All in a Day's Work

Feels so good to have a busy day like last Wednesday, July 29, 2020.
Started off by teaching my weekly watercolor studio class at MainStreet Art Center in Lake Zurich. It's a drive from Highland, IN but this passionate group of artists is worth the trip. This energy starts from the top and that's because of the care and passion Frankie Johnson, Owner, and Master Artist shares with her students and faculty. She inspires and has the ability to unlocking talents from folks who come to the center.

In case you don't know the Mainstreet Art Center is a school of fine art offering classes in drawing and painting for artists of all ages and levels of experience. Open since 1994, Mainstreet attracts students from all over the Chicago area, Rockford and southern Wisconsin. The professional staff of instructors have careers as working artists, exhibit in galleries throughout the country, teach workshops, and appear in artists' publications. 

I've taught watercolor at Mainstreet for six years and just finished a 3-full day workshop earlier this month. www.dalepopovich.com/best-3-full-day-watercolor-workshop

​In my class, you will learn to implement key concepts and watercolor painting techniques that will allow you to have a deeper understanding of the medium, with a focus on the top principles of creating a solid painting.

As you understand these elements through painting pictures you will have better control of the medium and gain a deeper understanding of the creative process of transparent watercolor painting. I have to let you know my studio watercolor class has a waiting list so call Cathy and she will help you out. www.mainstreetartcenter.com

CLICK THE IMAGE TO VIEW THE JUDGING ON YOUTUBE

From there I went to Elmhurst Art Museum to judge the Elmhurst Artists' Guild 2020 Member’s Show. The EAG is a charitable and not-for-profit offering up shows and exhibitions, workshops, lectures, classes, and other similar activities. The purpose of this organization is to encourage, promote, advance, and assist art education and instruction, and the advancement and development of the arts.
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EAG has its own gallery at the Elmhurst Art Museum. If you have a chance to stop by and check out the show or if you have any concerns regarding COVID-19 you can view the entries and video of the winners on their website. The show runs through Friday, September 4, 2020. www.elmhurstartistsguild.org

While in Elmhurst I stopped off at a friend and his wife's to say hi keeping social distance top of mind. Spent a few hours enjoying the afternoon chatting about art, family, and everything in between in their beautiful garden under the shade of a stately maple tree.
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Got home for a little dinner and prepared for a two-hour Zoom meeting with the Plein Air Painters of Chicago. Met Virginia Ferrante, moderator of the Zoom event and PAPC member. I was invited to critique 30 pieces and let me tell you the time flew by reviewing amazing talent in this group.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO VIEW THE CRITIQUE ON YOUTUBE

The PAPC is affiliated with the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago where I teach Watercolor and The Fundamentals of Drawing and Painting. The PAPC offers paint-outs April thru October. This prolific group schedules three Saturday paint-outs, one Sunday morning paint-out, and one Friday night paint-out.

Paint-outs feature cityscapes, nature in the parks, the Lakefront and Riverwalk. At least one paint-out per month includes a demo and members-only critique with an experienced instructor/guest artist. I was asked to be their July guest artist.

PLEASE NOTE: Between the current increase in cases of Covid-19 and the difficulty in physical distancing, the PAPC Steering Team determined to cancel future paint-outs until they can see a two-week decline in cases. They will assess the situation again, August 2, 2020. www.papchicago.com

Checkout Eric Rhoads https://ericrhoads.com Entrepreneur, Writer, Artist, Marketer, Speaker, Renaissance man's interview with Mary Longe, current lead for the Plein Air Painters Chicago. He spent time with her for his Plein Air podcast. Mary Longe shares advice for starting a plein air group. www.outdoorpainter.com

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After finishing the day I played with Miss Poppy our Pembroke Welsh Corgi pup and had a glass of freshly brewed ice tea with my wife, Marilee. It was a good day.

​If you are looking for a judge, demonstration, or workshop please drop me a note. I would enjoy talking. [email protected].