I’ll be joining my art friends at Crowded Table Orchards for our annual Apples and Art fun! I’ll have small affordable originals along with my notecards. Some new designs this year!

Here’s a Facebook event page.

Here’s an interactive map with all of the stops you’ll want to make.

Need a day to play and let go of those February blues? Join local artists Jessica Kovan and Lauren Everett Finn in this fun, collaborative, fast-paced day of art play and camaraderie especially designed to beat the February blues! Beyond the comedic routine of these two friends, you’ll also enjoy hands-on mixed media experiences, cookie eating (chocolate promised!), and simply a day of artful fun— all designed to beat those February blues. If you joined us last year, we have new projects up our paint-covered sleeves this year, so don’t hesitate to sign up! All supplies included.

You can find out more HERE

How can creativity help one navigate the experience of caregiving for other humans? The Glen Arbor Arts Center's HeARTful Care: Nurturing the Caregiver's Soul Through Art is the second in a series of Creative Wellness retreats focused on increasing wellness through art practice.

This full-day retreat provides a supportive, creative space for adults to examine and process their caregiving experience for other humans. This retreat is not about caring for a patient or loved one. Instead, it provides creative coping skills for the caregiver to care for themselves while caring for someone. It gives you communication and self-care tips to focus on your needs while helping your loved one. It includes facilitation by a licensed therapist and three workshops led by professional teaching artists. Workshops include playful, creative explorations, learning to create and keep a visual journal, and vibrational sound immersion.

Click HERE for more information.

Higher Art Gallery’s Annual Community Fundraiser

An evening of art, community, libations and hors d’oeuvres! $20 donation at the door, 100% going to Safe Harbor.

Art sales will also benefit Safe Harbor.

Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse - provides the physical and spiritual welfare of people experiencing homelessness by providing emergency shelter, food and hope.

Matthew Cochran, instructor of guitar at Interlochen Arts Academy, joins Manitou Winds for a program of chamber music, spoken word, & visual art. Local artist Lauren Everett Finn will curate & host a special solo exhibit.

Come spend the day learning how to paint with the most versatile of mediums. All supplies are included! The first part of class is devoted to experimenting with different thicknesses of paint moving from brushing on very watery applications to thick impasto strokes with a palette knife. You’ll have a hands-on lesson, experimenting and playing with many techniques on different surfaces with different types of paint and mediums. The last part of class is devoted to completing a small painting using some of the things you learned. I’ll bring all the supplies… you just dress in your paint clothes; bring your lunch and your can-do attitudes! We’re going to have a lot of fun!

Here’s a link to more information!

Sometimes the things we want to frame are not a standard size. In this class I’ll show you how to order custom framing online. We’ll talk about how to frame works on paper, canvas and wood panels. We will cover the measuring and ordering process and how to assemble the frames and correctly mount the artwork. We will use both metal and wood frames, discussing the advantages of each. I’ll also show an inexpensive yet tidy way to finish the edge of large canvases. You are welcome to bring something you need to frame and we can figure out exactly what you’ll need to order.

Here’s a link to more information.

Come to Glen Arbor Art Center to see a variety of artists at work. There will be music too!

Link to more information including the list of artists. It’s a fun group if I do say so myself.

Rain date is September 12.

Come spend the day learning how to paint with the most versatile of mediums. The first part of class is devoted to experimenting with different thicknesses of paint, moving from brushing on very watery applications to thick impasto strokes with a palette knife. Have a hands-on lesson, experimenting and playing with many techniques on different surfaces with different types of paint and mediums. The last part of class is devoted to completing a small painting. Supplies are included – just bring a lunch and wear paint clothes!

Here’s a link to more information

Have you heard of the Gelli Plate? It’s a permanent durable gel plate that can be used to make prints over and over again without the need for a press. Participants will be introduced to some amazing techniques that will keep them happily printing for hours and hours. We’ll be using our regular acrylic paint and stamps and stencils to make one of a kind artworks. Did I mention that it’s quite addictive? The prints created can be used for collage, or be beautiful works of art on their own. No experience necessary! Come on and join the fun!

Here’s a link to more information.

Manitou Winds opens its 2020 season with a spring concert exploring color. We’ll delve into the artist’s palette to uncover many moments where sight, sound, and memory intersect and color becomes the primary language of expression.

We’ll discover how artists in many disciplines use divergent voices to create new colors. Our performance will feature collaborating artist, Matthew Cochran, Instructor of Guitar at Interlochen Arts Academy, presenting his intriguing work for wind quintet and guitar, Cicadas at the Equinox, along with other exciting works.

The program includes a solo exhibit created by our collaborating artist Lauren Everett Finn. Daring combinations of instruments along with poetry, prose, and visual art will form a collage of color, sound, and mood, inviting us to consider how opposing shades highlight one another, sharpening our perception, creating fascinating illusions.

We’re proud to partner with the Glen Arbor Arts Center to bring you this performance. Admission is free. No tickets or reservations required. Proceeds from your freewill offering will support Manitou Winds’ ongoing mission to collaborate with local artists to create new and engaging programming, bringing the intimate joy of chamber music to audiences across Northern Michigan.

Sat October 12, 2019 10-4

Member Price: $85.00

Non-Member Price: $95.00

No matter the subject, a wild and colorful underpainting can energize your work. Create a colorful patterned underpainting that you can paint any subject on top of. Some of this layer will peek through, creating wonderfully surprising juxtapositions of color. We are planning for and finding happy accidents with this technique. Come on with me to the wild underside!

Find out MORE!

Sat September 14, 2019 10-4

Member Price: $85.00

Non-Member Price: $95.00

Have you heard of the Gelli Plate? It’s a permanent durable gel plate that can be used to make prints over and over again without the need of a press. Learn about some amazing techniques that will keep you happily printing for hours and hours. Use regular acrylic paint and stamps and stencils to make one-of-a kind artworks. Did I mention that it’s quite addictive? The prints you create can be used for collage or be beautiful works of art on their own. No experience necessary! Come on and join in on the fun!

Find out MORE!

Wed August 14, 2019 10-4

Member Price: $85.00

Non-Member Price: $95.00

Bring in your unfinished paintings and we’ll resolve them together. All artists struggle with finishing or knowing when to stop. Participate in a quick discussion about each painting, then work to complete your paintings using the ideas talked about. The instructor uses an iPad and pencil with an image of your painting to demonstrate the different directions you might want to take. Receive a “check list” handout, to help you figure out how to resolve things when you’re on your own.

Find out MORE!

Old Art Building, Leland , MI

$95

Spend a full day immersed in colorful, vibrant and happy blooms. Using acrylic, we’ll start with two different and dynamic underpaintings, that will be the basis for some unexpected, happy accidents. Then we’ll sketch our flowers on top of the colorful starts, using different perspectives and changes in scale to keep things interesting. And then finally, we’ll be painting the flowers in layers on each of the paintings, creating some dynamic and exciting, floral works of art. Beginners are welcome! Don’t forget your lunch…you’ll need the energy for this fun, fast moving class.

Click here for more information or Call the Old Art Building to reserve your spot! (231) 256-2131

Supply List:

* 2 substrates- watercolor paper, panel or canvas. If using paper, pre-prime it with gesso so the paint won’t sink into it. Size suggestions- no smaller than 12x12 no bigger than 24 x24. They don’t have to be the same size.

* Acrylic paint and palette- Bring your favorites- I use Golden Fluid, but any acrylic will do. Minimum colors- White, yellow, blue and red. A warm and a cool of each primary works well.

* Brushes- A variety of sizes. Make sure one is at least an inch wide. (Hardware store bristle brushes are fine.

* water containers (2) I use small buckets

* white chalk

* sharpened pencil

* paper towel

Optional:

* flower reference photos

* charcoal

* pastels (oil or soft or both)

* colored pencils

If you have any questions at all- please call or email Lauren: lauren@laureneverettfinn.com or 248-321-8017

Old Art Building, Leland, MI

$110 all supplies included

Come spend the day learning how to paint with the most versatile of mediums. The first part of class is devoted to experimenting with different thicknesses of paint moving from brushing on very watery applications to thick impasto strokes with a palette knife. Have a hands-on lesson, experimenting and playing with many techniques on different surfaces with different types of paint and mediums. The last part of class is devoted to completing a small painting. Supplies are included – just bring a lunch and wear paint clothes!

Here’s a link to more Information or Call (231) 256-2131 to reserve a spot!

Member Price: $95.00

Non-Member Price: $110.00

Come spend the day learning how to paint with the most versatile of mediums. The first part of class is devoted to experimenting with different thicknesses of paint moving from brushing on very watery applications to thick impasto strokes with a palette knife. Have a hands-on lesson, experimenting and playing with many techniques on different surfaces with different types of paint and mediums. The last part of class is devoted to completing a small painting. Supplies are included – just bring a lunch and wear paint clothes!

Find out MORE

Come spend the day learning how to paint with the most versatile of mediums. All supplies are included! The first part of class is devoted to experimenting with different thicknesses of paint moving from brushing on very watery applications to thick impasto strokes with a palette knife. You’ll have a hands-on lesson, experimenting and playing with many techniques on different surfaces with different types of paint and mediums. The last part of class is devoted to completing a small painting using some of the things you have learned. I’ll bring all the supplies… just dress in your paint clothes; bring your lunch and your can-do attitudes! We’re going to have a lot of fun!

You can sign up here!

Spend a full day immersed in colorful, vibrant and happy blooms. Using acrylic, start with two different and dynamic underpaintings that will be the basis for some unexpected, happy accidents. Then sketch flowers on top of the colorful starts using different perspectives and changes in scale to keep things interesting. And then finally paint the flowers in layers, creating some dynamic and exciting floral works of art. Beginners are welcome! Don’t forget your lunch…you’ll need the energy for this fun, fast moving class.

You can sign up here!

You’ve heard it before…work in a series! But why? Lauren will explain what working in a series has done for her and why it’s important to her process. Next comes the question, what might your series be about? You’ll be guided through the process with ideas and suggestions to help you discover what you’d like to work on. Using the prompts provided and your sketch book, you’ll doodle, jot and write what you’re passionate about exploring. You’ll leave the class with all sorts of inspiration and reasons to jump into the studio to begin your new series.

You can sign up here!