Posts tagged ‘painting lessons’

Oct 15

Community.

com·mu·ni·ty

/kəˈmyo͞onədē/

a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

2019 in Civita was memorable and wonderful. It was all about ‘community’: the Civitoni, Laura, Tony, visiting fellows returning to the Civita Institute, amazing chefs at the restaurants, shop owners, tractor drivers and of course, my adventurous students.

I feel so fortunate to be part of this Community. I feel lucky to be able to teach in Civita. Seeing each group draw, paint and experience the drawing lessons presented and creating beautiful and strong responses, each their own, unique and with intention.

A few snap shots here of our time together and works.

A grateful teacher.

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 29

2 Comments

depictive to the evocative; let’s talk

One of my purposes in studying drawing in Civita in 2013 was to further my teaching in the subject of abstract and begin to develop methods to understand this expressive side.Abstract drawing is the practice in which one represents their work using emotive powers, allowing the artist to fall into a meditative zone, representing ideas of the ‘unseen.’

These studies show this transitional process, from the representational works to the abstract; tools are developed to further this creative process.

This is how I break it down: Representational (depictive) works: drawing what you see. Abstract (evocative) works: drawing what you don’t see; aspects of design, feelings and emotions.

So began the investigation of ‘crossing over’ to the abstract.

I start with naming my work which conjures feelings and new emotions about the subject.In the representational exercise, I use tools to describe the subject with line, texture, value, edges, shape, color; those I see within the subject. Then, in the abstract exercise, I delve further into design notions and their relationships. I investigate and probe design/felt concepts of movement, dominance, unity, variety, composition; those unseen within the subject.

These studies and design tools aided me in the first steps of ‘crossing over’ to the evocative; mark-making about a place and time, aspects purely felt on a given subject.

To fully embrace the Renaissance wisdom, that to draw something is to fully understand it.

Realize drawing connects us to our experience, with an intimacy not otherwise possible.

Experience the inherent intimacy with drawing, because the materials are limited. One simply holds a pencil in one’s hand. The artist’s touch is elemental and we are able to see how much an artist can do with a pencil and how distinctive each artist’s language of mark making can be.

Learn about the ‘power of a place’ through drawing.

Join me in Civita this Fall.

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

May 28

an open house: Civita Workshop 2018

May 6

5 Comments

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 15

2018 Workshop + Classes

mid_winter_2018

Nov 16

this + that

news_late_fall_2016

Nov 16

this + that

news_late_fall_2016

Jan 18

Weekend Workshops in February 2016

Weekend Workshops coming up soon; it’s time to sign up.

Watercolor weekend February 6 and 7.

Composition Workshop February 20 and 21. Love to have you. Limit 6 ea. class.

Contact me with any questions: anita@ahldraws.com

Nov 17

1 Comment

9 days, 9 pears

After 9 days, I have studied many a drawing element: line, shape, value, texture, color?, space…The original intention was to get ‘back on the horse’ and work again with watercolor and find my way through this expressive media. And my plan is to continue in the process, and yes, 21 more days.

Stay tuned.