The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown has a pair of events planned in approaching weeks, both open to the public and each featuring a different artist and medium.

On Saturday, May 9, from 10 am until 3 pm, Roberta Shea will present “Fearless Expressive Painting” in the gallery space at Art & Frame Gallery, 77 Main Street.

One of the greatest obstacles artists have is the fear of making a mistake. Together in the spring workshop, Shea and students will explore the fundamentals of abstract painting without the fear.

Using plants are inspiration, participants will be guided through informational drawing exercises that explore the basics of value, color, line, shape, and composition while making concrete intuitive decisions. Through liberating exercises in mark-making and layering, attendees will discover the peace and confidence of finding their own creative expression.

Students will learn to trust the process and become engaged in the act of painting as a way to express feelings at that moment about the plant.

Cost is $100 ($75 for SCAN members). Attendees will need to bring canvases or canvas boards, lunch, and their own paints and brushes. There will be a break for lunch.

Registration with the workshop fee paid up front is required; visit scanart.org.

Flowers In Oil Demo

The following week, SCAN will host Kathy Anderson demonstrating painting flowers using oils.

Anderson will be at Newtown Senior Center, 8 Simpson Street, on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:30 pm. The demonstration is open to the public and admission is free.

Anderson is best known for her unique interpretation of flowers and gardens, and intimate scenes of landscapes. Working in oils and painting mostly from life, her focus is on a strong design and movement in the painting, keeping the subject as naturally as you would find it.

Her style is representational, but goes a step further into reality, often depicting weeds in the garden, flowers past their prime, etc. Anderson’s work is included in many prestigious private collections. The artist is a master signature member of Oil Painters of America, an artist member of National Art Club and Salmagundi Club N.Y., and is in the permanent collection of both prestigious organizations. She teaches workshops in the US and abroad and has three popular videos.

She was lucky to be able to call as personal friends two great contemporary artists — Richard Schmid and Everett Raymond Kinstler, who have both died. She spent countless years with each, soaking up their wisdom and life stories.

“What I learned the most from these two masters was their high standards of excellence and the absolute joy of painting,” Anderson shared. “I see paintings everywhere — every flower, rock, tree, dapple of light, sparkling waterfall. There there’s no end to subject matter for an artist when your eyes are always open.”

Recent awards include a Silver Medal-Masters Division, at the 2023 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Show; 2022 Best in Show, Salmagundi Club Landscape Show; 2021 Gold Medal-Masters Division Oil Painters of America Salon Show; and second place Salmagundi Club, Sylvia Maria Glesmann Floral Award and second place, Masters Division, Virtuosos of OPA, both 2019. She is represented by Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Susan Powell Fine Art in Madison; Horton Hayes Fine Art, Charleston, S.C.; Turner Fine Art, Jackson, Wyo.; and Illume Gallery West, Philipsburg, Mont.

Reservations are not needed for SCAN programs but additional information may be found at SCANart.org.