Introduction to Encaustics

Drip, pour, drag, layer, heat, and incise! Learn the art of encaustic painting in this hands-on workshop using pigmented wax and a heated palette! Through a rich variety of marks and surfaces, explore the various painting techniques of this seductive medium. We will also look to CMBG’s gardens as sources of inspiration.

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Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Hélène Farrar
Price: $220 / $255

Exploring Landscape through Encaustic Painting

Monday and Tuesday, June 20 and 21 | In this hands-on workshop, develop sketches, photographs, or landscape visions into encaustic paintings by exploring a rich variety of marks, transfer, and stencil techniques. Class time will be divided between demonstration, individual work time, and discussion about Maine art and its contemporary and historical connection to landscape. We’ll chat about proper studio ventilation, wax safety, and how to “finish” artworks in terms of framing and care. Students will leave with multiple finished pieces and an understanding of proper studio set-up.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Hélène Farrar
Price: $225 / $255

Nature Art Camp: Drawing Blooms and Butterflies (Ages 7-12) (Sold Out)

Monday, July 11-Friday, July 15

Young artists put their investigative skills to work as they collect, study, identify, and illustrate the Gardens’ butterflies and the flowers and plants they depend on. Daily, participants will explore and sketch on-location in the Gardens, developing a strong foundation of observation, drawing, and painting skills, simultaneously creating a portfolio of beautiful studies and illustrations using pencil, pen and ink, colored pencil, and watercolor. Students also gain an understanding and appreciation for the important role these pollinators play in our gardens. All art supplies are included with this camp.

Hélène Farrar has taught and worked in the visual arts for twenty years, actively exhibiting in commercial, nonprofit, and university galleries in New England, New York City, Pennsylvania, Italy, and England. Farrar has a BA in studio art from the University of Maine and an MFA in interdisciplinary arts from Goddard College in Vermont. Hélène currently owns and operates a private art school out of her Maine “farmhouse” studio where she holds a variety of workshops and classes for children and adults.

Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Hélène Farrar
Price: $235 / $295

Owls, Butterflies and Other Flying Friends: Working in Encaustic Paint

Monday and Tuesday, September 19 and 20

Enjoy two days exploring the ancient medium of encaustic, a fluid, hot beeswax painting medium perfect for working in rich textures and a range of colors found in nature. Class time will be divided between demonstration, individual work time, and discussion about Maine’s strong contemporary and historical artistic connection to landscape genre. We’ll discuss proper studio ventilation, wax safety, and how to “finish” artwork in terms of framing and care. Students will leave with multiple finished pieces and the understanding of proper studio set-up.

*Starter panels will be provided, but students are expected to bring their own panels for finished works or developed drafts. Upon registration, you will receive further details about panel choices, along with a list of additional materials that you are invited to bring to the course.

Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Hélène Farrar
Price: $225 / $255

Line & Form: Drawing the Trolls, Ages 7-11 (July)

Thursday & Friday, July 13 & 14, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The Gardens’ five resident trolls are fabulous sketching subjects! In this two-day workshop, young artists will develop an understanding of shape and form as they create their own sketches of these giants. Students will draw both on-site and in the studio and become familiar with a variety of drawing media, including various pencils and an introduction to watercolor. After capturing the trolls, participants will apply their new skills to other subjects at the Gardens such as butterflies, flowers, and frogs. All materials provided. 

Hélène Farrar has taught and worked in the visual arts for twenty years while actively exhibiting in commercial, nonprofit, and university galleries in New England, New York City, Pennsylvania, Italy, and England. Farrar has a BA in studio art from the University of Maine and an MFA in interdisciplinary arts from Goddard College in Vermont. Hélène currently owns and operates her own private art school in Maine out of her “Farmhouse” studio, where she holds a variety of workshops and classes for children and adults.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Hélène Farrar
Price: $100 / $125

Line & Form: Drawing the Trolls, Aug. (Ages 7-11) (Sold Out)

Monday & Tuesday, August 21 & 22, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The Gardens’ five resident trolls are fabulous sketching subjects! In this two-day workshop, young artists will develop an understanding of shape and form as they create their own sketches of these giants. Students will draw both on-site and in the studio and become familiar with a variety of drawing media, including various pencils and an introduction to watercolor. After capturing the trolls, participants will apply their new skills to other subjects at the Gardens such as butterflies, flowers, and frogs. All materials provided.

Hélène Farrar has taught and worked in the visual arts for twenty years while actively exhibiting in commercial, nonprofit, and university galleries in New England, New York City, Pennsylvania, Italy, and England. Farrar has a BA in studio art from the University of Maine and an MFA in interdisciplinary arts from Goddard College in Vermont. Hélène currently owns and operates her own private art school in Maine out of her “Farmhouse” studio, where she holds a variety of workshops and classes for children and adults.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Hélène Farrar
Price: $100 / $125

Mixed Media and Wax

Monday-Wednesday, September 11-13, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Beautiful things happen when the ancient medium of encaustic meets with mixed media materials. Join us for an intensive three-day workshop and explore encaustic on a basic level and its relationship to textile, photographs, and natural materials. Students will investigate how to transfer images, stencil, collage, and learn techniques for building up surfaces. There is a $60 materials fee per student; materials will be supplied by the instructor, including four- and eight-inch-sized beginner panels.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Hélène Farrar
Price: $265 / $285