Nature at its finest! Rocks, wood, fields and more will be featured in this multimedia-composition using watercolor pencils, graphite and pen and ink on combined surfaces for a truly gallery worthy piece. Students will need watercolor pencils, graphite pencils, pens and watercolor trays and brushes, multimedia smooth bristol board (pad). Suzette will bring examples and a variety of surfaces and blending medium. A must-do class for the nature artist!

Carry on scenes on multiple canvases are all the rage and in this class you will learn the methods to making any scene a "multiple". Through the use of repetition of color, objects and themes, you will master a night camp scene and a moonlit moose on two wraparound canvases that will awe any viewer! Student artists will need 2 rectangular wraparound canvases for paintable edges size 10x14 or 14x18 or one of each! Fun and creative! Please bring your art acrylic paints and a variety of brushes, tray and water bin along with a light blue or brown colored pencil. Be prepared to paint the most alluring night scenes and have a lot of fun in this relaxed and informative class! Supply list below: Paints: Burnt umber, mars black, ultramarine blue, thalo blue, yellow light, quinacridone or thio magenta, titanium white; 1" flat shader or blending brush, 1/4" flat, 8 or 10 round, #2 short liner and #1 or 0 script, any small scruffy or "battered" brush. sea sponge, a couple palettes, divided water bin or 2 containers, pencils, paper towel and comfy clothes. Warning: Teacher is messy, but we have so much fun and help each other with peer advice. Feel free to bring in your questions and other paintings!

We will paint two cardinals on a piece of bark. Supplies will be provided. Shirley Groody is an accomplished artist and PVAEC instructor. She has been successfully teaching art to students of all levels for many years. Students always walk away from Shirley's class with a beautiful piece of art, a smile on their face, and new friends!

Sign up for one, two, or all three of Shirley's Fall 2019 Classes:

Halloween Slate Painting

Cardinals on Stave Barrel

Christmas Stocking

We will paint a snowman scene on a wooden stocking. There are beginner or advanced design options for this one! Purchase your wood from Shirley for $2. Shirley Groody is an accomplished artist and PVAEC instructor. She has been successfully teaching art to students of all levels for many years. Students always walk away from Shirley's class with a beautiful piece of art, a smile on their face, and new friends!

Sign up for one, two, or all three of Shirley's Fall 2019 Classes:

Halloween Slate Painting

Cardinals on Stave Barrel

Christmas Stocking

Starting with the basics of pencil drawing, you will learn the techniques and materials needed to complete a CAT PORTRAIT! In this class you will learn to compose by the elements and detail with special techniques to achieve realistic fur and facial features of a cat. Suzette will supply notes and bring in extra special equipment to experiment with. Students need a pencil (variety kit), kneaded eraser, blending stumps or tortillions and a smooth bristol multimedia pad.

Paint a winter barn wall scene complete with an old sled and holiday wreath in the style of primitive americana. We will learn the basics of primitive layout and color mixing and layering. Students will need a 16x20 or smaller canvas, acrylic paints, water bin, a variety of brushes, brown or blue colored pencil, ruler, small sea sponge, and palette trays. Suzette will bring design copy and a summary of steps to use while you paint along with her-step by step. This is a great way to learn a new treatment and style, come join us! Supply list below: Paints: Burnt umber, mars black, ultramarine blue, thalo blue, yellow light, quinacridone or thio magenta, titanium white; 1" flat shader or blending brush, 1/4" flat, 8 or 10 round, #2 short liner and #1 or 0 script, any small scruffy or "battered" brush. sea sponge, a couple palettes, divided water bin or 2 containers, pencils, paper towel and comfy clothes. Warning: Teacher is messy, but we have so much fun and help each other with peer advice. Feel free to bring in your questions and other paintings!

Learn to use a sewing machine, or brush up on old skills! In this class, you will learn basic straight stitches and essential sewing skills. This class is perfect for beginners, those with very basic skills, as well as those who have taken previous classes and prefer to work under supervision.

Building Your Story is a course in telling a tale with your hands. This two-day immersive storytelling course offers an opportunity to express a story or multiple stories in a three dimensional way; by selecting materials and memorabilia that represent your own narrative. Consider this a chance to make visible what resides inside. Dig deep by building out. Build your story using a vast array of materials and tools as one way to see the stories internalized, and even alter or shift the stories inside if you choose. This is one way to understand how objects create a storyline that can constrict or expand one's sense of self and worldview. This course is for anyone interested in self-exploration through art. Students will physically build a story and share visual “data” in the form of a completed sculptural tale. Story compilations can be built in 3x3” boxes that will be provided or, students can choose to bring their own container that will house their personal narrative. Please bring any materials or memorabilia from home to add to your story. Youngsters welcome, with adult supervision. Merrilee Schoen currently lives in Dover-Foxcroft. She's from a lineage of artists and has been creating and making ever since she can remember. Current work includes capturing the stories and sounds of place, and weaving audio “life-slices” into larger discussions of how each of us responds to life inside, and out. Through her travels she's found a deep fascination with people, their stories, their life-styles and how each person relates to their environment, home and place in a unique and personal way. She's had the great fortune of assisting and apprenticing with many elders and fellow artists and looks forward to more collaborative connections. When she's not working in food-access locally, or as a farm hand, Merrilee enjoys live music, late night conversations with friends and walks with her cat, Marbles.