Mary Jane Volkmann Workshop
Still some space available. Help me fill the seats.
$100 for members & $150 non members
Demo Date: September 8th, 2010 at noon following the OAG Meeting
Workshop Dates: September 9th and 10th, 2010
Where: This will be a small individualized group of painters painting on the grounds of the Appleton Museum.
Demonstrator: Mary Jane Volkmann
Medium: Medium of your choice
Price: $100 for OAG Members
Price: $150 for Non-OAG Members
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Mary Jane Volkmann studied art education at university before traveling in 1974 to southern Africa where she remained to live and work for 28 years. Her artistic career has included commissions as varied as art workshops, portraits of an African king, coin designs, seven issues of postage stamps (three of which have won world awards), book illustrations, greeting card designs, murals and paintings for private collectors. A commissioned book, “Glimpses of Namibian Life: A Moment in Time” consisting of 30 of her paintings depicting life in Namibia among the native peoples of the country and authored by her was published in 1997. Active in the community, Mary Jane co-founded an educational and charitable trust in northern Namibia with a regional center for the development and marketing of Namibian arts. She has continued painting and teaching art workshops after relocating with her family to Gainesville, Florida, in 2002. A signature member of Plein Air Florida, she takes part in selected plein air events, and in 2006 was selected as Artist in Residence, Sapelo Island, for the Georgia State Parks. Mary Jane’s paintings have been on display at museums and private galleries overseas and in the USA and can be found in private and corporate collections.
 Asked about her artistic process and the inspiration for her work, Mary Jane Volkmann replied with the following description and statement:
"As I wander with my canvas and paints along a path by the lake, I notice an elderly woman sitting by the water. Transfixed by the scene, I stop to observe. She sits motionless, seemingly lost in some inner world while patiently waiting for a fish to bite. Her ancient eyes gaze from beneath the shocking blue visor of her cap while wisps of curled grey hair escape along the edges of her glowing brown skin. Her noble profile is framed by towering summer clouds joining twisted, moss draped oaks in a dance of reflections on the mirror of water beneath. Around her rusted folding chair dappled colors of light and shadow play in the pine needles and sand. Caught by the enchanting moment I hastily set up my easel and begin stroking paint onto the canvas in front of me, my mind darting between noting and capturing the magically fleeting light and questions of who she is and what stories she could tell of a life so different and yet so similar to my own.
 I've been told I'm a lyrical painter. That statement makes me smile, because whether a painting stems from watching a bird land on a twisted branch or from observing golden grass wave musically on a warm afternoon, I wonder at the metaphors of spirit which seem to reflect themselves in everything I see. As an artist and as a person I am captivated by the diverse sea of faces and lifestyles in our human family and I am humbled by the exquisite beauty of the natural world which supports us and is entrusted to our care. My paintings are my explorations, my questions, my meditations and my contemplations."
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There are a few openings in this workshop. If you are interested, contact .
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