Boot Camp - Artist Extraordinaire!
February 2, 2012 I'd like to share this wonderful write up that Christopher Gowell wrote in her Sanctuary Arts Newsletter. Thank you Christopher!
Gail Sauter - Artist & Creativity Coach Extraordinaire!
Gail Sauter's Oil Painting Boot Camp is designed as the class she wishes she could have taken as a young artist - combining a mix of drill sergeant, motivational speaker, confidence builder, and creativity coach.

Her critiques are, first of all, kind, but with an emphasis on getting each student to reach into themselves. She feels that technique should serve the intention of the painter and that it is more important to express your message with power than it is to accurately report on what is in front of you. Style develops through the process of learning to paint and it is in our individual painting strengths and weaknesses that we flavor our paintings and present our viewpoint. She feels that her job as instructor is to help students get out of their own way by encouraging them to identify their personal painting quirks, to value them, and to paint the paintings that are inside of them by growing those quirks and building on them.
“Gail's classes have led me to search confidently, trying new methods and techniques in order to find my own personal voice. Our weekly class discussion, based on Master artists, personal experience and reflection on my goals, has given me a solid base and encouragement to explore and discover my strengths. Hands on class painting has opened new avenues to seeing and seeking solutions in my own avenue of creating.” (Judy A, artist)
Gail has always known she would be an artist. Her mother is a musician and her father a photographer. She grew up drawing while her mother practiced, and got her first camera at age 5. They were living in Japan and Gail has vivid memories of taking photographs of the countryside and people. Living in different cultures and in many parts of the United States has given her an insight into the universality of people around the world. This is an important thrust of her work today and she travels extensively to paint on location. She feels it is important that artists reach out and connect one with another and share our sameness while we celebrate our differences. Painting is her vehicle for expressing those deep connections and speaking a universal language across cultures.

Many people are talking about Malcolm Gladwell's book "Outlier" which says success in a profession is the result of hard work - with 10 years of endeavor required before becoming “successful”. It is intriguing that Gail, in order to express herself more strongly, has worked with three major mediums in the past 30 years (10 years in watercolors led to 10 years working with pastels which led to 10 years working in oils). Each move to another medium has been prompted by her need to grow and express her vision in new ways. Each medium has brought with it its inherent strengths and weaknesses—the transparency of watercolor, the opacity of pastels and the endless combinations of both in oils. She has learned from each and is synthesizing her experiences in all of them in her current work.
Whether you are a stale old-timer, a newcomer wanna-be, or in a mid-career muddle, a class with Gail Sauter can shake you up - in a very good way.
Upcoming workshops and classes:
Spring 2012
Plein Air Boot Camp - Southern France - wait list
Boot Camp - Level 1 and 2 - wait list
Summer 2012
Plein Air Boot Camp - Kittery and environs
Plein Air Boot Camp -August 13 - 16 $600 - Peninsula Arts, Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Boot Camp - Level 1 - August 17 - 19 $400 - Garage Arts, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Fall 2012
Plein Air Boot Camp - Venice Italy
Boot Camp - Level 1 and 2 - Sanctuary Arts
For more information contact: Gail@GailSauter.com




