Expo for artists offers workshops in all media
If you're looking for artistic inspiration - and maybe a little coaching and a few new art supplies - you could travel to Pasadena, Calif., for the Learning and Product Expo: Art! workshops and demonstrations.
Or, you could find it all at the same expo right here in Lisle.
Lisle and Pasadena are the only two communities in the country hosting the comprehensive art conference produced by Fishback/Gruen.
Organizers say Lisle is the ideal Midwest location, allowing 1,500 attendees to come from across Illinois, neighboring states and the East Coast. Lisle's access to Chicago, its Hickory Ridge Marriott location and the excellent lineup help attract artists and would-be artists to the third annual expo, which runs Friday through Sunday, July 10 to 12.
While in Lisle, artists may want to capture the natural serenity at the Morton Arboretum, the charming sparkle of the village's new Main Street or the attractive wooded terrain at Four Lakes.
"The idea behind the expo is to provide a communal atmosphere where artists of all skill levels and walks of life can be inspired, advance their talent, learn something new and have fun," said Irene Gruen, co-owner of the production company. "They also are provided with a unique venue where they can interact directly with the makers of art supplies to learn how to use available products."
There is such an incredible amount of quality artistic information packed within the three-day expo that it overflows into a large tent often used for weddings on the hotel's grounds. Complete details are at www.learningproductexpo.com.
Participants choose from 200 hands-on-workshops, lectures and demonstrations in all artistic media. Two large exhibition halls featuring art material manufacturers offer demonstrations, opportunities to experiment with products and the chance to purchase art supplies at expo prices.
The exclusive retail show sponsor, Blick Art Materials, handles all expo sales of supplies. Its Wheaton location is nearby.
Thirty nationally known artists will offer 180 classes in various media, styles and techniques in the visual fine arts. Technique classes include working with oils, watercolors, pastels, acrylics, printmaking, colored pencil, calligraphy and airbrush. All materials are provided for every class.
"Students can just show up and paint," Gruen said.
Unique classes include one on the ancient Chinese technique of P'o Mo or Splash Ink. In a hands-on approach, students will mix colors in a new medium, Pan Pastels, that come in convenient cups. Brush painting with calligraphic-like strokes on rice paper renders thin layers of white gouache in Lingnam style for a luminous finish.
"Artist Rantindra Das is a national award-winning artist from the Chicago suburbs who is making a rare appearance at this expo," Gruen said.
The watercolorist simplifies his subject with an inventive approach to add pizazz. His work is in galleries in the United States, Singapore and Mexico. His workshop video is "Painting a Personal Reality in Watercolor."
With a collage approach, Patti Brady explores stains, stencils, stamps and skins along with gels, grounds and pumice. Her new book, "Rethinking Acrylics: Radical Solutions for Exploiting the World's Most Versatile Medium," draws on her 30-year career to help artists rediscover acrylics.
From his television show "Your Brush with Nature," artist and author Heiner Hertling, who is up for an Emmy this year, will demonstrate how to mix color and create a focal point as the background, mid-ground and foreground develop. His book shares the title of his popular show.
Featured on the DVD "Colored Pencil Landscapes: Beyond the Basics," author Kristy Kluth benefits from his years of teaching experiences as a national speaker who welcomes artists of all levels to his colored-pencil workshops.
Watercolorist Laurie Humble, author of "Watercolor Depth and Realism" published by North Light Books, paints a wide variety of subject matter and achieves a glow within her compositions by utilizing layers of transparent color.
Local artist Robbin O'Harrow's focus is on monotypes that combine printmaking and painting. She teaches at Elmhurst College and the Art Institute of Chicago. Her class is suitable for beginning to advanced printmakers.
With a practical approach, speaker Jodi Walsh will host seminars on taking control of the business of an artistic career. Because artwork needs to be seen to advance a fine arts career, Walsh discusses basic guidelines for presenting artwork and what galleries expect from their artists.
At the expo, artists will have the opportunity to have their work critiqued and may participate in a "Top Artist" competition similar to "American Idol," Gruen said.
New this year is a juried art show, which allows artists to display their work. The top prizes are $500 and $250. Michael St. Luke-Robinson, from the Art Institute of Chicago, is the art juror.
The admission badge good for all three days costs $10 and comes with a welcome bag containing a $5 coupon to any Blick Art Materials store and more. Class participants pay for the classes they attend and receive a discount of $5 on their admission fee.
Classes cost $75 and up. Readers will receive a discount on classes until Wednesday, July 8. Call (847) 380-9031 or fax (310) 496-1315 to register. Expo-only and class registration also is available on site.
The expo runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 10 and 11, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on July 12.
Renowned artist Salvador Dali once said, "There are some days I think I am going to die from an overdose of satisfaction." Organizers hope artists and those interested in tapping into their artistic skills will have a similar experience.
• Joan Broz writes about Lisle. E-mail her at jgbroz@yahoo.com.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Learning and Product Expo: Art!</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 10 and 11; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 12</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Hickory Ridge Marriott Conference Hotel, 1195 Summerhill Drive, Lisle</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $10 for expo admission; $75 and up for classes</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (847) 380-9031 or <a href="http://www.learningproductexpo.com" target="new">www.learningproductexpo.com</a></p>