Update on the painting of the North saskatchewan River West of downtown Edmonton. I decided to post the progression of the painting process and I will add more as I complete the painting.

I am Loved

I am loved
   even in my sin...I am loved.
Pour Your Spirit on me
   cleanse me, wash me
   wash away my sin,
       my selfishness,
       my pain,
       my self-righteousness,
       my pride,
            wash me clean,
            white as snow,
            make me whole,
                  to live,
                  to serve You,
                  to serve others.
I cannot contain this love.
Let it flow from me and touch others:
As You have forgiven me
    may I forgive others.
Let it flow like a river
    this love
    this pouring of Your Spirit into my spirit.
Let it flow like a river
   giving life where it goes
       to keep it for myself
       it would stagnate
            but to share it gives life.
I am loved.

Painting: Living Water

Isn't It?

Water,
    we take it for granted,
    we turn on the tap,
    we let the water run,
    we can do what we want,
        it's ours
             isn't it?
What if...
    the snow didn't come?
    the spring rains failed to come?
    the river ran dry?
    we used up the aquifer?
What if...
    it didn't rain because we cut down the trees?
    the prairie became a desert for lack of rainfall?
    fires burned up the forests because everything was so dry?
What if...
    we used up our water to irrigate water needy plants in hot, dry locations, where water quickly evaporates?
    we used it up to make endless amounts of things in factories from computers to make-up?
    we used it to push up the oil out of the oil sands, creating sledge that can kill birds?
It doesn't matter...
    it's ours
        isn't it?
Or is it?

Painting: Scarred Lands, Scarred hearts

Water

Water
flowing, living,
the essence of life;
we cannot live without it.
We are drawn to it:
the roaring of the surf,
the lapping at the edge of a lake,
cascading down the mountainside,
running and tripping down a river,
a trickling brook.
It delights our hearts,
overflowing us,
washing over us,
reaches down inside our souls,
renewing us.
God is
the living water,
the Spring of Life
in Him we have life.
Come, all who are thirsty
Come and drink.

- Julie

click here for more information on Alpine Meadow, oil panting.

Watercolour Week – 5 Day Art Retreat w/ 4 Different Instructors
Monday, August 10th – Friday, August 14th

10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

$495 ($395 + $100 Supply Fee)

$105 ($80 + $25 Supply Fee) per Workshop

Class Limit: 15 Students

Summer Week-long Retreat at Artelier!

Looking for a creative getaway not far from home? Why not spend a week at
Artelier exploring and experimenting with a diverse range of materials?

This week, we’ll be diving headfirst into watercolour. Learn a variety of techniques from 4 different instructors, each a master of their own style. Whether you’re looking to expand on your skill set or try something completely new, Watercolour Week is the retreat for you!

Watercolour lovers can find solace in trying different techniques, such as wet-on-wet or painting on Yupo paper instead of cotton rag. If that’s not enough, you will also explore pouring with watercolour. We’ll also be looking at how to compose an image, colour mixing and brushstroke!

5 days of artmaking with 4 different instructors!
Take one class, or sign up for the whole week!

Monday: Join Ada Wong and create and develop your own composition, based on your own photo. Dive deeper into colour mixing and refine your palette to create an expressive landscape painting.
Tuesday: Artist Julie Drew will guide you through the steps of paint pouring with watercolour. Explore mesmerizing effects using this playful technique.
Wednesday: Karen Bishop will show you how to approach watercolour on Yupo paper! Yupo is a plastic painting surface and, unlike silk and cotton, does not absorb water. Let Karen show you how to approach painting on this surface while utilizing its unique and expressive properties!
Thursday: Join Francis Marte for another image in watercolour. In this class, the instructor will be teaching you how to paint a familiar summer landscape in Alberta – A Prairie Landscape. Francis will show you how to create a photo-realistic image in watercolour.
Friday: On Friday, we will reconvene with Ada, expanding on what we’ve learned and taking on expressive brushstrokes and bold mark making, as well as dynamic colour.

Pouring Watercolor:

About the Instructors:

Ada Wong, a watercolour artist, was trained in old master oil painting techniques while she was growing up. She knew almost instantly that her art journey had begun a new chapter when she encountered the fluidity of the watercolour medium. Since then, she has taken a journey filled with adventures….
For the past 30-some years, she has been teaching in different cities in Canada.

To see more of Ada’s work, check out her website: www.adawong.ca

Check out more classes with Ada!

Karen Bishop has been a professional artist for more than 15 years. She has been painting on Yupo for several years. Karen used to co-own Daffodil Gallery in Edmonton. She is a busy, enthusiastic artist and instructor.

To see more of Karen’s work, check out her website and Instagram:

Website: karenbishop.ca

Instagram: @karenbartist

Karen Bishop Watercolour on Yupo Karen Bishop Watercolour on Yupo Watercolour Florals Karen Bishop - Northern

Julie Drew waits and listens, letting the details of the world around her speak beauty and wonder. Adding her own distinct expression using watercolour and mixed media to capture the depths and nuances of colour, light, and shadow, she creates paintings that proclaim peace, mystery, and wonder.

Her passion for art led to a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, USA in 1987. Julie has been painting for over 35 years. In 1997, Julie moved with her family to Edmonton, Alberta. Although Julie works predominantly in watercolour, she also uses mixed media with her own handmade paper. Julie teaches watercolour, mixed media, acrylic, oil and papermaking. Her artwork has been exhibited around Alberta.

To see more of Julie’s work, check out her website and Instagram:

Website: www.JulieDrew-ArtandFaith.com

Instagram: @shedrewit_artandfaith

Check out more classes with Julie!

Francis Marte is a realistic watercolourist with years of professional experience. He has participated in various exhibits and has been featured in international watercolour publications. Francis possesses a strong sense of artistry, consistently displayed in all his art pieces. He is a well-regarded watercolour instructor for emerging watercolourists.

To see more of Francis’s work, check out his Facebook and Instagram:

Facebook: francismartewatercolours

Instagram: @francismartewatercolours

Check out more classes with Francis!

All Supplies included!

Suggested Student Supplies:
Any extra materials or supplies you would like to use.
Suitable art clothes, a hand towel, a notebook, a snack, and a drink.
You will receive a 20% discount on all art supplies from your registration until the end of the series!

Artelier is located at 10045 – 81 Avenue NW, Edmonton (back alley entrance). The workshop space is one block south of The Paint Spot.

Watercolour Exploration Week: 5 Day Art Retreat, Edmonton, Alberta.

Additional information
Watercolour Exploration Week
1. Mon Aug 10 – Making Composition w/ Ada Wong, 2. Tues Aug 11 – Watercolour Pouring w/ Julie Drew, 3. Wed Aug 12 – Watercolour on Yupo w/ Karen Bishop, 4. Thurs Aug 13 – Prairie Landscape w/ Francis Marte, 5. Fri Aug 14 – Mastering Brushstrokes w/ Ada Wong, 6. Watercolour Week Summer Retreat – Full Week, Fri Aug 14 – Mastering Brushstrokes w/ Ada Wong, Mon Aug 10 – Making Composition w/ Ada Wong, Thurs Aug 13 – Prairie Landscape w/ Francis Marte, Tues Aug 11 – Watercolour Pouring w/ Julie Drew, Watercolour Week Summer Retreat – Full Week, Wed Aug 12 – Watercolour on Yupo w/ Karen Bishop