PAINT WITH US: INTUITIVE COLOR THEORY

In a 1951 New Mexico Quarterly interview, Olive Rush explained the importance of emotion in her painting: “I paint when I feel the necessity of transmitting some strong emotion that I experience … Painting should be infectious. The beholder should be moved, after quiet contemplation, by the feeling that the artist himself experienced.” (Gilmore, page 187)

In this class, we will explore a practical approach to developing personal color palettes for artistic expression. Uncover the colors that make your paintings feel like YOU through intuitive painting exercises and experiments with acrylic paint on paper and canvas.We will explore how the properties of paint (transparency, opacity, and different acrylic mediums) impact color and mood.

Through layering techniques and simplifying our application by focusing on warm and cool tones, we will unlock new avenues to bold, colorful paintings. Through hands-on exercises and group discussions, we will begin to gain the confidence to use color with intention, collectively informed by our emotional and memory-based responses to color.TEACHER: Alison Jones Hunt is an abstract artist based in Albuquerque (https://alisonjoneshunt.com).

She is inspired by her grandfather, Karl Benjamin, who was a renowned abstract painter and educator. Before becoming a full time working artist, she studied at Reed College, was a digital editor at Portland Monthly and a Portland Farmers Market Chef in the Market host.

MATERIALS: All essential painting materials will be provided. In addition:

• Bring any acrylic paint colors you love or want to experiment with (student grade or craft paints are fine).
• An apron or clothes you don’t mind getting paint on.
• Sketchbook and pen/pencil for note taking

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Olive Rush Studio and Art Center