Ann Bell’s Blog www.annbell.net/blog

Event: Mixed Media Medley: 3 day mixed media workshop for artists and aspiring artists
Houston artist Ann Bell will offer a new 3 day workshop Create Visual Magic with Mixed Media on July 22-24 in her Midtown studio. Beginning artists, as well as experienced artists, are welcome. Participants will explore creativity while learning new techniques in this 3 day art retreat in a working artist’s studio. Bell accepts only 5 people into each workshop, to allow time for personal attention and to preserve the intimate atmosphere.
Bell furnishes all supplies and tools for use in the workshop, including paints, brushes, and a wide variety of textured papers, postage stamps, and ephemera and vintage embellishments.
Each day begins with demonstration and clear explanation of technique. Water based acrylic paint and collage form the foundation. Oil pastels, colored pencils, and other drawing media will be explored. All materials are fast-drying, non-toxic and odor-free. Bell will share her stencils, masks and stamps. She will demonstrate how to make each. Attendees will have opportunity to make their own and to learn new art uses for household & hardware items. Elementary and secondary school art teachers may be able to receive CPE hours for this workshop. The techniques can be incorporated into projects for students at all levels.
Bell believes that the best art comes from creative play. She practices this belief by teaching workshops for artists and aspiring artists in her studio. She demonstrates her techniques frequently to Houston area art groups. Visit website
Date: Thursday, July 22 - Saturday, July 24, 10 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.
Location: Ann Bell’s studio at 2711 Main St. #114, Houston, TX 77002. 281-330-3827 Advance registration necessary. Online registration at http://www.annbell.net/MixedMedia3Day.htm
Houston artist Ann Bell is a painter whose tranquil landscapes encourage a closer connection with nature. Bell has a wealth of tools and techniques available to filter though her own experience and vision, enabling her to create memorably unique paintings. She has been a full-time professional artist for over 30 years, showing and selling her paintings through galleries, juried shows, festivals, and her own studio. Her work can be found in private collections throughout the United States and worldwide. Ann is the author of the forthcoming book 101 Ways to Increase Your Creativity, Reduce Your Stress, & Have More Fun. 

Many art teachers have come to my mixed-media art workshops during the past year. I had not realized that someone could get a degree in art without becoming comfortable with the painting process. But a major in college usually requires 8 semesters.

Art is such a broad field that many people get an art degree with only one or two painting classes…or maybe even no painting classes. By the time you take art history, drawing, printmaking or sculpture or pottery…and get interested in one area & perhaps take several classes in that, you may only get one class in watercolor…or oil.

Acrylic painting is much more user friendly than oil. It’s much easier to handle in a school situation. It dries quickly and has no odor, making it easier & more convenient than oil. It is opaque, making it much easier for beginners and students than watercolor. But if you are trying to teach your students to paint in acrylic, and you are not comfortable painting in that medium yourself, you are likely to feel stressed.

My classes can give you the skills you crave…and the confidence.

The techniques I teach can be used in your classroom.

And you may be able to receive Continuing Professional Education hours for the time you spend in my studio learning these techniques. 

Several teachers who have studied with me found that they could receive CPE credit for the classes. They simply needed to get the classes approved by their supervisor.

Some school districts even pay for the classes.

If one (or more) of my workshops appeals to you, I suggest that  you check with your supervisor to see if you can receive CPE hours for the time you spend learning in my studio. Upon completion of your work with me, I’ll provide you with a letter stating the subject matter and hours, along with your name and my contact information.

If your school is willing to pay for your classes, I can invoice the appropriate person. Or I can provide you with a paid invoice so you can be reimbursed.

Fullfilling your professional development requirement can be fun and personally rewarding. You can nourish your own creativity, while learning techniques that you can take directly into your classroom.

It’s just a thought. I’ve constructed my schedule so that you can take several classes on consecutive days. This makes it feasible for you to travel and have several days of classes if you live outside of the Houston metropolitan area.

If you are an art teacher outside of Texas, and you would like to come to study with me in my studio, check with your supervisor. You might be able to count the class time toward your own continuing education requirements.

Even if you are experienced painting with acrylic & mixed-media, you will still enjoy the classes (and the experience of painting in my wondrous, light-filled studio) and you’ll probably learn some new techniques.

The class schedule for most of June is now availale at
http://www.annbell.net/classes.htm 

I have been a professional working artist for more than 30 years. I have been teaching art to adults for about 15 years. I have demonstrated for many arts organizations in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area, and Tomball, Livingston, & Baytown. You can learn more about me and see samples of my work at
http://www.annbell.net

My studio is located near downtown Houston, on the Metro at the McGowen station. You can stay at a downtown hotel and come by taxi or rail, without having to rent a car. The same rail goes to the major art museums.

Will I see you in my studio? You are welcome to call me if you have questions.

I’m looking forward to providing you with creative inspiration.

Ann Bell
281-330-3827

PS You can see an album of my paintings on my facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=53716&id=1039957322&l=064708e754

Friend me on facebook, or follow be on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/annbell

I love painting with mixed media. It feels like there are no limits. Any effect is possible. “Love Soaring High,” one of my newest paintings, uses techniques I teach in my Visual Magic with Mixed Media class

Learn how to make your own textured painting. Attend either the Mixed Media Class or the 3D Texture class. (more…)

 
I’m tired of mass produced stuff.

I realize many esthetic and emotional benefits by surrounding myself with handmade items to bring joy, beauty & even functionality into my life.

When I use a handmade object, or view a painting,
I am reminded again of the wonder of human creativity.
You too  will get joy from handmade things, even if you aren’t an artist.

If you want to take the pledge, just click on the pledge banner.
A new window will open. After you take the pledge & close the window, this blog will still be here.

I listed new paintings in my etsy store.

I hope you have enjoyed the holidays. I certainly did.

And I have been busy planning new classes. Many of my students have asked me for a Composition class. I am working on it now. It will be on Saturday, January 23. I will be adding it, and other classes for January to my class schedule  during the next few days.

Last year in January I taught a Vision Board Class.
I have been working on my own Vision Board for 2010 & beyond.
(Most of my 2009 Vision Board is now reality!
They just seem to work that way.)

I haven’t decided whether to teach the class again.
If you want to take a Vision Board Class from me, please get in touch.

Ann Bell

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