July 6 @ 1:00 pm – July 8 @ 4:00 pm
Class Limited to 12 participants
$150 per person, supplies purchased by students
Ages 18+
Three-session watercolor workshop (July 6, 7, 8).
On Day 1 the class will first spend a few minutes discussing everyone’s watercolor experience and expectations for the workshop. There will be two still life’s set up for the entire three days. The participants will initially work in a sketchbook or directly on the page to draw a personal interpretation of one of the still lifes. Joan will demonstrate both drawing and the application of color during the session. In addition, a table will be set up with watercolor paints, brushes, as well as papers and drawing tools to encourage sampling a variety of supplies available to watercolorists. Suggestions and questions will be addressed throughout each session.
On Day 2 the class will continue working on the previous day’s drawing/painting or begin a new piece. Before starting work the class will briefly meet and discuss the day’s schedule and ideas artists may have for this day’s class. On this day a model will be incorporated into one of the set-ups to add interest to the still lifes. Joan will draw and paint one of the still lifes which you are welcome to watch or continue with your own work. Books of watercolorists work will be available to view and the supply table will again be set up.
Day 3 will be spent painting a new piece or finishing work begun on the previous days. However, before beginning class you are invited to join Marcelo Daldoce’s morning watercolor class for a brown bag lunch and to enjoy each other’s painting experiences. Joan will again be available to discuss individual work and process.
As the end of the workshop the class will gather and discuss the work accomplished.
About Joan Becker
Joan Becker is an artist based in Philadelphia. Her meticulous watercolors represent the theatricality of nature through lush botanical scenes. Her portraits capture the unique identities of human subjects flanked by significant objects and a backdrop of architecture. Joan’s childhood home in upstate New York sparked an interest in the beauty and complexity of nature. Her father, also a painter, introduced her to drawing from observation. After modeling for life classes and drafts designs for the state of New York, Becker attended Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia.
Joan has received numerous awards, grants and residencies. Her impressive large-scale works are published in articles and books including Color for Painters: A Guide to Traditions and Practice by Al Gury and New American Paintings, No. 63.
After graduation from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia with an Art Education degree, Becker worked in the environmental field to better inform the public about: clean water, land, and air issues, as well as plants and animal ecology. Twenty years ago, Joan left her environmental career, secured a Certificate from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and set up a painting studio where she creates large figure drawings and pays homage to her childhood woods and her environmental work through sought after botanicals.
Joan has taught advanced painting, exhibited extensively, and sold the majority of her work. Originally at Mangel Gallery until it closed, she then joined Gross McCleaf Gallery where she has had a number of shows. Joan has won awards for her large scale paintings and received attention in many books and magazines. In January 2025, she had her sixth one-artist show at Gross McCleaf. Currently, Joan paints in her studio, focused on a series figure paintings and completion of large commissioned botanicals.
Joan’s new website can be viewed at JoanAlisonBecker.com
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