kirah van sickle : the classroom
"I learned more in a week with Kirah than ten years of classes."
Kirah offers a variety of educational opportunities. As a certified Golden Artist-Educator, Marabu USA Artist-Educator, and Silver Brush Educator, Kirah has tremendous insight and experience with materials, and professional history in both traditional and contemporary processes. She teaches acrylics, watercolors, oils, pastel, mixed media, monoprinting (gelli arts), and creates custom programming and mentorship for the individual or small groups.
CRITIQUE PUNCHCARD
Interested in a critique or consulting session? Perhaps a painting session to work on a specific issue or technique. The punchcard is $60, can be used to get insights/advice on up to three works in progress, or a painting session, juried show submissions, grant proposals, art biz advice, materials questions, or push past blocks.
This can be in person or virtual. Available in the art "store."
2024 WORKSHOPS
Interested in custom private or semi-private, in-person or virtual studio sessions?
Kirah works with student-artists from beginner to professional in building painting confidence and art biz insights. Contact here.
INTO THE WILD: BOTANICAL ABSTRACTION
Tuesdays, November 5 - 26
2 - 3:00 pm
It's a jungle out there! This 4-week course is perfect for the student artist
interested in exploring abstract techniques, but not sure where to start. We
will focus on botanical subjects to inspire semi-abstract and non-objective mark-
making with the painting medium of your choice. We will even add a few mixed media techniques
to add dimension, texture, layers along with a path of distilling down to fundamental building blocks of line, shape, value and color. For seasoned beginners to advanced.
Adult: All Levels
Fee: CAM Member $256 / Not-yet Member $320
WATERCOLOR WRANGLING: WELCOME TO THE RODEO
Cameron Art Museum - Pancoe Studio
Sunday, November 3
9:30 - 4:00 pm
Let's kick up our watercolor wrangling skills a notch and explore intermediate
and advanced color theory and painting techniques. This one-day workshop
focuses on building depth, powerful color, brush-handling confidence and is
great for the student-artist ready to expand on watercolor fundamentals.
Seasoned beginners to experienced levels welcome.
Adult: All Levels
Fee: CAM MEMBER $112/ Not-yet Member $ 140
2025 WORKSHOPS
ABSTRACTING FROM BOTANICALS: PAINTING FUNDAMENTALS
Centers for Arts-Bonita Springs, FL
Thursday & Friday, February 12 - 13, 2025
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Botanical landscapes and still lifes will be our inspiration in this two-day
exploration of abstraction. Focusing on the fundamentals of line, shape
and color, we will use a variety of techniques to distill complex form into
dynamic abstract studies. Through instructor demos, handouts and historical
context, the abstract garden awaits! Beginner (with some basic painting
experience) to advanced; your preferred painting medium welcome. Instructor
will demo in acrylic and watercolor.
Adult: All Levels/Beginners with some experience
Cost: $240 Member/ $290 Non-member
SINGLE OBJECT STILL LIFE
Centers for Arts-Bonita Springs
Saturday & Sunday, February 14 - 15, 2025
9:30 - 4:30 pm
Let's kick up our watercolor wrangling skills a notch and explore intermediate
and advanced color theory and painting techniques. This one-day workshop
focuses on building depth, powerful color, brush-handling confidence and is
great for the student-artist ready to expand on watercolor fundamentals.
Seasoned beginners to experienced levels welcome.
Adult: All Levels/Beginners with some experience
Cost: $240 Member/ $290 Non-member
Call 239-495-8989 for registration
2025 ART + TRAVEL WORKSHOPS
PAWLEYS ISLAND SPRING AR
Friday, April 18 - Friday, April 25, 2025
Join Kirah for the 45th Annual Plein Air Workshop at Sea View Inn
Spring is the perfect time for this beloved annual workshop combining great
low country painting sites, food, cultural and natural history and the historic
Sea View Inn. Every April Kirah and the artists take over the charming shabby
chic inn for plenty of plein air sketching, painting fundamentals, art history,
and gorgeous coastal inspiration. This fills up fast!
Contact the inn directly here for 2025 pricing and availability.
CAVES OF PAINTED DREAMS WORKSHOP
Dordogne, France
Wednesday, September 10 - Friday, September 19, 2025
Dreams, Symbolism and ART in the Painted Caves of France
with Carol Aalbers PhD & Artist Kirah Van Sickle
Nestled in the Dordogne Region we find some of our oldest and most notable
cave art sties in the world. Paleolithic art, which likely functioned as sacred
spaces for early humans, is our focus. Our artist-ancestors maintained a
sophisticated art and crafts practice that mystifies and inspires. By exploring
through art the archetypal images in the caves, in our dreams, and in the
landscape and villages of the Dordogne Valley, we connect to creativity,
personal iconography, and to what makes us human. Utilizing active imagination
and recording our own dream images with various art mediums, will enhance
our experience and aid in our inner journey.
Contact Kirah at kirahart@yahoo.com for workshop brochure, itinerary, and pricing details.
CIAO, ITALIA!
Plein Air Sketching and Painting in Rome and Umbria
October 3 - 12, 2025
Sketching & Painting the History and Colors of Rome
and the Gems of Umbria
This custom plein air Italy adventure begins with two nights in
Rome, with Etruscan masterpieces and off-the-beaten path art
museums; We then head into the green heart of Italy - Umbria,
with 6 nights in our home base, Spello. This is the perfect location
to explore the history, art and food and wine of Assisi, Perugia, and
the Montefalco wine region.
For itinerary, pricing, and trip details, click here!
