“Evy in 4th Grade, Valley Forge, PA”, by Evy Okerstrom,
Watercolor, Pen & Ink, $375.
This will be available in the Founders Gallery at the Hub on Canal April 5th.
Happy spring! This blog will be short as I write it before leaving for Colombia.
In March, I entered the Hub’s April exhibit in the Founders Gallery. The theme is “Nostalgic Moments: Echoes of Childhood”. It runs from April 5th to April 27th.
I will continue teaching classes at Trinity Lutheran Church on Mondays 12:30-3:30 PM through April. We’re using the Annette Compton book to learn about mixing colors and creating mood.
(Evy Rocks at NSB).
“Pencil Drawing with layered watercolor washes, and acrylic ink, to create textures on rocks.”
Urban Sketching classes at the Hub ended March 12th. We focused on the textures of glass, metal and rock with watercolor, pen & ink. Check out students work on my Instagram page @evyokerstrom. I will continue with classes at the Hub in September.
(Evy drawing metal Japanese lanterns) ” An example of pen & Ink drawing then painted with metallic watercolor wash”.
The Artists’ Workshop classes will be ending Thursday April 17th. If you are still interested in classes, consider joining me at the Hub or Trinity Lutheran.
Thank you for reading. Wishing each of you a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover!
The post Welcome to Art News from Evy Okerstrom April 2025 appeared first on Evy Okerstrom.
]]>
“Good Memories”, is a mixed media (acrylic and collage) painting by Evy Okerstrom. $400. The painting is available and will be at the Artists’ Workshop until March 9th.
On Sunday, February 2nd-Ground Hog Day- The groundhog saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. We’ve had cool nights, but daytime temperatures have reached 80 degrees. Spring is definitely on its way.
Colors: “studies in color combinations”
I have entered the annual Members’ Show at the Artists Workshop, 540 Barracuda Blvd, NSB, FL 32169. My painting, “Good Thoughts”, will be on display in the Studio Gallery from March 3-8. Awards will be announced at a reception on March 9.
Flowers quick draw and paint
My Bird
Textures transparency
My Urban sketching classes at The Hub continue on Wednesdays from 1 to 4 PM. In February we explored outdoor sketching and a special tracing technique for drawing birds. I have a videos of the class on Instagram.
At the Artists’ Workshop, my Thursday class (1-3:30 PM) has been well attended. We are using Annette Compton’s book, “drawing from the mind, painting from the heart”
A new Monday class at Trinity Lutheran Church (12:30-3:30 PM) offers a continuation for those who can’t meet on Thursdays.
Finally, I will be in Medellin, Colombia, the last two weeks of March. Classes will resume when I return.
The post Welcome to Art News from Evy Okerstrom March 2025 appeared first on Evy Okerstrom.
]]>
Winter Night”, Evy Okerstrom,
Watercolor, 18 1/2″ x 13 1/2″ is Framed, $375
January is the coldest month in Florida, so it was a great time to be in a classroom. Here is what I’ve been up to
On Wednesdays, I teach Urban Sketching at the Hub on Canal from 1 to 4 pm. Each session starts with a short lesson. Then, we sketch outside for an hour, exploring places like Jan’s Art Center and Canal Street. We come back to review and finish our work.
.
Urban Sketching Class at Jane’s Art Center
Urban Sketching Class at Jane’s Art Center
On Thursdays, I teach Sketching with Watercolor, Pen and Ink at the Artist’s Workshop from 1 to 4 pm. We follow Annette Compton’s book to develop artistic styles. We focus on drawing, values and watercolor. I also share art by artists who inspire us.
“Quick Sketch”: a watercolor, pen and ink sketch of a woman with red birds.
“Quick Sketch”: a pencil and pen sketch of a woman at the Subaru Dealership, done while waiting for my car
On Saturday, February 1, I’ll help with the Chamber Showcase on Canal Street. The theme is”Another Day in Paradise”. Trinity Lutheran Church, where I ‘m a member, will show what we can do for our Community. Hours: 9 am to 3 pm.
Finally, I entered “Winter Night” into the Florida Women’s Art Association exhibit at Art Spotlight Gallery, 67 Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, 32174. It runs February 1-23.
Stop by my wall at the Hub to see new art and Valentine’s Day cards.
Thank you for reading!
The post Welcome to Art News from Evy Okerstrom February 2025 appeared first on Evy Okerstrom.
]]>
Me with Santa taken at the Hub’s Festival of the Arts on December 1, 2024
If December was a month of preparation, January is all about action and opportunity!
I’m excited to announce two new classes starting this month. At the Hub on Canal, I’ll be teaching Urban Sketching with Watercolor, Pen and Ink on Wednesdays from 1 to 4 pm. At the Artist’s Workshop, I’ll teach Sketching with Watercolor, Pen and Ink on Thursdays from 1 to 4 pm. Both classes will focus on drawing techniques with pen and integrating them beautifully with watercolor.
“Watercolor, Pen and Ink Sketch of a house with a lush garden and people walking with their dogs”
December was a wonderful month. The Hub’s Joy to the Arts Festival was a huge success, and it was amazing to connect with so many art enthusiasts. I sent my thanks to everyone through Instagram.
Framed 5×5 watercolor, pen and ink picture, “Still Life with Flowers”. An original, it is available at the Hub for $25.
I also took a one-day watercolor workshop at the Hub, and continued learning through Zoom classes with Susmita Bando, an instructor at the Worcester Art Museum.
Watercolor, Pen and Ink Sketches done from my photographs taken at the New Smyrna Beach. I was particularly interested in the rocks, skies and the figures were secondary.
Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to participate in the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo in February. Stay tuned for more details in next month’s update!
Let’s make January a creative and productive start to the year!
The post Welcome to Art News from Evy Okerstrom January 2025 appeared first on Evy Okerstrom.
]]>
“Winter Landscape with Moon,
pen and ink with watercolor in blue and orange.”
In November, the fall urban sketching classes ended. Urban sketching with watercolor, pen and ink will start again at the Hub on Wednesdays from January 8th, 1 to 4 pm.
Table with objects to make a composition.
Photograph from November 13, 2024 class.
In the last class, we talked about what makes a great composition. We began with Phil Dean’s basic principles. Then we explored how to arrange and position element to catch the viewer’s eye.
Small pen and ink with watercolor thumbnail sketches I did to show the class composition ideas
“Joy to the Arts,” a holiday festival at the Hub and Jane’s Art Center, runs from Friday, November 29th, through December 1st. I will be there each day. I will have holiday cards, 2025 Calendars, and small framed original watercolor, pen and ink pictures. These items are all under $25.
If you can’t make the festival, my work will be available at the Hub all month.
Thank you for reading my art news! Happy Holidays to everyone!
The post Welcome to Art News from Evy Okerstrom December 2024 appeared first on Evy Okerstrom.
]]>
pencil sketch with watercolor
Classes at the Hub were cancelled that week, but resumed on October 16th. We focused on drawing people in our cityscapes, using just a few lines to suggest them. Sketching everyday objects like dishes and glasses also inspired us with new drawing ideas. Classes continue through November.
Watercolor, Pen & Ink
The post Welcome to Art News from Evy Okerstrom November 2024 appeared first on Evy Okerstrom.
]]>
Drawing in my Sketchbook on the site of the Chateau Villarlong, Carcassonne, France. The castle dates back to 1100 -1200. I have included a picture of the Chateau, taken while sitting in front of it. A very lovely and peaceful place to stay.
Welcome to Urban Sketching! My classes at the Hub started on September 18th and will continue 1 to 4 pm Wednesdays through November 13th. I’m teaching the basics of urban sketching: perspective, measuring, composition, and lines. Soon, we’ll add watercolor to bring our sketches to life!
Image of the Hub on Canal used for a short video on Instagram for my classes
In early September, I traveled to Italy, France and Spain with my family. While I didn’t have much time to sketch, I took plenty of photos. These will now serve as references for my students.
Girona, Italy Red Bridge
Girona, Italy: sunset
Girona, Italy figures in my tour group in the old part of the city of Girona
A quick note about my 2025 Calendar mentioned in last month’s blog: several of you have already placed orders. There is still time to order or pick up at the Hub. Thank you so much for your support… It means a lot.
Thank you for reading! I am adding some photos from the Hub class, reference pictures from my trip, and a sketch done on location in France.
The post Welcome to Art News from Evy Okerstrom October 2024 appeared first on Evy Okerstrom.
]]>
I’m excited to announce that my 2025 Calendars are here. You can find them on my website and at the Hub on Canal. This 13 month calendar has large spaces for writing and features one of my paintings each month. The artwork is unique and can even be framed. I only printed 50 copies. The price is $21 plus tax, with an additional $5 for mail orders.
In other news, I’ll be teaching Urban Sketching at the Hub on Wednesdays from September 18th to November 13th. Please note the date change—I originally mentioned Thursdays. The class will still use Phil Dean’s “Urban Watercolor”. I have copies available for $16. No prior experience is needed. If you’re interested, email me at eokerstrom22@gmail.com.
The watercolor classes at Trinity have ended for now due to the schedule change at the Hub. I’ll update you next month. We focused on watercolor techniques, which were great warm-ups before larger projects.
Thank you for reading! I hope you’ll consider joining the Urban Sketching class. There’s lots to draw at the Hub.
Example of using watercolor techniques
Example of using watercolor techniques
The post Welcome to Art News from Evy Okerstrom September 2024 appeared first on Evy Okerstrom.
]]>
“The Temeles Garden”, by Evy Okerstrom,
Watercolor with pen and ink. 9″x12″ unframed.
In July, the Hub on Canal invited me to be a featured artist on their Instagram page (@TheHubonCanal). This new program highlights one Hub Artist and their work each week. It was exciting to be the first one!
“French Village”, Urban Sketching exercise:
Pen & Ink with Watercolor wash.
From “Urban Watercolor”, Phil Dean talks about his book. “For me personally, the very idea of urban drawing was the direct opposite of watercolor. I had no conception of how watercolor could represent faithfully the subject matter I loved so much. I could not have been more wrong. I found that these techniques really worked for me as an urban artist. I set out to create a book aimed at people who want to explore the medium of watercolor without being encumbered with technical baggage or an art education”
“Foxglove” botanical exercise
“Daisies” botanical exercise
“Lobster Boat in Fog”
This will on the cover of my new 2025 Calendar
Thank you for reading this. Stay cool! It’s going to be a warm month.
The post Evy Okerstrom Blog for August 2024 appeared first on Evy Okerstrom.
]]>
“Grapevines and Birds”, 9″ x 12″ watercolor
by Evy Okerstrom
“The scene was painted when I visited my Aunt Lennie Richardson last month. The grapevine attracted so many birds, it was fun to watch as well as paint.”
In June, our Wednesday Sketching with Watercolor, Pen & Ink class continued to study basic techniques. We used Sarah Simon’s watercolor workbook. One Lesson included exercises on controlling where your paint goes. Called boundaries, there are 3, we tried out. Defined, Loose and undefined. Most of us tend to paint realistically so we favored the defined style. However, it was good to try some of the other styles, and discover painting out of the box is a new adventure. The Wednesday classes at Trinity Lutheran Church are from 1 to 4 pm.
Painting Example:
Defined Boundary
Painting Example:
Loose Boundary
Painting Example:
Undefined Boundary
I took a week off to visit family in Bedford, VA. Bedford has a lively art scene, especially at the Bower Center for the Arts. The Arts Center was originally a church from 1874. It opened in 2006 and now has artist studios, a gallery and classrooms. (https://www.bowercenter.org) Next door, the Bedford Library features a beautiful garden for children.
I have new cards available, and I am working on my 2025 Calendar, which should be ready by September. I will keep you updated next month. I will be teaching on Thursdays at the Hub starting September 19th until November 14th, 2024. Classes will be 1 to 4 pm. The theme will be Urban Sketching. I will have more on what book and supplies will be needed next month.
Thank you for reading, and Happy 4th of July!
“French Village” and “Potted Plant”
“Boat at Night”
Pablo Picasso. It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind.
The post July 2024 Art News from Evy Okerstrom appeared first on Evy Okerstrom.
]]>