In January of 2010 we completed this screen painting in Mrs Brown's class!

        

One of  the many students who learned the Art of dry brush dragging

        

Deco Style painting of Blue Heron.

        

Several one day workshops are occurring in May and June of this year along with two week long workshops.  From first grade through seventh grade.

1.  Main objectives:  The Art of Screen Painting. 
   
   
   
2. Lesson Objectives:  Learning the history, the tools, and learning the art of dry brush dragging.  Details coming soon!!!

Check my website!

        

    So my 14year old daughter suggests to me to just start typing!  O K!  My focus is to expose the near 100 year old folk art of painted screens to as many people as possible.  If your not familiar with the history of screen painting you can click onto www.belladesignsonline.com  and you will see the great story of how it started and how it's entrenched itself into a small but growing number of dedicated admirers and a small handfull of very tenacious screen painters.  Screenpainting has been engrossed in the small ethnic neighborhoods of east Baltimore, where it all started, since 1913 and has been graced with original talents of the Octacek family.  The first generation of artisans were a group of stylized individuals with one thing in common.  They were the pioneers of an unknown artform from an undisciplined art background.  So this enabled them to venture out on ther own making there rules up as they wished.  This blue-collar derived artform, out of necessity, blossomed to over three hundred thousand exterior pieces of art adorning the small neighborhoods of east Baltimore.  Now I could go on and on, but I think it's best if i just cut out now and suggest to google painted screens and you will find out much more about the history of this magical artform.
     What I'm hoping to deliver is a well informed expose' of my talents as a screenpainter.  The rollercoaster ride of magical painted privacy screens.  As soon as I can figure out how to use the tools in front of me, I will be focusing on the latest paintings, the next art  exhibit show, school workshop related adventures, and a How-To-Paint episode or two for those who would like to experiment.  Until then I wish all well! 

Ciao for now, John              

        

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