Art Classes Roswell GA

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." - Aristotle 

What a wonderful week in art class!  Here are some finished paintings and a few that are currently being worked on.  I continue to be impressed and delighted by what everyone is doing!  I hope that everyone is surviving the super high pollen count!  Happy Painting, Jill 

www.JillSaurFineArt.com

Art Classes Roswell GA

I wrote this for my art blog but I wanted to post it for my students to encourage you to never, never, never give up!

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for". – Georgia O’Keeffe

This commission, “Hawaiian Splendor” is a 36”x48” acrylic on canvas.  I re-painted the ocean at least three times before I was happy with the results.

For me, there are three types of paintings that turn out well.

1.  The first type is the painting that flows effortlessly like a fine tuned symphony producing beautiful music.  I suppose it's like catching that "perfect wave" and riding it all the way to the shore.  I never give up!

2.  The second painting is the one that I wrestle with, painting certain areas again and again.  Actually, the ones I struggle with lead to new discoveries and results that surprise me.  They afford an opportunity for growth.  This struggle reminds me of the grain of sand in the oyster.  The oyster takes the discomfort and spins a beautiful pearl.  I never give up!

3.  The third painting is the one that I have no idea how to do.  I pray, asking God, the ultimate Creator, to show me what to do and to guide my brushes.  The exhilarating part is getting the answer and finding myself doing things with the paint that I've never done before. That’s why I never turn down commissions, they throw me out of my “comfort zone” and that’s where the magic happens!  I never give up!

Sometimes, I think I must be related to Winston Churchill because for better or worse,  I never, never, never give up! -  © 2012 Jill Saur

My website:  CLICK HERE

©1990-2012 Hawaiian Painting by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

Painting Class Roswell GA

It's been another great week.  My camera is acting up on me and some of these photos are not as clear as I would like.  Sorry!

I continue to be impressed by the growth and creativity of everyone in all of my classes.  Thanks for being such awesome students, people, and for being such a joy to be around! - Jill

To see more or my students work, or to inquire about taking art classes, please visit my website.

CLICK HERE

Eliot O'Hara

Eliot O'Hara (1890-1961), Maine Seaside Town in Early Morning Fog, 1927, watercolor

My mother, Sandra Pope, had the opportunity to study with American Watercolorist,  Eliot O'Hara before he passed away in 1961.  He had a tremendous influence on her style and love for painting.  As I study this tree painting by Mr. O'Hara, I can't help but wonder if her soulful tree renderings were inspired by Eliot O'Hara himself!  It's more than likely that his influence on my mother has indirectly impacted my rendering of trees through watching my mother paint!  

"O'Hara was one of America's most widely respected watercolorists and teachers. In addition to an extensive exhibition record, he wrote eight books and produced more than 20 films on watercolor technique. His work can be found in more than 60 public collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Academy of Design, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the OMAA". - The Ogunquit Museum of American Art website:  

Eliot O'Hara (1890-1961), Maine Seaside Town in Early Morning Fog, 1927, watercolor

I suppose that we never truly know the ripples that our lives,  create in the life of another person.  To see my work, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE

Paul Cezanne

This is one of my favorite paintings by Paul Cezanne. I'm always interested in an artists brushstrokes. The following words are from The Art Story; "Cezanne applied his pigments to the canvas in a series of discrete, methodical brushstrokes, indeed as though he were "constructing" a picture rather than "painting" it, thus remaining true to an underlying architectural ideal: every portion of the canvas should contribute to its overall structural integrity".

Although it's not possible to visit a museum on a regular basis to study the works of the masters, it is a good idea to google some of your favorite old masters and study the way they used light, values, composition, and it's even possible to see the brushstrokes they used.

There's much to be learned by looking at Paul Cezanne's "The Card Players", below. - Happy Painting! - Jill  www.JillSaurFineArt.com

Art Classes Roswell GA

It's Friday, and I hope that all of my students are having a great week!  Here are some more photos of finished paintings as well as a few works in progress. 

My first watercolor teacher was Bud Biggs.  I've read this quote from him to several of my classes.  Here it is again for those of you who may have missed it...

"If you do not make mistakes, you will not grow.  Your work will be better the second time than it was the first.  The better you get, the worse you will think you are, until you take out your first picture and see how far you have come."  Bud Biggs

My website:  CLICK HERE