Art Sampler Class Set for February 11
Jenni Long
Calling all beginning or exploring artists! The SaddleBrooke Fine Arts Guild is pleased to announce another opportunity to take part in its next Art Sampler class on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Topaz Room in the Arts & Crafts Center at MountainView Country Club. The class time includes one hour for lunch on your own.
Art Sampler classes are offered several times a year, and there’s always a waiting list! That’s because it’s so much fun to experiment with a variety of mediums and artistic effects, such as drawing, watercolor, pastel, collage, and alcohol ink. Best of all, you’ll receive personalized help from experienced artists who are standing by every step of the way.
Join us, especially if you think you don’t have any artistic talent. This is a comfortable, relaxed, and fun environment with no pressure to perform. This class is uniquely designed for those who think they can’t become an artist. It’s also a great way for practicing artists to explore other mediums without investing in new supplies. And you’ll take home a variety of completed projects to share with friends and family.
To register and pay for the class, visit the Event Calendar on the Guild’s website at www.saddlebrookefinearts.org. The fee is just $25 per person, which includes all supplies. If you have any questions, contact Karen Brungardt at [email protected].
Deb McGeorge (photo by Tracy Nelson)
Member Spotlight: Deb McGeorge
Tracy Nelson
When Deb McGeorge and her husband moved to SaddleBrooke 24 years ago, Deb had no idea that she would become an artist. She had been an elementary school teacher for 25 years in Pennsylvania, through several moves due to her husband’s work, and she loved it. “It was a lot of work, but very rewarding.” As they neared retirement, they began considering where they would like to live. They visited their daughter in the Tucson area, and they loved the weather and the opportunity to play golf year-round. After thinking it over, they made the decision to buy a lot, and they built a home in SaddleBrooke.
The first 20 years of their retirement, the McGeorges played golf, walked, and participated in many social activities, including Mah Jongg and bridge. They traveled to all seven continents and all 50 states. Each summer they would take six weeks to travel to three different states. Her husband would research the attractions in each state—national parks and museums—and Deb would book the hotels. Every other year they took trips to a new continent, and they filled their home with special mementos from their trips. Deb is grateful that they traveled when they could and that they shared so many amazing experiences.
Then, as they got older and Deb’s husband developed some medical issues, Deb found that she needed something more to fill her time. Her daughter Ann, who moved to SaddleBrooke eight years ago, encouraged her to take some art classes through the SaddleBrooke Fine Arts Guild. She and Ann took the Art Sampler class and participated in the Art & Wine events. But it was the watercolor classes that really inspired her. Now Deb makes watercolor cards for her family and friends. She tries to make cards that match their interests, and she practices her technique at the art table her children gifted her. Three of her four children live in SaddleBrooke, and they have supported her endeavors by providing her paint, gift certificates to art stores, and other supplies.
Deb is a member of the SaddleBrooke Fine Arts Guild, and she encourages others to explore their artistic talents. It’s never too late to become an artist. If you are interested in learning new art skills and meeting others in the art community, please join the SaddleBrooke Fine Arts Guild. The calendar of upcoming classes, information on membership, and descriptions of upcoming events can be found at www.saddleBrookefinearts.org.
Beginning Watercolor, by Karen Brungardt
Spring Art Guild Classes
Tracy Nelson
The new year is a time to pick up a new hobby or improve your existing skills. Set a New Year’s resolution to bring more art into your life with Saddlebrook Fine Art Guild classes! All classes are located in the Topaz Room at the Arts & Crafts Center adjacent to MountainView Country Club. Membership in the SaddleBrooke Fine Arts Guild is only $25 per year and includes many benefits and activities. Guild members also enjoy a discount on class fees.
Visit the Guild’s website at www.saddlebrookefinearts.org for convenient online registration and payment.
Beginning Watercolor, by Karen Brungardt. Thursdays, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, March 20, and March 27 (five sessions), from 1 to 4 p.m. Love watercolors? Want to learn the basics of how to do it yourself? Or do you need to brush up on old skills? In this class, you’ll learn the basics of watercolor painting from the paper up, learning about brushes, pigments, what paper to use, and more, so much more. Each week you’ll learn more about applying the brush in this exciting medium, and you’ll paint real paintings under my guidance.
Norwegian Rosemaling Candle Holder, by Connie Kotke. Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Try this beautiful folk art by blending oil paints and applying them with small brushes to the top of a small wooden candle holder. This year, we’ll try a new style called “Os” (pronounced oose). It features bright colors and fine details in a more geometric pattern than the Telemark style that was taught the last two years. The instructor will walk you through step by step, and you can add a bit of flair on your own.