Newest Watercolor:

Forest Jewels,  25"x27",Watercolor, Marjorie Glick, 2012


This, my most recent watercolor represents the beginning of a series of
paintings that explore the intimate details that enhance ones experience of a place.  I was talking to some of my students the other day and we were looking at the question: What is your painting about? What compels you to paint a particular image? For me, before I decide to paint something, I reflect on why I want to paint it, what am I trying to convey,and what moves me about a particular image. I think this reflection gives the painting focus and clarity.



This painting for me, is about my experience of being in the forest, just being there, and taking in what is close at hand. It is also about conveying the experience of being in a place where time falls away and there is room to daydream, and let your mind drift to nothing at all but colors, textures and pieces of shadow.When I was a child, I spent a lot of time in the woods at my "secret" place which was really just a patch of exceptionally soft  green moss near an old abandoned foundation. I remember looking closely at that moss and noticing its intimate details, lush color, fallen leaves, twigs, and texture.
Even today, when I think about what moss looks like, I refer to my experience of these woods from childhood.These days, the woods I visit most frequently, are in Deer Isle, Maine.

A Glorious Day of Painting at the June Color and Light Watercolor Workshop in Stonington:

Color and Light, was a workshop geared towards intermediate/advanced students that I just finished teaching in Stonington Maine. We had a fantastic week painting- I couldn't have asked for a nicer, more talented group of artists for this workshop. We painted a lot, enjoyed one another's company, immersed ourselves in the beautiful (and colorful!) surroundings and the weather was gorgeous!
One of the 5 days, we painted at Mariners Park. It was one of 5 glorious days:

 The field at Mariners Park was filed with lupines, daisies, indian paint brush, and buttercups. There is a spaciousness to the meadow, combined with the undulating hills, water view and beach, butterflies and birds that all combined to make this an incredibly peaceful spot.

There were many views like this one, all throughout. The sky was constantly changing from sun to cloud, blue to white to lavender and colorful painters dotted the hillside! Below is Jane, Paula, and Donna.

Frederica hard at work!

David, Ellen, Dianne, and Edward
found the perfect spot: This ridge by the water covered in lupines and daisies.

This is what they were painting!

Paula in Lupine Heaven!

 Completed (and incomplete) paintings from our fabulous day at Mariner's Park! Workshop artists assembling for an end of day critique.
People pictured left to right: Bridget, Jackie, Ellen, Paula, Edward, Donna, Suzanne, Jane, David

Suzanne Brewer, an artist in the workshop, completed this watercolor (below):

Stonington Rocks by Suzanne Brewer, Watercolor 

WORKSHOP STATUS AND NEW WORKSHOP ADDED

WORKSHOP STATUS:

June Color and Light is full

August 5-10 in Stonington, Maine has a few spots still available

July 8-12 in Orrs Island, Maine has a few spots still available

THESE ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO PAINT IN OUTSTANDINGLY BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS WITH DAILY INSTRUCTION!!!

To register, download flyers and forms at:

www.marjorieglick.com

NEW  COLOR AND LIGHT WORKSHOP ADDED:

Portland, Oregon
July 23- 27, 2012

Marjorie Glick: “Color and Light” Plein Air Watercolor

July 23 - 27 (Mon - Fri)
Members: Register by June 15, $425; after June 15 $450
Nonmembers: $480 

Join Boston based artist Marjorie Glick at the Oregon Society of Artists. Bring your work to the next level as you explore watercolor's elusive qualities of transparency and spontaneity in the studio and in nearby Washington Park and Rose Garden. Learn to see and mix luminous color and compose dynamic compositions.

Daily demonstrations will show:
-How to organize a composition by light and shadow, a feature in the landscape, or color shapes. - Working wet, to access watercolor's more expressive qualities, and balancing spontaneity and control that is so essential to watercolor.
- How to create a sense of atmosphere and space, by seeing the landscape in terms of warm and cool color areas. 
- Color mixing to achieve luminosity, learning to see and observe the subtle nuances within each color area. You can't mix it if you can't see it! 

Individual mentoring and group critiques, with emphasis on helping students find their own strengths and style. Space is limited to 15 artists. Geared for intermediate to advanced level students, with some walking over uneven terrain in outdoor sessions. See Marjorie's website at http://www.marjorieglick.com/ 

Its all in the details

Recently, I took my deCordova watercolor class to the Museum of Fine Arts study room to view some original 20th century watercolors from their collection. We saw the work of John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, JMW Turner, and Edward Hopper. We got to view the work up close, not even under glass. I thought I knew these paintings well  by studying them in books and online. Seeing them in person was an ah ha experience! When I look at these same paintings  on line and in books, I sometimes forget that they are only reproductions, not the real thing.. There is no substitute for the real thing.  Seeing the original works, you experience the texture of the paint, the seamless ordering of layers, the energetic brushwork,  the depth of image, true colors, and the soul of the artist. I don't see these things when I look at paintings online. I guess this is true of most things too: Seeing a picture of a lake is very different from swimming in it.

Recently I was applying for some grants and I repeatedly found the phrase:
"Please submit 10-20 jpg images completed in the past 3 years". Since each highly detailed watercolor that I make takes between 5-10 months to complete, I never have the requisite 10 images. Also, how can an 8"x10" image convey the energy of the painting? I'm surprised it never occurred to me to submit additional detail images. When I printed out details of my most recent large scale watercolor, "Forest, Full Spectrum", I could see that they revealed so much more about the what the painting is about and how it is painted  and that it was actually painted. I'll use this recent watercolor, to illustrate what I mean. To really see the full effect, please click on the images to enlarge them. AND, when I have my upcoming exhibition schedule set, I'll post it here, so you too, can see the real thing!

"Forest, Full Spectrum,"2011, Watercolor , 60"x40", Marjorie Glick

Detail, (8"x10") from the 40"x60"watercolor, "Forest, Full Spectrum"

Detail, bottom 1/4th of watercolor, "Forest, Full Spectrum" 

Detail, "Forest, Full Spectrum", detail of 8"x10" area of 60"x40" watercolor

Watercolor Artist Magazine Article Read Here:

A feature article was written about my work in Watercolor Artist Magazine. To view it please click on this link:


http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/81223151?access_key=key-27m3i6wxhz21neb4c8qt

Watercolor Workshop 2012 Schedule

Below you will find my workshop schedule, brief descriptions, and some pictures of the workshop experience along with some beautiful images (keep scrolling!) to give you an idea how wonderful these places are! Please visit my website marjorieglick.com under the heading "teaching" to download the flyer and registration info.I hope to see you in one of my workshops this summer! Questions? Please contact me via my website or blog


Stonington, Maine:
June 17-22 Color and Light,Watercolor/intermediate/advanced/ class size 12
August 5-10 Watercolor /all levels/ class size limited to 16
Orrs Island Maine:  (scroll to the bottom of this post for detailed description)
July 8- 12
Fruitlands: Harvard, MA
 Plein Air Prep workshop March 24-25

Watercolor Landscape Class: May2- June 13 (6 Wednesdays)

Colors of Fall, Plein Air Watercolor Workshop, Oct 13-14


 STONINGTON, MAINE WATERCOLOR WORKSHOPS:
To see the workshop flyers and the registration info please go to:
marjorieglick.com
click on the heading "teaching"

ABOUT THE JUNE WORKSHOP: Bring your work to the next level as you explore watercolors elusive qualities of transparency and spontanaeity,learn to see and mix luminous color, and compose dynamic compositions. With its focus on Color and Light, and limited to 12 participants, each workshop day will begin with a demonstration followed by individualized instruction through out the day and group critiques as needed. This workshop is conducted on location on Deer Isle in Stonington, Maine.  The workshop begins on Sunday at 5pm with a brief orientation followed by a group dinner (not included in the workshop fee) at a local restaurant in Stonington. Monday-Thursday includes a picnic lunch. Lodging is not included. Fee: $675

About the August workshop:

The workshop begins on Sunday at 5pm with a brief orientation followed by a group dinner (not included in the workshop fee) at a local restaurant in Stonington. The instruction will focus on how to use color and light, composition, and paint handling to create vibrant watercolors. Each day begins with a demonstration and lecture, followed by painting on your own with individual guidance from Marjorie. The schedule is flexible to include 2 sunset painting sessions midweek. All other days will include afternoon painting on your own and 2-3 group critiques as needed. Monday-Thursday includes a picnic lunch. The flexible schedule allows you to set your own pace with ample time to just feel the breeze and savor the moment. Lodging is not included. Fee: $675

ORRS ISLAND WORKSHOP:

Enjoy a watercolor workshop in a relaxing setting at the old family summer home of Margaret Arndt known as Crow’s Nest. Crow’s Nest is nestled on top of a hill overlooking Harpswell Sound, with spectacular views from the large porch of sunset and water. Orr’s Island is a wonderful place to paint because of its varied scenery of quiet coves, rugged coastline, and quintessential New England buildings.

The workshop includes watercolor instruction, lodging at Crows Nest*, breakfast, buffet style picnic lunches, welcome dinner, and one lobster dinner. Two dinners will be on your own at one of the nearby restaurants, (unless you would like an a la carte home-cooked dinner option). The workshop will begin each day at 9am and conclude at 4pm. Each morning begins with a demonstration that addresses the specifics of the landscape at hand with regards to color, composition, and paint handling. The afternoons will be spent painting on your own with plenty of individual guidance from Marjorie and will conclude with a critique as needed. At the conclusion of each day, you’ll have free time and the opportunity to relax on the porch, and if the spirit moves you, paint the sunset! Please contact me for flyer and registration form.

Scroll down for some pictures of Stonington and Orrs Island:
 
This workshop is conducted on location on Deer Isle in Stonington, Maine. Deer Isle is a magical place with its many islands amid sparkling blue waters dotted with windjammers and colorful lobster boats...

There are moss covered spruce forests and striking peach 
granite outcroppings, all making for an inspiring place to paint

This is the yellow house everyone paints, but who can resist?

I'd like to be here right now!

Gathering for a demonstration on Indian Point 

ORRS ISLAND:

Enjoy a watercolor workshop in a relaxing setting at the Arndt family summer home known as Crow’s Nest....... 

 Crow’s Nest is nestled on top of a hill overlooking Harpswell Sound, with spectacular views from the large porch of sunset and water...

Orr’s Island is a wonderful place to paint because of its varied scenery of quiet coves, rugged coastline, and quintessential New England buildings. 

  

I hope to see you this summer in one of my workshops. Please stay tuned for a separate post on Fruitlands...  

Forest Watercolor finished!

After many months, the Forest Watercolor is Finished!

Without further adieu:

                             

"Forest, Full Spectrum", Watercolor, 60"x40", Marjorie Glick, 2011

After all is said and done, I want to let the painting speak for itself. Every painting I do has special meaning for me, but at the same time, I just want to put this out into the world and leave you the viewer, to have your own  experience of the painting. I hope to exhibit this painting in the coming year- I'll keep you posted as to where that will be. There is big difference between seeing a painting in person in its true size as opposed to on the web.