Nature Abstracted in Oil on Canvas

with Maggie Bandstra

August 16, 3:00–6:00 p.m.

Tuition: $100

Materials Fee: N/A

Working in oils outside, students will use shapes found in nature as a jumping-off point for a color study. Drawing, color mixing, and painting demonstrations will be conducted throughout the workshop. The workshop will include introductions, a demonstration of finding inspiration in the landscape at Ox-Bow, a discussion/demonstration of color mixing, and time to complete your painting in the studio.

Plan to bring: 1-2 canvas substrates (16 x 20 inch or larger), a variety of oil paint colors and Gamsol, a variety of brush sizes, at least one smaller brush for drawing shapes, and a palette to mix paints on.

Maggie Clifford-Bandstra (she/her) Manager of Ox-Bow House at Ox-Bow School of Art and Artist Residencies. She maintains an active studio practice and was an Adjunct Professor at Hope College from 2022 to 2023. Bandstra earned her M.F.A. in Painting from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2021. From 1997-2020, Bandstra taught pre-K through 6th grade art classes. In 2014, she began curating pop-up art shows, which led to the establishment of the Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective. She is currently the president of this non-profit and serves as secretary on the executive board of the Douglas DDA.
Maggie's paintings are nature abstracted, using exaggerated scales, movement, and patterns to explore the themes of nature, healing, and human connection. Her passion is not just about creating art but also about sharing her love of art, living a creative life with others, and inspiring them to do the same.

Photos courtesy of the artist.