Marjorie Forgues

Marjorie and Rob in Northern Ireland, 2005

Ah Marjorie... even the name lets Rob breathe a sigh of relief! She's an angel sent from heaven... or at least from Bolivia (with her French last name from her Father's side). Marjorie's assistance in Rob's Art League classes and workshops has helped them to run smoothly and efficiently for the past seven years. We've gotten to know Marjorie very well. She is a sweetheart to the bone. If you weren't with us on the 2005 Ireland trip to see Marjorie getting "attacked" by the killer Bambi while plein-air painting, you'll have to ask her about it!

Marjorie is a true success story. By age thirteen, she knew she wanted to become an artist, with inspiration from greats such as Max Klinger, Frieda Khalo, Salvador Dali, and Leonardo Da Vinci. She's been working toward her dream ever since. Only several years ago Marjorie worked in retail. She soon switched to a job doing faux finishes and murals for a local decorating company. Now she is entirely immersed in and dedicated to the world of art. At the moment she is working on two sculptures and a life-sized painting, while teaching drawing at the Art League. Next summer she will begin teaching a painting class as well. Marjorie is as gracious as she is talented. "I think it is so important for professional artists to mentor people who are seeking the classical tradition of painting. Apprenticing under Robert has certainly changed my life. It opened doors for me that I didn't think were possible in this modern world."

Likewise, Rob fully appreciates the enrichment Marjorie provides to his classes. "I've been lucky to have Marjorie in the class. Without her, each Friday would be absolute chaos. And though she is an amazing asset in the class, it is as an artist that Marjorie truly shines. She is an inspiration to everybody in the class, demonstrating that with hard work and dedication, an artist's growth can be limitless. No level of success would surprise me for Marjorie. I can easily see her creating art somewhere within the great walls of the Vatican."

Marjorie poses in front of a 9'x16' mural commission she recently completed for a private residence on Massachusetts Avenue.

Marjorie's lovely self-portrait from 2006. 5"x7"

UPCOMING WORKSHOP AND EVENTS SCHEDULE ...

VENICE, ITALY
The Venetian Experience: Through the Eyes of the Artist, March 16-24, 2008
Art History/Sketching Workshop through the Art League of Virginia. Class filled.

Artistic Anatomy - Upper Body, April 4, 5, 6, 2008
This workshop is devoted to the intensive study of skeletal and muscular structures. Using a variety of media, students complete exercises to help them understand where form begins and where it ends. Previous figure drawing is recommended. April workshop will focus on the upper body and June workshop will focus on the lower body. Please contact the school directly at 703.683.2323 or go to www.theartleague.org.

The Portrait Society of America, Annual Conference, April 10-13, 2008
This year's conference will be held in Philadelphia. Rob will be doing a demo on the trois crayon technique on Friday April 11, from 4:00 - 5:30. Again on Friday, between 8:00 and 10:00 pm, Rob will be participating in "Art Speak" a panel discussion on the value of mentoring and teaching (along with Anthony Ryder, Judith Carducci and Dawn Whitelaw).

Artistic Anatomy - Lower Body, June 13, 14, 15, 2008
This workshop is devoted to the intensive study of skeletal and muscular structures. Using a variety of media, students complete exercises to help them understand where form begins and where it ends. Previous figure drawing is recommended. April workshop will focus on the upper body and June workshop will focus on the lower body. Please contact the school directly at 703.683.2323 or go to www.theartleague.org.

Fall City Fine Art Studio in Washington State, July 21-25, 2008
Join Rob for this five day workshop to be held in a beautiful rural valley on the Snoqualmie River, 30 minutes from Seattle. The class will be limited to sixteen students and will be held in a renovated barn. We will explore the beauty of the human figure with an emphasis on drawing and painting, while focusing on the fundamentals of the human form and the dynamics of movement and color. They will study various approaches in which artists of the past used to infuse their work with movement and energy, and then execute our own artwork with the help of live models. Students will create several figure paintings or drawings in a variety of conditions both indoors and plein air. Demos will be given focusing on the arrangement of the models and painting, and drawing techniques with different environments. Registration will be through Fall City Fine Art Studio. Visit their website at www.fallcityfineart.org/

"Drawing the Human Figure in Silverpoint" Studio Incamminati
August 15, 16, 17, 2008. tuition $350
Silverpoint is one of the oldest, most noble drawing techniques. Great masters such as Pisanello, Raphael and DaVinci were enchanted by this precious metal and they revealed the graphic beauty and artistic power of silverpoint in their art. This class examines the traditions and techniques of silverpoint by creating drawings made with silver. Using a simple stylus made of silver wire and wood, students practice this ancient craft through the exploration of the human figure. Various methods of hatching,crosshatching and linear glazing will be studied through drawing demonstrations and analysis of past masters. Silverpoint stylus and prepared paper are required. Many art stores carry a silverpoint stylus. A resource for materials is silverpointweb.com/catalog.html. Sign up through Studio Incamminati. Click here for a Summer Workshops 2008 registration form or email Studio Incamminati.

"The Figure in Action," Marshfield Hills, Massachusetts, at the North River Art Society, August 27, 28, 29, 2008
The expressive movement and energetic form of classical figure painting has influenced artists for centuries. This workshop will explore the dynamic potential of the human form and introduce these concepts into drawings and paintings. Students will study the various approaches and techniques intended to infuse their work with movement and energy with the help of live models students will then execute their own pictures. Demonstrations will be given focusing on painting and drawing technique and the arrangement of models. For information and registration click on http://northriverarts.org/index.htm

Raleigh, North Carolina, November 1, 2, 3
This three day workshop will focus on drawing the human figure. For more information please contact ArtSpace. Further information will be posted or contact Artspace for more information. Registration (not until July 15) through Artspace.

Ireland Again! June 13-27, 2009 (no, not this coming June)
Yes, we plan on returning to Northern Ireland again! John and Melanie of Limepark Arts Centre have been very busy. They have renovated more cottages and now have room for 20. In addition they now have a tennis court and a workout room on the premises. And of course Rob's cousins Maureen and Gerard are still running Collier's Hall B&B for those of you who love a good Irish breakfast and don't mind driving to class. We will not be signing people up or taking deposits till a later date (so watch your email) but you may want to mark your calendar!