Hello friends and collectors,

Summer has been working its magic on me whether out painting in the wild or staying cool in the studio. I have a lot of new show and markets coming up as well as some classes for the fellow artists...

Upcoming shows

I'm excited to announce that my painting, Santorini Passages (Emboreio) was accepted into the Fine Arts League of Cary 31st Annual Juried Exhibition. Only 70 artworks were selected out of over 500 submissions.

Come see it at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop Cary, starting Tuesday, June 30 and ending on Monday, September 14. The Reception and Awards Ceremony will be on Sunday, August 2 from 2:00 – 4:00.

I have 2 works showing at Summer in Bloom at Griffin Fine Art Gallery at the Red Oak Brewery from July 10 through August 29:

Finally, this figure is showing at the Durham Art Guild member showcase July 10 - September 7 at the Truist Gallery in the Durham Arts Council building. I had so much fun painting it live - while he scrolled on his phone. I call it "Cat Videos" because that's what I imagine he's watching.

Pop-up Tables at DSSOLVER and Glass Jug

I've joined the Featured Artist Pop Ups by The Pufferfish project. In July, I'll have a table and shelf space at DSSOLVER Brewery in Durham with fine art prints, linocut prints, art print postcards, and more. Then, the whole setup moves to The Glass Jug Beer Lab in August.

Less than 2 months until Lazy Daze!

I might have mentioned that I was accepted as an emerging artist into Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival in Cary. I've tested my booth set up in Hillsborough at Last Fridays, and I'm excited for my first big festival. Mark your calendars for August 22-23, and get more info about Lazy Daze.

Prints available in the online store

Fine art prints are available in my shop with free US shipping. You can find them all plus additional prints, linocut art, and more at shop.sia.studio →

If you would like to collect an original piece or fine art print not currently in the store, let me know by replying to this email or through my contact form.

Fall Classes Signups Opening Soon at Durham Arts Council

Most of my summer classes sold out in one day, but you have another chance to join me in the fall session...

👉 Sign up opens July 17th at 10am

🗓️ Add a reminder to your calendar!

1. Loose Watercolor: Techniques & Practice
   Deepen your watercolor skills while exploring a loose, expressive approach in this multi-week course for beginner to intermediate artists. You’ll build a strong foundation in color mixing, brushwork, and water control, while learning how to create depth, texture, and atmosphere with confidence. Through guided exercises, we’ll explore essential techniques alongside more intuitive practices like letting water and pigment interact, embracing unexpected effects, and working with (rather than against) the medium. We’ll also look at what “loose” painting really means, study inspiring artists, and practice identifying what draws you to a scene—and how to carry that energy through to your final piece. Expect a balance of skill-building and creative exploration, with time for both studies and more finished paintings in a supportive, engaging environment.
   📅 Wednesdays, Sep. 9 - Oct. 14 (6 weeks), 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
   

2. Friday Night Makes: Perspective Fundamentals for Urban & Landscape Art
   Perspective doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn practical tools for creating depth and space in your drawings and paintings of buildings, streets, and landscapes. We’ll explore the basics of 1-, 2-, and 3-point linear perspective along with simple visual strategies artists use to suggest distance and atmosphere. Through a series of guided exercises, you’ll practice applying these ideas so scenes feel more convincing and dynamic. Expect a relaxed, creative atmosphere with plenty of drawing and experimentation—perfect for a Friday evening of learning and making.
   📅 Fri, October 2, 6:00–9:00 PM
   

3. Friday Night Makes: Weird Halloween Art
   Embrace the strange side of Halloween in this playful, mixed-media art workshop. Create a campy Halloween still life, invent your own delightfully bizarre Halloween scene inspired by vintage postcards, or transform a piece of thrift-store art with ghosts, pumpkins, black cats, and other spooky additions. We'll begin with a creativity exercise to get ideas flowing, followed by plenty of time to make, experiment, and play. Acrylic paint, pastels, collage materials, drawing supplies, paper, reference images, and general guidance will be provided, along with one-on-one coaching throughout the evening. Bring your own materials—or even a piece of thrift-store art to transform—if you'd like. No experience necessary; a sense of humor is encouraged.
   📅 Fri, October 30, 6:30–8:30 PM
   
4. Friday Night Makes: Stamp Carving for Handmade Cards
   Learn how to design and carve your own custom rubber stamps to create handmade greeting and note cards in this fun, beginner-friendly workshop. Using simple linocut techniques with soft carving stamps, you’ll learn how to transfer a design, carve safely, and make clean, expressive prints. You’ll leave with a set of hand-stamped cards you create during the class, plus your custom stamps to keep using at home for decorating gift tags, wrapping paper, journals, seed packets, or homemade business or calling cards. No prior experience is necessary—just curiosity and a willingness to experiment.
   📅 Fri, November 13, 6:00–9:00 PM
   

I’m grateful, as always, that you’re here and part of this—whether you’re collecting, reading, or simply paying attention.

Warmly, Sia