even more fun)!
Now, wouldn’t it be fun to invite some friends over for a summer garden party (inside or out)?
My hope for these classes is to give you the opportunity to explore painting as a form of expression while gathering some useful hands-on tools that you can take home with you to create paintings that express your own unique story (as well a finished piece of art to take home)!
We’ll touch on artistic concepts like using color to create a mood and composition to draw viewers into your story. While each of these deserves at least a semester full of classes to adequately cover the topic, my hope for this class is to simply open a door that will whet your appetite to learn more.
As we go along, we’ll add some acrylic painting techniques to our tool belts (like laying in a ground; wet on wet; scumbling; alla prima; dry brush; and impasto techniques). You’ll have opportunities along the way to make your own choices that reflect the uniqueness of you, while still having the benefit of a demonstration and hands-on learning.
In February I had a blast leading a couple classes through the nuts and bolts of the acrylic painting process at workshops offered by the Spokane County Library District! For most of the students, this was their very first acrylic painting. Wow! I’d say their first brush with paint was pretty successful, wouldn’t you!?!
These events occurred in the past.
Here’s a fun new addition for your paint party options – a personalized wooden sign! This would make a great gift for someone on your Christmas list, or place it in your own home to greet your family and friends with a warm welcome this holiday season! (Any season for that matter… just let me know what you’d like to say and I’ll design a fun sign for you to paint with your friends.) The possibilities are endless!
Celebrating the Harvest season with a big, grateful pumpkin! Every season is the season to be grateful! I’m so grateful for so many blessings, not the least of which is the joy painting with a fun group of friends!
Ok, maybe finishing a painting of lemons in a couple hours while visiting with friends isn’t as easy peasy as one might hope, but it sure is a great way to “squeeze a bit more fun out of summer! It was also “refreshing” to try something a bit different with this group. Rather than walking them through a painting step by step, each artist chose their own color scheme and set up their own still life, so I just walked around giving them pointers. I really love how each creation is so beautifully unique (and there’s not a “lemon” in the bunch)!
Painting “en plein air” (in the open air) is one of my favorite pastimes, especially in the summer months. It’s even more fun with a group of friends! I really enjoyed celebrating the first weekend of summer by painting bright red geraniums in a window box with this group of fun ladies!
Our family is the heart of our story – the center piece of our home!
The family in this oil painting is a beautiful part of my story! Last summer we went camping together at the mouth of the Columbia River, between North Head Lighthouse and Fort Canby. It’s been one of our favorite places for many years. On our very first camping trip here, my daughter was only six months old, now she has a family of her own and another generation of memories in the making and stories being written!
Have you ever thought about commissioning a family portrait in a setting that tells your unique story? There’s no time like the present to capture those fleeting moments in a one-of-a-kind painting that will be appreciated for generations to come.
A big thank you to the “Soul Sisters” bible study ladies for asking me to share about what the Lord has been doing in my life lately. It’s been an interesting year for sure! It’s not every day that you and your husband are sent home from the mission field because he has inoperable pancreatic cancer and then experience the miracle of a complete healing!
Painting is a great way to relax and let your soul recover from the stressful things we encounter in our world, but it’s really nothing compared to the awesome healing power of a risen Savior!
After we enjoyed painting a spring nest, we penned a bible verse in gold, “Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.” ~ Matthew 10:31
Let me know if you have a favorite verse or thought that you’d like to incorporate in a painting!
I confess, the little kid in me gets really excited at the prospect of snow! Since it may not be in the forecast just yet, a couple of my favorite snow-enthusiasts and I just had to build some snowmen with paint brushes! What a joy to paint with my granddaughters, Chloe and Lila! Who knew God could pack so much creativity and cuteness into such small packages!
New 5 hour workshop option available for $40 per guest.
Get together with your artsy friends to share a meal and some laughs while you enjoy a relaxing day of art therapy!
Open a world of creativity while celebrating a special birthday. Contact me and together we’ll come up with a fun subject that your party kids will love to paint!
Shhh… It’s true. Fall is really just around the corner. Painting autumn birch trees with these fun ladies tonight, made me realize just how quickly it’s coming!
Thank you Cindy and company for making my day with all your silliness! What fun to get out with the girls and laugh!
What could be more sweet than savoring the last rays of sunshine in a cool woodland garden in the middle of August? Imagine painting a scene to capture the moment with your best friends!
