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PAINTING
AND SKETCHING
Louisa McElwain
Oct 11-15
$1650
Louisa
McElwain has lived and painted in New Mexico since 1985, working outdoors
under a wide variety of conditions, open to the impulse of changing light,
wind, heat, cold, insects, forces of Nature which bring life into her
paintings. For Louisa, painting is a dance to the tempo of the evolving
day. Painting gratifies her compulsion to make things, to be involved with
sensuous materials, to relish the interaction of colors, to spend time in
beautiful places, looking at and paying homage through her work to the
wonders of Creation. Exhilarating is what she calls it!
GHOST RANCH, MORNING / OIL ON CANVAS / 40 X 70 INCHES
LOUISA MCELWAIN
This
workshop offers a chance to learn how she brings so much articulate power,
freshness, energy, and mystery into her work, surrounded by the
breathtaking splendors of the Canyon! One key is in learning to observe
and knowing how to mix the colors you see. Another is being conscious of
the plastic nature of oil paint and finding a way to use it without
subordinating it to the motif, in other words, allowing the paint, the
stroke, the gesture, to exist for its own sake.
"I will
demonstrate how I have learned to use the knife to restrain my urge for
description and detail. The knife has allowed me to accelerate the act of
painting so that even the most fleeting changes of light can be caught in
a painting. A wide range of expressive potential becomes available through
the use of knives to spread paint. I offer numerous time-tested, low-tech
solutions to the challenges of painting outdoors. From the basic array of
colors on the palette, how to create light through the interaction of
color, how to make sure one is using the whole spectrum of tonality to
bring balance and depth to one’s work, and capturing a moment in time, to
sitting around the campfire, arguing and laughing about Art and life…all
in a day’s work if you’re lucky enough to come along!"
"The
opportunity to paint in Canyon de Chelly with the Taos Art School is a
dream come true for me."
Louisa McElwain
Contact us for articles
featuring Louisa’s work.
Back of Spider Rock / Photo: Ursula Beck
Canyon de
Chelly, in Northeastern Arizona, is a breathtaking site in the heart of
the Navajo Nation. There are rock arches and spires, mysterious
Petroglyphs and Rock Art, and multi-storied Anasazi Ruins tucked into the
sheer sandstone walls.
The best way
to see this unique place is from horse-back, led by a Navajo who was born
in the canyon. That’s just what we’ve arranged for you with our guide,
Justin Tso, and his family. Most of the canyon is restricted access, but
with our Navajo guide for the week, we’ll be able to go virtually
everywhere. We will be inspired by sheer red rock walls towering above
ancient cottonwood trees; the bluest of skies mirrored in the murmuring
stream that runs the length of the canyon; Navajo hogans and corn fields
dotting the canyon floor.
Camping in
the canyon itself, we will enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Evenings will be spent around a campfire, hearing Navajo tales and sharing
the day’s experiences.
 Students
must be familiar with their cameras, as we will be focused on the seeing
side of photography, rather than on the technical.
Your instructor
will be available at all times to help with framing, composition,
lighting, planning, correcting for conditions, and finding the heart of your
subject.
Photo: John Farnsworth |
DIGITAL
PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE GO
John Farnsworth
Oct 9-16
$1650"
I loved this experience. We not
only learned about Navajo Weaving, but also about Navajo Culture. The
Navajo People have a great sense of humor!"
"Getting to know the Tso family was the best part of the trip for me. I
had never been around Indians before. Justin’s wife did all the cooking.
(I especially loved the Navajo Tacos and waking up to fresh pancakes) His
sons and daughters, who were our guides, know every inch of the canyon,
and took special delight in taking us off the beaten path."
2003 Participant Pat / Photo: John Farnsworth
For me, spending a week in the most beautiful, peaceful, spiritual
place I have ever been was the most important thing.
Returning to camp and a fresh cooked meal over the
campfire in the evening was simply the frosting on the cake! I’ll be back.
Film
photographers are welcome as are
all levels from beginner
to advanced. Those using digital will, of course, have
the advantage of seeing and
discussing our
work at each day’s end.
Canyon de Chelly, Looking In / Photo: John Farnsworth
Canyon Kids / John Farnsworth
Abandoned Hogan Interior / Photo: John Farnsworth
White House Ruin / Photo: John Farnsworth
Our adventure begins
at noon on Saturday when we meet with artist and photographer John
Farnsworth in the lobby of the hotel, check our gear, and set out on the
rim road to photograph the Canyon
from above for a thrilling preview of our home for the coming week. We
will return to the hotel in time to download the day’s shots, and,
following dinner, John will present a slide show and introductory
critique, in which he will get acquainted with the abilities and needs of
each student.
Navajo Saddle / Photo: John Farnsworth
Meals will
be home-cooked for us on site, and will be fresh, hearty and delicious.
Our schedule will usually be to awaken to the smell of camp coffee,
followed by a hearty home-cooked breakfast. Then, we’ll focus on art in
the morning, with afternoons spent either riding, hiking, napping or doing
more art! All of your art and camping gear will be brought in separately,
by truck, allowing you to ride unencumbered. You supply art equipment and
camping gear (detailed lists provided). Students need to arrange their own
transportation to Chinle, Arizona, at the mouth of the canyon. Ride-shares
can be arranged for those flying in to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Pawn / Photo: John Farnsworth
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