Workshops P.O. Box 828 Bolinas CA 94924   415-868-0105  toll free 800-749-4784   Last updated 12/09   Materials List Free Charts & Articles Color replacement list Watercolor Blog Brushes I Like View workshops Contact Lyme Blog 2010 Workshops February 20 Exploring Watercolor / Release the Fear Point Reyes National Seashore, CA March 20 Painting White Flowers Point Reyes National Seashore, CA March 26-28 Spring Flowers Mendocino Art Center, CA April 10 Wild Iris Point Reyes National Seashore, CA April 24-26 Rhododendrons Mendocino Art Center, CA May 1-2 Atmospheric Landscapes Point Reyes National Seashore, CA June 2-4 The Essence Within the flower Indianapolis, Indiana June 7-9 The Essence Within the flower Alpena, Michigan June 26-27 Flowers in Bloom Point Reyes National Seashore, CA July 12-15 The Essence of the flower Mendocino Art Center, CA (800) 653-3328 July 17-18 Rocks, Shells, Sand & Shore Mendocino Art Center, CA (800) 653-3328 August 28-29 Historic Barns & Ranches in Watercolor Point Reyes National Seashore, CA 2011 - 2012 May 30 - June 3, 11 The Essence of the flower Boone NC  (at Cheap Joes) Oct 17-21,   2011 The Essence of the flower Little Rock, Arkansas July 16-20,  2012 The Essence of the flower Art in the Mountains,   Bend OR. February 20, 2010      Exploring Watercolor / Release the Fear    Point Reyes National Seashore, CA Saturday, February 20 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members) Join us for this introductory class to explore watercolor, the closest medium to fluid emotion. Be free, have fun—explore and express yourself by letting go of the frustration of trying to be in control or to create the perfect painting. You’ll learn about paper, brushes, water usage, color, movement, how to build color density, giving images shape, and other watercolor techniques. Birgit will provide sketches to work with so you can practice the basics while becoming familiar with the feel of how watercolor moves, as well as its transparency and color. This class is designed for beginners but if you already paint with watercolor this class will help you to let go and loosen up. Material List  To register by phone 415-663-1200 or  Online registration ________________________________________________________________________________ March 20, 2010       Painting White Flowers     Point Reyes National Seashore, CA Saturday, March 20 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members) White Flowers in watercolor can be very difficult due to the absence of color. Learn how to interpret a flower without adding every detail. Birgit shares her techniques and color combinations with many demonstrations throughout the workshop. You will learn how to control water and color to create large smooth variegated washes of color. This class is open to all skill levels beginners are welcome but some knowledge of watercolor is helpful, this class may be a little challenging for a new beginner. Material List  Lodging    Tomales Bay Resort     Point Reyes Seashore Lodge  General Lodging  (Ask for workshop lodging discount)  To register 415-663-1200 or Online registration ________________________________________________________________________________ March 26-28, 2010  Spring Flowers      Mendocino Art Center, CA We will work on new compositions every day, starting with watercolor blend, materials etc. Learn how to create smooth blending techniques and add drama and shape. Some of the compositions we will cover are Water Drops on Flowers, White Flowers among others. During this 3-day workshop we will try to go to the Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg to take reference photos, weather and flowers permitting. You will also have the option of continuing to paint in the studio if you on your own if you prefer during this time. There will also be an option dinner after the Botanical Garden at Silvers at the Wharf in Fort Bragg. Some knowledge of watercolor is helpful, open to all skill levels, including beginners.   Material List  Lodging  North CoastVacation Rentals      Mendocino Coast Reservations   Off site B&B lodging   Art Center lodging  To register (707) 937-5818 or (800) 653-3328 ___________________________________________________________________________________ April 10, 2010       Wild Iris      Point Reyes National Seashore, CA One of the natural spring highlights in the park is the abundance of wild Douglas iris. Working with sketches Birgit provides, we will use the inspiration of the season to create paintings full of vibrancy. Birgit will demonstrate how to control the application of watercolor and provide guidance on how to interpret the petals and leaves. There will also be instruction on how to create the leaves, shadows and backgrounds to give your paintings depth. We will practice creating the illusion of soft, natural veins within the flower without adding every detail. Painters of all abilities welcome but some knowledge of watercolor is helpful. Material List  Lodging    Tomales Bay Resort     Point Reyes Seashore Lodge  General Lodging  (Ask for workshop lodging discount) To register 415-663-1200  Online registration ________________________________________________________________________________ April 24-26, 2010        Rhododendrons    Mendocino Art Center, CA Rhododendrons can be found almost anywhere in the world, from the tropics to the Himalayas. There are alpine species with small flowers and small leaves, or tropical and coastal species with larger more dramatic flowers. In early spring along the Mendocino coast there are vast displays of native Azaleas and Rhododendrons. Lets simplify these groupings of flowers into dramatic compositions, add buds and backgrounds, stamens without masking, and learn how to add shape with value and shadow. During this 3-day workshop we will try to go to the Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg to take reference photos, weather and flowers permitting. You will also have the option of continuing to paint in the studio if you on your own if you prefer during this time. There will also be an option dinner after the Botanical Garden at Silvers at the Wharf in Fort Bragg. Some knowledge of watercolor is helpful, open to all skill levels, including beginners   Material List  Lodging  North CoastVacation Rentals      Mendocino Coast Reservations   Off site B&B lodging   Art Center lodging  To register (707) 937-5818 or (800) 653-3328 ________________________________________________________________________________ May 1-2, 2010    Atmospheric Landscapes   Point Reyes National Seashore, CA May 1-2 • 9 AM Sat - 4 PM Sun • $200 ($185 members) Join us for a weekend of watercolor painting that combines two of Birgit’s most popular classes—Atmospheric Landscapes and Waves & Water. Learn how to capture the essence and feeling of a landscape by simplifying. We’ll practice creating colorful, sweeping, atmospheric skies and uncomplicated landscapes for paintings full of feeling. As the weather permits, we may work outside, painting small thumbnails, returning indoors to work on larger pieces. Birgit will walk us through some simple visual exercises and you’ll learn about paper surfaces, water usage, brushes, charts and washes. Practice keeping your colors clean, gain an understanding of value changes, and work on creating smooth, even washes. Birgit will provide sketches to work with, but bring your favorite simple landscape photographs, too. Accommodations, with optional Friday evening arrival, are included at the Clem Miller Environmental Education Center. This class is open to all skill levels beginners are welcome Material List  To register call 415-663-1200  or  Online registration ________________________________________________________________________________ June 2-4, 2010    The Essence Within the flower     Watercolor Society of Indiana    In this three day workshop Birgit shares her techniques in how to simplify a composition and create stunningly beautiful paintings. Learn how to move and blend water and color to create large smooth washes in the petals. Birgit will share how by using values in shadows and choice of background you can turn a seemly delicate flower into a bold dramatic painting that makes a statement. As a bonus learn how to add another dimensional with the illusion of water drops. You are welcome to bring your own reference material or use the photos and sketches that Birgit provides Birgit also tries to provide compositions for beginners. Some of the potential compositions are the Matilija Poppy; Water drops on Flowers, Red Cannas, Rhododendrons and White Tulips among others as time permits. You will be working on one main composition per day on a ½ sheet of paper. Some knowledge of watercolor is helpful. This class is open to all skill levels beginners are welcome. Material List To register 317-814-6194 x 150 email wsemail@ori.net  Material List    June 5, 2010    Demonstration    Watercolor Society of Indiana    One America Tower, Indianapolis June 7-9, 2010       The Essence Within the flower    Alpena, (Lake Heron) Michigan In this three day workshop Birgit shares her techniques in how to simplify a composition and create stunningly beautiful paintings. Learn how to move and blend water and color to create large smooth washes in the petals. Birgit will share how by using values in shadows and choice of background you can turn a seemly delicate flower into a bold dramatic painting that makes a statement. As a bonus learn how to add another dimensional with the illusion of water drops. You are welcome to bring your own reference material or use the photos and sketches that Birgit provides Birgit also tries to provide compositions for beginners. Some of the potential compositions are the Matilija Poppy; Water drops on Flowers, Red Cannas, Rhododendrons and White Tulips among others as time permits. You will be working on one main composition per day on a ½ sheet of paper. Some knowledge of watercolor is helpful. This class is open to all skill levels beginners are welcome.  To register contact Art in the Loft  109 N. Second Ave., Suite 300 Alpena, MI. 49707 (989) 356-4877 or for more information you can call Nan @ (989) 255-6993 June 26-27, 2010      Flowers in Bloom     Point Reyes National Seashore, CA Birgit shares her techniques and color combinations with a variety of different flowers, you will learn how to interpret a flower without adding every detail. Learn how to control water and color to create large smooth washes in the petals, and how to make a painting more dramatic with backgrounds. Add the illusion of dimensional with water drops. Compositions Matilija Poppy, Water drops on Flowers, Red Cannas, and White Tulips among others. Demonstrations throughout the workshop work with your own reference material, paintings in progress or use photos and sketches Birgit provides.  Some knowledge of watercolor is helpful. This class is open to all skill levels beginners are welcome. Material List  Lodging    Tomales Bay Resort     Point Reyes Seashore Lodge  General Lodging  (Ask for workshop lodging discount) To register 415-663-1200 _______________________________________________________________________________ Take one or both workshops - Back to back  July 12-15, 2010     The Essence of the flower       Mendocino Art Center,  CA In this four day workshop Birgit shares her techniques and teaches you how to simplify a flower and turn it into a stunningly beautiful dramatic composition. Begin by learning how to simplify the composition with smooth washes then build color and advance to a more advanced level with more complicated compositions. Birgit accommodates all levels with photos and sketches or use your own reference material and work on something else that you had in mind. Potential compositions are the Matilija Poppy the Datura, star flowers with multiple stemens, Red Tulips, Water drops on Flowers. Red Cannas, Rhododendrons and White Tulips as time permits. Some knowledge of watercolor is helpful but this class is open to all skill levels beginners are welcome and are encouraged not to be afraid.  Material List Lodging  North CoastVacation Rentals      Mendocino Coast Reservations   Off site B&B lodging   Art Center lodging   To register (707) 937-5818 or (800) 653-3328  Material List   July 17-18, 2010    Rocks, Shells, Sand & Shore      Mendocino Art Center,  CA This class is fun, fun, fun,  everyone is always amazed with the quality of their paintings that they produce. Learn how to create realistic sand, and dimension in your paintings with rocks, shells, beach glass, sand and other treasures from the shore. Birgit shares her techniques of depth, luminous color combinations and unusual textural effects to create depth.  There will be an option to go to glass beach at the end of the day on Saturday. Bring your own reference material or use photos and sketches Birgit provides. This class is open to all skill levels beginners are also welcome. Lodging  North CoastVacation Rentals      Mendocino Coast Reservations   Off site B&B lodging   Art Center lodging   To register (707) 937-5818 or (800) 653-3328     Material List  ________________________________________________________________________________ August 28-29, 2010    Historic Barns & Ranches in Watercolor     Point Reyes National Seashore, CA We will visit the historic Pierce Point Ranch at the northern tip of the Point Ryes peninsula overlooking the mouth of Tomales bay. This ranch and surrounding area is a wonderful venue to blend architecture, history and landscape. The bold shapes of the buildings are perfect subjects even for beginner. We will simplify the shapes look at shadows learn to build depth and gently incorporate the landscape. This class we be a mix of on location and studio time. We will meet in the morning have a demonstration of how to create a small simple on site landscapes then travel by car out to the Pierce Point Ranch where we will do small paintings and thumbnail sketches you will be encouraged to  take photos of the ranch and surrounding area for further reference material. As time permits we will return to the class and continue to work from the sketches or photos to create more paintings.  Material List  Lodging    Tomales Bay Resort     Point Reyes Seashore Lodge  General Lodging  (Ask for workshop discount) To register 415-663-1200  ___________________________________________________________________________________ Online registration closes one week prior to the class if you want to register  during that time please call the number provided to reserve your spot. Sponsoring a workshop for information please contact ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2011 Workshops May 30-June 3, 2011 The Essence Within the Flower        Cheap Joes NC  In this workshop Birgit shares her techniques and teaches you how to simplify a flower and turn it into a stunningly beautiful dramatic composition. Begin by learning how to simplify the composition with smooth washes then build color and advance to a more advanced level with more complicated compositions. Birgit accommodates all levels with photos and sketches or use your own reference material and work on something else that you had in mind. Potential compositions are the Matilija Poppy the Datura, star flowers with multiple steams, Red Tulips, Water drops on Flowers. Red Cannas, Rhododendrons and White Tulips as time permits. Some knowledge of watercolor is helpful but this class is open to all skill levels beginners are welcome and are encouraged not to be afraid. Registration opens April 2010 contact Edwina May 800-227-2788 ext 1123 edwina@cheapjoes.com October 17-21, 2011 The Essence Within the Flower     MSW   Little Rock, Arkansas Mid-Southern Watercolorists In this workshop Birgit shares her techniques and teaches you how to simplify a flower and turn it into a stunningly beautiful dramatic composition. Begin by learning how to simplify the composition with smooth washes then build color and advance to a more advanced level with more complicated compositions. Birgit accommodates all levels with photos and sketches or use your own reference material and work on something else that you had in mind. Potential compositions are the Matilija Poppy the Datura, star flowers with multiple stamens, Red Tulips, Water drops on Flowers. Red Cannas, Rhododendrons and White Tulips as time permits. Some knowledge of watercolor is helpful but this class is open to all skill levels beginners are welcome and are encouraged not to be afraid. To register contact Cheryl Nelson workshop Chair    501-944-8736  cbnrealtime@yahoo.com ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2012 Workshops July  16 - 20 2012          The Essence Within the Flower       Art in the Mountains   Bend OR. In this workshop Birgit shares her techniques and teaches you how to simplify a flower and turn it into a stunningly beautiful dramatic composition. Begin by learning how to simplify the composition with smooth washes then build color and advance to a more advanced level with more complicated compositions. Birgit accommodates all levels with photos and sketches or use your own reference material and work on something else that you had in mind. Potential compositions are the Matilija Poppy the Datura, star flowers with multiple steams, Red Tulips, Water drops on Flowers. Red Cannas, Rhododendrons and White Tulips as time permits. Some knowledge of watercolor is helpful but this class is open to all skill levels beginners are welcome and are encouraged not to be afraid. Contact Art In The Mountains PO Box 311 Mehama, OR 97384 503.930.4572 Office 503.859.3891    Online contact info@artinthemountains.com New book with DVD     "Watercolor Essentials"   by Birgit O'Connor  Released March 2009 Hardcover spiral bound book with 60 minute dvd included.  If you enjoyed my other book I think you will really like this one too. Watercolor Essentials is broad range book covers which techniques for Exploring, Painting and Having Fun. Learn all sorts of new and different ideas, how to create shapes, shadows, water, waves, easy trees, sand, shore, rocks, marbling, masking, painting lace then applying these techniques to simple step-by-step paintings of landscapes, reflections, a boat on the shore, still life and dramatic florals.  Now Available   Chosen as one of  Jen's North Light Picks North Light Books.   Learn more about Watercolor Essentials View You Tube mini Clip   Signed copy  $ 26. Current 2008 Book Watercolor in Motion   by Birgit O'Connor Released March 2008  from North light Books If you have a special person or comment you would like please enter it in the comment box on the order form  View You Tube mini Clip    Signed copy $ 26. May - October 31 2002. During this time 120 of my floral images were  being featured by Britney Spears at her new restaurant  NYLA, at the Dylan Hotel in Manhattan. These images are shown as a on a continuos loop video display on a 12' screen in the main dinning room. This was an interesting venue to expose watercolor to a larger audience.