GREENWICH, CT —Teaching artist and dear friend of the Bruce Museum, Dr. Louise Flax returns by popular demand to host a series of watercolor workshops celebrating the flowers of spring.
The March 21 virtual workshop will focus on the ephemeral snow drop; the April 17 class will highlight on the bright daffodil; and the May 15 session will showcase the elegant tulip. These weekend workshops, held via Zoom from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, are for adult learners of all abilities and require no previous experience with watercolors.
Dr. Flax will walk students through the basics of using watercolors and the process of capturing the essence of the floral subject for each class. Classes may be purchased as a single session; $15 for Museum members and $25 for non-members. Sign up for all three workshops and receive a 20% discount. Class size is limited to ensure personal attention; to reserve your place, visit brucemuseum.org or call 203-869-0376, ext. 311.
Dr. Flax has led a variety of art workshops for the Bruce Museum over the past two years, including classes that focused on Chinese brushwork techniques to paint bamboo and a series of virtual workshops that helped students explore the traditional Japanese brushwork technique of Ukiyo-e to depict cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums, and wild orchids.
“Dr. Flax's creative, encouraging, flexible-yet-guided approach to teaching watercolor painting has given me comfort in getting back into the craft—one that I love deeply but hadn't delved into for years,” says Rebecca Krause, a longtime Connecticut resident currently living in New York City. “Having attended a few of her sessions has brought me true joy, and I look forward to enrolling in any future courses the Bruce and Dr. Flax offer together. The virtual workshops give me the chance to participate in something close to home even when I can't physically be there.”
Art making has always been a vital part of Louise Flax's life. As a child growing up on the edge of Long Island Sound, she experienced the aesthetics of the natural world during hours spent outdoors, and the world of art through books, museums, and insights from teachers. These experiences have contributed to her creativity and joy. This is what Dr. Flax attempts to communicate when teaching art. Having taught elementary, middle school, and high school art throughout her career in the Norwalk Public School District, she is now thrilled to be working with adults on behalf of the Bruce Museum.
“Each class that I have taught at the Bruce has given me an opportunity to delve into a particular subject and develop a lesson that will allow participants of any skill level to have an enriching experience,” says Dr. Flax. “I find that a blend of skill development, perception, and joy make each lesson both stand-alone and part of the artist’s arsenal of techniques and understandings.”
Interested participants are encourage to sign up soon, as Dr. Flax’s workshops often fill to capacity. For more information about Spring Flowers: Watercolor Workshops, please email cflax@brucemuseum.org.