Greetings from Soft Brush Studio

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. May your lights stay bright and your brush stay wet.

Just wanted to pass on the 6 weeks schedule for my next oriental brush painting session. It starts on Jan. 5th, 2017. For information if you are interested or want to pass it on to your friends please go to www.darlenekaplan.com.

oriental brush painting

Oriental brush painting in progress. Moon or no moon???
www.darlenekaplan.com

International Award Winning Artist

Received my two oriental brush paintings from China. The mountings on the scrolls were very nice. I was so impressed by the professional book featuring all the artist, the certificate, and the award winning plaque. This was the International Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition held in China, 2016 The painting with the white scroll is the Anshan City Public Foreign Office Award winner.

www.darlenekaplan.com

2017 Oriental Painting Workshop

2017 Oriental Painting Workshop: 6 day oriental brush painting workshop 2017 taught by InternationalNational award winning artist Darlene Kaplan. Lunch included. Please go to www.darlenekaplan.com for application. Space is limited fi

Oriental Brush Painting in Progress

Can't believe it is almost 80 out today. Love the colors of the leaves that are just turning beautiful colors. Enjoy this beginning of an oriental brush painting that I started today in Soft Brush Studio, Alexandria, VA. Will publish the finished product shortly. www.darlenekaplan.com

Darlene's Blog: Darlene's Blog: Fall session in oriental brush pai...

Darlene's Blog: Darlene's Blog: Fall session in oriental brush pai...: Darlene's Blog: Fall session in oriental brush painting classes : Fall session in oriental brush painting classes start November 3rd tau...

Darlene's Blog: Fall session in oriental brush painting classes

Darlene's Blog: Fall session in oriental brush painting classes: Fall session in oriental brush painting classes start November 3rd taught by International/National award winning artist Darlene Kaplan in A...

Fall session in oriental brush painting classes

Fall session in oriental brush painting classes start November 3rd taught by International/National award winning artist Darlene Kaplan in Alexandria, VA. Please go to www.darlenekaplan.com to register.

Chinese Calligraphy Class

Today was day three of Chinese Calligraphy School at Wei Hwa Chinese School in Burke, VA. This is really harder than it looks. Here is a sample of my hard work today. Be kind, it is only my 3rd day,lol. www.darlenekaplan.com

Oriental brush painting winner

Well, it seems I won 3 awards instead of one. Guess next time I better read the entire letter. www.darlenekaplan.com

Open 2016 Online Art Exhibition Winning Artist Announced.

Jupiter, FL- October 1, 2016/ Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery is pleased to announce that its October 2016 art exhibition, the 6th Annual "Open" (no theme) Online Art Exhibition is now posted on their website and can be viewed online.

The gallery received and judged 654 entries from 20 different countries and from 40 different states. http://www.lightspacetime.com

Winning Artist, Darlene Kaplan

Just received notice that I am an award winner of Light Space & Time online Gallery, Open 2016 Art Exhibition. Here is the image of the winner & ribbon.. www.darlenekaplan.com

Peony & Bird by Darlene Kaplan

Fall Session Oriental Brush Painting

Fall session in oriental brush painting classes start soon. Register early to reserve your space. Go to www.darlenekaplan.com for details and application form. Hope to see you in class.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of School for my Chinese characters study.  Struggling thru the lesson but trying really hard.  Here is my today's effort.
It is the start of a poem. www.darlenekaplan.com

Workshop by Henry Wo and postcard by Raggedy Bird

Day 2 of Henry Wo's Chinese brush painting workshop that I am attending. He is a Master in Lingnan style. Very successful teacher and his art is out of this world. 3 more days to go until next year.

Arrived home to find this postcard link by raggedybird so that you can send me a postcard  http://www.raggedybird.com/dkpostcards/
Now, to relax before my walk. www.darlenekaplan.com

Darlene Kaplan

Peacock & Wisteria accepted into 2 juried art exhibitions

So happy to announce that my newest "Peacock & Wisteria" oriental painting has been accepted into two exhibitions.

1. The Healing Power of ART Exhibition (Manhattan Arts International, Inc) July 20 – September 20, 2016

2. 2016 Sumi-e Society of America Juried Exhibition
www.darlenekaplan.com

Oriental Brush Painting Workshop Lesson Plan

I am so excited about the 6 Day Oriental Brush Painting Workshop August 15-20th. I have almost finished the samples of subjects that I will be teaching. Lots of preparation for the workshop but I just dearly love to teach such talented students.

Next will be planning the lunch menu; yes, lunch is included. Now, if all this is not enough, there is an exhibit/party at the end of the workshop on Saturday afternoon. Friends are invited.
Want to learn how to paint Koi???
www.darlenekaplan.com

Darlene's Blog: oriental brush painting workshop, 2016

Darlene's Blog: oriental brush painting workshop, 2016: My oriental brush painting workshop for August 15-20 is almost full. It's funny, I have more out of state people this year than ever. ...

Darlene's Blog: oriental brush painting workshop, 2016

Darlene's Blog: oriental brush painting workshop, 2016: My oriental brush painting workshop for August 15-20 is almost full. It's funny, I have more out of state people this year than ever. ...

Art Exhibition at River Farm, Alexandria, VA

Thank all of you that helped hang the National Sumi-e Society Members art

exhibition today at River Farm. Such a nice venue for an art exhibition. The

show is stunning with 4 large room and 2 hallways full of our art.

You are invited to the opening reception on July 17, from 1-3 PM, 2016.

Hope to see you there!!!

Darlene's Blog: Oriental brush painting National Cathedral worksho...

Darlene's Blog: Oriental brush painting National Cathedral worksho...: The workshop went very well today at the National Cathedral School for oriental brush painting. I taught 16 very talented young ladies.  Fun...

International Art Exhibition

I just mailed two of my oriental brush paintings to exhibit in this international ICCPS art exhibition in China. Life is good!!! www.darlenekaplan.com

oriental brush painting workshop, 2016

My oriental brush painting workshop for August 15-20 is almost full. It's funny, I have more out of state people this year than ever. I have space for only 2 more if anyone is interested. www.darlenekaplan.com

Painting accepted at Torpedo Factory

One of my oriental brush paintings was accepted into the juried art exhibition at The Art League in the Torpedo Factory Alexandria, VA. Yeh www.darlenekaplan.com

Oriental brush painting National Cathedral workshop DC

The workshop went very well today at the National Cathedral School for oriental brush painting. I taught 16 very talented young ladies.  Fun was had by all.
I survived driving into DC without any harm to myself or anyone else!!!

Pursuing Galleries & dealing with rejections

Being rejected as an artist hurts no matter how many times you get rejected. I don't think that anyone really gets used to it but I also think that it makes us really look at our art. I know it always makes me work harder and more determined to find that perfect gallery out there that is interested in oriental brush paintings.

My file of rejection letters from galleries is growing!!! Just last week I added one more to the list.  I did contact the gallery owner to see if there was anything that I could have done to make a difference in their representation.  Was it the prices, the quality of my art, the quality of the images??? Their response was that they can't take on more artist at this time. I appreciated the fact that they answered my questions.

I look at the rejections as a business decision rather than a personal one.  Galleries have to represent the artist that they think they can sell their art.  They have a business to run and support as well as an artist and I get that!!

I would like to just pass on to the many artist out there that have a large file of rejection letters as I do to keep on making your art.  Believe in yourself and others will start to believe in you also.
I paint my oriental brush paintings for myself, not for juries, or galleries.  I paint what I love.

So the search for gallery representation goes on!!!
www.darlenekaplan.com

Oriental Brush Painting Workshop - 2016

6 Day workshop instructed by Darlene Kaplan.

 Create your own masterpiece in the Lingnan style of Oriental Brush Painting.

                                DATES:    August 15 thru 20, 2016

                               TIMES:     10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

                   WHERE:  Soft Brush Studio, 4609 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310

Subjects will include birds, flowers, lotus, fish, insects, & waterfalls.

 Small Lunch & drink will be provided.  If you have any special dietary needs, please bring your own lunch.

PRICE:  $450.  Please make tuition check payable to Darlene Kaplan. Payment is due before August 10, 2016. 

You may register now to reserve your space. Please print, fill out registration form & mail along with payment to: 

Darlene Kaplan

4609 Franconia Rd

Alexandria, VA 22310

703-922-4175

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Space is limited.  First come basics.

Registration Form:

Name:_____________________________________________________________

Address____________________________________________________________

State_________________________________Zip____________________________

Email_______________________________________________________________

Phone (H)________________________________cell__________________________

Agreement & Terms: Please read carefully & sign

1.    No refunds 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop.  

2.    No recording allowed during the demonstrations of the workshop.

3.    It is highly recommended that you bring a pad and pencil to take notes.  

4.    Please be considerate of others and turn your phones off upon entering the art studio to get ready for a fun filled 6 days!!!



Artist Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_______________________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.darlenekaplan.com

chineseart@darlenekaplan.com

Please park on Craft Road, follow the sidewalk to the back entrance to Soft Brush Studio.

Out of Country/State students, I recommend lodging in Springfield, VA

oriental brush painting class

The oriental brush painting class yesterday that I taught was full. I am so lucky to have such talented and dedicated students. www.darlenekaplan.com

new session of oriental brush painting classes added to schedule by Darlene Kaplan

My students requested more classes over the summer before the workshop in August.

So, an additional 6 weeks session has been added this summer to the oriental brush painting classes. The new session starts June 9 till July 14th. Anyone interested?? Happiness Guaranteed.

www.darlenekaplan.

com

award winning artist

This just made my day. Arrived home after a three day workshop and had this waiting. Happy camper. www.darlenekaplan.com

Summer session in Oriental Brush Painting classes

Oriental brush painting summer session starts APRIL 28-June 3, 2016 at Soft Brush Studio, Alexandria, VA.  Classes taught by Master painter, Darlene Kaplan.
 
This session will include wisteria, dogwood, and whatever is blooming outside at the time. Kaplan follows nature as her subject matter.  Classes are for all skill levels.   www.darlenekaplan.com for more info.

Kingstowne, VA art exhibition

After oriental brush painting class that I taught a few of the students wanted to go to Pho Bowl in Kingstowne, VA to have a fantastic lunch and view my art exhibition of oriental brush paintings on display.  Fun was had by all.  www.darlenekaplan.com

Happy
Easter

subject for Summer oriental brush painting classes

Thinking about subjects for the Summer oriental brush painting classes starting April 28-June 2, 2016.  Maybe a landscape??
www.darlenekaplan.com

Showcase artist Darlene Kaplan

Featured artist of the week in Manhattan Arts International.  Here is the link.
 http://www.manhattanarts.com/darlene-kaplan-nature-inspired-watercolors/  Enjoy

www.darlenekaplan.com

Manhattan Arts International Interview

Here is a link to an interview about my art by Manhattan Arts International conducted by Renee Philips. Enjoy http://www.manhattanarts.com/interview-with-artist-darlene…/

www.darlenekaplan.com

NEW Thursday night oriental brush painting class

The good news; the NEW Thursday night oriental brush painting class is almost full.

New oriental brush painting class added at Soft Brush Studio, Alexandria, VA. Darlene Kaplan is now teaching a Thursday night class. www.darlenekaplan.com if you are interested email chineseart@darlenekaplan.com

Spring Session Oriental Brush Painting classes

*New* oriental brush painting class added at Soft Brush Studio. 703-922-4175 Darlene Kaplan is now teaching a Thursday night class from 7-9 pm in addition to Friday classes 1-3 pm.. If interested please go to www.darlenekaplan.com Next session starts March 3, 2016

Correction on previous post about my art classes.  The NEW Thursday night class from 7-9 pm starts March 3 & Friday class from 1-3 pm is March 4th.

Spring Oriental Brush Painting Session

New oriental brush painting class added at Soft Brush Studio. 703-922-4175

Darlene Kaplan is now teaching a Thursday night class from 7-9 pm in addition to Friday classes 1-3 pm.. 
If interested please go to www.darlenekaplan.com Next session starts March 1, 2016

Oriental Brush Painting art exhibition by Darlene Kaplan

Just hung a small art exhibition (10 paintings) of oriental brush paintings this morning in Pho Bowl just off Telegraph & Beulah St, Alexandria, VA. Check it out if you get a chance.

www.darlenekaplan.com

Oriental brush painting classes, Spring Session

Spring session starts March 4, 2016 at Soft Brush Studio for Oriental Brush Painting classes taught by Darlene Kaplan/Professional Artist.  Classes are for everyone, no matter what you skill level is.  Everyone works at their own pace.

go to www.darlenekaplan.com to sign up.
Email is chineseart@darlenekaplan.com.  Hope to see you there, you will love it.

  Happiness Guaranteed!!

Oriental Brush Painting Workshop
Join me for the annual "6 Days Oriental Brush Painting workshop" taught by  Professional Artist Darlene Kaplan.

Dates:  August 15-20, 2016

Place: Soft Brush Studio,  4609 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA
For registration form please go to   www.darlenekaplan.com 

For more information please feel to email me at chineseart@darlenekaplan.com