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"

Darlene's Art

My oriental brush paintings are featured today on facebook by Xanadu Gallery. Here is the linkhttps://www.facebook.com/XanaduGallery  Enjoy

workshop in oriental brush painting

Oriental Brush Painting Workshop August 14-19, 2017 for all skill levels. Space is limited with room for only 3 more students if anyone is interested.

At the end of the workshop you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. Please visit www.darlenekaplan.com for details and registration.

Oriental Art Workshop

Next week I am seriously advertising for my oriental art workshop for August 14-19, 2017. Alexandria, VA

I only have space for 5 students left to fill. Great response so far. If you are interested please go to www.darlenekaplan.com click on the workshop link for an application and get it to me ASAP so that I can reserve your space.

West Meets East exhibition

Darlene Kaplan is

one of the artist represented  in this exhibition of Oriental Paintings & Calligraphy by Western Artist. CCACC Art Gallery Gaithersburg, MD.

New Oriental Brush Painting session

Next 6 weeks session in oriental brush painting classes start March 2-April 7.  To register please go to www.darlenekaplan.com.

Classes are taught by International/National award winning artist, Darlene Kaplan in Soft Brush Studio at 4609 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310