August 24 & 25th workshop at my place in Western Massachusetts
(SECOND) workshop details:
Click HERE to book your spot
Saturday is sold out - there are still a few spots left on Sunday. Please scroll down to sign up for the waitlist if you’d like both days.
(The June workshop sold out so we added one more!)
I’m excited to invite you to come paint with me at my home in Western Massachusetts! August 24 and or 25.
It doesn’t matter if you are new to painting or a a seasoned pro - we will have lots of fun painting and drawing together.
On Saturday, August 24, we will focus on flowers, grasses, and foliage and getting friendly with your materials and your Muji and Strathmore sketchbooks. My goal for you is that you will draw and paint most of the day. Really the only time you won’t be drawing or painting is during my demos. I found on my recent trip to Oaxaca with seven other artists that I’d never drawn and painted that much in my life. It made such a difference in how I saw things!
On Sunday, August 25, we will have a wonderful model for a few hours, and even if you’ve never painted people before, have no fear! I will show you the basics for how to draw a person, but then we will focus of simply having fun and capturing the essence of our model and your surroundings. Again, my goal is for you to draw & paint all day long. We will paint and draw the model, then incorporate her into compositions using anything that is inspiring you.
You can sign up for a single day for $425, or choose both days for $750
(Most people for the June workshop signed up for both days!)
Limit of 20 people per day.
We will be using mostly acryla gouache and water color pencils and will explore a variety of techniques. We’ll paint from life, memory and any photos you’d like to bring to incorporate.
introduction to acryla gouache but you can also bring whatever you like to paint and draw with.
how to paint the essense of whatever it is you’re painting.
composition
painting from nature and what you see combined with painting from your imagination
how to choose your color palette
light and shadow
For whoever is interested - a 1 hour watercolor demo from 5-6 pm in Peter’s studio with my husband Peter Kitchell. See information about Peter below.
in case of rain the workshop will take place in Peter’s very large studio.
About Our Place in ashfield, ma
We’ve lived here for 36 years and my husband Peter Kitchell treats it a bit like a park! We have about 45 acres and Peter’s always building new beautiful things on the land. Our Pondhouse was the most wish- listed place on Airbnb in Massachusetts a few years ago. Click HERE to see more photos. We will spend some time drawing in the Pondhouse, and our painting tables will be set up outside on our main lawn under shade, (near the bathroom and water.) Don’t worry- we have a good rain plan! Peter’s large studio will be our back up.
A delicious plant based lunch will be served as well as coffee, tea and snacks.
A list of recommended supplies will be sent following your registration.
Saturday is full but there are still spots left for Sunday. Sign up for the waitlist
*CANCELLATION policy
A lot of planning, expenses and time goes into producing a workshop. Therefore we do not offer credit, refunds or cancellations. However, you’re welcome to transfer your “workshop place” to a friend to come in your place.
In the very unlikely case the workshop is canceled - you will be notified immediately and a full refund will follow.
Both of these New Yorker covers were painted from photos right here on our land! Below are a wide range of paintings showing everything I especially love to paint. People, water and flowers!
Second workshop added!
Saturday, August 24, 2024 - $425
Sunday august 25, 2024 -$425
$750 for both days
10am-5:00pm
once you’ve paid for your spot you will get an email with a supply list and more information.
LOCATION
Ashfield MA 01330
I'll send directions and address the week before.
If you're flying in you need a car. Sorry! We're in the boonies.
Closest airport is BDL in Hartford, CT. 1hr 15 min.
BOS in Boston is about 2.5 hours.
Here's a list of a few places to stay near me.
FYI Greenfield is 30 min away. Shelburne Falls is 15 min away. Northampton is 45 min away.
https://www.nortonhillbnb.com/ is in Ashfield about 10 min. away. This is ideal. They have a 2 night minimum and have rooms open now but get very booked.
https://redrosemotel.com is a 17 min drive. They have a 2 night minimum and have rooms open now but get very booked. (Has a pool)
The Pondhouse
Above are a few photos from past workshops.
A bit about me
Gayle Kabaker is an award-winning illustrator, writer, teacher, and visual storyteller. Her work is feminine, exploring beauty in all forms. She began her career as a freelance fashion illustrator after graduating from the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Gayle had her first New Yorker magazine cover ‘June Brides’ celebrating gay marriage in 2012 and has had a total of nine covers since then. She loves painting portraits, especially of women. She painted 100 portraits for ‘Vital Voices - 100 Women Using Their Power to Empower’ for the book and the companion exhibition at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Gayle had an ongoing column in the Washington Post called Sketching My Way Through Crisis showing how keeping a sketchbook practice can be therapeutic for anyone even if you’re not an artist! She uses her sketchbook to document her life and teaches sketchbook painting workshops all over the world and on Zoom with her co - teacher Jennifer Orkin Lewis.
Along with assignment work, Gayle sells her paintings, prints, and scarves in her online shop ( gkabaker.com) and also takes private commissions.
She has two grown kids and their partners, two grand daughters and lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband, artist Peter Kitchell, and their dog Charlie.
About Peter Kitchell
We are lucky that if there’s enough interest in watercolor, Peter will share his process. Peter was one of the first artists many years ago to produce large abstract watercolor fine art posters. You’ve probably seen his work in a doctors office or hospital. He has a very unique way of using watercolor.
He’s also a nature photographer and combines photography with painting and collage for large installations in corporations and hospitals. He’s a woodworker and maker of many beautiful things, including pretty much everything you see on our land, lamps, tables and other furniture, mobiles and so much more!
