Bob Martin, Guest Artist at RES in June

It was a pleasure to watch Bob Martin, lifelong artist and resident of Candler NC, demonstrate his palette knife techniques at the studio in June 2008. The painting above was completed in three hours of delightful demonstration and discussion. Participants rushed out to purchase palette knives after the demo, and there has been plenty of experimentation in the studio classes since at RES. One painter remarked that trying palette knife painting made her realize just how good a painter Bob is! He made it look so easy (it is not, try it!).

I am looking forward to hosting another demonstration/lecture this fall, where Bob will demonstrate and discuss his sumi-e techniques. Watch for the fall schedule, and sign up for the email newsletter at http://www.fletamonaghan.com/ for notices of upcoming events and classes delivered right to your email inbox.

Thoughts on Donating Art

Every artist everywhere must get dozens of requests to donate their art. If we gave to every cause, there would be nothing left to sell! The financial life of most artists is challenged, so why us? For an essay and comments on this subject go to Joanne Mattera's blog - here is a link:
http://joannemattera.blogspot.com/2007/06/no-i-will-not-donate-to-your-auction.html

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.