Holiday Gift offer from the Gunnison Arts Center

Artwork is a gift that transcends “stuff.”  Artwork comes from the heART and spirit of an artist.

My work reflects my fascination and understanding of value and color.  I am fascinated by the relationship between light and shadow on natural forms, particularly horses and flowers. I believe if you get the values and shapes correct, any beautiful color will look compelling, even a purple horse. I seek fresh, unexpected color mixtures through the spontaneity of wet paint mixing on wet paper. I strive for a sense of mystery and narration in each painting, allowing viewers to discover personal meanings in my work. As a retired art educator, I have taught the gamut of media, styles, and subjects, giving me the strong range I draw upon today when creating my watercolor and mixed media compositions.

This holiday season I am offering a special gift for collectors of my work.  Followers of Cheri Isgreen Fine Art know that I travel extensively with my sketch materials, capturing my visits in pen, ink, and watercolor.  Based on the favorable response I have received from my travel sketches, I offer 8.5” x 6.5” oak-framed prints from my travels.  I’d like to offer you the opportunity to own one of my travel prints. 

Purchase a framed painting this holiday season from the Gunnison Arts Center or from the gallery pages of this site and receive a complimentary framed travel print.  Prints range from travel in Mexico, Utah Canyonlands, Texas Hill Country, and colorful Colorado.  Visit the Gunnison Arts Center at 102 South Main Street, Gunnison, Colorado 81230, or click on the following link  ONLINE GALLERY.

Please bring the following certificate to the Gunnison Arts Center to purchase a painting and choose a travel print……or shop online by filling out the form from the gallery link:  ONLINE GALLERY

Use the following link to print your certificate:  PRINT CERTIFICATE

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“A Sense of Place” workshop at Gunnison Arts Center

“A Sense of Place; perspective through urban sketch journals” begins at the GAC Monday, October 30.  Registration is still open  REGISTER HERE

Understanding and using perspective has never been simpler.  During each session, I will present a basic perspective concept, breaking it into simple steps.  Over the course of 4 weeks, we will build our understanding of perspective by adding new steps from previous lessons.  You will have a week between lessons to absorb and practice each concept.  (No class during Thanksgiving Week.)

Travel sketching, sometimes called “urban sketching” has become a very popular worldwide movement.  Along with capturing cities, the skills of urban sketching allow you to record the charm of mountain towns, the unique character of remote villages, and the defining themes of historic neighborhoods.  Rather than focusing on the landscape, the travel sketcher records human-built environments.  This course will give you a range of drawing strategies, taking the pain out of perspective, so you can confidently record your experiences.  No art experience necessary.

We begin our course with elevation view sketches, focusing on proportion and detail.  This is the view architects take when drawing a building.

Along with presenting strategies for making drawings in elevation view, I will show you how to use watercolor to express textures and architectural details.

 

Building on elevation view, we will begin to work with two-point perspective, the most common type of approach to drawing buildings.  Part One of two-point perspective is what I call “elevation view plus one.”

 

Once you have worked with drawing elevation views with one side in perspective, we will add the second perspective point during week three.

Nicaragua (study for watercolor painting)

 

With a week off for Thanksgiving, we return the final week of November to pursue classical one point perspective: (think of Leonardo De Vinci’s The Last Supper.)

This strategy is useful when the viewpoint is high, such as this sketch from a rooftop bar in Lo de Marcos, Nayarit.

Once you have practiced these concepts and strategies, plan to hit the road and record your travels in a sketchbook.  I guarantee these places will become more memorable that all the snapshots you may also take.  And then try your hand at multi-point perspective drawings!

Learn From the Masters!

Registration will be open through Friday 10/27/17.  Classes begin 10/30/17- register today or call Western State Colorado University Extended Studies to register: 970-943-2885

Bringing The Masters in Art Alive – Mondays and Wednesday 3-5 PM through Western State Colorado University Extended Studies: Oct 30-Nov 8
Do you love art? Bring it alive through creative discovery. Take a playful, exploratory, multimedia approach to exploring periods, movements, geography, and master artists through making art.  Emphasis is on creative expression and discovery.  Experience using a variety of art materials and technique while you learn about art history.  THIS IS NOT your professors’ art history classes! We take inspiration from master artists and famous artworks, as we create our own masterpieces. Join us for a fast paced course and get your creative juices flowing!  Cheri holds a Masters of Art in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Art Education.  $65 includes materials and instruction.  LEARN FROM THE MASTERS REGISTRATION

Oct. 30: Learn about the social justice artwork of contemporary artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith.

Create your own social justice collage on faux animal skin.

Nov. 1: Learn how Post-Impressionist Paul Cézanne sparked the Cubist Art Movement.  Create a pastel still life based on Paul Cézanne’s ideas.

Nov. 6:  Discover how the Neo-Dada artist Jasper Johns bridged the aesthetic gap between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.  Create a Dragon Cups diptyche, (a two-part composition) in watercolor based on John’s famous print, “Cups for Picasso.”  Learn how graded watercolor wash can mimic serigraph techniques.

Nov. 8  Learn about the folk art tradition of Memory Vessels.  This form of art can be found world-wide.  Make your own Memory Vessel and explore 3D mixed media construction.

All levels welcome; beginners will be given extra support; experienced artists are given design challenges to deepen their understanding.

First Friday Gunnison Arts Center

The Colorado Watercolor Society first show on the Western Slope opens at the Gunnison Center for the Arts Friday, Aug 4, 2017.  I will show three works; two florals, “Orchids,” “Cosmos,” and an equine themed work, “No Hoof, No Horse.”  The two florals celebrate the glory of light on natural forms.  “Orchids” is backlit, providing for a dramatic composition, while “Cosmos” shows reflected light of flowers in full sun.  “No Hoof, No Horse” explores lost and found edges and the fading of form through the phenomenon of smoke.

“Orchid’s Glow” 13″ x 27″ watercolor $350 Copyright C Isgreen

both paintings image 7.5″ x 22″  (frame size 13.5″ x 28″)  copyright C Isgreen          $350 each

award winning painting:  “No Hoof, No Horse” copyright C Isgreen                                                     22″ x 15″  (frame size 28″ x 21″) $500

In the upstairs gallery, the Arts Center is showing its annual fundraising exhibition, “Tiny Treasures.”  I have submitted two watercolor paintings of birds inspired by Japanese scrolls.  These “tiny treasures” were painted in a diamond format to give them a dynamic composition.  Both watercolor on paper and oil/acrylic on canvas will be offered.

from  GAC website:                 

Upper Gallery: Tiny Treasures “Fortune Cookie Quotes”
Celebrate the little things in life! For the third year in a row, the GAC’s fundraiser, Tiny Treasures, really is proof that good things DO come in small packages. Featuring a plethora of tiny treasures on canvas, all created by local artists. Treasures will be on sale at affordable prices all month where 100% of the profit goes to the GAC. A theme has been added this year; artists will pick a fortune cookie quote to use for inspiration. Enjoy tiny appetizers, a live tiny gallery concert with tiny instruments and more at the First Friday ArtWalk & Music!

New works at GAC:

In keeping with this month of tiny treasures, I am offering framed prints from my travels ($25) and small framed floral watercolors, all affordably price below $200.  I also completed an aspen series, where I fractured the light.  (see featured image preview above) These charming small works will complement the small niches in your home.

Painting Experimentation

Researchers say that teaching deepens the teacher’s understanding, so she is learning along with her students.  As I have been preparing for numerous classes and workshops this summer, I paint examples that I can use in my workshops.  As I paint, I reflect on what I’m doing, the decisions I am making, and the results of those decisions.  These reflections go into my lesson plans.  Often these reflections lead to experimental paintings.

“Cowboy Up,” explores lost and found edges despite using masks (hard edges) to preserve the layers in the pour.  This was achieved from two approaches.

• in the initial masking by softening the edges through “scratchy dry brush” edge treatment
• after the mask was removed, I softened the edges while adding neutralized wash to the wet areas

“Cowboy Up” was painted for my poured watercolor class to be held at the Ah Haa School of the Arts in Telluride, Colorado July 28 & 29, the last weekend in July.  Register through Ah Haa at this following link:  Poured Watercolor Registration

“A Splash of Poppies”

“Upsy Daisy” (feature image) and “A Splash of Poppies” show a myriad of techniques to employ to create loose watercolor paintings, including outlining, dripping, splashing, and wet-into-wet alla prima painting.  The next “Getting Loose” class is set for September 30th as a benefit for the Montrose Center for the Arts.  Register for this very playful, relaxing workshop with this link: Poured Watercolor Registration

This summer, I am teaching every Wednesday at the Gunnison Arts Center through the program, Wednesdays at Western State University.  You can register for the Gunnison classes at the following link:  Wednesday at Western Registration Cheri Isgreen  or by calling the university at (970)943-2885.

Sketch Journals– Wednesdays, 3:00 – 5:00 pm.
June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 9.
Back by popular demand! Explore ways to combine text with image using creative expression, visual design principles, and art techniques. All levels welcome; beginners
will be given extra support, and advanced students will receive design challenges. 5 sessions, classes need not be taken sequentially. Instructor: Cheri Isgreen. $35.

Bringing The Art Masters Alive – Wednesdays, 3:00 – 5:00 pm.
June 21, July 5, July 19, August 2.
Do you love art? Bring it alive through creative discovery. Take a multimedia approach to exploring periods, movements, geography, and master artists through making art. No prerequisite; each session is a stand-alone class with new content each week Emphasis is on creative expression and discovery. We will not be copying masterworks.  All levels welcome; beginners will be given extra support; experienced artists are given design challenges to deepen their understanding. 5 sessions, classes need not be taken sequentially. Instructor: Cheri Isgreen. $35.

Passionate Pursuits Opens this Friday, June 2, 2017

You are invited to an art reception featuring my watercolor paintings celebrating horses, gardens, and travel.  The reception begins at 5:30 PM.  I will give a gallery talk about my inspirations, techniques, and processes beginning at 6:00 PM.  Along with my watercolor paintings, I am offering a wide selection of prints, notecards, and tiny paintings.  Live music and refreshments are planned.  This event is part of the Gunnison Colorado First Friday Artwork, with many venues in downtown Gunnison participating with art, spirits, music, and food.  For more information, please call Anne at 970-641-6111.

“Passionate Pursuits”  runs through the end of June.  Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM and Saturdays 9:00 AM-4:00 PM.

“For a Good Time, Call Ed” copyright C Isgreen 2015 $500

Conversano Mima White Horse Vale Ranch, Goldendale, WA Lipizzan Stallion

Along the San Antonio Riverwalk, 2/14/16

 

Workshop Update

Have you registered for “Getting Loose” watercolor workshops?  Workshops are offered in Montrose and Gunnison.

• Oct. 22  10 AM – 3 PM (with working brown bag lunch)  Gunnison Arts Center  Workshop #1- Harvest themes; benefit for Gunnison Arts Center
• Nov. 5  2-6 PM  Montrose: Cedar Creek Clubhouse #1- Harvest themes; benefit for Montrose Center for the Arts
• Nov. 13 10 AM – 3 PM (with working brown bag lunch)  Gunnison Arts Center  Workshop #1- Holiday themes; benefit for Gunnison Arts Center
• Dec. 10  2-6 PM  Montrose: Cedar Creek Clubhouse #1- Holiday themes; benefit for Montrose Center for the Arts

format #1- long & skinny

Students in the Harvest Workshop will learn a variety of techniques to successfully create colorful, expressive watercolor compositions including:

• masking for dramatic lighting
• wet-into-wet with pure pigment to model glowing natural forms with spontaneous color mixtures
• negative painting
• complementary and analogous splatter
• calligraphic brushwork
• drip wash

Students will learn when to employ these techniques for maximum effect and how to avoid common pitfalls .

standard photo format

Students will  complete 2 paintings working in different formats.  Students will learn compositional considerations for working both horizontally and vertically, as well as designing a long, skinny format and a standard “photo” rectangle.

click this link to register

Happy painting

 

 

 

“Getting Loose: watercolor workshop offered in Montrose & Gunnison

 

“Painted Daisies” framed watercolor 12″ x 15″ $200 copyright C Isgreen

“Sky Lights” 10″ x 19″ $200

“Pot of Gold” 10″ x 19″ $200

Looking for a way to loosen up your art? Are you interested in learning some new watercolor techniques? Have you wondered if you could be successful painting in watercolor? Do you love gardens, flowers & color? Cheri Isgreen will offer ideas, suggestions, techniques, and support to create lively watercolor compositions during each 4 hour class.  Pick and choose the classes that fit your interests and calendar:  $70/class

REGISTER HERE   (click the link)

HARVEST SERIES:

October 22, 2016  10AM-3PM  Workshop in Gunnison at the Gunnison Arts Center; a portion of the proceeds for this workshop will benefit the GAC.  12:00 – 1:00 brown bag lunch & critique

November 5, 2016  2-6 PM   Workshop in Montrose at the Cedar Creek Clubhouse; a portion of the proceeds for this workshop will benefit the Montrose Center for the Arts.

HOLIDAY SERIES:

 November 13, 2016  10AM-3PM  Workshop in Gunnison at the Gunnison Arts Center; a portion of the proceeds for this workshop will benefit the GAC.  12:00 – 1:00 brown bag lunch & critique

December 3, 2016  2-6 PM   Workshop in Montrose at the Cedar Creek Clubhouse; a portion of the proceeds for this workshop will benefit the the Montrose Center for the Arts.

“Bouquet” copyright C Isgreen

“Upsy Daisy” framed watercolor 19″ x 10″ $200 copyright C Isgreen

 

New Works at Gunnison Arts Center

“I WISH FOR A PONY”    copyright Cheri Isgreen, 2016                                                         mixed media collage on board: ink, paper, mixed metals, horseshoe, antique rhinestone and glass button on board  $40

Based on the success of last year’s collages at the GAC Holiday Market, I have started a new series for spring 2016.  I build my collages on wood substrate from an inspiration taken from my paintings and drawings.  I add found objects, then give the collage a quote or a border.  I love pattern- repeated shapes and coordinating colors.  My patterns are decorative and organic, evolving by hand.  Sometimes I add text when I feel the piece needs it.  Text complements visual objects by combining two forms of communication.  Maybe in the future, I may also add a sound track….

I do my collages in two formats.  The first examples show a single image on an 8″ square board.  The second format is a vertical triptych of three images mounted on 4″ square boards, linked with colored copper.

The pieces featured here can be found at the Art Shop at the Gunnison Arts Center.  The GAC is open Tuesday – Friday 10-6 and Saturday 10-2.  GAC offers many evening venues, with the Art Shop is open during special events.  The GAC is located at  102 S Main St, Gunnison, CO 81230.  For more information, call (970) 641-4029 or visit the website: GUNNISON ARTS CENTER

“BOUQUET” copyright Cheri Isgreen, 2016                                                         mixed media collage on board: ink, paper, mixed metals, garnets on board  $40

 

“BEST FRIENDS” copyright Cheri Isgreen, 2016                                                         mixed media collage on board: ink, paper, nickel, glass bead on board  $40

 

“WHEN HORSES FLY” copyright Cheri Isgreen, 2016                                                         mixed media collage on board: ink, paper, mixed metals & beads on board  $40

“POWER” copyright Cheri Isgreen, 2016                mixed media collage on board: ink, paper, pewter on board  $40

 

“A PAUSE IN THE DAY’S OCCUPATION”  copyright Cheri Isgreen 2016 mixed media collage on board: ink, paper, silver on board  $40

SECOND FORMAT

“INDIAN SUMMER” copyright Cheri Isgreen, 2016                                                         mixed media collage on board: ink, paper, mixed metals, antique button on board  $40

“HIGH COUNTRY” copyright Cheri Isgreen, 2016                                                         mixed media collage on board: ink, paper, pewter, handmade bead on board  $40

“TURNOUT” copyright Cheri Isgreen, 2016  mixed media collage on board: ink, paper, mixed metals  $40

 

 

 

 

 

Now Showing at the Gunnison Arts Center

I have been invited to show with the Gunnison Arts Center Shop Artists.  The Arts Center Shop features the work from  about one dozen artists.  For the shop, I will feature my ceramic work: fish and 3D Dream Horse sculptures; mixed media collages; small paintings; and gifts: note cards, origami, and journals.  I will be at the shop on a monthly basis, as well as weekly in the summertime.

mixed media collage $40

Dream Horse sculpture $120 each

“Peach Valley” watercolor $125

ceramic fish $50-$65

 

 

 

ABOUT THE GUNNISON ARTS CENTER

The 12,000-square-foot Gunnison Arts Center is a community arts center dedicated to exhibiting and developing visual, literary and performing artists in the Gunnison Valley. With three gallery exhibit spaces, a gallery shop, a dance studio, a 72-seat community theatre/stage, a clay center for ceramics, meeting rooms and a visual arts classroom all under one roof, there is truly something for everyone at the Gunnison Arts Center. Please come visit us soon and GET INTO IT!

To learn more about the Arts Center, visit

GAC