Painting the Sierra in Watercolor : with Olga Freedman Talkovsky

Demo & Watercolor Workshop: Wednesday September 23rd, 7:30am-3:30pm 

The majestic Eastern Sierra is inspirational for Olga Freedman Talkovsky. Her workshop will share how she captures a little bit of the ‘soul of the place’, its air, its light, its sun, and the breeze, using watercolor on paper. Olga will demonstrate how to capture dramatic mountain scenery and quaint building structures in her unique style in a morning demo, and then offer hands-on feedback to participants in the afternoon session. Have fun moving to multiple locations to fully experience plein air.

Class Fee: $200 Demo & Workshop

Meet at Mono Arts Council at 7:30am, then caravan to June Lake for morning session; move to Lee Vining Main St or Mono Lake for afternoon session. Final location TBD. Lunch on your own or with your new plein air friends 11:30ish-12:30pm (lunch not included). Locations subject to change pending weather conditions. MAC will update workshop attendees with any changes. 

Suggested Materials List:

-Watercolor paper - pad or block (ideally cold pressed). If you plan to use your workshop pieces for the contest, the paper will need to be stamped; Paper size 12 x 16 or 11 x 15 recommended 

-A firm Board to attach paper with tape if not using watercolor block; bring artist tape.

-Brushes - round watercolor brushes, large, medium and thin. 

-Easel & plein air shade umbrella if sunny, folding stool if you prefer to paint sitting down. 

-Water for mixing and brush clean up

-Palette for paint mixing (palette paper, or it can be substituted by freezer/wax paper). 

-Watercolor paints: any professional level transparent watercolor brand that you like 

Olga uses: Windsor and Newton professional for superior quality; or Rosa Gallery brand for a great quality on a budget; these colors suggested: Ultramarine, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Yellow Ochre, Golden Ochre, Umbra, Sepia, English Red, Emerald Green, Olive Green; your set will likely have yellow, red, black options, too. 

Other Items to bring:

• sketchbook & soft pencils, water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, and clothing to layer.

Note: Olga will be painting a quick demo first in each location, then providing one on one instruction for this workshop so space is limited to 12 participants.

About the Artist: 

Olga has been painting and drawing for as long as she can remember. She grew up in the family of architects in Moscow. When she was 10, she was accepted into Moscow School of Fine Arts, the renowned institution teaching students to draw and paint in academic tradition. She continued her education at the Moscow Architectural Institute, where drawing and painting in watercolor was an essential part of a curriculum.  She worked in an architectural studio and especially liked to make renderings in watercolor. She also painted and created commissioned art, mostly of the cityscapes of historical locations. 

Olga moved to the United States in 1992. She lived in New York City, where she painted a series of the cityscapes popular with tourists and visitors. She operated a tourist mobile store located on World Trade Center Plaza, as well as participated in various art fairs in the city. 

Olga currently lives in San Diego. She paints plein air in that beautiful city all the time.  Her work is recently featured in exhibits by the San Diego Museum of Art Artists’ Guild and the San Diego Courthouse Public Art Exhibition, among others. She also hosts an art club for kids with San Diego Refugees’ Tutoring, which she is very passionate about. 

Olga comes to the Eastern Sierra every year, and is looking forward to sharing the skill of painting its beauty with the workshop participants.