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The Arts Depot is pleased to offer a three-day watercolor workshop lead by distinguished Maine and Florida artist Harry Thompson. The workshop will be held Monday, November 1 through Wednesday, November 3rd, from 9 AM until 4 PM at the Arts Depot in Abingdon, Virginia. The workshop will culminate with a “push pin” display/discussion/critique of the artwork created in the workshop led by Mr. Thompson from 5 - 7 PM on Wednesday, November 3rd. The workshop fee is $185, $95 payable with the registration and the balance due the first day of the workshop. A registration form is available on the Arts Depot website (abingdonartsdepot.org) or by calling the Arts Depot at 276-628-9091. This workshop is for all experience levels, but basic drawing and watercolor skills are needed. The workshop is limited to 20 people and students are encouraged to get their reservation and deposit in quickly to reserve your space as this workshop has filled up fast in the past. Harry has previously taught workshops throughout the country and locally during the 2004 and 2006 Virginia Highlands Festival and at the Arts Depot in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and is back due to extremely popular demand.
Thompson says, "I concentrate on capturing a mood in the students work, emphasizing the importance of value and contrast." Students will work from photographs they bring to the class or from a collection of Harry’s photographs. Thompson will be teaching on a hot pressed surface, primarily Bristol vellum or plate finish showing the diversity of this surface, covering its attributes as well as its shortcomings. There will be a session on basic perspective and students will learn how to capture sunlight in their work.
Thompson is a graduate of the Ringling School of Art. After touring North America, he worked as an architectural renderer and designer. His commercial career ended when he was compelled by the strong desire of freedom to pursue his artistic expression. He has since supported himself as a fine artist in both two and three dimensional mediums. Thompson owns the Northlight Gallery in Kennebunkport, Maine where in addition to himself he features eighteen other professional artists. During the winter months he spends his time mainly in Florida plus attends national arts shows. For most of his annual Florida visitations, he has found time to teach art at the Longboat Key Art Center. Thompson was featured in The One Hour Watercolorist that discusses his workshops and gives examples of his work, including his traditional scenes and figure studies. His work has been exhibited throughout the eastern United States and has been purchased by numerous private and corporate collectors. His artwork has received more than 70 awards. Thompson says, "as an artist, the quest for new ways of capturing mood in my work propels my continual advancement in the realm of art. This ever present challenge promotes my grasping and molding of new ideas separating my work into a unique and fluid category". Artists attending Thompson's workshop will experience new ideas to add to their artistic palette of watercolor tools.
The Depot Artists Association is a non-profit volunteer organization that operates the Arts Depot and is dedicated to promoting the arts in the community and features the region’s artists. The Arts Depot is located in the historic Depot Square area of downtown Abingdon, VA. The gallery and artists studios are open for your viewing pleasure Thursday thru Saturday, 11-3 pm, or by appointment. There is no admission charge. For further information, please contact the Arts Depot at (276) 628-9091, or e-mail at abingdonartsdepot@abingdon.com, or visit their web site at www.abingdonartsdepot.org. The Association is supported in part by grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.