Posts from the ‘Workshops’ Category

May 30

wise spirits: Civita di Bagnoregio

Art becomes a spiritual process depending upon the degree of commitment that you bring to it. Every experience becomes direct food for your art. Then your art teaches you about life.

—Nick Bantock

This was written while studying drawing in Civita in 2013 as a fellowship with the Civita Institute:

City of Ghosts

‘I do not believe in ghosts; however, I do believe in spirits. Spirits are everywhere; and yes, in they are in Civita too. As I began my sketching session this morning, different spirits touched upon me.

Let me tell you the rules: These spirits are those, past and present. I think of them as the grand teachers that have touched my life up to now. As my pencil or paintbrush dances along the page, words of wisdom and creativity flow: Tom: ‘keep it simple.’ Dawn: ‘think in shape.’ Astra: ‘motive.’

Many spirits flow in and out, moving me along. Most important, the spirits continue to keep me present and inside my right brain. Though Civita has reluctantly gained the nickname, ‘City of Ghosts’, I am certain Civita is instead a town of spirits, alive and wondrous. Who will be meeting me next?’

Come experience Civita with me this Fall 2019. Let’s begin the adventure.

More information here: https://anitahlehmannteacher.com/civita-workshop/

Oct 24

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Translating Landscape

A creative adventure; a new class via on-line. So great to teach landscape (design) drawing + painting and to reach out to many. Take a look at the preview + sign up.

Warmly, Anita

https://www.carlasonheim.com/online-classes/translating-landscape/

The landscape is a gentle way of exploring the elements that are integral to making meaningful work: line, value, color, shape, edges, composition.

In this 6-lesson class, we will use our study of landscape to work at finding our unique mark, learning and reinforcing design concepts, drawing with intent, and simplifying.

Jul 12

just saying…

A few testimonials from some wonderful students and adventurers that have participated in my past Civita Workshops.

Come experience Civita with me this Fall 2018. Let’s begin the adventure.

More information here:

https://anitahlehmannteacher.com/civita-workshop/

‘Civita is fantastically real, an artist’s dream. The spirit of this place is inspiring, breathtaking, and immediately captivating.

Anita’s affection and respect for this magical setting made us feel at home in our studio, and with the rhythms of life in and around Civita. Her talent, patience, and caring mentorship created one of the most fruitful artistic experiences of my life. Memorable, too, for the many wonderful friendships we created in our time together. ‘

Dan

‘Anita’s Civita classes provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore art with a gifted artist while living in an ancient, Italian hill town. Not to be missed!’

Pamela

We spent a week with Anita in Civita and it was a truly transformative experience. Our group were of vary levels of skill and interest and Anita adapted her teaching style to each of us in a way that made us all feel comfortable and interested in pushing our own boundaries. Anita is a great teacher uniquely able to adapt her teaching style to each students individual needs. Spend a week with her in Italy. It is a truly great experience!

Jonathon And MC

‘I had the opportunity to spend time in Civita, attending Anita’s second session last October. For those of you who have never been to Civita or taken a class from Anita, I would highly recommend both.

Civita is a breathtaking hilltop village with incredible history and charm. What a perfect place to sketch landscape and architecture. You stay at the Civita institute which has it’s own appeal – Magical to say the least.

Having been my very first art class, ever, I couldn’t have imagined learning from anyone but Anita. She is an amazing instructor, architect and artist. She has the ability to assist beginners to advanced artists. We used a variety of mediums which helped me narrow down my favorites. Discovering the use of charcoal, graphic, pastels and watercolor with Anita’s artistic insights provided such a wonderful learning opportunity.

If you haven’t signed up for this Fall’s session, don’t hesitate, it will be well worth your time and money.

Italy in the fall! Couldn’t be more perfect. Ciao!’

Leona

May 6

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into the wilderness: France

It is a land of geese, foie gras and good cuisine.

An amazing opportunity in April came my way; so lucky to be with 5 talented women studying the expressive landscapes of southern France in the region of Gers; a beautiful property nearby Castera Verduzan. Gers is in the southwest region of France, north of the Pyrenees, a picturesque farmland with vineyards + destination to fine Armagnac red and white wines. Gers is the homeland of D’Artagnan and also the Musketeers; its land has changed little since the Middle Ages, full of rugged castles, abbeys, and bastides, as well as Renaissance Art of Auch’s great cathedral. In Gascony, Gers also has traces of the “Hundred Years War” of 1337.

Step into the studio.

Step into the landscape.

Step into your work.

+ Step into the wilderness:

“There will be times when standing alone feels too hard, too scary, and we will doubt our ability to make our way through uncertainty. Someone,somewhere, will say, ‘Don’t do it. You don’t have what it takes to survive the wilderness.’ This is when you reach deep into your heart and remind yourself, ‘I am the wilderness.’ “ (Brene Brown)

Nov 25

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‘bingo’

Venice.

bingo.

I arrived home a month ago, really. My trip away was once again a huge learning experience; in Italy and France.

I taught two sessions of evocative/depictive drawing in Civita di Bagnoregio through the Civita Institute in glorious Italy. This was my second year of teaching in Civita.

I was awarded a fellowship in 2013 through the Civita Institute, where I studied drawing in the evocative/depictive process. ‘Bingo!’

My impressions since being home:

Get right to studio and start writing, drawing, painting, collaging etc. The ideas are fresh and evidence is clear.
Be thankful for all the good fortune that came your way while traveling.
Wonder about what may come your way in the future.
Listen.
Find your “bingo’s.”

What are ‘bingo’s’? Simply said, a happening that is spontaneous but you know when it’s a win. One could play the game, Bingo. I like to play it in art. How many keen marks create a bingo? Did I find my ’80/20′? How did that painting feel? Did I leave the paint alone?

Mostly, my ‘bingo’s’ on this trip came from my remarkable group of students.

Each student bringing so much to everything; brave, creative, enthusiastic, cheerful, caring and talented. Bingo! Best students!

So, let’s continue to create those ‘bingo’s’.

Back to studio.

Jun 18

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#usk10x10

The Seattle Urban Sketchers were out and about yesterday morning in South Lake Union.

I was helping out as one of the instructors, enjoying being surrounded by sketchers, enthusiastic, eager and talented. I love seeing how bold they all drew and painted (with color!)

Plein Air work is gutsy. One’s senses are on fire; so much out there. Editing is key. Once one warms up then selection becomes easier. I could not help adding the murmuration of bird and their feather remnant in the sketch above.

My view looking south, as I was demonstrating foreground, middle ground, background and shape in the landscape, I was so surprised to see all those cranes in the skyline. Seattle’s skyline barely recognizable.