Stuart Street Atelier

So honored and please to say that three of my works have been accepted as semi-finalists in the 2022 Art Renewal Center’s international salon for representational art. I am so grateful to my instructors, particularly Lynne Donovan, Michael Davis, and Rob Liberace, but also Hollis Dunlap, Max Ginsberg and the other resident artists at Stuart Street Atelier: Patricia McMahon Rice, Sue Braswell and Steven Parrish. Works by all four instructors at our atelier were accepted! Yay!!!

I love being part of this group of artists! We’ve all had wonderful news this morning.

GREAT NEWS!

First, works by all four artist-instructors at Stuart Street Atelier (Patricia McMahon Rice, Jennifer Sims, Sue Braswell and Steven Parrish) have been included as semi-finalists in the 16th annual international art salon conducted by New York City’s Art Renewal Center. (See the accepted pieces below). There were over 6,000 entries from 75 countries. We are so very honored to have our work accepted!

Second, we are having a fall show: “Life in The County: Drawings and Paintings.” Our opening reception will be Friday, September 30 from 4-7 PM and is open to all. Some of the paintings and drawings recognized by the ARC will be exhibited. The show continues October 1-2 from 10-4 both days. Come join us!

Third - fall classes have begun at Stuart Street Atelier. If you are interested in learning how to draw and paint or improving your skills, then swing by our home in the RR station in The Plains VA (6364 Stuart Street). We are there most days and even if we are busy teaching you are welcome to come in for a self-guided tour. If we are not there, give us a call for a guided tour. We love showing our work!

Finishing up a commission for a wonderful man and his horse.

Still working on this figure painting in oil. This is just a detail of the head - in progress. Thanks to the terrific model Chris Irby.

This one may be finished: “The Whiskey Glass” in my Fishermen series. Model is Bob, my husband, on the Isle of Skye. Thanks Bob.

I’ve been so deep into portrait painting that my landscape skills have been left to atrophy. I’ve started my first landscape in many years. Not sure yet if I can pull this one off.

Drawing and painting with walnut ink! Join Patricia Rice in a workshop on making and drawing with homemade walnut ink - a simple process! Quill pen and your own bottle of ink are provided to all participants. Workshop will be held on June 4 (one day) from 10-4. $150. Please contact Patty Rice ([email protected]) to register or comment here to request further information. This workshop will fill fast, so I suggest you act soon if you are interested.

Well our fantastic back-to-back figure painting workshops with internationally renowned artists are all wrapped up! Our first instructor was David Shevlino; our second was Hollis Dunlap. We had so much fun we are thinking of making this an annual event!

Did you know you can join our classes in drawing and painting anytime? We have classes in animal and human portraits, landscape, still life and more! Individual mentoring also available. Come have fun exploring your creative side at SSA in the old RR station in The Plains., VA (6364 Stuart Street). Text 202-550-2361 or email [email protected]

So much is going on at Stuart Street Atelier! Come join us for classes in drawing, stilllife, landscape and more. New classes coming soon. Come by our studios at 6364 Stuart Street, The Plains, VA or visit our web site: stuartstreetatelier.com for more information.

Drawing is so important to fine art - whether you sculpt, paint, illustrate or etch. At SSA we love to draw - from simple sketch to complex charcoal rendering. Come join us!

Did you know that Stuart Street Atelier teaches landscape and still life - not just portraiture? We do! Steven Parrish teaches still life on Saturdays 10-1. Sue Braswell has an (almost full) workshop coming up on Plein Air landscape painting. My studio landscape class begins this spring too. Stay tuned, email or drop by for more information. (And yes we teach figure and portraiture too. Study below by J Sims is of Ava Liberace.

We are closed because of all the ice. But our town is beautiful, isn’t it? Just FYI: No classes this week at Stuart Street Atelier unless by special arrangement with the instructor. Remember Norman Rockwell students: make up class is this coming Sunday at 10 AM. Bring a camera to practice photo shoots with model and also your drawing and painting supplies. Please work on your concept this week. Execute next week. Final critiques will be a week from this coming Sunday by private appointment. Stay warm. Stay safe. And draw!

Did you know? SSA is having a Workshop exploring the art of Norman Rockwell - January 15-16 from 10-4 both days. We are going to have so much fun! Low pressure. Lots of information as people draw and/or paint at their own pace. And private critique sessions are an option. Come join us. $150 for two days. Only two spots left! Email me (Jennifer Sims) at [email protected].

Stuart Street Atelier has award winning artists offering classes and workshops for 2022. Consider, for example, a workshop in plein air painting with Sue Braswell! (Her award winning still life painting is pictured below). Contact Sue or any of us at SSA for details.

Sketching some ideas for a new portrait in oil on 2022? Some of us are at Stuart Street Atelier. This one is of Celia — a screen shot between poses for her dad, Rob Liberace. Graphite on Swathmore 400 series toned gray paper by Sims.

Details of paintings from 2021. Thank you to all our friends, models, colleagues, mentors and masters for another inspiring year, especially: Ron and Lina Liberace, Celia and Ava Liberace, Patty Rice, Sue and Harry Braswell, Max Ginsburg, Scott Christiansen, Hollis Dunlap, Gomer Pyles, Booth Malone, Here is to a terrific 2022!

We wish all our students a very Happy New Year! Below: a study of Celia as an onion seller. Graphite on toned paper.

We are getting ready for the start of classes in January, 2022! There are still a few openings in Expressive Still Life with Steven Parrish (Saturdays 10-1), Expressive Painting (Thursdays 12-3) and the Norman Rockwell Workshop taught by Jennifer Sims January 15-16, which will be drawing and/or painting and suitable for all levels.

And we have great news, if you haven’t already heard: resident artists Sue Braswell and Jennifer Sims were finalists in the National Portrait Society’s 2021 Members Only competition for still life and noncommissioned portraits. See images of the paintings below. Sometimes recognition doesn’t come, though, even when it is deserved. So, at Stuart Street Atelier, we just aim to get better at what we do. So let’s all work hard, aim high and follow the light in 2022.

Wonderful opening night at Stuart Street Atelier’s Holiday Show! Thanks to all who came to share the good times and see our work. We loved the stories, reunions, and good feelings that were shared - often triggered by a familiar object, face or place captured in artwork on our walls. Thanks to our students too, who contributed their work and brought refreshments. Our show will be open at the RR depot, 6365 Stuart Street in The Plains, from 10 AM to 5, Saturday and Sunday.

Stuart Street Atelier – Home of Art in The Plains

We are having a holiday show at Stuart Street Atelier: December 3 - 5 from 10-5; 6364 Stuart Street, The Plains VA. Come see our more recent work by resident artists Patricia McMahon Rice, Sue Braswell and Jennifer Sims as well as the work of instructors, associated artists and students. There will be a wide range of representational styles, mediums as well as prices and a list of classes we will offer in 2022. Below is one work that will be for sale: my drawing of our local muse and model Gomer Pyles, outfitted as a Renaissance master. (18” x 24” charcoal on Canson Ingres paper). Come join us for our opening reception 5-7 PM on the 3rd (Friday). There will be refreshments!

Stuart Street Atelier – Home of Art in The Plains

Learning to apply gold leaf at Stuart Street Atelier! Thank you Patty Rice for hosting such a wonderful and educational framing party. Who knew gilder’s liquid included vodka?

We are having a Holiday Show at Stuart Street Atelier! Small and large drawings and paintings for sale by all our associated artists: instructors, students, and SSA colleagues. Drawing below is by Rebecca Elgin, Student in Expressive Drawing at SSA. Come see more December 3-5 from 10AM to 5 PM at 6374 Stuart Street, The Plains VA 20198.

Jennifer’s painting of Shoshanna now hangs in the home of her dear friends in Washington DC. Thank you again Shoshanna for coming to Stuart Street Atelier. You are beautiful!

The holidays are coming…and Stuart Street Atelier (in RR station in The Plains VA) plans a wonderful holiday show of faculty and student art. Come celebrate with us (and maybe find some wonderful gifts) the first weekend in December! Open house Friday night with refreshments. Details to follow…
(Oil sketch below of the beautiful Nataliya in a costume created by her — by SSA instructor Jennifer Sims)

We are studying fabric at Stuart Street Atelier. Here is our “live” model, Gigi, the amazing manakin, draped in her white sheet. Most classes for the fall are full, but we do have one opening in drawing on Wednesdays 11-1 and for Steven Parrish’s painting class on Saturdays 10-1 PM. Come join us!

Come paint still life’s in oil with Steven Parrish, Signature artist with Oil Painters of America! Steven accepts all levels of students from beginner to advanced. We supply easels, tables, lights, shadow boxes and materials for your composition - or bring your own! Fridays from 1-4 PM starting June 4. Limited enrollment so reserve your spot soon! $350 plus supplies (paint, palette, solvent). Email me at [email protected] for more info or to reserve your spot.

Happy announcement: We are reopening in September for a full program of classes and workshops, including instruction by our resident artists as well as guest instructors! Stuart Street Atelier offers classes with nationally and internationally recognized representational artists working in oils, charcoal, pastel and clay. Our resident artists work in styles ranging from classical realist to impressionist, with elements of abstraction and experimental techniques never excluded.

Come visit our studios or join us for our small semi-private classes. We have classes with openings available now: Expressive Drawing, Tuesdays 12-2 ($175 a month with optional draw-alongs Thursdays 3-5PM for an additional $25 a month). Painting the Expressive Still Life in oils with Steven Parrish, Thursdays 10-1 or Fridays 1-4 PM; $350 for four classes. Materials extra. If you aren’t sure if the classes are right for you, come for a complementary appointment to discuss your artistic goals -free and with no obligation! Visit stuartstreetatelier.com or email Jennifer Sims [email protected] for more information.

Great News - congratulations to Stuart Street Atelier resident artist Sue Braswell, who has had her work juried into a prestigious national show: The National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society, Small Works National Juried Exhibit
Principle Gallery, Charleston
May 7 - June 1, 2021. This gallery is extraordinary, but so is Sue painting. Congratulations Sue!

Here is stage two of my painting of Brighid that was featured in my previous post. By the way, SSA resident artist Patricia Rice is preparing some fabulous small works on copper for an upcoming show at Berkeley Gallery. You will not want to miss this show; the frames are all handmade and gorgeous! Stay tuned...

Hi everyone! Stuart Street Atelier is still closed for classes, but we resident artists are still painting away. We have had our first live model in months come for a long pose (with masks and socially distanced) so we don’t forget the challenges of painting from life. Here is an example of a portrait in progress. I’ll post the final result when it’s done. And there is a LONG way to go! (When we reopen we will offer classes in painting so stay tuned!)

Perhaps we artists at Stuart Street Atelier are best known for our oil paintings, but we also do watercolor, drawing and sculpture. Here is a quick watercolor sketch of my friends Clay and Zack doing their high-level work at Meadow Lark Equestrian Center. Sketches like this help me think about larger oil paintings or compositions with multiple figures. But this one seems kind of fun on its own.

Sue Braswell, resident artist at Stuart Street Atelier in The Plains, VA., offers a number of paintings for sale and workshops on landscape and still life painting. Here is one of her beautiful paintings: “Farrier Day.” We are located at 6364 Stuart Street—in the old railroad station.

Congratulations to our Stuart Street Atelier instructors for achieving finalist awards in The Art Renewal Center’s annual international competition: Jennifer Sims, Patricia Rice, Booth Malone, and Michael Davis. And special congratulations to Rob Liberace, whose painting of Ava (as a boxer!) achieved the highest honor— Best in Show! (My painting of Ava is below).

Sue Braswell and I (Jennifer Sims) are so pleased that Patricia Rice is now a resident artist at Stuart Street Atelier in The Plains VA. Here is one of her beautiful paintings that earned the honor of reaching the finals in the 2020 Art Renewal Center’s international salon. We are so pleased Patty has joined us. We will be offering lessons and workshops when we reopen in the fall. In the meantime, we offer visits to our studios for private appointments, so message us or give us a call if you would like to roam through the RR station in The Plains (6364 Stuart Street) for a private art experience!

Work in progress. Omar. Oil on linen. 18x24”.

These drawings are by the amazing Susan Gallagher ONeill, who will be teaching an outdoor, socially distanced plein air workshop, “The Expressive Figure in Landscape” at my studio, Stuart Street Atelier in The Plains VA during the first weekend in October. Watercolors and mixed media. Live model. No worries about rain: We have tents! 10-4 October 3-4. $250 for the weekend. Picnic lunch. Spaces limited so DM me ASAP if you are interested. @ The Plains, Virginia

Everyone can paint and draw! Seriously. At Stuart Street Atelier we have designed a new approach to learning art that will help you to improve every day. The key? Painting and drawing what you love. (The featured painting below is of Ava Liberace, done during my own class with master artist Rob Liberace.) Without inspiration, technique can become boring. But, If you are inspired by your subject, you will practice technique as you go and have lots of fun too. Come see what I mean. Fall classes in painting and drawing begin in September. We have a fully equipped studio and supply center to get you started with no miss or fuss. Class sizes are strictly limited and we have mask and social distancing rules. Only a few spaces left. Contact me at [email protected] for more information on the classes we offer.

We draw, paint and sculpt at Stuart Street Atelier! Come join us for small, safe, socially distanced classes during our August 4 week “sampler” summer term. Sign up for Steven Parrish’s oil painting class, 10-1 on Saturdays; or drawing with Jennifer Sims, Monday’s 1-3 or Tuesdays 10-12 and get a feel for what we do. And you get draw alongs on Thursday afternoons as free, optional extras! Contact [email protected] for more info. Fall term (12 weeks) begins in September. Stay tuned...

We are accepting just 5 students for still life painting at Stuart Street Atelier in August. The teacher, Steven Parrish, accepts all levels of students and tailors his approach to what each student needs. (Work below is by Steven.) Social distancing and masks are used while in the classroom. Come join us for August classes (4); continuing students will have preference for available slots for fall term (September-November). Just $150 for the month and $450 for the term. Message me for details!

Work in progress. I love to paint and draw. Come join us at Stuart Street Atelier and I will share all I know about art, helping you to realize your own goals. We are open for small classes and workshops only - 4 students to a room. Our program is customized for each student, beginning with a free private lesson/consultation. Galleries open by appointment. Or drop by Monday’s 1-3, Tuesdays 10-1 or Thursdays 1-3.

Come draw with us at Stuart Street Atelier! This drawing is by one of our advanced artists, 2nd year student Ellen Reed. Hard work pays off! Beautiful 3 color chalk drawing on Canson Ingres paper.

We are open for small drawing classes at Stuart Street Aelier. Come learn how to turn your favorite photos into classic works of art. Mondays 1-3, Tuesdays 10-12, or Thursdays 3-5. 4 semi-private classes plus up to 3 draw-along sessions a week. $150 a month. Draw alongs $15 an hour. We practice social distancing, disinfect common areas and limit classes to 2 people per studio. Come join us! ($75 membership for 3 months allows rental of shadow box and reserved studio time, library privileges, discount on workshops and access to our small store for art supplies, whether or not you take classes.)