January artists of the month, Cathy Lynch and Carole Spencer, will be presenting a demonstration on pastels on January 17 at 2 p.m. with a reception following at the Laguna Madre Art Gallery.
Lynch will demonstrate the different strokes one can use to get different effects and how to layer colors to achieve luminosity. She will also discuss the materials used in pastel painting: various types of paper and types of pastels. Spencer will also be on hand to discuss the techniques she uses in her fiber art as well as in her paintings. A reception will follow the demonstration. There is no admission fee for this event.
Winter Texan Cathy Lynch has been painting since 1994. She enjoys working with pastels as well as watercolors and acrylics and has won numerous awards for her work. The valley inspires her to paint local subjects, Texas landscapes and seascapes, birds, and cowboys, but she also enjoys abstract painting. She has worked with pastels for about 10 years and has taught beginning pastels at the Brownsville Art League several times. She studied under Terry Smith of San Antonio.
In response to the urging of her friends, Brownsville resident Carole Spencer started painting five years ago under the tutelage of numerous well known artists. Before coming to the Valley, she had earned college degrees in Textiles and History. Her love of textiles is reflected in her work with fibers. She particularly enjoys collage work and makes much of the paper in her creations. She is also an avid quilter and uses color and texture to create her fiber masterpieces. One of her passions is to make lap quilts for patients at Shriners’ Children’s Hospital.
Another activity scheduled for January at the gallery is Plein Aire Sketching in Lighthouse Square with Virginia Eggert, which will be held on a drop in basis on Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m., weather permitting. Eggert has lived and painted in Port Isabel for a number of years. She is well known for painting scenes of local attractions in acrylics on watercolor paper. There is no cost for the workshop. A complete materials list is available at the gallery.
Brownsville artist Marilyn Brown will be at the gallery on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through February 7 to teach a watercolor class. Although the class started on January 3, there are a few available seats left. Students may still sign up for the course at the gallery. It is recommended for artists of all abilities.
Brown will also be teaching a Monoprint Workshop on January 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The class fee is $40.00 with a $10.00 supply fee. A list of additional supplies is available at the gallery.
Stop by the gallery on January 17 for the free demonstration and reception and sign up for a class. Or stop by to browse Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 12 noon to 4 p.m. Laguna Madre Art Gallery is located at 405 E. Maxan St., Port Isabel. The phone number is (956) 943-1407.
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