Renowned Local Artist Lee Alban to Lead Still Life Workshop

The bee explores the thin purple petals protruding from the stem, its legs gently passing over each, ready to continue its hard work collecting pollen. The flower almost looks like it is reaching out to the insect, aching for it to take that which it needs. Wings flutter faster than the naked eye can see, up to 230 times per second. Yet in the seemingly microcosmic moment captured on this canvas, the observer can make out the fine contours, with just the slightest suggestion of movement.

Those were my impressions when I first saw “Busy,” truly an impressive work by local artist Lee Alban. And on Sunday, October 27, 2013, from 9:00am-6:00pm, other aspiring painters have a remarkable opportunity to practice the art of still life directly from this award winning master of the palette. The workshop will be hosted by “Arts by the Bay Gallery” at 500 B Warren Street. The Gallery is about to celebrate its 5th anniversary here in Havre de Grace and plans to have a number of events to celebrate next month (see the “Calendar Spotlight”post for more information). But they could hardly have chosen a more impressive event as a preface to those festivities.

The cost of the workshop is $85.00, with each student to provide his or her own board or canvas (suggested size 12x16), paints, solvents, cloths and other needed supplies. The goal of the workshop is for each student to complete one painting under the guidance of Alban. During the first three hours Alban will provide a demonstration, followed by a one hour lunch break and a five hour sitting for the student to complete his or her own work. The class is limited to 16 students.

Alban is the winner of the 2010 Excellence in Still Life Award offered by the Oil Painters of America along with a plethora of other honors. He has been classically trained at the Schuler School of Fine Arts and has been commissioned by various institutions including the Gilman School in Baltimore.

For more information on Lee Alban, visit his website at leealban.com. More about the Arts by the Bay Gallery can be found at www.artsbythebaygallery.com and details about the workshop are available at the link below:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Arts-by-the-Bay-Gallery-Announces-Lee-Alban-Workshop.html?soid=1102200958355&aid=MnfXNw1SR-Y

A $45.00 deposit is required to reserve a space and is due by October 20. For additional information or to register, contact Pat Fair, Director, at (410)409-1336, (410)939-4441 or (410)939-1818, or stop by the gallery at 500-B Warren Street.