SPRING LETTERS FROM MICHAEL CHESLEY JOHNSON

27 March 2010 From Sedona, Arizona


Michael Chesley Johnson is an oil and pastel painter working in the American Southwest, coastal Maine and the Canadian Maritimes. He also specialises in teaching small-size plein air workshops in oil and pastel. Elected a Master Pastellist by Pastel Artists Canada in 2008, he is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and a juried member of Oil Painters of America.

Michael is the author of Backpacker Painting: Outdoors with Oil & Pastel and Through a Painter's Brush: A Year on Campobello Island. He writes regularly for The Pastel Journal and The Artist's Magazine. Michael lives and paints on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, and in Sedona, Arizona. He has a studio gallery on Campobello Island, Friar's Bay Studio Gallery, and is represented in the Southwest by Windrush Gallery


Sad to say, but our last Paint Sedona students departed this weekend. It was a great winter with everyone turning out some really good work. Trina and I enjoyed making new friends and renewing ties with old ones.



But now it's time to move on. Once we close up the house, we will head up to Utah for two weeks to teach a workshop, and then on to more workshops in Illinois, Indiana and Vermont. We expect to reach Campobello Island around mid-May. We'll follow spring the whole way east, and by the time we reach Campobello, we'll need to mow the lawn for the first time. As much as I enjoyed painting the high desert, I can't wait to get back to the ocean again!



By the way, I'll be delivering some more work to my gallery in Sedona, Windrush Gallery before I leave. I'll post the images of the inventory on my website so you can see them, and if you are interested in purchasing them, you can contact the gallery directly: 800-323-0115 or info@windrushgallery.net. John and Linda will be happy to send you images, too.



I still have room in my summer Campobello Island workshops, but things are starting to heat up. Maybe it's the improved economy, but students are signing up early, so I urge you to not delay. Please go to my workshop page to learn more about Campobello and other upcoming workshops. For Campobello, if you bring a friend, I'll give you $50 off the $300 tuition fee. Following this letter is a complete list of my 2010 workshops.



Finally, don't forget that I have several publications out now. Two books, two DVDS, a portfolio and a calendar. You can find out more about these at my website at http://www.michaelchesleyjohnson.com/html/book.htm.



Have a great spring, and I hope to see you soon!



Michael





Michael Chesley Johnson MPAC PSA

www.MichaelChesleyJohnson.com

http://mchesleyjohnson.blogspot.com


Prepare for Plein Air: Not sure how to go about painting outside? Check out my online course! Great for beginners. Visit www.PrepareForPleinAir.com


2010 Workshops


April 29-May 1: ILLINOIS, Springfield - Pastel only. Join Michael for a three-day outdoor painting workshop in Abe Lincoln's hometown with the Illinois Prairie Pastel Society. Scenery includes the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Price: $250 IPPS members, $300 non-members. Contact: George King, 217-483-9030, geezer222@comcast.net FULL - Waiting List



May 3-5: INDIANA, Valparaiso - Oil & Pastel. Join Michael for a three-day workshop at The Art Barn School of Art. Price: $275, includes lunch. Contact: ArtBarnIN@AOL.com, 219-462-9009, www.artbarnin.com



May 8-9: VERMONT, Montpelier - Pastel only. Sponsored by the Vermont Pastel Society. Price: $150. Contact: Michael Chesley Johnson, 575-267-2450, mcj@sff.net



June 23-25: NEW BRUNSWICK, Saint John - Oil & Pastel. Sponsored by the Saint John Arts Centre. Price: CA$180. Contact: Saint John Arts Centre, 506- 633-4870, www.saintjohnartscentre.com, info@saintjohnartscentre.com



June-mid-September: CAMPOBELLO ISLAND, New Brunswick, Canada - All media. Weeklong, half-day plein air workshops for all levels (students need some prior painting experience.) Paint half the day, explore the island the rest! $300/week. (Deal! Bring a friend, and get $50 off your tuition.) Contact: Michael Chesley Johnson, 575-267-2450, mcj@sff.net. See website for full list of weeks available - www.MichaelChesleyJohnson.com.



August 9-13: NEW BRUNSWICK, St Andrews - Oil & Pastel. Sponsored by Sunbury Shores Arts & Nature Centre. Price: TBA. Contact: Sunbury Shores Art & Nature Centre, www.sunburyshores.org, 506-529-3386, info@sunburyshores.org



September 22-25: NEW HAMPSHIRE, Goffstown - Oil or pastel. NOTE: This is a Wednesday-Saturday, 4-day workshop. Price: $290 members. Contact: New Hampshire Plein Air, Sharon Allen at msjallen@comcast.net.



September 27-October 1: MAINE, Acadia National Park. Oil or pastel. Michael's sixth year teaching in Acadia for the Acadia Workshop Center! Price: $550. Contact: Gail Ribas, 207-460-4119, info@acadiaworkshopcenter.com.



October 18--20: TEXAS, Waxahachie. Oil only. Join Michael for three days of autumn in northern Texas. Price: $225 ECAA members, $275 non-members. Includes lunch.. Contact: Ellis County Art Association, 972-937-3414, ecaa@sbcglobal.net, www.elliscountyart.net



November 29-December 3: TEXAS, New Braunfels. Oil or pastel. Join Michael for a week of painting in beautiful Texas "Hill Country." Price: $345. Contact: Mary McIntosh, 1863farmroad@sbcglobal.net, 830-625-0132

A Brief History of the Artistic Sphere Group

Written by: Sharon A. Layton Pollock

Let’s go back to the beginning of human kind. Even then art was an important tool of human existence. They depicted their day’s events, their accomplishments, trials and their festivities. The walls of their caves told their story. From that time to now artists have played a huge part in preserving our history in various artistic ways and upon many different mediums.

Webster’s dictionary says:
Art 1. is a skill acquired by experience or study 2. a branch of learning 3. an occupation requiring knowledge or skill 4. The use of skill and imagination in the production of things of beauty .
An artist is one who practices an art, one who creates objects of beauty.
New Brunswick, and this very area in which we live has no shortage of artists. The shortage is, though, a way to tell, and a place to show others of such great abilities. Thus, the idea , the dream of a gallery.

Approximately two years ago in the kitchen of Winona McLean’s, she and Sharon Pollock were discussing the need for a museum in the area and a place where local artists could display their works. We thought about existing building in the area that would be suitable. Not many came to mind. Winona said that The Maritime Motor Sport Hall of Fame too were looking for a building to call home. It was then that we knew a building had to be built, and thus planning began.
Meetings were held at the Atlantic Motel in Berry Mills to encourage local artists to unit. Three artist friends, Sharon Pollock of Salisbury, Pattie Gallant of The Glades and Mary Dykstra of Havelock traveled to Sussex . There they sat in on The Sussex Art Societies meeting. This visit was a fact-finding mission to aid in their desire to start an art society of their own.
Later that night the girls stopped at the Bluebird Restaurant for coffee. They discussed their findings and ways in which to apply them to their own endeavors. They tossed around a name for their group. Ideas were jotted down on a napkin and from that came, "The Artistic Sphere Group." The double meaning for sphere being, a circle of artists, and each letter represents the area: S – Salisbury, P – Petitcodiac, H – Havelock, E – Elgin, R – River Glade, E – Elsewhere. The last E leaving it open for many more to join from different areas, thus…..SPHERE!

The Artistic Sphere Group now have meetings once a month at The Irving Big Stop. At the meetings discussions are had concerning "The Petitcodiac Regional Interpretation and Cultural Centre. Ways to promote the group and a "Show and Tell" where members get an opportunity to present their latest works of art. The group has members from Salisbury, Petitcodiac, Havelock, Elgin, River Glades, Harewood, Wheaton Settlement and Nauwigewauk, N.B.

Some of the things that the group has done in the two-year period are:
Their first Art Show and Sale was at the Petitcodiac Kiwanis Club building.
They purchased a booth to display and sell their works at The Westmorland County Agricultural Fair.

Had a fundraiser to purchase this booth in the form of selling ads on a placemat.
Members displayed and sold their art at Turner’s Christmas at the Coliseum in Moncton.
Displayed their art in the Petitcodiac Gazebo the day of the parade in Petitcodiac.
Different members have gotten together to do an art tour of Sackville, N.B.
A group of members got together for a days workshop and sharing of ideas
A group organized a day out in the woods to view, sketch and photograph an active beaver dam.
Bob Nobles, president of The Moncton Art Society, has come to Petitcodiac to do workshops on watercolors.

In recent days The Artistic Sphere Group has joined with the Moncton Art Society to display their art at The Irving Big Stop. This will be an on going. From this display one of our own member, Marion Colette, was the first to have one of her paintings sold.

Our members were invited to take part in the 20th Annual Provincial Art Fair and Sale held April 30 to May 8, 2005 in Highfield Square, Moncton. Member Terri Stott, of Harewood, received a ribbon of "Honorable Mention" for her beautiful mosaic table and Angel wall hanging.

Members of The Artistic Sphere Group have gone on day trips down to Albert County to take in the Fundy Studio Tour. Meeting at the Irving Big Stop for breakfast then car-pooling to the Tour area. From such outings members are not only encouraged to diligently work at their creations, but also get ideas for new ones. It is also very valuable to have discussions and share ideas and concerns with other artists.

If you wish or know someone who could benefit from joining The Artistic Sphere Group call Sharon A. Layton Pollock at (506) 756-9894or e-mail to salayton@nb.sympatico.ca
The Artistic Sphere Group is very interested in seeing The Petitcodiac Regional Interpretation and Cultural Centre come to fruition. They are willing to support it in any way possible, and will be delighted to call it home!

A Brief History of the Artistic Sphere Group

Written by: Sharon A. Layton Pollock

Let’s go back to the beginning of human kind. Even then art was an important tool of human existence. They depicted their day’s events, their accomplishments, trials and their festivities. The walls of their caves told their story. From that time to now artists have played a huge part in preserving our history in various artistic ways and upon many different mediums.

Webster’s dictionary says:
Art 1. is a skill acquired by experience or study 2. a branch of learning 3. an occupation requiring knowledge or skill 4. The use of skill and imagination in the production of things of beauty .
An artist is one who practices an art, one who creates objects of beauty.
New Brunswick, and this very area in which we live has no shortage of artists. The shortage is, though, a way to tell, and a place to show others of such great abilities. Thus, the idea , the dream of a gallery.

Approximately two years ago in the kitchen of Winona McLean’s, she and Sharon Pollock were discussing the need for a museum in the area and a place where local artists could display their works. We thought about existing building in the area that would be suitable. Not many came to mind. Winona said that The Maritime Motor Sport Hall of Fame too were looking for a building to call home. It was then that we knew a building had to be built, and thus planning began.
Meetings were held at the Atlantic Motel in Berry Mills to encourage local artists to unit. Three artist friends, Sharon Pollock of Salisbury, Pattie Gallant of The Glades and Mary Dykstra of Havelock traveled to Sussex . There they sat in on The Sussex Art Societies meeting. This visit was a fact-finding mission to aid in their desire to start an art society of their own.
Later that night the girls stopped at the Bluebird Restaurant for coffee. They discussed their findings and ways in which to apply them to their own endeavors. They tossed around a name for their group. Ideas were jotted down on a napkin and from that came, "The Artistic Sphere Group." The double meaning for sphere being, a circle of artists, and each letter represents the area: S – Salisbury, P – Petitcodiac, H – Havelock, E – Elgin, R – River Glade, E – Elsewhere. The last E leaving it open for many more to join from different areas, thus…..SPHERE!

The Artistic Sphere Group now have meetings once a month at The Irving Big Stop. At the meetings discussions are had concerning "The Petitcodiac Regional Interpretation and Cultural Centre. Ways to promote the group and a "Show and Tell" where members get an opportunity to present their latest works of art. The group has members from Salisbury, Petitcodiac, Havelock, Elgin, River Glades, Harewood, Wheaton Settlement and Nauwigewauk, N.B.

Some of the things that the group has done in the two-year period are:
Their first Art Show and Sale was at the Petitcodiac Kiwanis Club building.
They purchased a booth to display and sell their works at The Westmorland County Agricultural Fair.

Had a fundraiser to purchase this booth in the form of selling ads on a placemat.
Members displayed and sold their art at Turner’s Christmas at the Coliseum in Moncton.
Displayed their art in the Petitcodiac Gazebo the day of the parade in Petitcodiac.
Different members have gotten together to do an art tour of Sackville, N.B.
A group of members got together for a days workshop and sharing of ideas
A group organized a day out in the woods to view, sketch and photograph an active beaver dam.
Bob Nobles, president of The Moncton Art Society, has come to Petitcodiac to do workshops on watercolors.

In recent days The Artistic Sphere Group has joined with the Moncton Art Society to display their art at The Irving Big Stop. This will be an on going. From this display one of our own member, Marion Colette, was the first to have one of her paintings sold.

Our members were invited to take part in the 20th Annual Provincial Art Fair and Sale held April 30 to May 8, 2005 in Highfield Square, Moncton. Member Terri Stott, of Harewood, received a ribbon of "Honorable Mention" for her beautiful mosaic table and Angel wall hanging.

Members of The Artistic Sphere Group have gone on day trips down to Albert County to take in the Fundy Studio Tour. Meeting at the Irving Big Stop for breakfast then car-pooling to the Tour area. From such outings members are not only encouraged to diligently work at their creations, but also get ideas for new ones. It is also very valuable to have discussions and share ideas and concerns with other artists.

If you wish or know someone who could benefit from joining The Artistic Sphere Group call Sharon A. Layton Pollock at (506) 372-5515 or e-mail to salayton@rogers.com
The Artistic Sphere Group is very interested in seeing The Petitcodiac Regional Interpretation and Cultural Centre come to fruition. They are willing to support it in any way possible, and will be delighted to call it home!