“Paint Like” Van Gogh: Almond Blossoms

About the Workshop

Join DukeCreate and Duke University Union (DUU) committee member, VisArts, at our first “Paint Like” offering of the Spring semester!

Large blossom branches like those in Almond Blossoms (1890), painted against a blue sky were one of Vincent Van Gogh’s favorite subjects. Almond trees flower early in the spring making them a symbol of new life. Van Gogh created this work as a gift to celebrate his brother, Theo’s, newborn son. He borrowed the subject, the bold outlines and the positioning of the tree in the picture plane from Japanese printmaking.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The first 50 Durham-based members of the Duke community to register will be provided with supplies for this workshop at no cost. An email will be sent prior to the workshop for on-campus pickup instructions. Waitlisted registrants are encouraged to pick up supplies (paint and canvas) at a discounted rate from ARTpost at Happymess. Call ahead to confirm cost and pre-pay at (919) 286-9763.

Materials needed for “Paint Like” workshops include:

• Acrylic paints: Titanium White, Brilliant Blue, Cadmium Yellow Deep,, Bright Green Black
• 2 brushes, small 1/8 in round brush and 1/2 in flat brush (Basically one little one and one wider one)
• Palette
• Paper towel
• Water cups
• 12×12 in canvas

About the Instructor

Christine Holton was born and raised in Durham, NC. She has enjoyed traveling all over the continental US, however has kept her home here in the Bull City.

She received her BA in Art Education in 2008 from North Carolina Central University with a concentration in Painting and Drawing. The years since have been spent painting and collaging, teaching art classes and camps, managing her own business, and enjoying her love of plants and animals. She is a teaching artist in Durham and has shown work throughout the state and has work in homes across the US.

About the Location

This workshop will meet in the Rubenstein Arts Center’s Makerspace.