THIS COURSE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED. NEW DATES ARE AUGUST 23-28. CLICK FOR INFO. We know and love Georgia O’Keefe’s vision of the New Mexican landscape—but we’re not trying to imitate her. Do you ache to be inspired by the same vision—and to be able to paint or sketch it in a new way? To capture the land and light of New Mexico as you’ve never done before? This workshop is for you to help you find your own expression, whether you’re an experienced painter, or just beginning your painting exploration. This is all about developing your personal style and translating it to canvas and sketchbook with your own meaning and in your own unique way. You’ll experience landscape painting on the Ghost Ranch property with guided instruction, as well as exploration through field trips to surrounding areas that inspired Georgia O’Keefe, such as to the “town” of Abiquiu, plus time on your own for painting and sketching, and to enjoy Ghost Ranch itself.
I’ll demonstrate acrylic techniques and provide instruction using the surrounding landscape as subject matter; to help you with your personal perspective that you’ll be able to use for both plein air and studio, featuring bold color, form, and joy! Expect to learn various techniques, including background painting, acrylic tips, collage, using various mediums to extend acrylic paint drying times, and more, with the goal of finding your own creative style. Julie Barreto, an accomplished sketch artist, will join us to lead workshops and give tips in expressively capturing the landscapes with pen, ink, and watercolor, showing her techniques and skills that you can use for all travel sketching now and in the future; (watercolor is optional, but highly recommended to enhance your sketches).
Emerge with a wonderful enrichment with nature, new perspectives on your painting, and camaraderie with your fellow participants—it’s a gift of Ghost Ranch! It may change your life as it did mine!
Instructed by Susan Brown: susanbrownfineart.com
Susan was recently featured in ZoneArts, an Australian website that interviews artists around the world.
| Package |
Price |
| All Inclusive, Double Occupancy: Private Bath | $1,285.00 |
| All Inclusive, Double Occupancy: Shared Bath | $1,225.00 |
| All Inclusive, Double Occupancy: Communal Bath | $995.00 |
| Camping w/electricity or RV hook-up (w/Meals) | $885.00 |
| Camping w/electricity or RV hook-up (No Meals) | $675.00 |
| Tent Camping (w/Meals) | $845.00 |
| Tent Camping (No Meals) | $675.00 |
| Commuter | $650.00 |
| Rio Arriba County Commuter | $565.00 |
Susan L. Brown has been an artist since her childhood, winning awards as a student in Ohio and in Chicago, at Northwestern University. Moving to CA in 1978, she continued studying drawing and painting at
Click here to download PDF of itinerary and materials list: 2020 Inspiring Landscape Welcome Letter
WELCOME LETTER
I’m passionate about helping you to find your own painting style and expression!
We’ll work together in the Studio and outside in the spectacular Ghost Ranch landscape and surrounding area. You’ll find your own inspiration and self discovery, including learning techniques and processes to guide you.
JOIN ME!
Hello, I’m reaching out because you clicked on a link about my upcoming Inspiring Landscape workshop at Ghost Ranch, and I want to take a minute to tell you about some of the details in case you’re still interested.
Even if you’re a beginner, you will find your own way to paint, inspired by the scenery that inspired Georgia O’ Keeffe. I’ll be leading painting exercises that she created to stimulate creativity in a fun and easy way. This class will include personal instruction in color mixing, painting in various mediums (primarily watercolor and acrylic) and sketching. We’ll have a fabulous special guest sketch artist to lead a plein air sketch class.
You’ll find that being at Ghost Ranch is such a special atmosphere; I call it a time out of space—giving you that rare opportunity to concentrate on your own creativity and expression; a powerful time to connect with yourself, to be creative and to be energized, without daily chores and distractions.
There’s already a wonderful group of folks registered, both women and men. Meeting other artists also contributes greatly to the experience. In fact, I’ve found in previous workshops, many have become lifelong friends.
Please feel free to reach out to me directly through my website (link- www.susanbrownfineart.com) or by email, (susanbrownart@gmail.com) if you have any questions, would like to chat about the workshop, or get testimonials from previous students.
I look forward to hearing from you, and hope to see you at the workshop!
Susan
SCHEDULE
I am excited to be meeting you Sunday, March 22, after dinner and am looking forward to our adventure in the days that follow! The course schedule (subject to change) is below. I will be with you in the Studio for individual instruction and suggestions. The materials list is also attached.
Sunday, March 22
Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. Dinner is 5:30-6:30.
After dinner: welcome, orientation, introductions, and a course overview.
Monday, March 23
9 a.m.–noon In-studio for an “O’Keeffe exercise” experimenting with composition, color studies; optional (not included but recommend-ed) afternoon O’Keeffe Landscape Tour by van (otherwise afternoon free); 7–8:30 p.m. Studio session, complete composition exercises and color studies.
Tuesday, March 24
Prepare lunches at breakfast. Guest teacher sketching workshop. We’ll go by van to Chama River Overlook in the morning and after-noon for landscape sketching workshop, (depending on weather), or land-scape sketching on Ranch; free time after dinner.
Wednesday, March 25
9 a.m.–noon in Studio or outdoors to work on your own painting/sketch; afternoon free; evening (7-8:30) in studio.
Thursday, March 26
9 a.m.–noon painting in studio or outdoors; afternoon in studio to set up for the evening; evening celebration and display of your art.
Friday,March 27
Checkout by 10 a.m. (after breakfast). If taking GR shuttle, make sure bags are ready to go by 9 a.m.
Sturdy easels are available in the studio, and iconic views are right there, outside the studio. Those who want to paint farther afield can bring their own portable easel and folding stools.
We’ll have one off-site trip (weather depending) to O’Keeffe’s Chama River over-look, near Abiquiu, not on the Ranch. Guest teacher, Julie Barreto, an expert sketch artist, will lead this workshop.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a brimmed hat, flashlight for night walks, sun-screen, clothes for changeable weather, including warm hat, gloves, and a wind breaker, besides warm jacket, as it can be very windy (hot/cool, rain/sun), a water bottle, and a camera if you have one (on a phone is fine).
Meal Schedule in GR dining hall:
Breakfast: 7:30 am-8:30 am
Lunch: noon-1:00 pm
Dinner: 5:30 pm–6:30 pm
Food and beverages are buffet style. Alcohol is not provided.
OPTIONAL
Our program does not include the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (open 7 days a week, $11-13) in Santa Fe nor Georgia O’Keeffe’s house in Abiquiu (tours by reservation, $40-65). You can arrange for those on your own if you are interested. Information for both: https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/tickets-and-tours/
I suggest taking the optional Georgia O’Keeffe Landscape Tour for the discounted rate of $24 (normally $39). The tour takes you to view the scenes and actual locations of Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings. The tour includes stories of her 50 years at Ghost Ranch and a pause outside her house at Ghost Ranch house. (O’Keeffe’s GR house is not open for viewing. Her Abiquiu house can be visited: See the info above. Neither house is owned or controlled by Ghost Ranch.)
I suggest on the course schedule taking the Landscape tour on Monday afternoon. Information about the tour: https://www.ghostranch.org/visit/tours-trail-rides/okeeffe-tours/
There is also an optional complimentary Ghost Ranch History Tour–schedule is at the Guest Center where you’ll check in when you arrive.
Click here to download PDF of itinerary and materials list: 2020 Inspiring Landscape Welcome Letter
MATERIALS TO BRING
Participants bring a sketchpad, micro point pen, plus their own supplies for paint-ing in their favorite medium (acrylic, watercolor, colored pencils, pastels, etc.).
Sketching:
Please bring a Strathmore Visual Journal
140 # watercolor Pens, (these are waterproof so won’t run)
Micron .05 black pen
Sharpie ultra fine point
Watercolor Materials:
Paper: Arches 140# cold or hot press–hot is smoother, cold has texture–both are fine but I prefer cold. (I’ll bring some also for purchase)
Small travel set (Cotman or Windsor Newton); Grumbacher also has nice trans-parent and opaque sets; these sets come with brushes;. Also bring 1 or 2 Larger brushes, #2, #8.
Water containers will be supplied.
Acrylic Materials: Basic colors to bring (I prefer Golden or Liquitex brands):
Zinc White
Bone or Ivory Black
French Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue
Burnt umber
Yellow Ochre
Cad or Cad free Yellow Light, and Yellow Medium
Cad or Cad free Red Medium
1 or 2 Canvases or Boards–preferably 11”X14”; no larger than 16”X20”
Brushes: #2 Round, and #8; Filbert or Flat are fine
(These colors, brushes and canvases can also be used for oil if you prefer to paint with oil–however, if you are not an experienced oil painter I suggest you work with watercolor and acrylic.)
