Monday, September 2, 2024

Making it Fine Art Workshop: Moving to the Next Level 3-Day Workshops with Ken Elliott / 2 October dates, 2024


Castle Rock, Colorado (Denver metro)

October 18-20       1 opening remaining

Sat. evening after break, 4:30 -7: Photoshop Tools and discussions.

Open to artists at all skill levels and media
An indoor, 3-day workshop
Limited to 5 artists, $590.

 Ken will discuss strategies for creating better artworks with a variety of common and creative tools. The workshop will focus on concepts for making better starts, compelling artworks, going to new places in your work, and how to make fine art. They will use informative videos and pass on strategies, some not the literature, but handed down from the very best teachers. 

Together, we will be going deeper into the how-to of making more appealing artworks with a variety of ideas and tools. ​After the day's sessions, the group is invited to further discussions and dinner. After the Sunday session, Ken will present Photoshop techniques for taking your works to the next level and creating better pathways for finishing your artworks. You will be given a simplified Photoshop guide and have access to a large photo file of over 2000 inspiring artworks.

Ken will demonstrate painting using oil and pastels, if requested. In addition to making art works, Ken will talk about business and promotion, necessary tools for success in the marketplace.

There will be serious discussions, laughs, and your questions with more continuing after class hours. We will all come away with new tools to take your art to the next level.

Ample time will be given to live problem solving, daily critiques and creative options.




 

Monday, August 26, 2024

Grateful Notices: Tree Veil, Blues and Greens, oil on canvas, 36 x 60 inches

Private collection, CO. 

Thank you to the collectors of this oil.


About this oil:

Often when I am beginning an oil I set out a task for myself. This is a favorite motif of mine and for this piece I wanted to increase the complexity but at the same time, to create a scene that is more delicate and atmospheric.

There is the color of course, the reason I love going into the studio, and although there appear to be 3 major colors, each is supported by a variety of other colors and contrasts, both light and dark.

This began as a demonstration for one of my art classes and the point was to make a good start. In the hour allowed for this, the general composition was painted in and the vertical trees were indicated. 5 feet is a lot of canvas to cover in a short time but after the ‘sprint,’ the new oil showed potential.

This is one of those oils where it was quickly coming to life as I continued to work on it. There was the tendency to rush, but instead I took my time along with the other studio works in progress, giving it a couple of months for all that complexity to come into a balance and elegance.




Monday, August 19, 2024

Grateful Notices: Into the Forest Surround, Oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches

Into the Forest Surround,  Oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches



Exhibited: Dominique Boisjoli Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico

 

Thank you, Dominique and to the couple that purchased this oil for their collection.

 

About this oil:

When talking with other artists and students, I like to bring up the question of how can we make a green forest more interesting. Color is an obvious tool but composition, complexity, contrast, depth and atmosphere are some of the many other solutions and here they are the drivers of this oil.

 

At least that is what I started out to do last year. This painting is a variation of a smaller, vertical one I was very happy with, so I laid out this more ambitious, 4 foot square version. As it turned out, I literally got lost in the woods in this one and after a number of studio sessions and a lot of hours, I just put it away for a time.

 

Months later I brought it out and took a hard look at where the painting was and what would be needed to make it better. In this case, the most obvious solution was contrast - more darks and lights in the tree trunks. Once that was attended to, more depth in the painting emerged and the oil immediately came to life. 

 

This is where it is fun to be an artist that loves color, so that said, I pushed the color everywhere, while adding whatever made the painting more interesting and compelling, putting more hours in and pushing it to a better place. 

 

The painting will tell you when it is finished, and although I didn’t want to let it go because the process was so enjoyable, there was nothing left to add, so out into the world it goes.


 

Thursday, August 1, 2024

From the June 7-9, 2024 Making it Fine Art Workshop

Next Workshop:

3-Day, Making it Fine Art Workshops, Moving to the Next Level

Open to only 5 artists.  Workshop flyer

October 18-20   2 openings remaining

Information and registration


The July 26-28 workshop was just completed and remarkable works were made. Much was learned, dared and everything came together in a fun way! 

Here are some of the works in progress from the weekend. Much was gained from the experience and I hope you will take the opportunity to join the October workshop.

Thank you!

From the July 2024 workshop with works in progress by: Annie Wieland, Amy Lorenz, Adrienne Sousa and Juls Payne.








Monday, July 29, 2024

Ken Elliott Fine Art Newsletter, July 2024

 

Ken Elliott Fine Art Newsletter, July 2024
View this email in your browser
July News:

In early 1942, Matisse gave an interview broadcast over the radio where he was asked if he worried about the future of his work.  “Since I am convinced that an artist can have no greater enemies than his bad paintings, I do not release a painting or a drawing until I have given it every possible effort; and if after that it still has life, I am happy as to the impression that it will make on the minds of those who see it.”
 
I am very grateful for the sale of two, 7' oils this month, one as a commission. That gives me a lot of incentive to create more!
 

Yesterday I just wrapped up a Making it Fine Art Workshop and there were many breakthroughs and good results! One of the 4 attendees is not in the photo but her oil is at the bottom left. 



Coming up:
Announcing two, 3-Day Intensive Advanced Strategies Workshops October 18-20. Information is posted on the Workshop pages. There are very personalized workshops with a maximum class of 5. I hope you will join us in my Castle Rock (metro Denver) studio for some serious information and fun!  $590 per person. 

I'm looking forward to a very creative August and my best wishes to you for a superb finish to the summer!
Ken
New Works:


Evening Gift
Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches
In the studio
$4400 framed
About this oil


Grateful Notices:


Long View
Oil on canvas, 36 x 84 inches
Private collection
About this oil


Movement Across the Landscape
Oil on canvas, 54 X 84 inches
Private collection
About this oil


Available Works:


Forest Light into Shade
Oil on canvas, 48 X 48 inches, unframed
Exhibiting: Sorelle Gallery, Westport, Connecticut
$10200 framed
About this oil


Sunset Impression
Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches
$5350.unframed
Exhibiting: Page + Waterman Gallery, Wellesley, MA
About this oil



Red Stand
Oil on canvas, 40 x 40 inches
Exhibiting: Madelyn Jordon Fine Art
$5600 unframed
Formerly exhibited: U.S. Art for Embassies program, installed in the Ambassadors Residence, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
About this oil
 

Workshops and Mentoring Sessions:



Take your work to new heights. My Workshops and Mentoring Sessions will focus on strategies for making better paintings, colorist tools, going to new places in your work and making fine art. We will be going deeper into making better and more appealing artworks with a variety of strategies and in some sessions, there will be time for Photoshop insights made easy. all workshop info



Here's a video about what happens in the Group and Private Workshops

Ken Elliott American Landscapes coffee table book:


This large coffee table book reprises over 25 years of my works in oil, pastel, monotype, etching and collage. Large, coffee table hardback version, 11 x 13 inches, 94 color pages with essays. Book and a signed giclee print of the cover image: $160 or just order the book for $129.

eBook versions available for Amazon Kindle Fire®, Apple iOS devices, and macOS computers for $14.99.You can preview the complete book and how to order your electronic or hardback versions from my website.

View my newest artworks
sign up for this newsletter here



Bright Flow II
Oil on canvas, 24 x 48 inches
Exhibiting: Breckenridge Gallery, Breckenridge, Colorado
$4750 framed
About this oil


This monthly newsletter is the best way to stay up to date with my new works and events. You can also follow me on Facebook and go more in depth with my blog. To view the total of my works in all media and in all my galleries, go to www.kenelliott.com. Please pass this onto a friend and they can sign up for this newsletter here.

Thank you,
Ken

Contact Ken
303-995-1611
email
website
Sign up for Ken's blog
Sign up for this newsletter


Image top: (cropped here)
Long View
Oil on canvas, 36 x 84 inches
Private collection
About this oil
American Art Collector Magazine:
"Elliott's canvases display the strikingly vivid modern hues in which he chooses to render his contemporary landscapes." 

Southwest Art Magazine:
Although his paintings loosely reference photographs and plein-air sketches, they refuse to exist within the confines of already-prescribed images.

Rather, they stand independent of any specific place or time, the fulfilled pursuits of the artist’s visual and intellectual explorations.

Elliott wields color boldly, creating sizzling, vibrant shapes that are at once kinetic and placid, grounded in unifying illumination, and focused compositions.

He has a fascination with line structure as well, believing that “edges empower colors.” 


Private Lessons and studio visits:
I have really enjoyed giving private lessons individually or with groups over the years. It is casual, focused and fun. It is always a pleasure welcoming collectors into my studio, please email me a call to arrange a time.

The workshops are very stimulating and you will see a big result in your approach to making fine art and clarity on your career strategies. Let's discuss what works best for you.


What they are saying:
One of the best artists and teachers I know.
S.


"I had a clue what might be in store for my friends, but it went WAY beyond. You have a real gift. What a FANTASTIC couple of days!!!’
L.

"Thank you so much for the wonderful, thought compelling workshop. You rekindled my love for making art. Your enthusiasm is contagious and felt throughout the room. You set up a stimulating environment that provided continuous visual images and your generosity in sharing those photos was much appreciated. I found you to be humorous, supportive and kind. I would recommend you as an instructor to anyone who would like to take their art to the next level."

I loved the weekend. And I can't wait until we get to soak up your love for the work, for Wolf Kahn, for COLOR -- yet again (note that I'm greedy).You are an amazing addition to our lives."
M.

"Thank you so much for lighting up our lives and our paintings at this past weekend’s workshop! I loved hearing about your time with Wolf Kahn, your thoughts on painting, the beautiful demo, and of course the great feedback you provided us on our own paintings."

"You really reignited my desire to paint freely. Thanks also for your generosity in sharing the numerous links."

"I hope to spend another weekend painting with you sometime soon."
B.H.

"Thank you for the workshop! It was a great two days. You are an amazing host and instructor, (two things that don’t always work together).

"You pulled something from each of us and it was wonderful to be a part of it. Thanks to the moon and back,"
V.

"Thank you Ken. It was a wonderment! I learned so much."
Kathy

"I so enjoyed meeting you and being part of the workshop. You got me on fire!!!!!"
Ed

"Wow! My weekend of private lessons was fabulous! While I was there I stepped into a whole new world that my soul was calling for."

"Wonderful conversations, a beautiful time with great art everywhere and artistic success!"
K.

"Thanks SO VERY MUCH, Ken, for such a fun, informative, and energetic workshop. Your enthusiasm is contagious. What a wonderful weekend!!"
C.

"When I signed up for a painting workshop, who knew that it would be so much more.Thank you Ken. For your kindness, generosity of spirit, and sharing your knowledge and skill of painting with us."

"Love the class, you are a great teacher!"
B.

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Friday, July 19, 2024

Ken Elliott Fine Art Newsletter, June 2024

 

Ken Elliott Fine Art Newsletter, June 2024
View this email in your browser
June News:

"I begin with an idea, and then it becomes something else." Pablo Picasso
 
And that is what happened with my painting (shown cropped) above. Here's a bit of explanation from my blog about it. "This is a faraway view from a bridge. It was midday and the colors at the time were nothing like this painting but that bit of composition in the far distance caught my attention and I resolved to do something with it. So what to do? I was vacillating between the idea of an overall soft lake effect or something with strong lighting. A calm lake was very appealing and I began to work with those soft color effects everywhere, more of a monochromatic look but then the yellows happened."
 
It was enjoyable to complete two commissions this month, one being 7' and to push forward with so many other starts in the studio.

Here's a photo of the lovely chaos. Although the oils are sitting in frames temporarily, they are all works in progress.



Coming up:
Announcing two, 3-Day Intensive Advanced Strategies Workshops July 26-28 and October 18-20. Information is posted on the Workshop pages. There are very personalized workshops with a maximum class of 5. I hope you will join us in my Castle Rock (metro Denver) studio for some serious information and fun!  $590 per person. 

As always, I'm looking forward to more paintings and the challenges they offer.
Ken
New Works:


Illuminated Lake
Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches
In the studio
$5700 framed
About this oil


Available Works:


Golds Descending, oil on canvas, 30 x 30 inches
In the studio, $4,400. framed
About this oil


Low Lights, oil on canvas, 40 x 40 inches
$5,950. framed
Exhibiting: Dominique Boisjoli Fine Art, Santa Fe
About this oil



Meadow Greens, 24 x 30 inches
In the studio, $3,650. framed
About this oil

Workshops and Mentoring Sessions:



Take your work to new heights. My Workshops and Mentoring Sessions will focus on strategies for making better paintings, colorist tools, going to new places in your work and making fine art. We will be going deeper into making better and more appealing artworks with a variety of strategies and in some sessions, there will be time for Photoshop insights made easy. all workshop info



Here's a video about what happens in the Group and Private Workshops

Ken Elliott American Landscapes coffee table book:


This large coffee table book reprises over 25 years of my works in oil, pastel, monotype, etching and collage. Large, coffee table hardback version, 11 x 13 inches, 94 color pages with essays. Book and a signed giclee print of the cover image: $160 or just order the book for $129.

eBook versions available for Amazon Kindle Fire®, Apple iOS devices, and macOS computers for $14.99.You can preview the complete book and how to order your electronic or hardback versions from my website.

View my newest artworks
sign up for this newsletter here



Blue and Aqua Veil at the Creek
Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches
$5,700. framed
Exhibiting: Saks Galleries, Denver, CO
About this oil


This monthly newsletter is the best way to stay up to date with my new works and events. You can also follow me on Facebook and go more in depth with my blog. To view the total of my works in all media and in all my galleries, go to www.kenelliott.com. Please pass this onto a friend and they can sign up for this newsletter here.

Thank you,
Ken

Contact Ken
303-995-1611
email
website
Sign up for Ken's blog
Sign up for this newsletter


Image top: (cropped here)
Illuminated Lake
Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches
In the studio
$5700 framed
About this oil
American Art Collector Magazine:
"Elliott's canvases display the strikingly vivid modern hues in which he chooses to render his contemporary landscapes." 

Southwest Art Magazine:
Although his paintings loosely reference photographs and plein-air sketches, they refuse to exist within the confines of already-prescribed images.

Rather, they stand independent of any specific place or time, the fulfilled pursuits of the artist’s visual and intellectual explorations.

Elliott wields color boldly, creating sizzling, vibrant shapes that are at once kinetic and placid, grounded in unifying illumination, and focused compositions.

He has a fascination with line structure as well, believing that “edges empower colors.” 


Private Lessons and studio visits:
I have really enjoyed giving private lessons individually or with groups over the years. It is casual, focused and fun. It is always a pleasure welcoming collectors into my studio, please email me a call to arrange a time.

The workshops are very stimulating and you will see a big result in your approach to making fine art and clarity on your career strategies. Let's discuss what works best for you.


What they are saying:
One of the best artists and teachers I know.
S.


"I had a clue what might be in store for my friends, but it went WAY beyond. You have a real gift. What a FANTASTIC couple of days!!!’
L.

"Thank you so much for the wonderful, thought compelling workshop. You rekindled my love for making art. Your enthusiasm is contagious and felt throughout the room. You set up a stimulating environment that provided continuous visual images and your generosity in sharing those photos was much appreciated. I found you to be humorous, supportive and kind. I would recommend you as an instructor to anyone who would like to take their art to the next level."

I loved the weekend. And I can't wait until we get to soak up your love for the work, for Wolf Kahn, for COLOR -- yet again (note that I'm greedy).You are an amazing addition to our lives."
M.

"Thank you so much for lighting up our lives and our paintings at this past weekend’s workshop! I loved hearing about your time with Wolf Kahn, your thoughts on painting, the beautiful demo, and of course the great feedback you provided us on our own paintings."

"You really reignited my desire to paint freely. Thanks also for your generosity in sharing the numerous links."

"I hope to spend another weekend painting with you sometime soon."
B.H.

"Thank you for the workshop! It was a great two days. You are an amazing host and instructor, (two things that don’t always work together).

"You pulled something from each of us and it was wonderful to be a part of it. Thanks to the moon and back,"
V.

"Thank you Ken. It was a wonderment! I learned so much."
Kathy

"I so enjoyed meeting you and being part of the workshop. You got me on fire!!!!!"
Ed

"Wow! My weekend of private lessons was fabulous! While I was there I stepped into a whole new world that my soul was calling for."

"Wonderful conversations, a beautiful time with great art everywhere and artistic success!"
K.

"Thanks SO VERY MUCH, Ken, for such a fun, informative, and energetic workshop. Your enthusiasm is contagious. What a wonderful weekend!!"
C.

"When I signed up for a painting workshop, who knew that it would be so much more.Thank you Ken. For your kindness, generosity of spirit, and sharing your knowledge and skill of painting with us."

"Love the class, you are a great teacher!"
B.

SHARE THIS EMAIL