Springtime = Workshop Season at Cheap Joe's Art Stuff

Shhhhhh…Be vewy, vewy, quiet…. I’m hunting wookshops!… Heh, heh, heh,..’cause it’s workshop season here at Cheap Joe’s and boy, do we have a star line up. Top names in water media and other mediums are visiting from all around the country as Joe has invited some of his painting buddies to come and share their techniques and secrets to a successful painting. We have Cheng-Khee Chee, Ted Nutall, Anne Abgott, and Frank Francese, as well as Tony Van Hasselt, Sean Dye, Janet Rogers, and Karlyn Holman, just to name a few, and of course, Cheap Joe, himself will be teaching two workshops this year. These are professional artists who have credentials a mile long, including writing instructional books as well as producing DVDs and of course, teaching workshops. An opportunity like this doesn’t come along every day so you have to sign up early as the most popular classes will fill up quickly.

Workshops take time and detailed planning to host and we try to make it as easy and exciting to attend so that you will spend more time learning than trying to get ready for the classes. Edwina May is our workshop coordinator and this time of year she is frequently seen coming and going throughout the office hallways. It is certainly a full-time job when it comes to taking care of our work shoppers during their visit to our studio and headquarters in Boone NC. The season starts in early April and runs through the summer and fall ending in late October. There are only a couple of breaks during the season including the week of July 4th. Most of the workshops are watercolor, although, we do have a limited number of classes in oil and mixed media. The average cost for a week of instruction is about $500.00. The fee includes top-notch instruction at your own ample workspace in our state-of-the-art workshop studio, as well as, daily lunches that are catered from a popular area restaurant and also fresh fruit, coffee, and tea available throughout the day. The workshop is also next door to our retail outlet store, just in case you run out of your favorite color of paint. Among all the other benefits of taking a workshop at Cheap Joe’s is the area itself. Located high in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, there is plenty of fresh cool mountain air and wonderful views enjoyed right from our own front porch furnished with rocking chairs to help you slow down once you get here. This is definitely an opportunity to take full advantage of the area's attractions and great summer weather that our mountains are famous for.

If a whole week class is more than you have time for you might want to consider our Blue Ridge Art Sampler, a 3-day event from June 17-19. This workshop features a variety of artists offering half or all-day classes. It is a great way to experience several different artists’ instruction in one place. This year we are honored to have artists including Don Andrews, Sterling Edwards, Suzanna Winton, Pat Dews, veteran artist, Al Stine, and of course, Cheap Joe Miller to provide professional instruction during the event. This is a rare opportunity to receive personal attention from these great artists with the advantage of smaller classes. Last year, I attended Joe’s workshop. He instructed the students on how to rescue an otherwise failed painting. It was interesting to see what Joe was going to change in the painting to make it successful. I also attended Cathy Futral's class on watercolor florals. She showed the class how bright colors appear brighter when painted next to less intense colors. I took lots of notes and have since used what I learned in recent paintings. This was the first time I had the opportunity to take a workshop and I’ll tell you what, I was completely hooked afterward. It is unlike any instructional experience I have ever had. I love books and DVDs but it’s just not the same as a live workshop. The atmosphere is exhilarating and you can feel the creative juices flowing around the room. I loved sharing ideas and information with these people of the same passion. There are artists of all levels in all of the classes. No one is left out. Beginners to professionals, you are sure to learn something new.

This year I am looking forward to participating in the Blue Ridge Art Sampler Saturday workshops with Al Stine and Cheap Joe. These great men have a lot of wisdom to offer a greenhorn such as myself! I am originally an acrylic artist and am just a youngin’ when it comes to watercolors, so I can use all the advice I can get! It really doesn’t matter if you are just starting out or if you’ve been painting for years, this event is a great chance to learn from the pros without a big investment. The best part is there is still room in many of the classes. Even better, the deadline of May 15th for sign-up has also been extended until June 1st. So if you haven’t had time to make plans, there is still time, but you really should hurry! Whether you are a fellow North Carolinian, a neighbor, or just passing through, we would love to see your smiling face at one of this year’s art workshops. There’s definitely something for everyone! For the complete 2010 workshop calendar take a look online at www.cheapjoes.com or call 1-800-227-2788 for a workshop catalog.

Have a Happy Workshop Day!