Drawing and Painting Workshops

June 24, 2016 in workshop

I have created two workshops to share essential drawing and painting techniques to sharpen my students' eye and increase their creative skills. Experience the passion I put into my artwork and discover how you can increase your artistic confidence and capabilities with my art classes. Only at Natur-Tyme!

Drawing Still Life for Adults

Wednesday, July 20th | 5:00-7:00 PM | Cost: $40

In this two-hour workshop, students will use a still life arrangement as an avenue to study composition, design, and proportions with graphite pencils. This drawing demo/workshop will help students understand how to draw from life, the medium used, and to practice different drawing techniques. The still life will be set up indoors, in Natur-Tyme’s Community Room, and the materials will be provided by the instructor.

The Painter’s Color Wheel for Adults

Wednesday, July 27th | 5:00-7:00 PM | Cost: $50

In this two-hour workshop, students will create the painter’s color wheel as an avenue to study hue, value, and intensity with acrylic paint, and ask questions. This painting demo/workshop will help students understand color families and their relationships, the medium used, and to practice different painting techniques. The Painter’s Color Wheel will be set up indoors, at Natur-Tyme’s Community Room, and the materials will be provided by the instructor.

ABOUT MARIA RIZZO

Maria Rizzo’s paintings have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums throughout the northeast of the United States and abroad, including the Wilson Art Gallery and ArtRage Gallery in Syracuse, NY; the RSI Bank's 3rd Annual Artists Contest in Rahway, N.J.; and the Museo d' Arte Contemporanea di Lissone in Italy. Rizzo is also the recipient of several awards and honors, in addition to the 2014 Individual Artist Commission Grant from CNY Arts, she is the recipient of an Honorable Mention from the RSI Bank's 3rd Annual Artists Contest in Rahway, N.J., she is the Artist-in-Residence at Natur-Tyme, she is the former Artist-in-Residence and Curator at The Tech Garden in Syracuse, New York and she is a 2012 NYFA Mark Alumna. Maria Rizzo was born in Bologna, Italy in 1987.

The Story Behind the Gingko Tree

March 06, 2015 in art, Nature, photography

This week I highlight the story of Ellen Leahy and her photo of a Gingko tree. She is one of the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

Describe yourself: name, age, location, what do you do for a living and what are some of your hobbies? Hello, I am a ladylike lady who is also a bit feral, living in the old veterinarian’s house in Skaneateles. I like to wonder.

Why did you choose to photograph this particular tree?

I am particularly drawn to gingko trees because their beauty and hardiness. This gingko in particular is rather tall. Gingkos are ancient!

What time of the year was it? It was in the fall - every Fall I watch this tree change from green to yellow.

What is the exact location of this tree? The tree is on the eastern side of the historic Kreb’s Restaurant building on Route 20 in Skaneateles.

How did you find out about this challenge? I think Facebook

The making of the 'Gingko Tree'

I chose this tree because I was attracted by its shape and color and because I was intrigued by its unique name. After doing some research I realized why the Gingko tree is such a fascinating species. Let me share a couple of facts with you:

"Botanical.com recognizes Ginkgo biloba as 'the oldest living tree on the planet that's been used safely for over 3000 years,' noting that this relic from dinosaur times 'was nearly wiped out during the Ice Age everywhere except in China.' " "Another notable ginkgo tree fact - the bark and leaves of the plant are believed to secrete a sap which acts as a fire retardant. One of the useful functions of ginkgo biloba is thus as a natural means of protection against fires."

Below you will see the development of this acrylic painting.

The finished Gingko tree from Skaneateles, NY was painted with Golden acrylic on a 24x18" gallery wrap canvas during the month of Febrary, 2015.

Gingko tree, 24x18" acrylic on canvas by Maria Rizzo, 2015.

The Story behind the 'Willow Tree'

February 17, 2015 in art, Nature, photography

This week I will highlight the story of Steven Marrone, one of the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

1. Describe yourself: name, age, location, what do you do for a living and what are some of your hobbies? Steven Marrone, 32, Syracuse. Job: Owner- Steven Marrone Painting. Hobbies: Hiking, Oil Painting, Photography

2. Why did you choose to photograph this particular tree/ trees? This particular tree is amazing to see in person. There are just so many angles to capture. Each shot can portray many different emotions. The bark has so much depth, that if you stare at a section, your eyes will play tricks on you.

3. What time of the year was it? Summer

4- What is the exact location of this tree? The tree is located in Burnet Park right behind the swimming pool. 43.0406524,-76.185678

5 - Do you know the type of tree you have captured? Does this tree have a particular meaning to you? Willow. This is my favorite tree to stare up at and take photos. Each photo is so different.

6 - How did you find out about this challenge? Social media

The making of 'Willow Tree'

Below you will see the step by step development of this acrylic painting.

The finished painting, below, I hope you like it!

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.

~ Maria Rizzo