Led by Fred Somers and Kami Mendlik
September 29 - September 30 [9am - 4pm each day]
Host Studio: Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Oberton Education Room
Tuition: $500.00 [maximum 16 participants]
**As of July 21, this workshop has only one remaining space available. When full, a waitlist will be offered.
about the workshop
In this deeply exploratory, yet hands-on plein air workshop, you’ll be mentored by two of Minnesota’s master painters, Fred Somers and Kami Mendlik, as they impart and share their philosophies and approach to studying directly from nature. Using the Minnesota Marine Art Museum’s dramatic outdoor landscape directly on the Upper Mississippi River, day one will be a deep dive into studying color out of doors as Kami shares her approach using oil paints (applicable to all mediums). Kami will lead you through a series of exercises to emphasize the importance of gathering the vital relationships of color in the landscape to capture the illusion of light and atmosphere in a painting. Fred will lead day two, taking the inspiration from out of doors, into the studio, translating the abstract and mysterious onto canvas, and share his unique approach using pastels (applicable to all mediums) to push the edge of creativity to express the mystery of nature.
“It is our hope that these two days will fuel and open your creative mind and soul beyond what you might have imagined possible, to help bring your work to the next level!” says Kami Mendlik.
Upon registering, students will receive a complete supply list to bring with them, a course outline and location details. This workshop is limited to sixteen students, so register early.
Note: please bring the supplies listed from one of the two sections of this list, for either oil painting or pastels, depending on which medium you prefer to work in. It is not necessary to bring both. Workshop content will be applicable to both media.
About the artists
Kami Mendlik
In 2008, Kami Mendlik (@kamimendlik) started and founded the St Croix River School of Painting in Stillwater MN where she teaches the fundamentals of representational painting with a special emphasis on color. In January of 2014 she purchased a 16 acre farm just North of Stillwater, where she converted a 100 year old hip roof barn into her studio and the St Croix River School of Painting's new location. The property is a landscape painters dream with endless inspiration for painting. Kami is the recipient of the Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Fellowship, 2022 Bronze Medal at the Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, 2022 Author of "Color Relativity: Creating An Illusion Of Light With Paint", Founder of The St Croix River School of Painting, Creator of Planal Fruit Distinguished Alumni Recipient - Stillwater Area Highschool, AWA, Signature Member American Woman Artists AIS, Signature Member American Impressionist Society OPM, Member Outdoor Painters of Minnesota OPA, Member Oil Painters of America Member
Fred Somers
Fred Somers is an Eminent Pastellist in the International Association of Pastel Societies. He graduated from University of Omaha, and University of Iowa, earning BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in drawing and painting. After teaching art at Carleton and at St. Olaf colleges in Northfield, he remained to become a full-time studio artist. He is a Masters’ Circle member of the International Association of Pastel Societies, a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and Associate of Oil Painters of America. He has been named American-Swedish Artist of the Year and Great River Greening’s 2007 Landscape Artist of the Year. He has taught pastel, oil and watercolor workshops in the US and in Sweden. His rural Northfield studio / gallery in a “renewed” granary has been featured on tours of historic places. His pastel paintings have been featured in the North Light Books Art Journey America: Landscapes, Art Journey America: Abstract and Pure Color: Best of Pastels and articles about his work have appeared in The Artist’s Magazine, Pastel Journal.
Presented by:
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
AmericInn by Wyndham Winona is a Preferred Hospitality Partner for Plein Air Experience. Mention the Best Available Rate when booking and receive 12% off nightly rates.
