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Adult Workshops
Sammamish Valley: Farms, Fields and Flowers with Anton Nowels
with Anton Nowels
Elevate Your Landscape Painting: A Journey from Observation to Abstraction with Anton Nowels
Four Day Workshop, June 19th - 22nd, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Join us June 19th-22nd, 2025 for a four-day painting workshop exploring the beauty of the Sammamish Valley. Learn techniques in both plein air and studio settings to capture the essence of farms, fields, and flowers.
Capture the essence of a place and translate it into a powerful work of art. This workshop with award-winning artist Anton Nowels will guide you through the process of moving fluidly between plein air observation and studio abstraction. Learn how to:
- Gather essential "color notes" and impressions directly from nature.
- Integrate these observations into both representational and abstract studio paintings.
- Harness the power of memory to create more inventive and personal artwork.
- Explore the approaches of artists who have masterfully blended plein air and abstraction, including Richard Diebenkorn, Eric Aho, Sergei Bongart, Maynard Dixon, Franz Kline, Monet, Josef Albers, Joan Michell and more.
The workshop will include studio time and time plein air painting in the beautiful Sammamish Valley.
Anton will provide demonstrations in both plein air landscape painting and studio-based representational abstraction. All 2D mediums are welcome (instructor will teach in oils). Open to all levels.
Day 1: Plein Air – Color Notes and Form
Day 2: Plein Air - Harmony and Design
Day 3: Studio – Memory and Deconstruction
Day 4 – When a painting is finished.
About Anton Novels
Anton Nowels is a nationally recognized artist whose work spans a variety of subjects, from representational landscapes to abstract impressionism. His paintings explore the dynamic interplay between observation and interpretation, inviting viewers to experience the world through his unique artistic lens.
A Signature Member of both the Oil Painters of America (OPA) and the American Impressionist Society (AIS), Anton's work has garnered significant acclaim, most recently earning him a Landscape Painting award at the OPA National Exhibition. His dedication to artistic growth and exploration led him to participate in the prestigious Brinton Museum's Residency program in Big Horn, Wyoming, this year.
Anton is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring artists. As a sought-after workshop instructor at esteemed institutions like the Scottsdale Artists’ School and the Winslow Art Center, he delves into color theory approaches inspired by masters such as Charles Hawthorne, Henry Hensche, Sergei Bongart, and Josef Albers. He encourages his students to experiment with diverse painting techniques and find their own individual voices.
The Maynard Dixon Legacy Museum in Mt. Carmel, Utah, proudly represents Anton's work and has welcomed him as a guest artist at their Maynard Dixon Country events, further solidifying his connection to the rich tradition of American art.
Anton's artistic journey is rooted in a strong foundation of both contemporary and fine art. He earned scholarships to study with renowned artists Ned Mueller, Camille Przewodek, and Romel de la Torre at the Scottsdale Artists’ School. His academic pursuits at Arizona State University allowed him to explore contemporary art practices, including performance, installation, and video, providing a broad perspective that informs his current work.
Currently, Anton is immersed in creating a series of large-scale paintings that push the boundaries between representation and abstract impressionism, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to innovation and artistic evolution.
Oil Painting Workshop with Yelena Lamm - Florals in Oil
with Yelena Lamm
Join us for a two-and-a-half day workshop taught by Award Winning Artist Yelena Lamm.
Demonstration -September 12th from 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Workshop: September 13 and 14th
10:00 am to 5:00 pm (with a one hour lunch break)
I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.
Claude Monet
Flowers, as artistic subjects, offer infinite variety in form and color, carry deep symbolic meanings, evoke a wide range of emotions, foster a connection to nature, and allow for artistic freedom in terms of interpretation and style.
Join me for an immersive and vibrant 2-day workshop focused on painting flowers from life. This dynamic course will guide you through the essential techniques of alla-prima oil painting and help you master your approach to composition, color harmonies, and values. You will work with a limited primary palette and can expand this palette to boost your skills in crafting rich, cohesive artwork, explore your creativity, and enhance your artistic abilities.
Some experience is recommended, but beginners and first-time oil painters are welcome and encouraged to join.
Students required to bring their own supplies.
Artist Bio:
Yelena Lamm was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and received formal art training from the N. K. Roerich Fine Arts School. Since 1995, she lives in Pittsburgh, PA.
Yelena is painting primarily in oil. She loves to reflect on her subjects’ characters and personalities in her lively and colorful portraits of pets and animals. Yelena recently joined the Society of Animal Artists and was immediately accepted as a signature member.
Yelena’s works were selected for and won awards in juried group exhibitions, including Oil Painters of America (OPA), Society of Animal Artists (SAA), and National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society (NOAPS) national shows. She was a finalist in the 15th ARC Salon and a semi-finalist in the 16th ARC Salon. Her list of awards includes the recent Most Original Award of Excellence in OPA 2023 Eastern Regional Exhibition and Outstanding Achievement Animals in AWA 2023 Annual Online Juried Show.
Britain’s most popular magazine for practicing artists, Artists, and Illustrators, featured Yelena’s animal portraits in a 6-page article and on the cover of their June 2023 issue. Yelena’s works are represented by galleries and acquired by collectors in the U.S. and abroad.
Oil Painting Demonstration with Yelena Lamm - Florals in Oil
with Yelena Lamm
I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.
Claude Monet
Flowers, as artistic subjects, offer infinite variety in form and color, carry deep symbolic meanings, evoke a wide range of emotions, foster a connection to nature, and allow for artistic freedom in terms of interpretation and style.
When: September 12th
Friday Night Demonstration - 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join us in person for light snacks and beverages and an evening with Yelena.
Can't join in person? Register for the live stream. The demonstration will be live streamed and everyone who registers will receive a downloadable copy.
Artist Bio:
Yelena Lamm was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and received formal art training from the N. K. Roerich Fine Arts School. Since 1995, she lives in Pittsburgh, PA.
Yelena is painting primarily in oil. She loves to reflect on her subjects’ characters and personalities in her lively and colorful portraits of pets and animals. Yelena recently joined the Society of Animal Artists and was immediately accepted as a signature member.
Yelena’s works were selected for and won awards in juried group exhibitions, including Oil Painters of America (OPA), Society of Animal Artists (SAA), and National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society (NOAPS) national shows. She was a finalist in the 15th ARC Salon and a semi-finalist in the 16th ARC Salon. Her list of awards includes the recent Most Original Award of Excellence in OPA 2023 Eastern Regional Exhibition and Outstanding Achievement Animals in AWA 2023 Annual Online Juried Show.
Britain’s most popular magazine for practicing artists, Artists, and Illustrators, featured Yelena’s animal portraits in a 6-page article and on the cover of their June 2023 issue. Yelena’s works are represented by galleries and acquired by collectors in the U.S. and abroad.
Unleash Your Inner Expressionist with James Swanson A 3-Day Oil Painting Workshop: Fur and Feathers
with James Swanson
October 17th - 19th
9:30 am to 4:30 pm
James Swanson is excellent at painting all types of animals but is best known for his paintings of dogs moving in water. He is also a sought-after painting instructor, teaching hundreds of online and in-person classes. He's known for his upbeat teaching style, which is filled with encouragement and humor. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for art with aspiring artists.
In this workshop, you will discover James Swanson's unique approach to capturing energy and movement in his oil paintings. The format includes step-by-step instruction, painting demonstrations, discussions, critiques, and plenty of painting time. By the end, participants will have gained the skills andconfidence to express their artistic vision.
All skill levels are welcome. This workshop is designed to be both challenging and rewarding for artists of all backgrounds.
About James Swanson:
James is an accomplished artist whose paintings have received widespread acclaim. He is particularly renowned for his captivating depictions of dogs moving through water. His paintings continue to win many awards, including:
- The Best in Show Award for “The Water Guardian” in the 2024 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society’s America’s Best Small Works National Exhibit at the Sugarman Gallery in Santa Fe NM.
- The prestigious $20,000 Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship Award at the Oil Painters of America's 2023 National Exhibit
- OPA’s Most Original Award at the Oil Painters of America's 2023 National Exhibit
- "Best in Show" at the 36th Annual Northern National 2023
James is also a highly regarded instructor, having taught hundreds of online and in-person classes. He is known for his positive and encouraging teaching style, making learning enjoyable for all.