Nationally known artists Bill and Gloria Garrison of Russellville recently taught workshops in plein air oil painting and watercolor to members of the North Central Arkansas Artist League in Fairfield Bay May 28 through May 31.
Plein air is a French term for painting pictures outdoors instead of in a studio. Artists benefit by being able to study colors, lighting, and being able to paint from nature. To make it even more interesting, plein air competitions are held all over the world.
Bill Garrison met with15 workshop participants at a site on Greers Ferry Lake overlooking Fairfield Bay Marina and Sugarloaf Mt. He demonstrated his plein air oil painting techniques, then personally helped artists as they painted similar scenes.
Gloria Garrison’s specialty is watercolor, and her workshop was held indoors at Bayside Art Studio and Gallery at the corner of Greenwood and Highway 330 in Fairfield Bay. She demonstrated watercolor techniques and shared ways to paint on altered paper, then helped 15 students paint from their own photographs.
“This is the best workshop I’ve ever had,” said member Alecs Long. Other members also were very pleased with what they had learned from these two highly acclaimed artists.
To see Garrison paintings, visit their website www.suddenlink.net/billandgloria/ or see their Facebook page.
To join the Artist League, contact President Connie Hood at 884-3283 or visit with the artists are they paint each Monday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and on other special art days.
To see examples of member’s art, look at exhibits in Clinton at the hospital; in Fairfield Bay at Bayside, the Country Club, Library, and IRV; at Greers Ferry Florist; or call individual artists.