Summer Enrichment at Leelanau 2008 …
             …Painting the Bear with Sharon Griffes Tarr

In 2008 artists have the option of selecting either one or two weeks of painting instruction with award winning artist Sharon Griffes Tarr, a Master Painter of the Great Lakes Plein Air Painters Association who works in oils, pastel and sketches in watercolor. Participants electing to study one week may, at their convenience, choose either week. All mediums are welcome including black and white or color mediums. Demonstrations will be in oil or pastel so as to accomodate versatility in approaching, where necessary, all mediums including drawing and watercolor.

"Painting the Bear with Sharon Griffes Tarr" is an en plein air experience that cannot be equaled. As an instructor, Ms. Tarr has over thirty years teaching experience including 15 summers as a guest instructor for the Leelanau School. She has intimate knowledge of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and the Leelanau peninsula. This along with her extensive artistic expertise, go hand in hand with providing a high quality intensive learning experience that is rich in content and aesthetics. Ms. Tarr's paintings may be viewed on her website at www.SGTfineart.com.

Tarr’s work is in numerous private and corporate collections across the United States and abroad, including the State of Michigan’s permanent collection.  She is the only two-time winner of the Michigan Wildflower Art Competition.  Tarr studied under renowned American artist Leland Beaman before completing her studies at the American Academy of Art in Chicago.  She is a full-time professional artist/instructor whose studio is based in Lansing, Michigan.  Tarr’s landscape and figure paintings are infused with light filled passages providing a sense of immediacy in her work.

Tarr has taught for over 30 years and introduced hundreds of artists to the joys of plein air painting. She believes firmly, there is no better teacher than Mother Nature. Keen observation and knowledge of subject matter are highly important factors in any artist's creative growth. Working on location, Tarr’s favorite subjects include watery marshes, sandy shores, large skies, and the more subtle color variations of spring and early fall.  Working in the out-of-doors, she sketches with watercolors when traveling light and uses oils and/or pastels when lengthy travel on foot is not an issue.

Painting the ‘Bear'
Week One (beginning - advanced)
July 13-18, 2008

Schedule:

July 13th: 4PM registration, 5PM lunch and orientation, 7-9:00 PM studio session

July 14 - 18 (noon): en plein air workshop, 9AM-4:30PM daily

The group curriculum for each week of the one week classes will focus on the principles of landscape painting including: Observation, atmospheric perspective, mixing a variety of greens, keying land colors to the sky, moving water and more. Please note, Participants should have a working knowledge of how to draw or paint with their preferred medium. Each day participants will explore with their paints a different habitat unique to the Sleeping Bear National Parks. Morning demonstrations and/or lectures on site will encompass components unique to the site and existing weather. At midmorning, participants will begin individual painting with instructor assistance. Each day will end in late afternoon with a short gathering, discussion and critique for the body of work created by participants.

Daily en plein air painting trips are carefully designed to meet artistic needs and to accommodate painters who are unable to hike on foot.  Nevertheless, some limited walking is necessary to and from sites on uneven and sometimes hilly ground.

A special Sunday evening get together will cover studio/and plein air painting recommendations based on the instructor’s use of materials/equipment and a discussion of the week’s itinerary.

Painting the ‘Bear’
Week Two July 20-25, 2008 (intermediate-advanced)

Schedule:

July 20: 4PM registration, 5PM lunch and orientation, 7-8:30PM studio session

July 21-25 (noon): en plein air workshop, 9AM-4:30PM daily.

Participants electing a two week learning experience will meet with the instructor one evening near the end of week one to evaluate their skill level and consider concerns unique to their personal developement. The instructor will provide week two participants with special assignments, based on individual need, that will assist their technical and artistic growth. Participants are invited to bring paintings from home for a private evaluation/critique with the instructor. Instructor/student interaction with this group will be more individualized during this week vs the more general motif of week one. Participants may elect to work independantly in the studio on large works vs. plein air during week two with scheduled late afternoon studio meetings with the instructor.

En plein air daily site selections are designed to meet uncompromised artistic needs.  An attempt will be made to accommodate painters who may be unable to hike long distances on foot.  However, some walking is nevertheless necessary and often on uneven hilly ground.

Accommodations
Participants are encouraged to stay in our dormitories on campus.  Pinebrook dormitory has carpeted rooms and communal bathrooms.  In Kindel dormitory, each room shares a bathroom with an adjoining room.  Bedding and linens are furnished. Please note dorm rooms are not air conditioned and no maid service is provided.

We can also provide a list of local hospitality venues should you wish to reside off-campus and commute. Please contact jgreenwood@leelanau.org.

Meals
Meals are served cafeteria style, three times a day. Box lunches are provided for all en plein air sessions.

Campus Policy
The use of tobacco and alcohol is not allowed on campus. No pets.

Deposit
A $100 deposit must accompany your registration.
Balance will be due upon arrival.

Registration
To register, complete and return the registration form or call (231) 334-5804 to register by phone using your MasterCard or Visa.  Please use a separate form for each participant. The registration form may be duplicated.  Registration forms are accepted in order they are received.

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Refund Policy
A full refund, less a $25 cancellation fee per deposit, will be made if the reservation is cancelled more than 15 days (June 28, 2008) prior to the program. If the reservation is cancelled within 15 days or less, the entire $100 deposit is forfeited. If it is necessary for us to cancel, we will give registrants a two week notice and all deposits and fees will be refunded.

Confirmation
A confirmation notice and any further details will be sent upon receipt of the registration form and deposit.