Abstract Workshop
Instructor Ginny Lassiter
Saturday, July 13, 2024
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join Ginny to explore this low-stress approach to painting abstracts. She will share insights into the elements of abstract, composition, color, and contrast. Working with a limited palette to create a cohesive design, you will have an opportunity to work on watercolor paper as well as a canvas for your final product. This workshop is designed for anyone new to abstract painting as well as those who want to experience a slightly different approach to their abstract process.
The gallery will provide all materials necessary: canvas (16×20); paints (acrylic); watercolor paper, brushes, tools, etc. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own brushes or a special size canvas.We will take a 30-minute break for lunch so bring a snack. Plan to be creative! $80. Nonrefundable.
Raleigh, NC-based artist Eric McRay’s much awaited collage show, which is titled Southern Comfort, opens Friday, July 26, 2024 with a public reception from 5 – 7 p.m. The show runs through August 31. Please join us to meet Eric and hear his firsthand inspirations for this insightful exhibition of original collages. According to the artist he uses collage to expose visual storytelling while addressing the human figure as an entity of change in theatrical narratives. These chronicles are inspired by African-American, Biblical references, art history, and pop culture . . . yet, at the core, are McRay’s familial relationships. This continuum searches for personal and universal experiences.
McRay says, “Collage, one of the major innovations of modern art, is an artist inserting pieces of the real world into a constructed one.” He injects impromptu invention in the constructions of his collages, which include such materials as reproductions of his previous works, painted papers, photographic reproductions, snippets of photography, scraps of fabric, elements from magazines, and more. The different materials of everyday existence are edited, sliced, and reassembled into new images on paper, board, or canvas. These constructed worlds pull the viewer into a new reality. Collage empowers McRay to push the boundaries that allow the real world to infiltrate a painting, dissolve the conventions that separate art and life, high art and popular culture.
McRay’s artistic career has been featured on TV and radio programs, and in numerous newspapers, magazines and websites. The Raleigh News & Observer named him one of the “Artists to Watch”. Numerous times he has been listed among the “Best Local Artist” and “Favorite Local Artist”. McRay has received feature articles in Fortune Small Business, Art Business News, Our State Magazine and Southern Living Magazine.
Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Opening reception on July 26 is from 5 – 7 p.m.
Raleigh, NC-based artist Eric McRay’s much awaited collage show, which is titled Southern Comfort, opens Friday, July 26, 2024 with a public reception from 5 – 7 p.m. Please join us to meet Eric and hear his firsthand inspirations for this insightful exhibition of original collages. According to the artist he uses collage to expose visual storytelling while addressing the human figure as an entity of change in theatrical narratives. These chronicles are inspired by African-American, Biblical references, art history, and pop culture . . . yet, at the core, are McRay’s familial relationships. This continuum searches for personal and universal experiences.
McRay says, “Collage, one of the major innovations of modern art, is an artist inserting pieces of the real world into a constructed one.” He injects impromptu invention in the constructions of his collages, which include such materials as reproductions of his previous works, painted papers, photographic reproductions, snippets of photography, scraps of fabric, elements from magazines, and more. The different materials of everyday existence are edited, sliced, and reassembled into new images on paper, board, or canvas. These constructed worlds pull the viewer into a new reality. Collage empowers McRay to push the boundaries that allow the real world to infiltrate a painting, dissolve the conventions that separate art and life, high art and popular culture.
McRay’s artistic career has been featured on TV and radio programs, and in numerous newspapers, magazines and websites. The Raleigh News & Observer named him one of the “Artists to Watch”. Numerous times he has been listed among the “Best Local Artist” and “Favorite Local Artist”. McRay has received feature articles in Fortune Small Business, Art Business News, Our State Magazine and Southern Living Magazine.
Southern Comfort runs through August 31. We hope to see you here!
Click here to watch Eric’s interview with the North Carolina Museum of Art.
For this Paint & Party class, Ginny will be helping you create two separate 8×10-inch paintings that work together as a diptych (Look closely, you can hang them in reverse order if you choose). This will be lots of fun and, never fear, Ginny will walk you through it and help you bring out your inner artist. Gallery supplies paints, canvases, brushes, aprons, and anything else you need. BYO snacks and beverage if you like. Let’s Paint & Party! $35 per person, nonrefundable.
Sign up here!
Demystifying Abstraction
Instructor Samantha Spalti
Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
From building a background to adding the finishing touches, Samantha will show you a four-part methodology that can be used to create interesting abstract art. All you need to bring is an image/pattern that you will repeat throughout the piece. Examples: Botanical/nature related, Simple shapes like circles, or simplified animal/person. All supplies included. $45 nonrefundable.
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Paint & Party is a great way to open up your creative side – with a little help from your friends! Back by popular demand is this tranquil marshscape – complete with rowboat. Using a simple color palette and a little guidance from Ginny, you’ll complete your own acrylic painting with ease. Come with your best pals, or come on your own and make new friends! BYO snacks & beverage. Gallery provides everything else: paint, brushes, canvas, aprons, and instruction. Let’s Paint & Party. $35 per person. Nonrefundable.
Sign up here!
Your last dot painting class was such fun, we’ve decided to do it again, this time on cardboard bar coasters! Dot painting is a technique where dots are painted using special tools to create designs. For this Paint & Party class, we’ll be decorating a set of four round coasters in one of two designs: a sea turtle or a geometric mandala design. Or design your own. Tools and how-to’s are included. Samantha will take you through it dot by dot, so don’t be intimidated. We’ll have fun. As always, bring your besties and get ready to party or come solo and make new friends! Bring your own snacks and beverages; gallery supplies everything else! $35 per person, nonrefundable.
Sign up here!
Join us for another evening of fine tunes and good company in the artistic atmosphere you can only experience here at Sunset River Gallery. AfterHours is a local band of seasoned jazz musicians. The popular ensemble brings their musical stylings to the gallery for two hours of jazz standards and the Great American Songbook. Jazz Night is held from 5 – 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Mark your calendars and plan to stop by! Sunset River Gallery is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW (NC 179) in Calabash, NC. Telephone number is 910.575.5999. Look for updates on the gallery’s Facebook page. (Image: detail, Cool Jazz by Yuriy Petrov)
For those of you requesting another fun floral, here it is! Uncork your creativity as Ginny guides you to create your own painting. Follow along with us or choose your own petal colors and container shape! As always, sign up with your best pals or come solo and make new friends. Bring your enthusiasm, snack and beverage of your choice. We’ll supply everything else – canvas, paints, brushes, aprons, and everything else you’ll need! $35 per person, nonrefundable.
Sign up here!
Abstract paintings to fit any corner of your house.
In this one-day workshop, we will explore abstract painting in series to create four harmonious pieces to brighten any corner of your house. We will start working on a paper to make the first series and explore color combination, composition, and the importance of white space. The secret is using a homogeneous palate and mixing the colors to get all the shades that make your pieces cohesive but not matchy-matchy.
After the basics, we will work on wood boards to explore texture and the fun of working with college, acrylics, and dry media like soft and oil pastels. You will enjoy the positive power of colors and textures!
No previous experience is needed! Bring your brushes and your creativity; we will add the rest! $125 non-refundable
Details
- Duration – June 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Material to bring – Brushes, collage paper (if you have any), paper towels.
- Material provided:
- Watercolor paper for the first series and four 12’x12’ boards for the second series.
- Acrylic paint
- Dry media (pastels, oil colors, color pencils)
- Acrylic mediums for texturizing and finishing spray
