Unison Arts and Crafts Fair

                                                "Mohonk Preserve Pavilion"

Just a reminder this coming weekend Sat. and Sun. Dec. 3 and 4th from 10am-5pm is the Unison Arts and Crafts Fair at the New Paltz Middle School.  The school is located on the corner of Main Street and Manheim Blvd. in New Paltz, NY.

I will have a booth with my watercolor paintings, prints and new paintings on Hudson River Driftwood.  See brand new paintings of the glorious Hudson Valley landscape (like the image above) and great sale prices on older watercolors.  Come out and visit, do your holiday shopping and support local artists and craftspeople.  This is a juried exhibit with a nice community feeling.

Woodstock Arts Fair

Hello Folks, 
Come on out and visit me at the Woodstock Arts Fair on Sunday, Nov. 27th from 10am-4pm at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation, 1682 Glasco Tunpike, Woodstock, NY.  I will have a booth selling paintings, prints and my new driftwood art. 

Clove Brook Farm Plein Air Painting

                                            Clove Brook Farm, Salisbury Mills, NY
Here is a new watercolor I created as a demo painting for the Wallkill River School Plein Air painters last weekend.  Come take a watercolor class or workshop.  Next one is this Sat. Oct. 1rst at the Wallkill River School from 9-3 Call 845-457-2787 to register.  Next class starts on Oct. 15th and goes for six consecutive Saturdays at the Town of Esopus library in Port Ewen, NY.  Call 845-338-5580 to register. 

Minnewaska Tree Painting

                                              "Minnewaska Tree", Watercolor

This is the completed painting that I had started as a demonstration painting at my August 27th Landscape Watercolor Workshop at the Wallkill River School of Art.  The rocks have a combination of dry brush technique and very light washes that help define the surface texture as well as the contours of the rocks. For those who were there, note that additional washes have been added to the mountains in the background as well as the lake water and the foreground foliage.

The next Landscape Watercolor Workshop at the Wallkill School of Art will be on Sept. 17th from 9am-3pm. Hope to see some of you there and please help spread the word.  The final one in the Fall series will be on Oct. 1rst.  Watercolor class at the Town of Esopus Library starts on Oct. 15th and goes for 6 consecutive Saturdays from 1-3:30pm.  More info at http://www.mirafink.com events page. 

New Workshops and Classes

Upcoming Workshops and Classes - Come out and make Art!!

In Montgomery, NY at the Wallkill River School of Art
1 Day Landscape Watercolor Workshops Saturdays 9am-3pm  Aug. 27th, Sept. 17th and Oct. 1. Each session is $75. Call (845) 457-2787 to Register.   See description at http://www.mirafink.com on my events page or at http://www.wallkillriverschool.com

In Kingston, NY at the Art Society of Kingston
6 Week Class Art Play for Adults Tuesdays 10am-12pm Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11,18, 26 & Nov. 1
Full Description Below.  $150. (includes all materials). Register by calling (845) 338-0331


In Rosendale, NY at the Canal Town Alley

6 Week Class Art Play for Adults Tuesdays nights 6-8pm Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11,18, 26 & Nov. 1
Full Description Below.  $150. (includes all materials). Register by calling (845) 338-6503

Art Play for Adults 

Why should kids be the only ones allowed to play? Come out and make art in a fun and supportive, "no stress to achieve" environment. Try out different materials (all provided for you) and take part in mixed media projects that help you explore your creativity and get in touch with your sense of play. No previous experience with art is needed.

The instructor, Mira Fink is a certified and seasoned art teacher. She was inspired to facilitate Art Play for Adults to simulate all the fun the children were having making mixed media projects with her at Mill Street Loft's Dutchess Arts Camp over the last 5 years. Mira has also taught painting workshops and classes for adults at SUNY Ulster, The Esopus Library and at The Wallkill River School of Art. See more at: http://www.mirafink.com

                                      
 

"Things that Fly" Batiks by Dutchess Arts Camp Kids

I just completed 5 weeks of teaching art to children at Dutchess Arts Camps.  I thought some folks might appreciate seeing some of the children's art.  Here are some samples from last week's project - "Things that Fly" Batiks.  These batiks were made from all non-toxic materials, glue instead of wax and acrylic paint instead of dye on cloth to go with the week's theme which was "Up, Up and Away".

The next thing on my agenda is a series of Watercolor Landscape Workshops for adults at the Wallkill River School in Montgomery, NY.  The first one is coming up on Saturday, August 20th from 9am-3pm.  Come out and paint!  See details at my website http://www.mirafink.com under the events page or at the Wallkill River School's site www.WallkillRiverSchool.com

White Chicken 14"x18" Watercolor Painting

A new painting featuring a friend from Veritas Farms in New Paltz, N.Y.

I made ample use of dry brush watercolor technique in this painting, particularly on the wood.  Dry Brush involves drying off the brush while wet with paint to limit the amount of water in it and then lightly rubbing the textured watercolor paper with a stiff brush.  The paint then settles on the high points of the paper.

I recently gave Paul from Veritas Farm a gift print of a painting of his farm.  He insisted on paying for it in eggs.  Veritas Farms has a great vegetable buying club with beautiful fresh organic veges as well as wonderful eggs of many colors. 

Coleus Party Painting

A recent visit to the Northern Duchess Botanical Gardens, in Rhinebeck, N.Y. revealed to me tremendous varieties of the Coleus plant. I learned that some prefer shade and stay relatively small, while others like the one in the foreground of this painting (with the three large leaves) are sun lovers and can grow quite large. I was equally awed by the pink leaved Coleus (in the background), as it was the first time I had ever seen this variety. My first house plant was a Coleus brought home from school as a tiny cutting in a Styrofoam cup, so the plant occupies a special place in my heart.

The painting reflects the almost overwhelming sense of color and shapes vying for my attention. In the end, I brought home a few of each. This is probably the reddest painting I have ever done. It is also quite large, will be 18"x24" when framed. It is a good candidate for my submission to the North East Watercolor Association International Show this summer.

Northern Duchess Botanical Gardens http://www.ndbgonline.com

North East Watercolor Association http://www.northeastws.com

Coffey Road Painting

Here is a new oil painting of Coffey Road in New Paltz, N.Y. I like the light in this painting and the dark shadows on the trees.  It is 9"x12".  I will be posting some newer watercolors soon. 

Welcome to my Blog!

I have created this Blog to share with the world some of my new works of art along with some of my thoughts inspired by painting.  I will also be using this space to post tips on painting and other creative ramblings.  

Upcoming events such as exhibitions, classes, workshops and more will be posted here.  This type of information along with a portfolio of paintings can also be viewed on my website at http://www.mirafink.com

So enjoy the blog and feel free to comment on what you see.

Mira