Watercolors in the Field Art Workshop
Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Come wander the flower fields with artist and teacher Beth Newman, as we practice ink contours of blooms and foliage on the farm, colorize them with watercolor, and embellish them with a variety of other media. This workshop emphasizes shape, contour, light, freedom, and movement. We'll be hosted by Beth's lifelong friend and flower farmer, Sharon, of Brilliant Dahlia Flower Farm on the New England Farm Coast in Rehoboth, MA.
The Dahlias will be in bloom! If you are traveling to the area this is Beth's personal favorite time of year on the Farm Coast with warm summer weather persisting and cooler nights descending.
During this workshop, you will visit and view Sharon's 12+ acre flower farm, where more than 1,000+ dahlia plants grow in her fields- over 150 varieties of Dahlias. Her farm is proud to be a host farm for two local Dahlia clubs. She definitely has some unique varieties that flower farmers would not usually grow.
Information including directions and location, recommended attire, supplies, and equipment, will all be provided after registration. This is a working farm not open daily to the public. We'll be working in the elements on uneven ground. Water and Iced tea will be provided and registrants may bring their own snacks to the farm. This workshop is open to all levels of artists as Beth's focus on loose exercises and fun are accessible to all. As for supplies, many registrants may already have much of what they need but if starting from scratch and need to shop, art supplies should cost less than $50. A complete list of recommended basics will be provided.
Artist Beth Newman
After a flinty New England upbringing, a career as a Marine, and then another as a school administrator and teacher, Beth turned her face to the sun, returning to a childhood love of art. She combines her long-time talent for teaching and training with a deep love of art and craft, and a passion for flowers and gardening.
Beth offers instruction in painting, mixed media, craft, knitting, sewing, and more, in a variety of settings from private and small group sessions to larger workshops and retreats, and has published more than 100 online art classes since 2020! You will also find her in schools, summer camps, and youth programs. She teaches all ages and abilities.
You can catch up with Beth on Instagram at @bethcanpaint.
Farmer Sharon Hoskins
In December 2019, Sharon retired from a 24 year career in federal law enforcement and started Brilliant Dahlia Flower Farm. Talk about a career change! As an avid gardener who has showered friends, co-workers and family with blooms for decades, starting the farm was her lifelong dream. In 2020, she enrolled in Erin Benzaken’s Floret Flowers online course, which was life changing in terms of being a hobby grower versus becoming a professional grower.
Now in year four, the farm’s original growing space has more than tripled with new flowering bushes, trees, and flowers, both perennials and annuals. Sharon’s true passion is sharing the farm by hosting people on it. Sharon is also a member of the American Dahlia Society and two local dahlia clubs. No chemicals are used on the farm - we care too much about our pollinators.
You can catch up with Sharon on Instagram at @brilliantdahliaflower
