Ignite your creative spirit and capture the beauty of nature with Artist Mel Mitchell-Jackson. This fall, Mitchell-Jackson will begin teaching a series of painting and drawing courses that offer a unique blend of art exploration and nature inspiration. These courses welcome a wide variety of experiences from absolute beginners to seasoned artists. Join your new instructor for a series of hands-on workshops. You’ll learn to capture the fall light, and beautiful vistas at the foot of Taylor Mountain. The goal of Mitchell-Jackson is to build a community aspiring and established artists looking to support one another and enjoy the ambiance of Bees N Blooms. They will be leading courses in drawing and painting from life, painting from photos, and more.
Art on the Farm
Intro to Drawing from Nature – 3 Weeks
Dates: September 30th, October 7th, and 14th, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cost: $260* (includes supplies)
Feel inspired by nature and want to document your observations? This course is for you! We will work on paper using pencil, charcoal, and colored pencil to explore composition, form, and structure. This course is open to and strongly welcomes beginners.
*3 scholarships available!
Intro to Acrylic Landscape Painting – 3 Weeks
Dates: September 30th, October 7th, and 14th, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $305* (includes supplies)
Join us to paint the gorgeous fall blooms at the farm. We will work in acrylic to build color palettes and paint outside observing the flora and fauna. You’ll learn mixing methods, color theory, paint application techniques, composition, and critique. This course is intermediate but welcomes beginners with previous experience in drawing from life.
*2 scholarships available!
Intermediate Landscape Painting – Sunsets
Adults
Date: Friday, October 13th 2023
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cost: $105 (includes supplies)
Join us for an evening painting outdoors. We will begin with a short art history inspiration keynote of artists techniques for capturing the changing light of sunset. Then we will setup around the farm and begin to paint. You’ll receive feedback and encouragement each step of the way. We will be working in acrylics for this course and materials will be provided. Students are welcome to bring additional supplies.
Intro to Working from Photos: Pet Portraits in Acrylic- 3 Weeks
Dates: November 4th, 11th, and 18th, 2023
Time: 10:00-1:00
Cost: $305* (includes supplies)
Have a beloved furry family member? Want to learn how to paint a portrait? In this three-week course we will learn to take a photograph, enlarge it using the gridding method and create acrylic portraits of your pet just in time for the holiday season! Take this class if you want to create a memorable and meaningful gift for someone you love.
*3 scholarships available
Tech Reset: Rectangle of Doom? Revise your relationship with your Phone!
Audience: Adults
Date: November 11th, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM -5:00 PM
Cost: $65* (includes supplies)
In this course, we will begin with a discussion as a group about how we want to amend our relationships to our devices. What things keep you engrossed in the screen? What would you rather be doing. Then we will take a group tour out on the farm without our phones. Simply observing nature and meandering through the flower paths while we build community. We will use notebooks to record the thoughts and things we wish to capture and check. Then we will meet, discuss, and learn tips and tricks for rewriting your relationship with your device, social media, and notifications.
*2 scholarships available
Meet your Instructor:
Mel Mitchell-Jackson is an artistic adventurer, skilled painter and illustrator, and content conjurer based in the East Bay. Bringing a wealth of experience, Mel has shared their expertise previously at Apple, the Kansas City Art Institute, and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. Their creative journey led them from Kansas City to the Bay Area where they now post regularly on Instagram and TikTok about their artistic process and insights for learners. Notably, Mel Mitchell-Jackson was the visionary founder of the art blog, Informality, while in the Kansas City area. Mel was also the Co-Director of PLUG Projects Gallery and Director of Subterranean Gallery. Whether you are just beginning your artistic journey, or expanding your studio practice, you can allow Mel’s eclectic experiences inspire and guide you to document the beauty of Bees N’ Blooms and beyond.