Mix colors on your palette at Gary Eckhart's painting workshop.

Whether you are new to the art of watercolor painting or have become more experienced in the media, you will not want to miss either of the two watercolor workshops Gary is offering as part of the Vermont Festival of the Arts.

Saturday, August 22, the workshop DYNAMIC COMPOSITION FOR A BETTER WATERCOLOR PAINTING explores the techniques used to create outstanding watercolors through the use of better composition. Exploring the various composition possibilities with small watercolor exercises will lead to the creation of a larger finished watercolor.

Sunday, August 23, the workshop USING DYNAMIC COLOR FOR A MORE EXCITING WATERCOLOR PAINTING explores the impact color has on creating mood, contrast and emphasis in a painting. A series of mini-exercises will lead to the painting of a larger finished watercolor. Some experience with watercolor painting is recommended for this workshop.

The workshops, held here at Moosewalk Studios, start at 9:00 am and finish at 4:00  pm each day. There is a lunch break for socializing (bring a box lunch – beverages are provided). Bring one or two of you own paintings to show and discuss during the lunch hour.

The fee of $80.00 for each workshop includes some special materials to augment your own supply of paints, papers and brushes. The cost for both workshops is $150.00.  You can register through this web-site or by phone 802.583.2224 to receive a complete list of materials. Workshops are limited to six people.

The Vermont Open Studios Weekend brought more than 80 ‘art lovers’ to our gallery this past weekend offering rave reviews for the new paint job and gallery layout. “A stunning, pristine gallery and studio space showing beautiful work”, “we can’t wait to return and bring our friends” were but two of the accolades.

Gary Chats with an Open Studio Visitor

We want to thank those who purchased work and  appreciate the one individual who offered to allow the purchased piece to remain hanging until a later date so as not to disturb the display.

The new sculpture garden displaying the work of Mark Schwabe is a huge hit (especially the steel and copper pieces which can be touched by the children — and adults!). Lisa and Brent Hilliker’s folk art painting adds a wonderful touch of whimsical color to the gallery and always complements the paintings and photography.

The ‘edible art’ of chocolate macaroons from Mary’s Fine Cakes and Pastries (Warren) briefly occupied gallery space — delicious!

Open Studio Weekend is the official opening of the Moosewalk Studios and Gallery for the summer/fall season. During June we are open weekends (except Saturday, June 27). We are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but are open most other days from noon to 5:00. We do suggest you call (802.583.2224) to verify. Involvement in the planning of the Vermont Festival of the Arts may take us away unexpectedly.

I am Piero’s father. Piero visited Vermont twice and you have been the highlight of his visits. I have been thinking that I ought to thank you for your generous encouragement to Piero’s painting. 

Even if Piero, since he was a child, has always been close to pencils, colors, etc., it is only after having been in your studio that he has taken arts as a more “serious” activity. He is really making a great sacrifice to find the many hours a week during which he practices at Paolo Kervisher’s studio. I am very glad to see Piero expressing himself drawing and painting. I believe you have been a great catalyst! 

The occasion to thank you is that Piero has taken home the works he’s worked on during this winter. It is quite different from last year(‘s) pencil drawings. The human figure is still at the center of his interest, but now there is also color. 

— Massimo Ramella, Trieste, Italy

Roarke and Mary Laulis pose shortly after Mary purchased one of Roarke’s photographs at the gallery opening on Friday, April 17. Mary lives in Warren and is an artist herself, working in stained glass and stone tile. She graduated from the Boston Museum School where she majored in glass. Mary is very supportive of the arts in the Mad River Valley and  the Vermont Festival of the Arts and has become quite the art collector.

Roarke Sharlow chats with Mary Laulis about her photographic purchase.

November Snow, Giclee, Gary Eckhart

November Snow giclee hanging in a home in Tahoe, CA

“I wanted to let you know that we have hung NOVEMBER SNOW in a place of prominence in our new home in Tahoe, CA. The colors and the detail in the work and the quality of the frame are all perfect.” — C.R., Tahoe, CA