Watercolor Postcards from Maine

10-2 September 5  Watercolor Postcards from Maine

Join us in a relaxed setting and create a set of watercolor keepsake postcards of your Maine experience. References will be on hand as we paint local scenic views, rocky coastline, waves, distant islands, and dramatic skies. Learn to simplify a scene with minimal drawing and let the paint work its magic. Watercolor is a uniquely transparent medium with its own set of techniques. Knowing when to interact with fluid paint in motion, and understanding the timing of techniques are key. Depth and contrast happen as the painting is layered with color by glazing, negative painting, and “saving whites. Demonstrations and individual assistance will be ongoing throughout the class. Whatever your level of experience is, knowing how to keep your colors clean and clear will produce brilliant results. You’ll be surprised by how accessible watercolor really is!

Your Instructor 

Margaret Dwyer holds a BFA and MFA in visual art. She has a passion for watercolor, her primary medium for the past 45 years. Her paintings have been recognized in numerous national and international juried exhibitions. Images of her watercolors have they been featured in fine art books and magazines that include: “Splash, America’s Best Watercolors “- (North Light Books) “How Did You Paint That?”- (International Artist Books) “American Artist Magazine” “The Artist’s Magazine” “Southwest Art Magazine” “Manhattan Arts Magazine”      Margaret recently served 3 years as the artist in residence at MBR National Historical Park in Woodstock VT. She has decades of professional experience teaching watercolor throughout New England and has facilitated watercolor workshops for the Maine Art Education Association at Haystack in Deer Isle ME, and Monson Arts. Currently, she teaches and demonstrates watercolor for art centers and galleries on the seacoast of ME, NH, & MA. Through a deep exploration of both materials and themes, her imagery reflects an emotional connection with nature, water, and the wonder found in the everyday. Margaret loves to develop experimental watercolor techniques. Her clean, vibrant paintings often combine unconventional methods with traditional ones, branding her work with a unique style.  “Being willing to respond to your painting during the process rather than forcing it to conform to a preconceived outcome makes a big difference with this incredible medium. Opening the world of watercolor to people has been and continues to be a purposeful mission for me. Ideas and artistic methods are constantly in motion in my studio, and it is a joy to share that with others.”