Guest Artist Bob Martin visits River's Edge Studio in June!

Bob Martin Demonstrates – Painting with the Palette Knife
Sat, June 21st, 11:00am until 1:00pm
$30.00
Watch while Bob Martin creates a painting from start to finish with the palette knife. This relaxed session includes an informal lecture by Bob while he works, and active discussion and question and answer during the demo with participants.

Call or email for more information and to register -828-776-2716 or fleta@fletamonaghan.com

Space is limited!

About Bob Martin
Born on Long Island, NY in 1932, Bob began painting at an early age. His many professional credits include working as an illustrator for the 6th Army training aides at Fort Ord, California and at the Army Language School in Monterey, California beginning in 1952. In 1954, after apprenticing for an architectural illustration firm in Los Angeles, he left to freelance in architectural rendering, a skill he continues to practice. He worked as an illustrator for Bob Jones University for 10 years (1974-1984), continuing in the architectural work as well.
His public work, still extant, includes a fresco secco mural for the Church of Religious Science, Las Vegas. He illustrated the book “The Voice Celestial” by Dr. Ernest Holmes, Dodd-Mead, publisher, in 1960.
Bob has five children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and now lives in Candler, NC with his wife, Betty Carlson. He continues his painting in palette knife oils, sumi-e and sumi-e with watercolor.

Classes Start, Snow Comes, and we keep painting!

Studio classes started last week, and in spite of sleet, snow and very COLD days, we were able meet on the scheduled days. We shared so much work at critique, it was clear that many stayed busy painting over the holidays. I will be posting some of these paintings soon. River's Edge Studio is expanding in Feburary, and the classroom will soon be available for painters to use on a part time basis. With the addition of the ajoining studio, there will be much more room for classes, some extra storage space, and more space for my own work area too. I am looking forward to it!

Since the Studio/Critique classes were filling fast, 6 new dates have been added to the schedule. These new dates are not on the workshop page, so if you wish to attend, email or call for available sessions that still have space.




A highlight of the holidays was the dedication of Betty McClung's painting, "The Life of Christ". Betty donated this oil painting to her church in the memory of her Husband, John, and it now has a place of honor. It was a special event and Betty's painter friends enjoyed the dedication, and the lunch to celebrate the occasion. We have watched while Betty developed this work and are so happy to see it in its permanent home as Betty had intended.

Just a Thought

People who are afraid of being copied are worrying about nothing. There is no such thing as an original idea. (June Szueber)

Studio class at River's Edge

We have a great group of artists working together at the studio. This is a recent picture of painters hard at work. Lots of art work is created, and we love to share our ideas and help and support one another in our creative efforts. We all grow as artists when we get inspiration from our collegues. I'm so lucky to have the privilege of working with a great group of artists! It makes the day a better one when we can create in harmony together.

Set designs for "The Convent of the Devil"

I was honored to be part of a multi-national performance project recently. A collaboration between ACDT of Asheville,NC and Asheville artists, and dancers, choreographer and composer from Merida Mexico, this show is about the Urbain Grandier affair. Its a dark true story - Alexandre Dumas and Aldous Huxley wrote about it and Ken Burns made a movie. The cross above is part of my set design that was just shipped to Merida for a Dec 1st performance. It has been a great experience - and there were no indifferent viewers in the audience at the debut of this provocative show.

Featured Artist at Woolworth Walk Gallery this August

I have the Featured Artist spot this August at Woolworth Walk Gallery. A reception will be held August 12th from 2:00 - 4:00. Hope you can come and see some new work.

"Freedom of Expression" Exhibition- Students at River's Edge Studio showcase their work

Isabel Taylor's interpretation of The Statue of Liberty

John Clifford's Statue rises like the Sun


River’s Edge Studio painters are pleased to present a special show at the Dripolator in Asheville from July 1st through 31st. Painting in oils, acrylics, pastels and mixed media depict each artist’s interpretation of The Statue of Liberty created specially for this exhibition.
Abstract Interpretation by Robert Lashaw




Maureen O'Leary's Statue in Stark Relief



In addition, other works punctuate the diverse styles of the artists who paint together and participate in group critiques and other studies held at River’s Edge Studio.


Kathy Hemes' Statue in Abstract style
The artists exhibiting are Jen Barton, Sara Bentley, John Clifford, Kathy Hemes, Robert Lashaw, Julia Masoka, Betty McClung, Fleta Monaghan, Maureen O’Leary, Bee Seiburg, Randy Siegel, Isabel Taylor and Angelika Wagar. The Dripolator is located at 144 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC.

Betty McClungs Mystic Vision - Ellis Island

These are just a few of the paintings that will be on display this July. The public is invited to a reception Saturday, July 7th from 5:30 until 7:30. For more information about the show and River’s Edge Studios call 828-776-2716 or email fleta@fletamonaghan.com.