Birgit O'Connor Floral workshop with Lady Slipper Studios a Huge Success

Lady Slipper Studios hosted a 3-day workshop with Birgit O'Connor; what a huge talent this woman is...we did a painting a day... her instruction is so organized and well thought out, she breaks everything down into steps and she gets the message across very effectively. The time went so fast, and before we knew it we were critiquing and packing up...in the snow...yes believe it or not it snowed. 
The workshop was sold out, and from the emails and kudos I'm getting, everyone had a good time, learned a lot, and is coming back next year...Yes it's true...Birgit has agreed to come back again.  We are looking at April, 2013... so stay tuned for actual dates.
Check out Birgit's Facebook page for images of the group, the paintings and the fun we had.

Birgit O'Connor in Victoria BC in early Spring 2012?

OMGoodness...really?...wouldn't that be just amazing.  I've wanted to take a workshop with this woman for years...ever since my mentor Leslie Redhead introduced me to her work.   I've added a couple of images of her work...take a peek.

Birgit O'Connor is an internationally recognized artist, published in many watercolour and artist magazines, she has a DVD collection of demonstrations of her work.
If you are interested in coming to Victoria to participate in this workshop please email me for details...sam@samboehner.com

Panorama Rec Centre Brochure to be released Nov 23rd.

New classes announced at Panorama Recreation Centre:

Sam L Boehner will be teaching 3 classes for the 2012 Winter/Spring  line up.  

Boats & Reflections in Watercolour

This is not the image we will be painting, sample only.

 
16 yrs+
We will explore painting boats in calm harbours & bays and
find the secrets to painting beautiful reflections. Using many
of the techniques previously learned in combination with new
approaches to give your watercolours greater depth.
Location: Central Saanich Cultural Centre Room A
66072 Tu 1pm - 3:30pm Jan 17 - Feb 21 6/$87.50
 
Florals: a Bug’s Perspective in Watercolour

This is not the image we will be painting, sample only.

 
16 yrs+
Students will paint an enlarged view of flowers based on Georgia
O’Keefe’s style of floral paintings We will paint poppies close up
and personal from a honey bee’s perspective. What fun! You will
learn how to mix colours using a limited palette and how to work
in thin layers of washes to build a flower that glows.
Location: Central Saanich Cultural Centre Room A
66073 Tu 1pm - 4pm Mar 27 - Apr 24 5/$105
 
Glassworks: Painting Luminous Glass in Watercolour

This is not the image we will be painting, sample only.

 
16 yrs+
Sam will demonstrate the versatility of watercolour paint. Using
the basics in watercolour techniques you will further develop these
skills and produce a stunning painting. You will learn how to mix
colours using a limited palette and how to work in thin layers of
washes to build up luminous colours.
Location: Central Saanich Cultural Centre Room A
66074 Th 6:30pm - 9pm Mar 15 - Apr 19 6/$87.50

Marketing, marketing, marketing

"Get out there"; "Why aren't you selling more"; "Wawawa" ...we've heard it all.

Thanks to my friend Leslie Redhead she has inspired me to market myself.

Over the last week, I started using the obvious tool to market my artwork...dah...the internet. Why didn't I think of it sooner. Oh, I had my personal Facebook page for close family and friends, and some of my artwork on my photos page, but it wasn't getting my artwork out there for all to see...and it is important to increase your profile.

The internet offers many marketing strategies. Using the following tools I have set up this blog (hello...blogging...da da da), my website, and several platforms where I can showcase my artwork:
Google blogspot
My Art Club
My Art Space
Facebook
and a group page on Facebook

Each of these platforms has its benefits the biggest one being exposure.

As the trend for internet sales ever increases, many people turn to the internet for help. just as you would get a recipe for free, many of the marketing tools are free. The down side is they take a lot of time to maintain...which ultimately means less time to paint.

But for those of us who want to increase our exposure and don't mind putting the time in...there are may "internet" options available...

happy marketing...and painting