Facilitated by CHRISTOPHER PIERCE

Class Size:  limited to 10

Fee:  $450

To Register:

1. Email Lindamarymasten@gmail.com to express interest

2. Send a check payable to MAC Center (44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington, Vermont  05201)

 

Note: after June 1, deposit is non-refundable

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Description of Course:

Students in this workshop will learn about painting interesting and rhythmical still lifes. Emphasis will be on aspects that make up a strong composition including color, color values, and techniques on how to apply paint in a fresh, lush, and subtle manner. Also stressed will be the importance of setting up and creating a still life and learning how the effects of good lighting can strengthen a painting. Students should be able to gain confidence and appreciate individuality of style from this workshop. Individual attention is stressed. 

The workshop is for painters who have had some drawing and oil painting experience.

 

Materials:

Students should bring with them some kind of portable easel with oil paints, brushes, palette knife, odorless mineral spirits, medium, canvas, thin charcoal, white charcoal pencil, and paper towels
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• Paints: any brand of OIL paint is fine, but please remember that the better quality of paint you use, the better your painting will be...please include the colors flake (or equivalent) white, cadmium lemon yellow, cad. yellow light (pale), cad. yellow, cad red light, alizarin crimson, permanent (quinacridone) rose, cerulean blue, French ultramarine, burnt sienna, and ivory black. (optional yellow ochre, cad scarlet)

• Brushes: preferably filbert bristles # 2,3,4 5,7.9 (2 of each - I use Robert Simmons) and two sable rounds #4 and # 10 or 12

• Palette: any size, material or tone except white.

• Medium: any kind (I will be using liquin for this workshop.)

• Canvas: preferably stretched, sizes 8x10, 9x12, 12x 16 (a couple of each to be able to choose the right proportion for the particular arrangement. Optional 8x16, 12x24, or one of your choice, but not too large because this is only a three day workshop. Small boards of primed Masonite are also fine.

• Props: optional. If you have a small prop or flowers you would like to bring to the workshop, please do.

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Biography:

CHRISTOPHER PIERCE is a nationally recognized fine artist who paints florals, still lifes, portraits, figures, and interiors with panache and a mature sensitivity. Along with his stunning portraiture, he is well known for the huge and commanding florals that come from the bounty of his gardens.

In 2021 his work was features in the July issue of AMERICAN ART COLLECTOR magazine.  Also in November 2021 the magazine 518 PROFILES published a lavishly illustrated article chronicling Pierce’s experience and education in fine art and classical music.

Also that year his painting, “Early Summer Blossoms” won the Kaitlyn V. Moriwaki Memorial award at the Hudson Valley 88th annual juried exhibition; and at the same show in 2020 his painting, “White Peonies on a Crimson Tapestry,” won the Kazuko Moriwaki Memorial Floral Award. In 2018 his painting, “Prelude to Summer” was selected as a finalist in the still life category of the Artist’s Magazine’s 33rd annual art competition. He was also awarded second prize in the Annual Sylvia Maria Glesmann Members' Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club, NYC.

In 2014 International Artist Magazine published a feature article on his work, his studio, and a demonstration of his creating one of his paintings in the April/May issue. Also his painting, “Homage to Sargent and Tuke,” was awarded the “Speaks to You” prize in the American Artist Professional League online portrait and figure exhibition. It can be viewed here.

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In 2013, Pierce was featured in articles in both American Art Collector and Fine Art Connoisseur magazines. His paintings have also been finalists in both the Portrait/Figure and Still Life/Floral categories in The Artists Magazine’s annual art competition, and his work has been published in the Exhibit book for the Richeson75 Online Still Life and Floral Exhibition.

 

The artist, who has been called a poetic realist, grew up near New York City and was graduated from the Hackley School in Tarrytown. He received his bachelor's degree from Skidmore College and his master's degree from the College of St. Rose. He has also studied with David A. Leffel and Terrence Coyle at the Art Student's League.  He is represented by the Lily Pad Gallery in Watch Hill, RI, and Milwaukee, WI ,

Pierce has been elected to the prestigious Salmagundi Club in New York City. Other organizations he is a member of include the American Artists Professional League, Hudson Valley Art Association, and Southern Vermont Arts Center. For more information about Mr. Pierce, please visit his website.

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Places to stay in Bennington:

Knotty Pine Motel, Hampton Inn, Best Western, Paradise Inn, and Harwood Hill Motel

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