8 Joy Lane
Santa Fe
NM 87508
Mastering the New Mexico Landscape
Painting with Control & Spontaneity
with Mike Mahon
May 4-6, 2022
Sponsored by
Bluebird Studios “The Atelier of the West”
8 Joy Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87508
Beginners through Advanced Artists-Oil, Pastel, Acrylic
Monday-Wednesday 9 AM-4 PM
Cost $435
To register CLICK HERE
or contact Beth Cooper at 720-933-4022 or info@bluebirdstudiosantafe.com
Preliminary Videos
Prior to the workshops, each participant will receive links to introductory videos to Mike’s teaching principles which will be expanded on during the workshop.
Background
Mike has been a professional artist for over 50 years and has been teaching painting workshops for the last 20 years. He has won many awards for his work including many best-of-shows and has taught and exhibited in various museums in Texas and California. His work is recognized for its strong sense of design and dynamic and painterly use of color and value. He is the inventor of the unique pastel handling system, Mike Mahon’s Pastel Porter™.
Samples of his work and testimonials can be viewed on his website at https://www.mmahon.com. Painting demonstrations in pastel and oil can be viewed on his Youtube channel at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/mikemahonfineartist1
For more information and call or email Mike Mahon, 505-795-4639 or email, art@mmahon.com.
Teaching Approach
Mike has had great success using Paint-Alongs to teach his pastel process. The more controlled step-by-step procedure of a paint-along is very encouraging to those who want to master the seemingly contradictory qualities of control and spontaneity. You will learn how to think in Aesthetic Categories which form the foundation of all forms of art.
Workshop Schedule
1st Day
and Paint-Along Procedure
Mike will do a painting demonstration followed by a workshop Paint-Along. In the Paint–Along sessions, Mike will supply students the identical landscape pictures to paint as the one he is using. Mike will demonstrate his step-by-step painting process, stopping at each step to allow students to reproduce what they have just seen him paint. He has found that this is the fastest and most effective way to build confidence while learning his painting method.
Schedule – 2nd & 3rd Days
On the secon
d day, the paint-along from the previous day will be complete. Depending on the progress of the class, another paint-along will be begun or the students will begin painting from their own source photos. Mike will work with each artist regarding choosing their source material and cropping it.
Weather permitting we will do a Plein-Air Paint-Along during the workshop.
At the end of the 3rd day, there will be a comprehensive class critique of all the work produced during the workshop. Many artists consider this one of the most useful sessions of the workshop experience.
A Systematic Painting Process
You will also be introduced to Mike’s “Aesthetic Categories” ©, a 7-step systematic approach to painting based on classical principles of art which are logical, learnable, and memorable. Also known as the Divine SETUP, this systematic process will free you to be more spontaneous, while still in control of your painting. You will learn the necessary steps and the order in which they must be used to accomplish a good painti
In addition to a demonstration painting and paint-alongs, Mike utilizes PowerPoint presentations to help you be more productive. Each student will receive a comprehensive workbook that covers the material presented at the workshop.
Video Instruction & Review
In addition to the above, videos of the demonstration paintings done at the workshop will be made available following the workshop. These videos and the workbook will be your way of reliving and reviewing the learning experience you receive at this workshop for years to come.
Registration Information:
OR Contact Beth Cooper at 720-933-4022 or info@bluebirdstudiosantafe.com
Click here to view Mike’s time-lapse video of a landscape painting demonstration.
This painting video, produced at the Pastel Society of Southern California, in Redondo Beach, CA, has been compressed to only 17 minutes, but it includes Mike’s audio commentary explaining his painting process, along with helpful painting tips. You may view the video whenever and as often as you like.
After seeing the video, click here to subscribe to Mike’s YouTube channel if you would like to see more videos as he produces them.
Your success is Mike’s goal!
“Success is where preparation meets opportunity.”
Pastel painting is a pleasurable experience. However, it has unique challenges that can be overcome by proper preparation!
Testimonials
“…You are one of the hardest working artists I’ve ever known, bar none.
Not only did you spend every minute talking us through the fine points of scaling art to fit a canvas, but you did two paintings of your own AND spent time with each of us, from the oil neophyte to the more advanced oil painters in the group.
All of us were most appreciative of your tact, attention to detail, and desire for us to do the best paintings we were capable of producing in 3 days…
You don’t pull your punches. If a painting has elements that are not well done, you say so, and work with the artist to make improvements. I have been distressed in past workshops or in critique meetings when no real critique was provided, other than the false critique of gushy flattery…
Thank you for your encouragement and your expertise. I greatly admire your painting AND teaching skills.” [capitalization emphasis is not mine]
Martha Wofford, PhD., Dalhart, TX
*****
“Mike, you have a great teaching persona. I think you have given me some great insights in to how my students feel! And I think I’ve learned some good things to pass on to my students!
Deb Wheeler, art teacher, Andrews, TX
*****
“Being a novice, the step-by-step process has given me a solid foundation on which to build any work in any medium that I may choose. I have learned more this week than I have in all the other workshops I have taken this year – combined!”
Joy Russo, Hot Springs, Ark.
****
Mike’s Signature Memberships
As a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, Pastel Society of New Mexico and the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Mike is the perfect instructor to advance your painting skills in producing landscape paintings.
For more than 40 years, Mike Mahon has captured the essence of the Texas, New Mexico and Santa Fe areas through his landscape paintings and portraits.
Is this class ok for a very beginner painter?
Yes, this class is great for a beginner. We will be concentrating on fundamentals of painting from which everyone will benefit according to their level. Whether beginner or intermediate or advanced there will be a lot to learn. I have found that using the paint-along teaching method everyone learns what is appropriate for their experience. Actually, the beginner has the advantage of learning from all the more advanced student as well as the instructor. I give a lot of personal attention so that no one is left behind. I also provide a lot of preliminary instruction materials so that everyone is on the same page and more prepared. I hope you can join us.