Spring
let's make art
Greetings,
Lettie Jane here this week.
Spring is upon us, complete with drastic weather changes, cherry blossoms and school’s spring breaks. It feels like every plant is racing to unfurl its leaves. I feel a similar sense of urgency in my own life, like I need to do the thing right now.
Sometimes there is an advantage to doing the thing the right now: finishing the painting because you have a show, it’s the last day of class, or your time is up. This is the value of having a deadline, things happen, flowers open. The sunshine is nature’s deadline and all the dandelions are turning their heads skyward on a sunny day.
However, the dandelions do not interrupt their blossoming to do the hundred other tasks that are asked of adult Americans these days. They don’t need to stay on top of their emails. Plants are responding to the change in season, but I am responding to the notifications on my smart phone. In my body’s desire to respond to spring can I slow enough to notice the light change?
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to create a new body of artwork for a show at Albina Press. Without a deadline I will stay in the liminal space of experimentation and exploration. Exploring and finishing a piece are two integral phases of the process. If I didn’t make a stack of drawings playing with materials and shapes I wouldn’t know how to finish a dozen paintings. If I didn’t have to finish my paintings for the art show, I’d probably keep doodling.
Consider as you read this…. the classes we offer here at Ulna can all be used as structured deadlines for creative work. Class time can also be time to respond to Spring and simply stare out the window at the changing light. Remember a time for introspection can simultaneously be a time to practice, play, and for experimentation! Since Spring is here, let’s make art!
Thank you all for reading,
Lettie JaneOPEN STUDIO
Open studio continues in our new space during the same times: Mondays 1 pm-4:30 pm & Wednesdays from 5 pm – 8:30 pm Sign up and read more here Ulna Open Studio Info Students currently enrolled in a class may attend Open Studio for free. Email Drew with questions: drewdinesart@gmail.com
APRIL / MAY 2024 CLASSES
Big landscapes (2-day workshop Monday’s in April)
Instructor: Cole Lyons
Dates: April 15th & April 22nd
Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Cyanotype by Rachel Mulder Cyanotype Extravaganza! Sunday May 19th
Instructor: Rachel Mulder
Dates: Sunday, May 19th
Times: 11:00am – 3:30pm
*Masks (KN95 or K95) are required and provided for this class!Intro to Drawing (Monday PM) May/June
Instructor: Cole Lyons
Dates: May 6th - June 10th
Time: 5:30pm-8:00pm
Friday Night Figure Drawing (April 19)
Instructor: Lettie Jane Rennekamp
Date: Friday, April 19th
Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Painting by Jolyn Fry Intro to Painting (Sunday AM) April/May
Instructor: Jolyn Fry
Dates: April 7th- May 12th
Times: Sundays, 10:30am – 12:30pmIntro to Painting (Tuesday PM) May/June
Instructor: Cole Lyons
Dates: May 7th- June 11th
Times: Sundays, 5:30pm – 8:30pmIntro to Landscape Painting (Thursday PM) May/June
Instructor: Cole Lyons
Dates: May 9th- June 13th
Times: Thursdays, 5:30pm – 8:30pmPainting with Gesture (Sunday) June 9th
Instructor: Jolyn Fry
Dates: June 9th- one day workshop!
Times: Sunday, 10:30am – 2:00pmPaint Palette Mixing (Sunday) June 16th
Instructor: Jolyn Fry
Dates: June 16th
Times: Sunday, 10:30am - 3:00pmMonotype-printmaking (Sunday) June 23rd
Instructor: Jolyn Fry
Dates: June 23rd
Times: Sunday, 10:30am - 3:00pm
STUDIO WARMING PARTY
Mark your calendar, we are planning a get-together to warm and welcome our new studio. This will be a drawing party, you can bring drawing supplies, snacks and friends.
Friday, May 3rd 5-7pm
Jolyn here: I'm making a little edit to say! Don’t miss Lettie’s show. It’ll be up at Albina press through April and May!
Cole, Lettie Jane, and Jolyn here to say THANK YOU for being part of our community.
