Draw and Watercolor

noreply@blogger.com (Suzanne McDermott) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:06:00 +0000

Are you ready for creative change?
Allow me to guide you with support and encouragement.

You don't need any experience to take any of my courses. All you need is a desire to draw and watercolor. My courses are designed for professionals outside the visual arts.

Stay tuned for your next opportunity to transform...
Starting July 12
Add your name to the waiting list

First 8 students to enroll receive a beautiful gift package!

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Look to the top of the sidebar on right.

While you're waiting for the next course,
Enter Here to start practicing now!

“When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at the college—that my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared back at me, incredulous, and said, “You mean they forget?”
—Howard Ikemoto

I help people who feel blocked and trapped, who want to open their creative channels for authentic self-expression providing a safe and supportive environment to open up and get real.

I coach artists who struggle with authenticity to uncover their unique style.
Why be a lemming? Learn to draw and paint like you, not like anyone else!

Experience drawing and watercolor as a spiritual practice — a unique, fun and challenging path to self-realization.

Work out your fears and your blocks on paper. You'll experience remarkable change in the quality of your life while making drawings and watercolors.

Start now with Enter Here.
A short, self-paced, independent approach.

Enter Here

Read my Frequently Asked Questions page. Read the Testimonials page to learn about other student's experience.

Join one of my encouraging online courses and discover your untapped creative potential.

It's just like being with me in my studio!

WHY I TEACH

I teach drawing and watercolor because — after a lifetime of personal practice and fifteen years of teaching throughout the country at the community level— I firmly believe that these disciplines provide a creative path for self-realization. Drawing and watercolor offer unique ways to integrate your body, mind and spirit. Draw and watercolor as you discover yourself and your place in the world.

About my courses

noreply@blogger.com (Suzanne McDermott) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:07:00 +0000

My Basic Drawing and Watercolor Course teaches you everything you need to know about drawing and watercolor to start a practice of your own. Originally designed as a two-day workshop to be held entirely outdoors, we frequently work with nature as a subject.

We start with drawing (the foundation of watercolor) and move through a series of progressive exercises with demonstrations. Instruction includes fundamentals of materials and mediums, design concepts, value, color mixing and basic techniques.

Discover a new sense of self and spirit, enhanced observational skills and experience a noticeable development of confidence and awareness. These classes are as much about learning to see as about making art.

Explore drawing and watercolor, learn art history in context of your lessons, enhance your perceptive skills, understanding of design and develop more acute appreciation for the art of drawing and watercolor.

My courses are designed for ages 10-100 — for absolute beginners and as refreshers for experienced artists.

You will learn a lot about yourself!

Testimonials

noreply@blogger.com (Suzanne McDermott) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:00:00 +0000

"I will never look at the world the same way again!"
— Roberta Conroy, Palm Springs, CA

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"You have a very generous spirit! You shared your vast knowledge of drawing and painting in a way that was easy to understand and very comprehensive. I was inspired by your passion as an artist."
— Sharon Cole, Los Angeles, CA

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"I'm such a face-to-face communicator, I never thought an online environment could be effective for teaching. I never thought I'd like the video format. But in your online course, I'm not distracted by extraneous things that would otherwise catch my attention. Even better, I don't have to drive anywhere!

I feel like it's the benefit of private tutoring with the advantage of other students' work to look at. You've put together a really well-planned, well-thought out, beautifully presented product with tremendous depth and breadth.

I want to thank you for this class. I might have put off drawing for the rest of my life." — Susan Spak, Storrs, CT

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"I want to express what a fantastic job you have done with the online class (and I am a tough critic). You are truly a masterful teacher and have taken impressive command of the online realm for your purpose. The videos are extraordinarily helpful. I watched each of them several times. I feel truly blessed to be a part of your first online class." —Edwina Horn, Washington, D.C.

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"I was uncertain about the technical details of an online course and I am surprised at the successful way Suzanne has made everything seem easy. Suzanne's encouragement to each of us is very helpful and inspiring. Even when we are encountering technical problems, she is easily able to teach us how to resolve those problems.

"This course has relaxed me in other areas of my life. Although I am still disciplined, I am now able to prioritize my homework assignments instead of procrastinating. Suzanne has taught me to "just do it"! "I gathered up my courage and participated in an art show this past weekend and actually sold my first piece.

"I absolutely recommend this course to friends and colleagues, and have definitely learned more than I expected about drawing and seeing."— Ellen Howard Bentz, Attorney, Johns Island, SC

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"When I am having a terrible day at work - stressed out with a task list longer than my arm - I hear Suzanne's voice in my head reminding me to just take time to breathe. Take time to draw. So I find a few minutes to put pencil to paper and capture something around me. Not only does it recharge something in my spirit and heart, it makes the stress around me disappear for a moment. so I truly can breathe.

Suzanne gives you a magic that you take with you, that changes the way you see the world. For me, the drive and inspiration to paint is re-focused with each class session but lasts until the next session." — Christine Gill, Mount Juliet, TN

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“I must say without any doubt that the art classes I have taken under Suzanne McDermott have proven to be more enjoyable and more beneficial than any other classes in town. I've tried Watkins College of Art and several classes under other instructors. Suzanne's teaching method moves step by step from the beginning, first building a firm foundation in drawing, then learning colors and combinations to paint in watercolor.

The spiritual aspect of her instruction was helpful not only in my painting but in other aspects of my life as well, teaching me to quiet the critical mind and giving me the courage to push forward to create something I could truly enjoy. I would recommend her classes above all others.” — Debbie Russell, Nashville, TN

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"I wanted to let you know what a big impact your drawing lessons have had on my music composition and poetry writing. Your advice to "just keep your pencil moving, avoid using the eraser" has really helped me keep "moving" in my other creative activities. Thanks to you, I am now experiencing less blocking, fussing over details, etc., and more FREEDOM! It's a much happier way to work. Thanks!" —Biff Fink, Nashville, TN

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"I am not particularly talented in drawing, but wanted to spend some time with the craft and get some pointers. Suzanne did a great job of encouraging all of her students, regardless of their level of expertise, and provided everyone with positive feedback as well as suggestions for how to improve our drawing and/or skills.

In each class, she gave us a project or two which taught a skill related to drawing. All of us were appreciated at the level where we were able to perform. In fact, Suzanne admonished us for self-criticism. I wanted to commend Suzanne for teaching with such acceptance."
— Cheekwood Museum student, Nashville, TN

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"Suzanne, you ROCK! You are awesome and you inspire me so much!"  —Holly Armstrong, Publishing professional, Nashville, TN

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“To describe an introductory drawing and watercolor workshop given by Suzanne McDermott is to define a learning experience that blends a clear demonstration of basic techniques and insight with a creative spark and confidence that are contagious. Even now, many paintings down a road of artistic venture, I recall all that I learned that weekend with Suzanne with nothing but thanks and pleasure.”
— Mary O’Connor, Executive Director, Guilford Art Center, CT

Where have you taught?

noreply@blogger.com (Suzanne McDermott) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:08:00 +0000

Suzanne McDermott developed her intensive Drawing and Watercolor workshop in 1997 for guests at the Kiawah Island Resort in South Carolina. She has since taught her workshop and classes for private groups and organizations and, with return engagements, at the Guilford and Farmington Valley Art Centers in Connecticut, Gulf Coast Museum of Art in Largo, Florida, San Luis Obispo Art Center in California, Cheekwood Museum and University School of Nashville in Tennessee, National Audubon sites, National Historic sites, Elderhostels, and private schools.

Suzanne served as juror in the Drawing and Printmaking categories for the Scholastic Art Competition and directed the community drawing initiative Drawing America.

About the Instructor

noreply@blogger.com (Suzanne McDermott) — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:57:00 +0000

Visual artist and internationally acclaimed singer songwriter, Suzanne McDermott teaches a signature foundation course in drawing and watercolor emphasizing self-realization through creative practice.

Painting with watercolor since the age of five, Suzanne was commissioned for much of her early work. Suzanne's watercolors have been featured in solo and group shows in Los Angeles, Sarasota, FL, Charleston, SC, Petersburg and Culpeper, VA, Nashville, TN and are in private collections in the US and Europe.

In 1997, she developed her intensive Basic Drawing + Watercolor Workshop in South Carolina at the Kiawah Island Resort. She has since taught the workshop at museums, art centers, National Audubon sites, National Historic sites, Elderhostels, schools, and for organizations and private groups across the country.

After studying Drawing, Watercolor, Design and Art History at The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Santa Monica College, and Ringling School of Art + Design, Suzanne earned a B.A. in Humanities with a concentration in Drama, Art and Music from New College of Florida. Growing up within walking distance of The Barnes Foundation, Dr. Barnes and his collection left a deep impression and lasting influence.

As a singer songwriter, she recorded five albums and toured throughout Europe and the US. Suzanne currently works in the studio she built in Nashville. Read a more extensive bio at suzannemcdermott.com.

To see Suzanne McDermott paintings, visit the watercolor gallery.