Design Topics in Watercolor (Limited Offering) – New!
Adult Multi-Week | Available
If you're an experienced watercolorist or feel confident after taking instructor Kathy Calhoun’s Introduction to Watercolor class—this one's for you. In this class, Kathy will offer technique demonstrations and presentations on art history topics. These slideshows will explore design challenges such as texture (botanical studies), process (plein air), scaling up (oversized still life), detailed observation (reflections/transparencies) and figure studies (skeletal and clothed live model studies). You'll have the chance to work with the topic of the week or your own topic, with guidance from the instructor.
Accessibility notes: Many artmaking processes require the ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time, fine motor skills/finger dexterity, repetitive motions, vision, and some amount of physical strength. VisArts values making classes accessible to everyone, and is always happy to work with students to make accommodations when possible. Please reach out to info@visarts.org with specific questions related to accessibility or accommodations.
Classes are confirmed one week prior to the start date. In order to help us confirm classes, please register as early as possible.
Due to set of stairs, Drawing North is not wheelchair accessible.
On-site courses do not come with studio access outside of class time. Paid open studio access is available through our Studio Access Program. Please visit visarts.org for more information.
Kathy Calhoun
Bio
RVA based painter Kathy Calhoun’s initial foray into art began in her mom’s studio (a.k.a the kitchen table) with that groovy 70s stand-by, tole painting. She then furthered her studies by breaking into her older brother’s room to hand copy his album covers. It was only after two art degrees (JMU and VCU), many solo exhibitions, stints in New York and Paris, and teaching on many different levels that Kathy discovered that this was following in a time honored master teaching technique. The copying that is, not the breaking and entering. Luckily her brother did not press charges.
Kathy’s work now gets awards, occasional press and can be found in private and corporate collections, scattered around the United States and in Europe. She has also expanded from the kitchen table (though it sometimes still comes in handy) to a “real” studio as well as teaching regional workshops (The Art League, Nimrod Hall), at art centers (Visual Arts Center) and on a university level (Longwood).
Philosophy
Her approach to teaching art is a lot like the method she used to get her children to drive…learn how to start the car before planning the road trip! A firm believer in the “You gotta know the rules before you can break them” mantra, Kathy loves using the classical atelier approach to introduce the foundational design techniques needed for realism. She then encourages her students to discover how they want to express themselves and find their voice with these newly developed skills
Website: KathyCalhoun.com