February 4, 2015
Patti Mollica will be back at the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops this spring to teach her enormously popular Workshop in oils and acrylics, Loosen Up and Get Painterly May 17 – 23, 2015.
Patti is a very successful artist and instructor, and we recently asked for her insights about her work and teaching.
How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?
I teach a painting method of “loosening up”. So many people get caught up painting small details at the expense of a bigger, more gestural approach. My method teaches them a step-by-step approach for painting with more confidence and “swagger”.
What is your favorite part about teaching? Three things: Watching people get excited about breaking new ground with their work, hearing their testimonials that I’ve helped them achieve certain goals, and meeting new people and forming friendships. It’s very rewarding!
What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop? Workshops are a targeted way of learning a lot of information in a short amount of time. They are very goal oriented, and having lots of personal time with the instructor, who can coach the student when they get “stuck” is key.
What are you currently working on in your own art? Staying loose, experimenting with different color schemes, abstraction exercises and incorporating collage elements into some work.
Where is your art currently being exhibited? Simie Maryles Gallery in Provincetown, Nancy Dodds Gallery in Carmel, and I sell a lot of work on my blog and website.
Do you sell your work in any online gallery? I have a presence on Daily Paintworks and sell work there as well.
What is your favorite art quote? “The art of painting will survive and thrive because it is easy to do and difficult to do well.” (Robert Genn, 2012)
Describe your studio. It’s my sanctuary – where all my artistic ideas come to life, in full color!
Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products. Sketch pad, Charcoal, Paint, Brushes, canvas… the basics.
Some of our recent Instructor interviews:
An Interview with Kim English, Oil Painter
An Interview with Barbara Nechis, Watercolor Artist
An interview with Hollis Chatelain: Fiber Artist
An Interview with Natalya Aikens: Computer + Stitch = Art Quilt