My critique group is having a show at Oliver Art Center in Frankfort. There are 17 artists represented. I’ll have 12 paintings included. All New!
Curious about Gelli Plate printing? Be warned—it’s very addictive! In this class, we’ll explore a collection of easy, magical techniques that will have you printing happily for hours. We’ll use acrylic paint, stamps, and stencils to create one-of-a-kind prints you’ll love. Use them for collage or enjoy them as finished works of art. No experience needed - wear old clothes and come ready to play!
Here’s a link to more information-
Curious about Gelli Plate printing? Be warned—it’s very addictive! In this class, we’ll explore a collection of easy, magical techniques that will have you printing happily for hours. We’ll use acrylic paint, stamps, and stencils to create one-of-a-kind prints you’ll love. Use them for collage or enjoy them as finished works of art. No experience needed - wear old clothes and come ready to play!
Here’s a link to more information and to sign up.
Curious about Gelli Plate printing? Be warned—it’s very addictive! In this class, we’ll explore a collection of easy, magical techniques that will have you printing happily for hours. We’ll use acrylic paint, stamps, and stencils to create one-of-a-kind prints you’ll love. Use them for collage or enjoy them as finished works of art. No experience needed - wear old clothes and come ready to play!
Here’s a link to more information and to sign up.
Sarah Bearup-Neal, Mark Mehaffey and I will be showing our work in beautiful Glen Arbor this fall.
Center Gallery is nestled among Lake Street Studios and always has a beautiful line up of artists each year. They’ve started to have longer than their usual one week show in the fall, and I’m lucky to be a part of it this year.
Learn some basic watercolor techniques as we create some special handpainted cards to send to the extra special people in your life!
Through the CSA in Frankfort, MI
Join me for a fun filled flower painting day! We’ll create bold, colorful florals using acrylics on a patterned, abstract underpainting. This technique adds depth, energy, and delightful color surprises to your work! Perfect for both beginners and experienced painters, this class will guide you through layering, composition, and design.
All supplies are included—just bring your creativity, a lunch and wear paint clothes!
Synchronicity Gallery and Black Star Farms hosting Jessica Kovan and I for a few hours of plein air painting. (weather permitting)
Need a day to play and let go of those February blues? Join local artists Jessica Kovan and Lauren Everett Finn in this fun, collaborative, fast-paced day of art play and camaraderie especially designed to beat the February blues! Beyond the comedic routine of these two friends, you’ll also enjoy hands-on mixed media experiences, cookie eating (chocolate promised!), and simply a day of artful fun— all designed to beat those February blues. If you joined us before, we have new projects up our paint-covered sleeves this year, so don’t hesitate to sign up! All supplies included.
New Years Art Bash!
Start the year off right with a fun, fast paced day of art play! Join local artists, Jessica Kovan and Lauren Everett Finn and treat yourself to some guided creative artmaking. Beyond the comedic routine of these two friends, you'll also enjoy hands-on mixed media experiences, cookie eating (chocolate promised!), and simply a day of artful fun— all designed to start 2025 off with a bang! If you joined us before, we have new projects up our paint-covered sleeves, so don't hesitate to sign up! All supplies are included, you just wear your paint clothes and bring a lunch.
Bio: Lauren and Jessica are accomplished artists who became fast friends while living in northern Michigan in the woods with their favorite humans and animals. They both sometimes love to take art not quite so seriously. Their goal is to teach when you don't know you're being taught because your creativity has taken over. And, of course, for you to have a great time.
I’ll be joining my art friends at Crowded Table Orchards for our annual Apples and Art fun! I’ll have small affordable originals along with my notecards. Some new designs this year!
Here’s an interactive map with all of the stops you’ll want to make.
I have 4 paintings in this fun show! Opening reception Friday, September 13 from 5-7.
Need a day to play and let go of those February blues? Join local artists Jessica Kovan and Lauren Everett Finn in this fun, collaborative, fast-paced day of art play and camaraderie especially designed to beat the February blues! Beyond the comedic routine of these two friends, you’ll also enjoy hands-on mixed media experiences, cookie eating (chocolate promised!), and simply a day of artful fun— all designed to beat those February blues. If you joined us last year, we have new projects up our paint-covered sleeves this year, so don’t hesitate to sign up! All supplies included.
You can find out more HERE
Some of my more colorful tablescapes and florals helping to brighten our winter months here in northern Michigan. Stop in this amazing real-estate coop and see all they have ot offer. It’s a beautiful creative space that is meeting all sorts of needs.
How can creativity help one navigate the experience of caregiving for other humans? The Glen Arbor Arts Center's HeARTful Care: Nurturing the Caregiver's Soul Through Art is the second in a series of Creative Wellness retreats focused on increasing wellness through art practice.
This full-day retreat provides a supportive, creative space for adults to examine and process their caregiving experience for other humans. This retreat is not about caring for a patient or loved one. Instead, it provides creative coping skills for the caregiver to care for themselves while caring for someone. It gives you communication and self-care tips to focus on your needs while helping your loved one. It includes facilitation by a licensed therapist and three workshops led by professional teaching artists. Workshops include playful, creative explorations, learning to create and keep a visual journal, and vibrational sound immersion.
Click HERE for more information.
Art in the Barn! Lori Feldpausch, Margie Guyot, Jessica Kovan,Wendy McWhorter, Mark Mehaffey, Pam Spicer and I will be showing paintings at Stone’s Throw Studio Barn. The show opens on Friday, Sept. 22 from 6-8 (goodies provided!) and continues on Saturday, Sept 23 from 10am-2pm
Higher Art Gallery’s Annual Community Fundraiser
An evening of art, community, libations and hors d’oeuvres! $20 donation at the door, 100% going to Safe Harbor.
Art sales will also benefit Safe Harbor.
Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse - provides the physical and spiritual welfare of people experiencing homelessness by providing emergency shelter, food and hope.
Matthew Cochran, instructor of guitar at Interlochen Arts Academy, joins Manitou Winds for a program of chamber music, spoken word, & visual art. Local artist Lauren Everett Finn will curate & host a special solo exhibit.
Wishing and Doing
Opening Friday Aug. 5 from 6-8. Demo Sunday Aug. 7th from 1-2:30
Artist Statement-
Hope starts with a wish and strengthens with effort. It’s the doing that makes the wishes come true.
That’s the broad theme of these paintings. Non-representational painting (abstract) is challenging, not only for me but for you too. My paintings are asking you to get involved with them. The titles are clues to their meaning. Try to guess before you read the title and see if we agree. Whatever you see or feel in the work is right; you don’t have to see what I do. That’s the beauty of non-representational work:
we bring our lifetime of experiences into the viewing. Our stories are not the same.
I use acrylic paint, collage, crayons, pencils and acrylic markers in my work. There are a lot of layers built up on each painting. I love the surface texture or patina that I get when I work this way. I like a painting to get your attention from across the room, and then reward you with an interesting surface when you come up close. Occasionally I have a design in mind when I start working, but lately I’ve let the paintings take the lead. That means it’s more of a call and response type of method. I just start painting and let the previous marks and strokes dictate what comes next. It’s fun, but it also means I make a lot of really bad paintings. There are many misses using this organic process, but when it works, it’s magic.
Come spend the day learning how to paint with the most versatile of mediums. All supplies are included! The first part of class is devoted to experimenting with different thicknesses of paint moving from brushing on very watery applications to thick impasto strokes with a palette knife. You’ll have a hands-on lesson, experimenting and playing with many techniques on different surfaces with different types of paint and mediums. The last part of class is devoted to completing a small painting using some of the things you learned. I’ll bring all the supplies… you just dress in your paint clothes; bring your lunch and your can-do attitudes! We’re going to have a lot of fun!
Here’s a link to more information!
Sometimes the things we want to frame are not a standard size. In this class I’ll show you how to order custom framing online. We’ll talk about how to frame works on paper, canvas and wood panels. We will cover the measuring and ordering process and how to assemble the frames and correctly mount the artwork. We will use both metal and wood frames, discussing the advantages of each. I’ll also show an inexpensive yet tidy way to finish the edge of large canvases. You are welcome to bring something you need to frame and we can figure out exactly what you’ll need to order.
Here’s a link to more information.
The Procreate app is a powerful tool, and is the perfect method to quickly and easily figure out what’s wrong with your in-process paintings. Using your iPad and your finger (or the apple pencil), you can design your way out of trouble. It’s a relaxing, creative, and efficient way to bump your paintings up to the next level. Once you’ve figured the problem areas out digitally, then you can execute the changes with confidence. You need no prior experience with Procreate, I’ll start at the very beginning and walk you through.
There are 3 videos and 2 PDF handouts included in this self-study class. Video 1 (8 min.) explains how to take a good photo of your painting with your iPad. Video 2 (24 min.) is a demo of how I use Procreate to digitally adjust my paintings. Video 3 (19 min.) is a bonus video, that goes a bit deeper into this powerful app. You’ll get 2 PDF handouts; one details the steps to get started in Procreate, and the other is a check list of specific questions to help you pinpoint how to improve your painting.
Supplies- iPad, Procreate for iPad is available for $9.99 in the app store.
Come to Glen Arbor Art Center to see a variety of artists at work. There will be music too!
Link to more information including the list of artists. It’s a fun group if I do say so myself.
Rain date is September 12.
Come spend the day learning how to paint with the most versatile of mediums. The first part of class is devoted to experimenting with different thicknesses of paint, moving from brushing on very watery applications to thick impasto strokes with a palette knife. Have a hands-on lesson, experimenting and playing with many techniques on different surfaces with different types of paint and mediums. The last part of class is devoted to completing a small painting. Supplies are included – just bring a lunch and wear paint clothes!
Ready to push past reality with your painting?
Ready to see how far you can go? Using your own photographs and medium of your choice, learn a variety of ways to apply abstraction to create new, exciting and personal paintings and expand your portfolio of techniques -- not to mention, have a blast in the process! Using your own photographs and any medium, learn a variety of ways to apply abstraction to create new and exciting paintings!
Have you heard of the Gelli Plate? It’s a permanent durable gel plate that can be used to make prints over and over again without the need for a press. Participants will be introduced to some amazing techniques that will keep them happily printing for hours and hours. We’ll be using our regular acrylic paint and stamps and stencils to make one of a kind artworks. Did I mention that it’s quite addictive? The prints created can be used for collage, or be beautiful works of art on their own. No experience necessary! Come on and join the fun!
Manitou Winds opens its 2020 season with a spring concert exploring color. We’ll delve into the artist’s palette to uncover many moments where sight, sound, and memory intersect and color becomes the primary language of expression.
We’ll discover how artists in many disciplines use divergent voices to create new colors. Our performance will feature collaborating artist, Matthew Cochran, Instructor of Guitar at Interlochen Arts Academy, presenting his intriguing work for wind quintet and guitar, Cicadas at the Equinox, along with other exciting works.
The program includes a solo exhibit created by our collaborating artist Lauren Everett Finn. Daring combinations of instruments along with poetry, prose, and visual art will form a collage of color, sound, and mood, inviting us to consider how opposing shades highlight one another, sharpening our perception, creating fascinating illusions.
We’re proud to partner with the Glen Arbor Arts Center to bring you this performance. Admission is free. No tickets or reservations required. Proceeds from your freewill offering will support Manitou Winds’ ongoing mission to collaborate with local artists to create new and engaging programming, bringing the intimate joy of chamber music to audiences across Northern Michigan.
Printmaking show- Open Call and Invitational. The exhibition will feature work from Andrew Jagniecki, Lauren Everett Finn, and L.C. Lim. Opening Friday, Feb 14, 2020 from 5-7.
Are you ready to push past reality with your painting? Are you ready see how far you can go? Using your own photographs and medium of your choice, you'll learn a variety of ways to apply abstraction to create new and exciting paintings and expand your portfolio of techniques -- not to mention, have a blast in the process!
Sat October 12, 2019 10-4
Member Price: $85.00
Non-Member Price: $95.00
No matter the subject, a wild and colorful underpainting can energize your work. Create a colorful patterned underpainting that you can paint any subject on top of. Some of this layer will peek through, creating wonderfully surprising juxtapositions of color. We are planning for and finding happy accidents with this technique. Come on with me to the wild underside!
Patrice Erickson and I will be showing together again- I’m very excited! We’ll have a lot of brand new work to share with you. The opening is on the evening of October 4- from 7-9pm. Come by and say hello!
Sat September 14, 2019 10-4
Member Price: $85.00
Non-Member Price: $95.00
Have you heard of the Gelli Plate? It’s a permanent durable gel plate that can be used to make prints over and over again without the need of a press. Learn about some amazing techniques that will keep you happily printing for hours and hours. Use regular acrylic paint and stamps and stencils to make one-of-a kind artworks. Did I mention that it’s quite addictive? The prints you create can be used for collage or be beautiful works of art on their own. No experience necessary! Come on and join in on the fun!
Wed August 14, 2019 10-4
Member Price: $85.00
Non-Member Price: $95.00
Bring in your unfinished paintings and we’ll resolve them together. All artists struggle with finishing or knowing when to stop. Participate in a quick discussion about each painting, then work to complete your paintings using the ideas talked about. The instructor uses an iPad and pencil with an image of your painting to demonstrate the different directions you might want to take. Receive a “check list” handout, to help you figure out how to resolve things when you’re on your own.
Old Art Building, Leland , MI
$95
Spend a full day immersed in colorful, vibrant and happy blooms. Using acrylic, we’ll start with two different and dynamic underpaintings, that will be the basis for some unexpected, happy accidents. Then we’ll sketch our flowers on top of the colorful starts, using different perspectives and changes in scale to keep things interesting. And then finally, we’ll be painting the flowers in layers on each of the paintings, creating some dynamic and exciting, floral works of art. Beginners are welcome! Don’t forget your lunch…you’ll need the energy for this fun, fast moving class.
Click here for more information or Call the Old Art Building to reserve your spot! (231) 256-2131
Supply List:
* 2 substrates- watercolor paper, panel or canvas. If using paper, pre-prime it with gesso so the paint won’t sink into it. Size suggestions- no smaller than 12x12 no bigger than 24 x24. They don’t have to be the same size.
* Acrylic paint and palette- Bring your favorites- I use Golden Fluid, but any acrylic will do. Minimum colors- White, yellow, blue and red. A warm and a cool of each primary works well.
* Brushes- A variety of sizes. Make sure one is at least an inch wide. (Hardware store bristle brushes are fine.
* water containers (2) I use small buckets
* white chalk
* sharpened pencil
* paper towel
Optional:
* flower reference photos
* charcoal
* pastels (oil or soft or both)
* colored pencils
If you have any questions at all- please call or email Lauren: lauren@laureneverettfinn.com or 248-321-8017
