My New Studio!

The last two years have seen my living room evolve into a Zoom studio.  My art studio used to be in the hay loft of my old barn, but the heat and cold up there made it uncomfortable to work in except during spring and fall.

With our Zoom sessions mostly over, I'm using the space for my painting, drawing, art journaling and preparations for classes.  It's lovely having a comfortable space with room to store my art materials!

Along the walls, we've hung gallery railing that allows me to admire artworks from my work table, and to easily change the display without drilling more holes in the walls.  Notice the portrait that I use as my avatar on the left -- an oil painting by Pittsburgh artist William Pfahl.  You can see more of his work here: https://williampfahl-fineart.com/

I'm loving being able to stop in and play in my art journal for a few minutes, or for hours, and having the space to leave projects out without concern for little mouse feet running over them while I'm away!

Painting Pastel Flowers

 

What could encapsulate the season better than spending a lovely summer morning painting flowers? 

 Saturday marked the first class of my Painting Flowers with Pastels course at the Community College of Beaver County, and my students and I delighted in delving into a world of blooms with our pastels.

The CCBC Art Studio is spacious and full of light, a wonderful place to turn on some classical music, lay out our supplies, and unleash our creativity.  I asked my students to focus on being experimental, and just playing.  The vibe of joyful creativity filled the room, and my students created awesome artworks!

Many thanks to my students for their willingness to jump right in and experiment!

You can find out more about upcoming classes at CCBC here: https://www.ccbc.edu/arts

You can register for upcoming classes here: https://my.ccbc.edu/ICS/Continuing_Education/

A Quiet Thanksgiving Nook

 

I sit by this little table in a high-backed chair every morning with tea to plan my day and write in my gratitude journal. My cats love to join me here.

I took advantage of some down time in my schedule to reimagine my creative space.  Refreshing the space and setting out old friends like my colored pencils and watercolor brushes in jars where I can see them brought new energy to this favorite place. 

The morning light coming through the window captured the scene in brilliance for a moment.  

A Visit to My Studio

Join me for a quick landscape sketch using watercolors as I look out the window of my barn loft art studio.

 

Figure Drawing Update

Last night I got to check off a personal art goal -- to draw a muscular man with sanguine Conté crayon in the style of the masters.  I offer my thanks to model David for the inspiration and professionalism he brought to the session.

Figure Drawing Update

Yesterday morning at Gilberti Fine Art Gallery, I got the opportunity to draw model Alexx, a lovely young woman who brings inspiration and light to her work, and so to the artists' work.  Thank you, Alexx!

New Classes for the New Year!

If you are ready for a fresh art project, new inspiration, or just a way to schedule some time for creative self-care, I invite you to join me in these upcoming classes!

Pittsburgh Figure Drawing Meetup

Guided Workshop: Drawing the Model

It's difficult to get started in figure drawing if you're not enrolled in a fine arts program, or able to commit to an expensive, multi-week course. In our 3-hour workshop we'll guide you through proven drawing exercises designed to get your eyes, brain, and hand working together to capture the human form on paper. Attendance is limited to 8 so our instructor can provide one-on-one guidance. Models will pose nude. Materials provided. $25 cash workshop fee. Instructor is artist and figure model Betsy Bangley. Models are Kathryn and David. Seating is limited. Free street-side parking.

Sunday, Jan. 5th, 2-5 pm
Metta: A Healing Arts Community, 5118 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
Register online at the Pittsburgh Figure Drawing Meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Figure-Drawing/or email: betsybangley@gmail.com

Community College of Beaver County Continuing Education

I'll be teaching these courses at the Community College of Beaver County.  You can register online for these courses here: https://my.ccbc.edu/ICS/Continuing_Education/
See the full catalog here: https://www.ccbc.edu/college-catalogs


Figure Drawing -- Back by popular demand
Do you enjoy drawing and want to take on a new challenge? Expand your artistic skills and connect with humanity by learning to draw another human being. Our models will dress in athletic wear, and will hold a variety of poses to observe and sketch. Each week we will start with quick gesture drawings and then work on proportions, foreshortening, hands & feet, and the face through longer drawings. Bring a pad of newsprint, drawing paper, a soft pencil, and charcoal.
Mondays, February 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th, from 6-9 PM
Cost: $59 + a $49 Lab fee

NEW! Handmade Paper Studio
Create your own artsy & unique papers out of a variety of upcycled materials in the first class. You will craft your paper into a journal, stationary or other creation. All materials are provided, though you can bring dried flowers, glitter, a favorite essential oil, or other items to include in your paper.
Wednesdays, April 22nd and 29th from 6-9 PM
Cost: $39 + a $10 Lab fee

New! Pen & Ink
Learn to capture natural scenes with the simple, sharp lines of pen and ink. Learn a technique to minimize the stress of inking, and allow your creativity to flow. You will be drawing natural scenes and subjects using reference photos or natural objects brought into the art studio.
Thursdays, April 9th, 16th & 23rd from 6-9 PM

Cost: $49 + a $10 Lab fee

Happy New Year!

May 2019 be filled with new creative ventures for you!

A watercolor sketch of my neighbors' fields towards sunset tonight. I used a Sakura pocket watercolor set.

My barn loft art studio creating with Dr. P.H. Martin's Liquid Watercolors.