Art Classes Roswell, GA

“Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it.” Salvador Dali  

Well, as I upload these photos, I am once again deeply impressed by the work of all my students!  Several of you have requested the quote that I read to you regarding perfectionism.  You will find that quote after the last photo.

To see more of my students work, please visit my website:  CLICK HERE

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Being a perfectionist is not about being the best we can be, it is actually going about to prove that nothing we ever do is ‘good enough’.  It is listening to the voice from within or (maybe a voice from the past) that says, “You’re doing it all wrong.  So, you do it over and over again until you ‘get it right’ and ultimately, you never do and thus you are never satisfied.  You have only proven that nothing you ever do is good enough. - author not sure

Striving for excellence is about putting our hand to something, with all our human limitations we press on, we grow.  Striving for excellence in art is about expressing yourself using your God given talent, having fun while doing it, and discovering how to be able to put the brush down after your last stroke, exhale, and smile while saying, “It is finished”. - Jill Saur

Art Classes Roswell, GA

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

Happy New Year to all of my wonderful students, both former and new!  I found this quote interesting.  It seems as though when a person is learning to draw, the aim is to represent what they are seeing.  But, as time goes by and comfort with the pencil or brush settles in, the beauty of being able to represent the inner significance of what is being rendered begins to take over!  

Here is the first set of new photos of work that my students have recently completed.  I'll post the next set in a day or so.  

To see more of my students work, or to inquire about taking art classes.  Please visit my website: CLICK HERE.  Or, email me. CLICK HERE

Painting Class Roswell, Ga

"The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection."  -  Michelangelo

Please enjoy these beautiful works of art by my wonderful students!  To see more of my students work, or to inquire about taking art classes, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE

Painting Class Roswell, Ga

©1990-2013 Flowers in Vase painting by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

I love Van Gogh.  The one thing that most people seem to know is that he painted feverishly until he completed his paintings.  Don't mistake painting feverishly with painting without knowledge.  New discoveries are being made about Van Gogh and his studio practices.  Through the use of x-ray equipment and new technologies, it is being purported that Van Gogh was a highly skilled artist and an expert in color theory.  

A few weeks ago I was inspired to paint this thickly textured palette knife painting in a demo for my students.  I used brilliant azure blues, effusive reds, and warm golds.  Though spontaneously painted,  I still apply color theory and the rest of the elements of principle and design.  After concentrating on using those elements for so many years, they just seem to come naturally to me now.  It's the price of years and years of study.  So, when someone asks me how long it takes me to complete a particular painting,  I'm tempted to say, "Oh, about thirty years or so."  However, I just smile and say, "Long enough".

This 16"x20" textured acrylic palette knife flower painting is titled, "Red on Blue".  I was just informed by my representing gallery that it sold over the weekend.  I'm extremely thankful to have folks who appreciate and love my work.  Thank you! - Jill Saur  

To inquire about taking art classes with me, please contact me through my website.

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Helen Keller

Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan

What inspires you to paint?  How do you learn to listen to that still small voice inside when applying your brushstrokes or pencil marks?  This is a personal matter, but one of great importance.

This week I watched a very old video of one of my favorite people of all time, Helen Keller.  I was moved deeply and related what I saw to my own experience of listening to God with my spirit and translating what I hear from him into words with my brush, palette knife and paint.

The younger students of mine may not know who Helen Keller.  Helen became deaf, blind, and mute as a very young toddler and lost touch with the outside world.  Her teacher, who you will see in the video, was Anne Sullivan.  She found a way to reach young Helen, and the rest is history.

Please enjoy this video.  I encourage you to place your own fingers in the same position in the video and and experience what Helen did.  Think of the intimacy that you would feel if you had to place your fingers on another persons lips, vocal chords, and nose, in order to understand what they were saying.  Think of having that same intimacy with God in all that you do.  - Jill Saur

VIDEO

Painting Class Roswell, GA

"No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination." - Edward Hopper

Please enjoy these new photos of my students with their new works of art.  Also, Pat had a great showing and sale of her work this past weekend.  The second and third photos are of her with her work.

Please send me an email if you are interested in taking drawing or painting classes with me. CLICK HERE.  If you would like to see more of my students work or learn about my art classes, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE.

Painting Class - Roswell, GA

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which ones to keep." - Scott Adams

Please enjoy these beautiful works of art by my illustrious students.  I'm so proud of your accomplishments!

The following is a quote that I read to my class today regarding values in painting.  As most of you know, I'm always stressing the importance of using tonal values (light and shade) in your work.  Camille Corot, the artist and teacher, instructed Pissaro: "You are an artist, you don't need any advice save this:  You must study value above all."

Values are tones; different tonalities are achieved by the effects of light and shade.  By portraying highlights, transitional lights, core of the shadow, reflected light, and cast shadows, you are able to emulate the third dimension in your artwork.  

Happy Painting! - Jill

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