Well, this past weekend was all about painting the landscape and buttons and bows. No, not the song from 1948 sung by Dinah Shore but the card making class instructed by Debra Herrick from Fort Madison. Four students took part in the class held at the Meek Mansion in Bonaparte and they all seemed to enjoy the art of taking a common, ordinary card and by adding embellishments turning it into a true work of art anyone would be pleased to receive. Yes, you guessed it, some of the tricks included adding “buttons and bows” to the cards. I visited the class early on and came back later to see what they had accomplished. The fun is in the making, but it is always exciting to see the end product and the smiles on the students’ faces as they complete their works of art. It never ceases to amaze me how our teachers can turn ordinary things, such as buttons and bows, into beautiful works of art. Debra was having a great time with the class and the students were all enjoying themselves.
After my second visit to the class I headed for Keosauqua to find John Preston and his class set-up on a hill overlooking the Des Moines River valley. They were painting the landscape and John was explaining the technique of using different colors to achieve the varying layers of the scene. I went to work snapping pictures as they talked and worked with the different brushes, brush strokes and shades of color. It is quickly obvious that going to the store and purchasing all the paints, palettes, brushes and easels does not make you an artist. Well, maybe an artist, but not an accomplished artist. While John was offering suggestions for the student I stepped over to look at the painting on his easel. I looked at the valley, at his painting, and back at the scenery. Painting on paper is one thing, but to make it look so real and true to life is a talent that comes from years and years of study and a true gift that captures the moment. John has such a gift and to watch him share it with passion and excitement is a wonderful thing to behold. I can share all of this with you but until you witness it for yourself the true beauty of his painting can’t be totally understood. If you like to paint but sometimes wish you could be more successful at capturing the subject then taking a class with one of our folk school artists is just for you.
Go to our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com to see the class descriptions and the dates they are being held. Registration is easy! You may register by printing the form from the website, filling it out and mailing it with your registration fee to the Villages Folk School, PO Box 51, Bonaparte, IA 52620 or by simply calling Gloria at the folk school office at 319-592-3700. We invite you to come enjoy one of our many classes and see why we are so excited about the future of the Villages Folk School.
As we continue to increase our class offerings and our instructors we are aware of the tremendous need to have partners who can capture the vision with us and become a part of this great endeavor. You will see on our web page an opportunity that allows you to do just that! Donations to the school may be made in several levels with an easy Pay Pal button found on the site. If you aren’t comfortable making payments online, just send your donation in the form of a check. We thank you for considering a donation to the Villages Folk School and invite you to check out one of our many classes.
Coming up in August and September are the following classes: Creative Writing—Intro to Publishing (Aug 28-29), Raku Pottery (Sept 4), Bonaparte Pottery Experience (Sept 4-5), Chair Caning with Flat Reed Splits (Sept 18), Sculpture Portrait in Three Dimension (Sept 18-19), Pulp Play (Paper) & Journal Making (Sept 23-24), Beginning Blacksmithing (Sept 25-26), Beginning Hammered Dulcimer (Sept 25).
Don’t let the year pass you by without experiencing a class at the Villages Folk School. The only person who can help you understand the joy of living the arts here at the folk school is YOU! Won’t you join us for some fun?
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