From his announcement:

Laura Martinez-Bianco and William Noonan team up to teach a week long Italian open-air workshop, June 27-July 4, 2010. Laura a pastelist, and William, an oil painter will offer students their choice of medium(s) as they paint and study under the Tuscan sun. This workshop is part of “Tuscany: A Journey for the Senses” an arts-vacation program organized by Joan Hill. Joan has worked with Eliana Pasquini and Silvano Mamprin of La Palazzina (a well appointed hotel-villa in southern Tuscany) to create this luxurious offering of art, food and Italian culture. La Palazzina is located in the Val D’ Orcia which is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. This historic, picturesque landscape, with its rolling hills, broad expansive valleys and its patchwork fields of sunflowers and olive groves is sure to inspire any artist as it has for centuries. This team of art and hospitality professionals have created an adventure that is complete from every angle.

These two plein air painters will share their experience and expertise with students. Five days of painting instruction will include both morning and and afternoon sessions. Students will have one-on-one, as well as group critiques. Teachers will offer demonstrations that will be specific to approaching the landscape with an open air process. Teachers will themselves work in the field, offering students the chance to work alongside them and observe their techniques. Artists working at any level, from beginner to advanced, will find this challenge both inspiring and inviting. One day will be devoted to an excursion to Florence to explore the bountiful art history that Italy has to offer.

The Palazzina itself is the other half of the equation. Guests of the villa enjoy a swimming pool, extensive gardens, and elegant welcoming rooms. Spending a week in this beautiful Tuscan villa is food for the soul; when it comes to food for the belly Eliana’s world class cuisine is the stuff that Italian memories are made of. La Palazzina, run by Silvano who is a consummate host, will see to all of the guests’ needs. The Program fee of 1,800 Euros is inclusive of seven nights lodging, breakfast, dinner and transportation (local and airport). Fee does not include airfare, excursions, lunches, and meals taken out of the villa. Painting buddies who sign up together can save 100 euros each.

Laura and William live a stone’s throw from each other straddling the Ulster and Orange county borders in Marlboro and Newburgh. Amongst other teaching credentials they have both been ongoing instructors of the Wallkill River School Landscapes on Location for many years.

The Hudson Valley has always been home for Laura and has become her primary inspiration. Working plein air enables Laura to create quickly, capturing the light and color of a specific moment. “She applies pastel with painterly realism ” comments Shawn Dell Joyce, founder of the Wallkill River School. Laura’s work is currently in private collections in the United States and Italy. Her work has been shown at The Katonah Museum of Art , The Museum of the Hudson Highlands , The James Cox Gallery at Woodstock and Varga Gallery. She is in various collections throughout Italy and Canada. She is an active member of the NYPAP Association. Laura has hosted numerous workshops in the Val D’Orcia that focus on plein air painting and she looks forward to the summer of 2010.

“While anchoring my work in realism I strive to find a balance between the abstract expressiveness that paint and canvas allow and the careful rendering of the natural world as we perceive it empirically and emotionally” notes Noonan about his own work. William is originally from Monroe, New York and after a career in publishing at The Village Voice in New York City he has returned to the Hudson Valley. He has a BFA from SUNY Purchase and has since studied at the New York Academy of Art, the Woodstock School of Art, The International School of Art-Umbria Italy, and the Art Students League of New York. He teaches privately and at the Wallkill River School in Montgomery, NY. He works primarily in oils. He exhibits in the New York Metro Area and on Cape Cod. He is in numerous private collections locally and internationally and has several pieces in the corporate collection on Nielsen and Bainbridge.

The cost of the trip is 1800€. Currently (Feb 2010), that translates to about $2,500.

For more information, please see their web site.

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If you really want to spend the summer in Italy, local puppeteers Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles are holding a pupperty workshop in northern Italy 18-27 June 2010.  Held in Morinesio in the Piedmont region, it’s also unique as it is part of the Occitan.  For more information, see their web site.

Geared towards not-for-profit leaders, volunteers and especially development staff, these events are designed to be mid-day lunch breaks to fit into your already busy calendar.

To see their proposed list, check out this PDF.

If you are responsible for fundraising in your organization, or actively a part of the process, you should look into joining the AFP.  There are few resources as valuable then sharing ideas among your peers.

The W.A.L. invites all artists to attend free weekly art sessions to paint, draw and more from your own set-up or photos on Tuesday mornings from 9:30a-12:30p beginning Tuesday, January 5^th, 2010, at the Greenwood Lake Public Library at 79 Waterstone Road, Greenwood Lake, New York.

Also, Warwick Art League is looking for you to become a member.  It’s only $25 a year, and $35 for a family membership.

For info, call W.A.L. member Sylvia Levy at (845) 544-3056 or visit their web site.

The goal of this design oriented class is to establish a whole new set of parameters to use when selecting a frame. Using samples of mat board and frame moulding, what do different combinations say to the viewer; and is that what you really wanted to say? Getting beyond the obvious of just matching and using inherent qualities that truly complement and present your work. What it takes to succeed using ready-mades and doing it yourself. How to develop a relationship with a custom framer. When it makes sense to DIY and when you should call in the professional.

Eric Jarmann, an Orange County native, has background in photography, graphic design, lighting, and carpentry. Since 1997, he has owned a gallery and picture framing shop in Newburgh. The gallery featured local interest and affordable art. A monthly meeting called “2nd Mondays” was a networking opportunity for artists and creative professionals. Now exclusively framing, Eric is studying the traditional methods of gold leaf and French matting.

$15 or free for artist and organization members of the council.

Tues, October 20, 7-9pm

Arts Council office, 23 White Oak Drive, Sugar Loaf

Sunday, 20 September at  1.30 p
Free

Middletown Center
70 West Main St
Middletown, NY

Demystifying the creative process as she frees the imagination, Marie Liu reveals the unconscious steps to making art. Once we understand that creativity follows a universally understood process, we no longer fear beginning artwork. By gently nurturing our natural visual gifts, Ms. Lieu liberates our expressive potential, while demonstrating how to transform the negative beliefs that sabotage artistic efforts. Through a combination of lecture, demonstration, and interactive discussion, Ms. Liu reveals the distinct stages of the creative process. We explore visual language using simple, fun drawing exercises. Understanding the way we approach our work while exploring the tools that allow actualization of ideas brings us to a new level of artistic power.

Fee for the weekend Workshop: $100.00

Location: Huguenot, NY, 3 miles north of Port Jervis

For more information call Alyta: 845-856-6972 or email: alytadevi@me.com

If one strikes your fancy, you can enroll by email, phone 457-2787, or online at www.WallkillRiverSchool.com and pay by debit card or otherwise.

Acrylic Painting Studio with Nancy Reed Jones
Paint beautiful landscapes from photographs and learn the versatility of acrylics by mixing acrylics with slow drying mediums and using oil painting techniques, and thinning acrylics with water and using watercolor techniques. It’s like having the best of both worlds! Jones shares her tips for color mixing and dynamic brush strokes with a bit of soothing Zen music mixed in. For beginners to advanced, teens and adults. Ongoing: Tuesdays 1-3, -or- Thursdays 6:30-8:30 pm. Sept.-Dec. Any 4 classes for $100 (does not have to be consecutive) beginning acrylic set $30

Hand Building with Clay with Gita Nadas
Explore the medium and learn basic techniques for constructing various forms. Wedge, pinch, coil and make slabs to create the object you imagine. Make a press mold, scrape, carve and use tools creatively to give it shape and texture, materials included. Ongoing: Wednesdays 10-noon, Sept.-Dec. Any 4 classes for $100, plus $10 materials fee.

Oil Painting with Gene Bove
Learn oil painting techniques such as mixing your palette from four basic colors, alla prima painting (all at once) and plein air techniques. Work from photos, still life, and outdoors with our most experienced oil instructor. For intermediate and advanced, some oil experience suggested. Thursdays, 10-12:30pm
Session 1: Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24 $100 per session

Watercolor with Steve Blumenthal Day Long Workshop
following the instructor’s demonstration, the students will complete a value study, then draw and paint a composition from your own reference photos, still life, or floral arrangement. Individual instruction, and group feedback. Bring a lunch or order local. Thursdays, 9:30-3:30, Sept. 3 & 24, $60 per day

Pastel Studio with Shawn Dell Joyce
Learn pastel tips and techniques in a fun, encouraging group setting. Start with a specific demonstration; like how to capture transparent cut glass, and then paint your choice of still lifes. Class ends with a group critique with tea and cake! Advanced and intermediate teens and adults welcome. Ongoing: Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm, Sept.-Jan. Any four classes (do not have to be consecutive) $100

Figure in the Landscape with Shawn Dell Joyce
Paint en plein air (outdoors) with any medium, and learn how to incorporate a figure into a plein air painting. Emphasis will be on values, and capturing the pose of the figure quickly and accurately before the light changes. Open to all media and levels of ability, class happens at Benedict Town Park, 2 miles from the gallery. Friday,  9:30-noon , Sept. 4, $30 (or take all 4 monthly plein air workshops for $100)

Impressionism in Oil or Pastel with Dennis Fanton
Learn to paint like Monet, Manet and the French Impressionist from American Impressionist painter Dennis Fanton. Fanton emphasizes brush work, color relationships, strong values and value study, and planning your painting before you begin. Students are encouraged to be creative in looking at and painting your subject. Beginners and advanced, teens & adults. Fridays, 10-noon, Session I: Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25 $100 session

Beginning Acrylic Painting with Nancy Reed Jones
For the Absolute Beginner: Two classes devoted to those who have very little or no experience at all.  Class will cover the basics of using acrylics, how to use brushes, and will go over color mixing.  Relaxation techniques while painting will be discussed.  Anyone who has ever wanted to try their hand at painting, this is the perfect opportunity. Fridays, 6:30-8:30pm,  Sept. 4, 11, $50 acrylic beginner’s set $30

Beginning Drawing with Shawn Dell Joyce
Based on Betty Edward’s “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” program, Joyce teaches the global skill of drawing in 6 basic component skills: sketching, shading, value, perspective, proportion and composition. If you can sign your name legibly, you can learn how to draw realistically! Perfect first art class, or workshop for artists who are “just getting back into it.” Saturdays, 10-noon, Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26,
Oct. 3, 10, -or- Saturdays, 1-3pm Oct. 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14, Dec. 12 & 19, Materials included $125

Luminist Seas with Mike Jaroszko
Advanced techniques in Luminism to create high-impact seascapes with that sensitive atmosphere popularized by Kensett and the Hudson River School. Learn to mix color, see values, and create pleasing compositions that capture natural luminism and dazzle your viewers! Saturdays, 1-3pm,  Session 1: Sept. 5, 12, 19 & 26 $100

Oil for Beginners Workshop with Gene Bove’
Learn the basics of oil painting like mixing all colors on your palette from four basic colors, brushwork, values, priming your canvas, and everything you need to know to bring out the alla prima (all at once) oil painter in you! Wednesday, 10-2:30, Sept. 9, $40   Bring a bagged lunch

Cartooning and Graphic Novels with Gerry Acerno
Did you ever have a story you wanted to tell in pictures? Learn how to lay out a comic book in panels and vary “camera angles” to bring your story to life. Taught by a veteran illustrator for Marvel, DC, Disney and others. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30, Session I: Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30  $100

Elements of Abstraction with Neil Granholm
Learn both non representational and representational expressionist styles, and how to make large-scale abstract paintings. Learn how balance and form plays a part in intelligent art. It is easy to understand abstract contemporary art by the application of the basic elements of all art, form, line, composition, balance and color.  Take chances with color and subject, sometimes you need to throw paint!
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30.  Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30  $150

Functional Pottery Workshop with Judy Sigunick
A two day workshop in clay for the community, ages 13 and older,  using wheel throwing and hand building techniques.  Decorative treatment with glazes and clay slips will be demonstrated. Work will be once fired. Limited to 8,  Sat. & Sun.  9-noon, Sept. 12 & 13, $90 + $10 materials fee

Floral Still Life Workshop with William Noonan
Celebrate the end of summer with flowers. This weekend workshop will give students the chance to work with a fresh floral still life with enough time to complete a large composition. Students may work in any medium they choose. Too often floral paintings don’t get finished before the flowers fade. Well here’s a chance to focus yourself on the task. This class is appropriate for any level. Instruction and critique will be tailored to each students level. Sat. & Sun,  9:30-4:30, Sept. 19 & 20 $130
(one day only $70)

Pet-painting workshop with Carrie Jacobson
Anyone can paint pets! Carrie Jacobson paints pets for fun, for profit and to help the animal community. She will teach you how to go from photograph to portrait, painting one of your own pets, or making a portrait for the Art for Shelter Animals Project. You will make two paintings in this one-day workshop, open to beginners, advanced, teens & adults, oil. Saturday,  10-4pm, Sept. 26,-or- Sat. Nov. 7, $60 (bring a lunch or order out)

At the Black Feather Retreat, experience the pastoral pleasure of clean fresh air, private meadows, woods, streams, springs, ponds, gardens, stone walls, old barns, country roads and the delightful company of others, like yourself, who enjoy art. We have planned a mix of many figure models for each program.

Rain or shine, you will have a wonderful days filled with art. A large tent will provide shade, there will be ample seating at chairs and tables or, if you prefer, you may spread a blanket on the lawn and picnic all day. If it rains we will hold our sessions in the large studio barn, a beautiful 18th century structure. Aside from the scheduled program of models, there will be live music, and amenities such as water, drinks, box picnic lunches, maps, toilet facilities, and a friendly staff to help you enjoy the day.

The BLACK FEATHER RETREAT
ARTISTS’ AND WRITERS’ COLONY
Box 588
Westbrookville, NY 12785

Saturday August 22, 2009
11-5

Ongoing semi-private class in oil painting at any level (beginners welcome) at my studio in Newburgh. Students may drop in and out – no time commitment required. Saturday mornings 9:30-noon. $30 per session (every fifth session is free)

AT THE WALLKILL RIVER SCHOOL (Montgomery, NY)

Shoulders of Giants – Art History an Artist’s Study Group

Studying from master paintings is a time honored tradition of learning. From Raphael to Renoir… these guys have done the heavy lifting – you can learn from their achievements. This class will devote time to looking at masterpieces of Western art history then students will spend time creating studies from them. Learning by not simply copying but extracting from the original an understanding of the elements of color, design and proportion. This class is a fun as it is rewarding and is appropriate for any level artist.

Tuesday evenings 7-9:30
July 28, Aug 4, 11, 18 $132 (summer program is free for teens)

If you have any questions please e-mail me at williambn@yahoo. com or call 845-565-9403. More information on my website

Biography

William Noonan is originally from Monroe, New York. He was born in 1962. After a career in graphics and publishing at The Village Voice in New York City, William returned full-time to his first love: fine art, and to the Hudson Valley, where he now resides in Newburgh, New York. He has a BFA from SUNY Purchase and has since studied at the New York Academy of Art, the Woodstock School of Art, The International School of Art-Umbria Italy, and the Art Students League of New York. He has been deeply involved in the Hudson Valley’s local art scene. He is co-creator of the Newburgh Art Salon – a local network of artists. He teaches at the Wallkill River School of Art and during the week he can be found toiling at the James Cox Gallery at Woodstock. William’s work is figurative and has a broad range that includes plein-air landscape, still life, figures, portraits and animal paintings. Primarily working in oils he also includes watercolor, drawing andprintmaking techniques in his repertoire. His work has been exhibited locally, on Cape Cod, and through various Internet venues. He is in numerous private collections and has several pieces in the corporate collection on Nielsen and Bainbridge who offer his work nationally in print form. An inclination for the figure, a deep love of Italian art and the investigation of his own Italian heritage, through travel and study, inform his work. While drawing on European traditions, his work is clearly part of the continuum ofAmerican Realism, from Homer to Hopper to Hockney.