peonies

"I loved the workshop! Deb is a thoughtful and generous teacher. She took time with each student, from beginner to advanced, and encouraged both with constructive feedback and suggestions. I think everyone finished the day energized about a new direction in their painting which Deb had unearthed—I know I did! "

"I thought I knew about color, but you opened my eyes to new ways of using it to make a more exciting and cohesive painting. "

"Every detail was well thought out - from the scones and hot coffee in the morning to the one- on-one lessons. I learned so much and enjoyed much-needed time to invest in myself and my artwork. I came away inspired and would take another workshop with Deb in a heartbeat."

ART IN THE BARN - PAINTING WORKSHOPS
Classes will be taught in our 1800s Barn Studio located behind the old General Store near 

Lake Champlain. We will be painting in the barn, near our pond surrounded by seven willow trees, our gardens, nearby pastures and barns in Charlotte and Ferrisburgh, along Lake Champlain looking at the Adirondacks, Mt. Philo State Park, and views looking at Camels Hump. 

A PERFECT SETTING
The property is on a former stagecoach route, settled after the American Revolutionary War. The barn was built in 1800, sits on seven country acres behind two historic landmark buildings, the General Store built in 1790 and the other as the shopkeepers house in 1800. All three buildings are on the National Historic Register. The workshops are located in and around our historic 1800s barn on our country property in Charlotte. The barn is surrounded by gorgeous scenic pastoral views near a hidden serene pond with blue herons if you can be quiet and outstanding views of Camel’s Hump. 

Come relax, learn and create beautiful paintings with us!

SMALL WORKSHOPS

You will learn about basic design, become skilled at composition, understand how to create a dynamic color palette, using a sketchbook for quick explorations then applying your favorite sketch to a larger format. We will start the day with learning about color and composition then go out and to selected sites and paint. I will demonstrate in watercolor, pastel or oil for plein-air painting depending upon the day. 

Students must bring their own materials, you have the option to work inside the barn or outside. Easels and folding chairs are provided.

ABOUT DEBORAH 

Deborah began painting when she was 11 years old. Her first painting was a plein-air painting of her grandparents farm in Pittsford, VT. This grew into a life-long passion. She graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design at University of the Arts (UArts) in Philadelphia and studied Painting there too. Since 1981, Deborah has taught design. Starting out, she taught at the Art Institute of Boston, Clark University and Rhode Island School of Design. Since 2008, she has taught graphic design, drawing and painting at Champlain College in the Communication and Creative Media Division. She works as a full-time professional Graphic Designer/Creative Director, a Senior Adjunct Design Professor and is a plein-air and studio painter, her medium is watercolor, gouache, pastel and oil.