3 great Oregon workshops this Summer with my Friend Elio camacho

funny prints

landscape prints

Hello everyone,here are 3 different opportunities to paint, play and learn from my good friend Elio in his signature Alla Prima style. I have taken two workshops in the last few years with him and always learn so much and have such a great time that I look forward to pushing my self again.Join Elio Camacho for five days of plein air painting instruction on the Columbia River Gorge. Elio studied under Russian Impressionist Ovanes Berberian and is influenced by master impressionists such as Bongart, Sorrolla, and Fechin. Last year Elio was named "Artist to Watch" in the July Issue of Southwest Art. Students of Elio can't say enough good things about him: (reviews and testimonials here).
#1Elio Camacho workshop July 5-9, 2010 Columbia River Gorge

Breathtaking views! What else can you say about this wonderful location. Simply one of the most spectacular places I have ever painted. 

Each time I paint my goal is to capture the particular mood of the moment and to express myself in a bold and colorful way and while capturing the beauty and spontaneity of nature. Putting passion and emotion into a painting is far more important then just making a copy of your subject.

If you have similar goals and want to learn to fill your canvases with color and boldness then this class may be for you.

Some of the things we will cover are:

• Stroke angle and how it affect depth in thick loose strokes
  
• Properly holding a brush to ensure you have limitless possibilities with your strokes
  
• Brush speed
  
• Time management and capturing the moment: The question most often asked is “how do you deal with the changing light”. We will cover efficient ways of painting so you dont waste strokes or motions.
  
• Forget formulas and learn to “SEE”: Learning see nature as paint.
  
• Color temperature
  
• Harmony
  
• Each day will end with a group critique
  

To find out more and register:Workshop information

#2

On Behalf of the Walters Cultural Arts Center:

 

Plein Air Painting workshop with guest artist Elio Camacho

16 to Adult

Walters Cultural Arts Center

Join well known and vibrant Bay Area painter Elio Camacho for this special two day Plein Air workshop preceding the Hillsboro Plein Air Painting Event on July 17^th. Painters will join Elio at various Hillsboro locations and brush up on their skills while painting the town.  Elio’s colorful approach to painting and his sunny disposition is guaranteed to inspire. Each work shop participant will also receive entry to Hillsboro Plein Air and a Hillsboro Plein Air T-shirt. For more information about this incredible painter go to his website; www.eliocamacho.com

In his words:

“Each time I paint my goal is to capture the particular mood of the moment and to express myself in a bold and colorful way and while capturing the beauty and spontaneity of nature. Putting passion and emotion into a painting is far more important than just making a copy of your subject.”

“If you have similar goals and want to learn to fill your canvases with color and boldness then this class may be for you.”

“Depending on your level and goals we will try to develop a program for improving your ability as a painter.”

Some of the things we will cover are:

·         Stroke angle and how it affects depth in thick loose strokes

·         Properly holding a brush to ensure you have limitless possibilities with your strokes

·         Brush speed

·         Time management and capturing the moment: The question most often asked is “how do you deal with the changing light”. We will cover efficient ways of painting so you don’t waste strokes or motions.

·         Forget formulas and learn to “SEE”: Learning see nature as paint.

·         Color temperature

·         Harmony

Students will need to bring all their own materials and will be given a map to locate Elio after they check in at the Walters Cultural Arts Center morning of the first day.

Day:                 Thursday, July 15 and Friday, July 16

Time:               9am to 4pm

Fee:                 $175

Location:        Walters Cultural Arts Center, 527 East Main Street, Hillsboro, OR.

Call 503-615-3485 to register for course #23779.

#3

Sign up now to secure your spot!Lavender Festival Paint  out with Elio Camacho

The plein air workshop with Elio Camacho will be held June 25, 26 and 27, 2010 at Wild Rain Farm and/or Woodland Lavender. This is the beginning of the paint out in lavender farms all over Oregon. Please, direct any questions regarding the workshop to:

Yamhill Lavender Festival…Yamhill, Oregon

This promises to be a fantastic year for the Yamhill Lavender Festival, starting with the Elio Camacho workshop. We are excited to tell you that the response re: the plein air workshop taught by renowned artist Elio Camacho was even better than we imagined.

The workshop will be held June 25, 26 and 27, 2010 at either Wild Rain Farm or Woodland Lavender. The cost is $265. There are only 16 spots available. To secure your place, a deposit of $50 is due with the balance of $215 due by June 1, 2010.

The workshop will kick off the Yamhill Lavender Festival Plein Air Paint Out. The paint out (which costs $25 to participate) will begin June 25 and go through July 9, 2010. The festival itself will be July 10 and 11, 2010 at Beulah Park in Yamhill. More on the paint out and festival in April.

Direct any questions to:

Cathy Long (503) 857-0145
e-mail: stevewlong@comcast.net
Susan Day (503) 662-3339

Mail registration of workshop to: ECW c/o Cathy Long 1320 SW 2nd St McMinnville, OR 97128-5440 
Make checks out to: ECW/YLF

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Artists enter paintings in the art show at the Lavender festival in Yamhill July 10 & 11th, which offers cash prizes and ribbons and potential sales, the art show then is shown in two places in McMinnville for the successive month for more possible sales.

Born on the island of Madeira, hundreds of miles south of Portugal in the North Atlantic Ocean. 

Long an admirer of the master impressionists such as Bongart, Sorrolla, and Fechin, in his mid-twenties Camacho decided to follow his childhood passion of fine art. Intensive studies with Ovanes Berberian led to the development of a distinct style with abstract brush work.

All of his paintings are in the Alla Prima style to capture the first impression and light on a given subject. He has exhibited in galleries and plein air painting events throughout the United States.

http://www.eliocamacho.com/theJourney/columbia-river-gorge-workshops

All the best

Michael Orwick

www.michaelorwick.com

First Glance Feature: Michael Orwick: Cole Gallery

michael orwick paintings

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This month's First Glance Feature: New Works by Michael Orwick April 1st ~ April 30th "When Day is Done" 18x24, Oil by Michael Orwick Michael's new show brings his characteristic Art Deco infulenced work with a new perspective from  the pre-impressionists of Barbizon painters.   This group of artists were the first to paint outside so as to truly study light and air and how it interacted to unveil the physical world.   View Michael's luminous pieces in person at the gallery from now until April 30th.   To view Michael Orwick's new show on-line click here.                                                              "Golden Still" 24x12 Oil                                     "Tall and Proud" 16x8 Oil Read about our new shows along with postings by our artists, staff and instructors on our blog site!   To check out our latest blog posting click here To follow us on Twitter click here.      To become a fan on Facebook click here. Cole Gallery & Artist Supplies 107 5TH AVE SOUTH   ·   EDMONDS, WASHINGTON 98020    425.697.2787 www.ColeGallery.net      Open Tues ~ Sat 10:00 - 6:00, Sun 12:30 ~ 5:00, Closed Mondays

"Love at first sight," does not apply solely to romantic love

Thank you to Andrea Mace at the Cannon Beach Citizen for such a great article.

http://cannonbeachcitizen.com/index.asp

The expression, "Love at first sight," does not apply solely to romantic love, according to well known painter and illustrator, Michael Orwick. In Orwick's experience, art patrons fall in love with paintings in a similar fashion, feeling an almost visceral connection with certain work.  The formal components that come together in a final painting and cause this magnetic draw to a particular painting will be the focus for Orwicks next painting workshop. http://michaelorwick.com/workshops

     “When a painting from across the room has a magnetic draw, almost like falling in love at first site, this initial impact is most often caused by design and the values or lights and darks in the painting’” Orwick explained.

    “As you wander closer to investigate, it is the colors and temperatures that come into play more. As you get closer yet, wanting to learn more, the brush work comes into action,” Orwick continued. “Many of my students want to first learn brush work, but they are approaching the image making process in reverse, the details may sell the painting, but it is the big picture things that are the real strength and initial cause of the love affair,” Orwick said.

     The weekend long oil painting workshop entitled, Strengthen your Visual Sensitivity and Creative Visual Language, will be taught by Orwick on March 26, 27 and 28 at the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce.  The workshop is designed to explore the fundamental reasons behind a painting's success while artists create their own masterpiece under the tutelage of a well established painter.     

   Orwick compared the process of learning how to paint to playing the piano, “No one expects to be able to play music and successfully relate their ideas the first time or even tenth time they try to play.  It takes time and learning the basics.” 

    When he teaches, Orwick believes in stressing the classic fundamentals of design and composition over a narcissistic exercise in self-expression. Often, people overlook the formal training of such modern masters as Picasso or Kandinsky, and want to jump right to the point where they can express themselves without the constraints of learning such basics as how to mix colors to make a complimentary palette or how to render light and shadow to create form.

    “Painting is hard, and all I try to do is make it easier and more fun by helping people learn how to hold a brush and what the paint is capable of when used in an educated way systematic way.  The SELF Expression comes naturally with time and as we get more comfortable with the tools,” Orwick explained.    

   In his experience as an artist, it is a true compliment when a viewer gets so close to a painting that they are nearly kissing it. 

    “That is when the viewer is trying to figure out the what’s and how’s of the mysterious pull the painting has,” Orwick said.  “Then, as they step back and shake their heads in a silent bewilderment they wonder, ‘How do these loose brushstrokes that appear so fragmented come together from just a foot or two back?’  And the answer to that are the big picture things, like design and values.”

  Orwick majored in Illustration at Pacific Northwest College of Art, where he discovered that oil painting and the method of working from dark to light meshes with how he processes visual information.

    "When I'm not illustrating books, I still find my whimsical images and my landscapes to be very illustrative. I love creating art that invites you on a journey, in which you're invited to form a story and explore your world within," Orwick said.

    In his workshops, Orwick takes a hands-on approach, encouraging a lively dialogue amongst his students and making use of step-by-step demonstrations to teach technique and the interrelated components of value, shape and color in oil painting.  Students will also learn how to work with a limited palette to achieve dynamic effects in their compositions.

    Born in Astoria, Oregon in 1975, Orwick has been around the coast all of his life.  Still, he is in awe of the mighty Pacific Ocean and the magestic coast line.  “I feel like I’m still learning how to see like an “Artist” as my eyes become more sensitive and I learn what questions to ask about the beautiful scenes laid out in front of me,”  Orwick said.

  "My daughter has also done so much to help me remember all the simple and utterly perfect childhood joys that can be found by looking through new eyes.  We collect shells, look at the tidal pools, find salamanders in the near by forests and make moss covered fairy homes at the bases of trees," Orwick added. 

    Orwick loves to come to Cannon Beach with his family to walk on the beach, explore the galleries, and eat chowder.  But he also loves to paint, or to take reference photos when the wind threatens to blow his canvas away.

    Those interested in more information about Michael Orwick's Cannon Beach Oil Painting Workshop should contact Dragonfire Gallery on the web at www.dragonfirestudio.com or by phone at 503 436 1533.  Tuition is $250 for all three days and a special reception; for those in town for less time there is an open option of $100 per day.

    In addition, Orwick is extending an open invitation to workshop participants to paint Haystack Rock directly from nature, Plein Air style,  before and after class, weather permitting. 

www.michaelorwick.com 

--
Andrea Mace

cute paintingsdance prints
dance prints
dance greeting cards

add a little fun and humor to your day, This whimsical Gallery show

whimsical paintings

Story Time, by Michael Orwick, 30x40 oils on canvas

March 5 - 28

Playful and Lighthearted Art Show

http://www.columbiaarts.org/gallery/2010/03-10/whimsy.html

Playful Art

“Whimsy” opens on March 5th.

Spring, if not here already, is fast approaching and nine artists are celebrating the turning of the seasons with lighthearted, playful art.

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Get Rid of the Blah's!

This whimsical Gallery show seeks to lift any vestiges of winter blahs and add a little fun and humor to your day. The collection of artwork will range from sculpture and ceramics to graphic images and paintings.

The exhibition opens on Fri., Mar. 5th and runs through Sun., Mar. 28th.

Featured Artists

Participating artists have each interpreted the "whimsy" theme differently. With the following talented artists participating, you're bound to see something that tickles our fancy:

Artist Reception

Be sure to join us and meet the artists at the opening reception Fri., Mar. 5th from 6 to 8p.m.

• Jim Diem,
• Chad Mayo,
• Rachel Harvey,
• Myah Bailey,
• Mike Orwick,
• Bud Egger,
• Wendy Wees,
• David Brandt,
• Todd Smith.

 

The Art You'll See

The sculptures of Troutdale resident Bud Egger focus on elongated human forms and birds. The exaggerated musculature of the figures gives them a levitating and mythical appearance.

Another visiting artist is Wendy Wees, who comes to us from Seattle. Her clever and colorful drawings of everyday objects and animals are positively delightful—you will want to collect the entire series.

Local artist, Jim Diem, will be premiering a new collection of ceramic tea pots with fun, exaggerated forms.

Mosier resident, David Brandt, will present several finely executed drawings aided by computer design that are wonderfully creative.

Another artist using computer sketching techniques isMyah Bailey and she produces dramatic monochromatic drawings.

Children's book illustrator and Beaverton resident, Mike Orwick, will display paintings derived from fantasy.

Chad Mayo of Hood River also creates exquisite fantasy images evoking another world altogether.

Finally, both Rachel Harvey and Todd Smith have painted in oils; a medium often thought of as appropriate for more serious subjects. For this exhibition, their images involve visual punnery.

Let's See You Smile!

We look forward to sharing smiles with you at the Columbia Art Gallery at 215 Cascade Ave. in downtown Hood River.

Regular hours at the Columbia Art Gallery are Wed. – Sun., 11am – 5pm. For more information, visit www.columbiaarts.org.

About Columbia Art Gallery

Columbia Art Gallery, located in the Columbia Center for the Arts, is a non-profit community gallery with the mission to promote an arts-rich environment in the Columbia Gorge. 

strengthen visual sensitivity and creative visual language three-day workshop Article in the Cannon Beach Gazette

Michael Orwick 

This three-day workshop promises to strengthen visual sensitivity and creative visual language through the medium of oil paint.

"Haystack Rock"

by Theresa Myers

Whether you're completely new to painting or an old hand at the canvas, Michael Orwick's oil painting workshop from March 26 to 28 at the Chamber Community Hall promises to be rejuvenating, fun, and just the break needed to launch into summer with creativity and positive energy.

Orwick, whose work is on display at the Dragonfire Gallery in Cannon Beach, said he knew he was an artist even as a young boy.

"My family was totally supportive," he said. "My dad is a doctor, so for awhile I thought maybe that is the direction I should go. But my parents gave me total support for following a career in art."

That career began as a children's book illustrator, focusing on whimsical scenes. But in the past few years, Orwick has found his true love and artistic calling in landscapes.

"The California Impressionists have influenced me quite a bit," he said. "And that interest led me to the Barbizon school."

The early 19th-century Barbizon school movement emphasized realism and the play of light and dark. Its influence can be seen in several of Orwick's recent works, including the painting of Haystack Rock he did for the 2009 Stormy Weather Quick Draw contest. He admits this classical, representational style may not be in vogue everywhere, but because the style is classic, "these paintings can fit into any setting," said Orwick. "If it's a modern room setting or classic beach cottage, a good landscape can fit the space."

Orwick does paint in plein air, but more often works from photographs. He is also not afraid to add elements to the image that may not be in the original scene.

"I believe in doing what the painting needs," he explained. "For me, painting is telling a story. Even if I'm working in plein air, I will add a figure to the scene if that is what it needs to tell the story."

Orwick also believes in starting each work from the basics.
"If a painting is not going well, it's almost always because I haven't paid attention to the fundamentals," said Orwick.
The fundamentals of landscape will be the focus of Orwick's March workshop, starting with an overview of light and dark values on the canvas, then color composition and "temperature." Students will learn about mixing colors from a limited palette to achieve dynamic light and shadow effects with lively color and harmony.

"The last part of a good painting is the texture," said Orwick. "The brush strokes, the finishing lines. Those are the elements that go down last, but they make the painting unique and put the artist's signature style on it."

Orwick says he is looking forward to the workshop. He and his wife, Gabriella, and their 5-year-old daughter, Elena Grace, are frequent visitors to Cannon Beach and the couple have a cottage in town.

"Elena shares the studio with me," he said with a laugh. "She has her 'gallery' at grandma's house."

"I love to teach art," continued Orwick, who currently teaches a class at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash. "I use a limited palette in my classes and keep it pretty simple. But that's how I paint, too. I generally use a small number of brushes and keep plenty of paper towels on hand. Because I keep it simple, participants in the workshop can expect to finish a painting over the course of the three days."

Orwick emphasized that a person does not need to be "artistic" or "gifted" to enjoy painting, or even to be good at it. "Anyone can learn to paint," he said. "It's all about learning the fundamentals and telling a story."

Orwick's paintings have been in galleries in Cannon Beach for the past eight years and are currently in the Dragonfire Gallery. He also has work in galleries in Lincoln City and Seattle.

To obtain more information about Michael Orwick, visit his Web site at michaelorwick.com. To register for the workshop and obtain a supply list, contact the Dragonfire Gallery at (503) 436-1533.

Tuition for all three days is $250, which includes an early evening reception on March 27 at Dragonfire Gallery. The workshop schedule is March 26 through 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.