Art

Item Description

Two 2-hour painting classes in the medium of your choice at the artist's studio in Waltham, your location, or even en plein air (outdoors).

About Artist Susan Schneider
My style of painting shows the influence of both realist and impressionist traditions. As a realist oil painter, I look for subjects in the natural world that inspire me. As an impressionist, the effects of light perpetually captivate me. Fleeting light contrasts are often an important design element in my landscape and still life paintings.

Over the past few years I have developed a passion for coastal scenery. The rocky cliffs of New England, including Rockport and Gloucester, Massachusetts, and Southern California, such as Laguna and Newport Beach provide endless inspiration. I treasure the challenge that each locale's unique lighting, changing atmosphere and terrain offers for interpretation.

Another area of interest is the Southwest, particularly New Mexico. The vegetation and awesome rock formations and canyons sometimes juxtaposed against ancient pueblos in the formidable high desert provide contrasts of humanity's footprint against the constant ebb of time. My paintings are intended to preserve and respect unique vantage points and cultures as I came upon these majestic sights.

Plein air painting combines two of my passions: the opportunity to be immersed in the outdoors and to convey the unique experience of the moment through my painting. When it is not possible to paint on site, I will use sketches, color notes, photographic references and my memory to compose a studio painting. The excitement of my painting experience in the field often leads me to explore a much larger format (as large as four feet by five feet) in which I would like the viewer to feel as though they have stepped right into my scene.

As a teacher...

I eagerly look forward to each new student in my classes. Every individual brings a unique facility to the painting process. It may be an intuitive appreciation of composition and design, color mixing, or perceiving and depicting value. It could be expressiveness of brushstroke, painterly application of paint or a creative conceptualization of subjects and images. A person may show up with or develop great technical skills in seeing, drawing and in perspective. I wonder what special unique talents and interests will be revealed and I delight in being instrumental in enhancing their growth.

I have consolidated all that I have learned through the years and have arrived at a system that simplifies the painting process yet addresses each individual’s goals and needs. Students are excited with their rapid progress.

I currently teach at the Hunakai Studio School of Fine Art in Foxboro, Massachusetts; I also have private classes. 

Item Special Note

Time and place to be mutually agreed upon.

If you do not own your own materials, there is a $15 materials charge.

Offer expires May 31, 2013.

For more information about the artist, go to www.susanschneiderart.com.