Workshop Scholarship Program

I have a passion for painting the landscape as well as helping artists that are just getting started. I had a difficult time finding the training I was looking for when I got started in this career, and I believe that painting the landscape from life is the best way to become a better landscape painter. For those reasons, I have decided to invite a student to participate in my plein air workshop "Painting in the Footsteps of Masters" for free. To help offset some of the travel expenses we will also cover $500 towards accommodations.

 

This is a unique opportunity to paint in the Canadian Rockies where Carl Rungius, John Singer Sargent, the Group of Seven, and other masters have painted. In the workshop I will teach the fundamentals of landscape painting in some of the most beautiful places in the Rocky Mountains, including Moraine Lake, Bow Lake and Lake O'Hara. My hope is that this experience will help educate you in not only how to paint the landscape, but also the importance of painting from life and experiencing nature first hand in your art, and learning about the artists that have come before us. I also hope to inspire you to continue to paint, enjoy art and help you move forward in your artistic endeavours.

 

Qualifications
This opportunity is open to anyone between the ages of 17 to 25, from Canada or the USA, who is currently enrolled in an art program within high school, college/university, or an art institute such as Swinton's Art Instruction or Scottsdale Artist's School. The workshop will be held in July 2013.

 

Click here for more details about this workshop

 

Entry Details
If you are interested in learning to paint the landscape en plein air and joining us for this workshop, please send 2 images of your work, your contact information and address, and a brief explanation of why you are the best candidate for this program to Jerry by email before May 31st, 2013. Please include the subject line "Scholarship Program". Thank you for your interest and I look forward to reviewing all the submissions.

 

Notification
The selected candidate will be notified in June 2013. You will then be sent an information package with further details about the workshop.

Please Note:
Travel to and from the workshop, meals and transportation are the responsibility of the candidate. For people under 18 years of age you are required to be accompanied by a legal guardian and we also request that a release form be signed.

 

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Finding young people that want to pursue a career in fine art is rare.  Brittany Gilbert is one of those rare exceptions.

 

As recent graduate from Union College in New York with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, finding Jerry Markham's painting scholarship was perfect timing. "I had just finished school and wasn't quite sure what to do yet so I looked online for painting scholarships and found Jerry's website," said Gilbert.

 

Jerry Markham remembers what it was like to be a college student interested in art but unsure of the place it could have in his life. He wanted to paint landscapes but he had a difficult time finding the training he was looking for until he stumbled upon Swinton's Art Supply in Calgary, Alberta and began taking classes from full-time artists. A professional artist for over ten years, Jerry believes that painting the landscape from life is the best way to become a better landscape painter. Through teaching workshops he has found that it is rare to find young people who are interested in art, that have experienced plein air painting or thought of pursuing art as a potential career.

 

For those reasons, one spot in Markham's sold out plein air workshop was designated for a college or university student in the arts, with the workshop tuition provided by Markham, and art supplies provided by Doug Swinton, artist and owner of Swinton's Art Supply.

 

Now 33, a professional artist for over 10 years, Markham's goal with the program was to show younger people interested in the arts that although a career in fine art can be difficult at times, it is not only a viable career choice but also a rewarding one if it is your passion.

 

For Gilbert it is a passion. "For me, landscape painting is about showing the place, the history, and how it has changed. I've always loved the impressionists and how they painted outside, and I love being outside and painting in nature, so I thought why not combine the two."

 

So for Gilbert, Jerry's workshop 'In The Footsteps Of Masters', where the artists paint at three of the most majestic mountain lakes in the Canadian Rocky Mountains - Bow Lake, Lake O'Hara and Moraine Lake - and where they learn about the history and artists who have painted there before them, such as John Singer Sargent, Carl Runguis, and the Group of Seven, it was a perfect fit.

 

"I was so excited to be chosen as the scholarship recipient," said Gilbert, who traveled all the way from Rhode Island to Lake Louise, Alberta in July 2012. "I really wanted to learn more instruction on landscape painting, especially plein air painting, and to see new landscapes."

 

Of her first time visiting the Rockies, Gilbert said she was in awe, resulting in 10 paintings in 5 days.

 

Painting of Bow Lake, Oil, by Brittany Gilbert

Painting of Mount Athabasca, Oil, by Brittany Gilbert

 

"The workshop was great - I learned a lot. I learned more about color temperature, simplifying (not getting bogged down in details), and making your brush strokes count, which is so important when the light is changing quickly. I think it was good how Jerry asked me questions so I could figure it out for myself. It gave me a better understanding for how to look at any type of landscape, not specifically the one I'm currently in."

 

The scholarship program exceeded Jerry's expectations as well. "I don't think there could have been a better candidate for this program. Brittany is as serious about painting as anyone I have met. Without having had a lot of landscape instruction she has sought out workshops and learned a lot herself through books, practice and travel. I have no doubt that she has the drive and passion to succeed. I look forward to see where her painting and career takes her in the future."

 

Of the scholarship, Gilbert says, "I really enjoyed and appreciate the scholarship and the opportunity to come here and get the instruction, especially just coming out of school. It's hard to get started and get the advice that artists need, and it's nice to know that it is possible as a career."

 

You can learn more about Brittany Gilbert at www.brittanyrgilbert.com.

 

Jerry and Brittany painting Mount Athabasca in Alberta, Canada