The Hub on Canal and Janes Art Center will have their Annual Members Show August 2^nd – September 1^st.  The theme is: “Reflections of ThySelf”.   I am submitting my picture: “Good Thoughts”.

“Happy Thoughts”, Mix Media, $500 available at the Hub.

SOLD!

Final Sketch

Several students were interested in learning about Watercolor Gouache. I brought in some Winsor Newton and Arteza Gouache. The Arteza brand was a hit!  We will continue with this for the next few weeks.

 Thank you for your interest—Stay cool!

Urban sketching was the topic I spoke about June 7^th at the Hub on Canal.  I did a demonstration of drawing and painting flowers in an orange vase! The women who attended expressed an interest in the process and asked a lot of good questions. I could tell that they had some experience with watercolor. I told them that I would be having weekly classes on Thursdays at the Hub starting in September.  I will have a starting date next month.

 “Rural Landscape, Cumbria, England”,
Watercolor, & Pen exercise in layering color.

After that, I asked the students for some suggestions on what they would like to work on. Drawing and painting glass was an idea. We spent a class on that. I did a basic overview of the process; with a lamp, showing the effect light has on glass to create the dramatic shadows in paintings. We did an exercise to paint reflected shadows.

The painting of the candlestick with reflection.

The following 2 weeks, we worked on figures.  I did a basic introduction in drawing people, and divided it into 3 parts.  The first week was on faces, and drawing each other.  The last week, returning to urban sketching, we used our figure drawing skills to add people in cityscapes.

A sketch of my students’ faces.

Classes at Trinity continue on Mondays from 12:30 to 3:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. July classes begin on the 7th.  We’ll focus on urban sketching. All levels are welcome.

Thank you for your interest—and Happy 4th of July!

Talk Art Invitation for June 7, 2025 at The Hub

Join me at the Hub on Canal, Saturday, June 7th from 1 to 2 pm. I’ll be giving a talk about urban sketching. It’s not just drawing buildings—it’s about capturing what’s around you. Maybe it becomes a memory, or even a story. I’ll go over some basic techniques and lead a short class so you can try it yourself.

While you’re at the Hub, take a look at my display wall. I’ve added new artwork, including note cards and framed 5×5 original watercolors. You might find something special to take home.

“Jetty Ladies Watching the Waves” by Evy Okerstrom,
Watercolor, 10″ x 14″, $400

May was a great month for classes at Trinity Lutheran Church. We continued urban sketching, using work by UK artist, Ian Fennelly for inspiration. Drawing New York street scenes—especially the Brooklyn Bridge—was a fun challenge. We used pens to plan our layout: starting with a light gray brush pen, then adding detail with a fine liner, and finishing with watercolor.

Classes at Trinity continue on Mondays from 12:30 to 3:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. June classes begin on the 2nd. We’ll focus on landscape sketching this month. All levels are welcome.

Thank you for your interest–and Happy Fathers Day!

Easter Flowers: Lantana” by Evy Okerstrom

My trip to Medellin, Colombia was a wonderful experience. The main purpose was to meet Alejandra’s family, and they were incredibly welcoming and fun to be with. I felt like part of the family right away. During my stay, I did a few sketches of the city from my apartment balcony and took many photographs to capture the memories. It was inspiring.

Medellin a view from my apartment -Watercolor, Pen & Ink

Medellin during a thunderstorm – Watercolor, Pen & Ink

In April, I taught a new Urban Sketching course at Trinity Lutheran Church. We explored various pen and watercolor techniques, inspired by an Urban Sketcher from the UK named Ian Fennelly, who has a course on sketching New York City. We practiced drawing street scenes and even had a special session the Monday after Easter. That day, leftover flowers were available at the church, and I had planned for the class to sketch them. It was a wonderful way to show that Urban Sketching can capture everyday moments. We finished the month by sketching a scene from New Your City’s Chinatown

Urban Sketching New York City, Greenwich Village, by Evy Okerstrom

In May, I will continue teaching Sketching with Watercolor, Pen & Ink at Trinity on Mondays 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm.  Let me know if you’re interested. Thank you for reading!

“Good Memories”, is a mixed media (acrylic and collage) painting by Evy Okerstrom. $400. The painting is available and will be at the Artists’ Workshop until March 9th.

On Sunday, February 2^nd-Ground Hog Day- The groundhog saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. We’ve had cool nights, but daytime temperatures have reached 80 degrees. Spring is definitely on its way.

Colors: “studies in color combinations”

I have entered the annual Members’ Show at the Artists Workshop, 540 Barracuda Blvd, NSB, FL 32169. My painting, “Good Thoughts”, will be on display in the Studio Gallery from March 3-8. Awards will be announced at a reception on March 9.

Textures transparency

Urban Sketching Class at Jane’s Art Center

On Thursdays, I teach Sketching with Watercolor, Pen and Ink at the Artist’s Workshop from 1 to 4 pm. We follow Annette Compton’s book to develop artistic styles. We focus on drawing, values and watercolor. I also share art by artists who inspire us.

“Quick Sketch”: a pencil and pen sketch of a woman at the Subaru Dealership, done while waiting for my car

Thank you for reading! 

Me with Santa taken at the Hub’s Festival of the Arts on  December 1, 2024

December was a wonderful month. The Hub’s Joy to the Arts Festival was a huge success, and it was amazing to connect with so many art enthusiasts. I sent my thanks to everyone through Instagram.

Framed 5×5 watercolor, pen and ink picture, “Still Life with Flowers”. An original, it is available at the Hub for $25.

I also took a one-day watercolor workshop at the Hub, and continued learning through Zoom classes with Susmita Bando, an instructor at the Worcester Art Museum.

Watercolor, Pen and Ink Sketches done from my photographs taken at the New Smyrna Beach. I was particularly interested in the rocks, skies and the figures were secondary.

Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to participate in the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo in February. Stay tuned for more details in next month’s update!

Let’s make January a creative and productive start to the year!

“Winter Landscape with Moon,
pen and ink with watercolor in blue and orange.”

In the last class, we talked about what makes a great composition. We began with Phil Dean’s basic principles. Then we explored how to arrange and position element to catch the viewer’s eye.

Small pen and ink with watercolor thumbnail sketches I did to show the class composition ideas

“Joy to the Arts,” a holiday festival at the Hub and Jane’s Art Center, runs from Friday, November 29^th, through December 1^st. I will be there each day. I will have holiday cards, 2025 Calendars, and small framed original watercolor, pen and ink pictures. These items are all under $25.

If you can’t make the festival, my work will be available at the Hub all month.

Thank you for reading my art news!   Happy Holidays to everyone!