This course builds on Basic Watercolor from Life. Students will learn how to build an initial sketch to work from, become more expressive with line and stroke, work with limited color palettes, integrate ink into a watercolor drawing, and work from subjects like still life, a live model, and self portraiture. A suggested supply list will be provided.

You have seen these tall wood signs propped up on people’s front entrances. Now you can make them yourself. These signs are 48” tall and 9.5” wide. You get to choose ahead of time your stencil design with many seasonal and holiday designs to choose from and your projects background paint/stain color. When you arrive to class you get to do all the fun stuff. There will be a lot of paint colors to choose from to make your project your own. The class is instructor-led, so you will have the experience of Gabrielle to guide you along the way. Learn how to avoid those nasty bleeds on your project and stencil with confidence. When you leave, you take home that evening a beautiful project.  Materials fee of $20 (cash please) is payable to the instructor at class.

Porch Sign Stencils - Spring 2025

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Bring your besties and join us for an evening of DIY fun! Each participant will paint a beautiful piece of Maine art. Take home a finished sign of our original Maine Quilt design. Everyone will leave with the finished sign! All materials included.

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There's something very "zen" about natural elements suspended and balancing with precision!  Last year the WRAE team enjoyed a "Chris Toy Experience" when we all created either mobiles or stabiles from driftwood and rocks and wire.  We all get comments and questions about these creations around our space!  Chris has "upped" his game for this year and is adding shells and feathers to the mix.  So the rules of balancing will be a little more fun!  All materials are provided!

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Join Jenn from Candlewood to make a beautiful and fresh spring-scented 12 ounce candle and one gorgeous beaded mini bouquet. Enjoy a night of fun personalizing your candle, choosing your scents and crafting a unique bouquet no one will believe was crafted by YOU! Artificial flowers are handmade using acrylic beads and metal wire. They are perfect for daily use and can be placed indoors and outdoors as a stunning eye-catching centerpiece decoration! 

Join wildlife photographer Jonathan Lavan and cooking instructor Chris Toy for a fantastic weekend of photography and food. The retreat happens on the shores of Merrymeeting Bay in the Butler Head Nature Preserve. Come prepared for some nature walks with your cameras and hands on cooking lessons. A limited number of Air BNB style overnight accommodations with shared bathrooms are available for $100/weekend. Contact Chris Toy at christoy.net@gmail.com FMI.

Painting Flower Portraits in Watercolor

Paint flower portraits realistically. You will paint pictures of flowers in detail, but more painterly than a scientific illustration. We won’t count veins, but we will count petals! Painting flowers is a wonderful exercise in observation.

Learn brush stroke and value

White on white flowers

Leaves, long and short

Iris, narcissus, orchids, tulips, and other spring flowers.

 Materials list;

We will paint on smooth paper; Strathmore Series 500, one hundred percent cotton paper, either plate or vellum. This paper can be bought at Artist and Craftsman in Portland in large sheets, which we will cut up.

Bring a #2 round brush and a #6 round brush, pencil, palette, tube watercolors in the 3 primary colors and perhaps a green. Paper towels and water container. And bring a plant or flower specimen with no more than 9 petals. This is a slow and careful process and 9 petals and some leaves is enough happiness for us all.

Escape to a Grand Victorian Inn, the Harbor View House in Prospect Harbor on the coast of Maine, with an intimate group of artist, cooks and creatives! All meals are included in the workshop fee plus special activities to extend your learning from the day’s workshops, including a private house concert by Grammy balloted singer-songwriter, storyteller, and author Gordon Ward. Day students are welcome.

For more information about the workshop, call Mary at 207-632-2251. To book your stay at the inn call 207-963-9122 or visit https://harborviewhousellc.com/.  

Come join us for an evening of DIY fun creating this popular Mini Maine Original Flag inspired pendant necklace in sterling silver. This is a beginner’s class where you will learn basic wire wrapping skills to bring this beautiful piece to life. Materials included.

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