Awarded one of the Best Painting & Drawing Teachers in Washington, DC area

Thank you Expertise. https://www.expertise.com/dc/washington/painting-and-drawing-classes

This just made my weekend!!! I just received notice that a company "Expertise" has chosen 9 local artist in the category of Best Painting & Drawing Teachers in Washington, DC area. I am honored to say that I was choosen #4 out of the 9. They looked at 132 artist.

www.darlenekaplan.com

new website

Just updated my website. Let me know if you like it.  www.darlenekaplan.com

Oriental Brush Painting classes

Want to try something new this Spring?? In addition to the Thursday night and Friday classes; I am starting a new class in oriental brush painting on Wednesdays from 11 am till 1pm starting April 26th at 4609 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA. I have about 3 openings if you are interested.  www.darlenekaplan.com to download the registration form.  Classes fill quickly.  703-922-4175

 

Wednesday Day Class Added for Wednesdays

NEW Day CLASS in oriental brush painting added for Wednesdays 11 AM - 1 PM.

 My oriental brush painting class on Friday's from 1-3 pm are overflowing, which is good news. I am so happy that more and more people want to learn this art style.

Therefore, I am opening a new class day which will be Wednesdays from 11 am till 1 pm starting April 26th.  Anyone interested please visit my web site for details at www.darlenekaplan.com

Oriental Brush Painting Class

Last Saturday was the class at Green Spring Gardens Park in Alexandria, VA of my oriental brush painting class that I taught with the assistance of Cynthia Bates who is one of my students. The class was very well attended at around 25 students. Here is a photo of Koi that we I was teaching. They all did a fantastic job. Enjoy. www.darlenekaplan.com

Teaching Japanese Koi

I will be teaching an oriental brush painting class at 10:00 am this Saturday at Green Spring Gardens Park in Alexandria, VA. Have a request to teach Japanese Koi. What better subject could I paint during the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC??? www.darlenekaplan.com

How Soft Brush Studio was named

People often ask me how and why I named my oriental brush painting studio.  Well, here goes!!
From my martial arts study I was advised by my first martial arts instructor to change my medium from oils to the Chinese style of art.  Being the loyal student I complied.

My husband and I became part owners in a martial arts studio where I was one of the instructors after I received the rank of Black Belt.

In 1997 a reporter from the Washington Post asked for an interview which I granted. The gentleman wrote an article about the merging of two careers from martial arts to oriental art painting.  The article was on the front page of both the Fairfax Journal and the Alexandria Journal. At the time I didn't have a name for my art studio.

If you go to www.darlenekaplan.com and click on Press pg 1 you will see both articles.  The Alexandria Journal is at the bottom of the page with the article.  The title was, "Black Belt & Soft Brush".  I took part of the headline and named my studio "Soft Brush Studio"