In-person Workshops
2023 Workshops
Urban Sketching Southwest Retreat: Santa Fe, NM
April 17-21, 2023
Contact Madeline Island School of the Arts to register
This is the third time I’ll be participating in a MISA Urban Sketching Retreat, and I’m thrilled to be back. It’s a four-instructor workshop, so participants get to spend a full day with each instructor, soaking up different approaches and techniques in urban sketching.
Once again, my co-conspirators are James Richards, Uma Kelkar and Paul Heaston, with whom I recently taught at the MISA campus on Madeleine Island, Wisconsin. These retreats are always fun and stimulating, with plenty of camaraderie between students and instructors.
I’m especially excited to be returning to Santa Fe, where I taught this past May. If you’ve never visited Santa Fe, here’s your chance. The city of mostly adobe structures is compact and walkable, with the most remarkable concentration of galleries devoted to art and Southwest culture I’ve ever seen.
To learn more, check out the website. And if you’re keen, register soon as there are only a few spots left.
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
June 16-19, 2023 (sold out)
June 20-22, 2023 (sold out)
I’m thrilled to be teaching on the East Coast this summer. Join me and the wonderful folks at Slow River Studio as we sketch in my favourite Cape Ann locations.
Contact Slow River Studio to get on the waitlist.
Kanata, Ontario
Location Sketching in Watercolour
July 6-9, 2023
Contact Kanata Art Club to register
Big Skies, Open Spaces
CSPWC Watercolour Symposium 2023 in Regina, Saskatchewan
July 16 – 21, 2023
I’m very honoured to be teaching at the CSPWC Watercolour Symposium this summer, along with Jean Peterson, Bhupinder Singh, Alice Bottrill and Marlene Madole. I’ll be teaching a two-day urban painting workshop in the Cathedral District of Regina, and a one-day landscape workshop in the Qu’Appelle Valley. Hope to see you there!
Find out more on the CSPWC website
Giverny, France
August 25-September 1, 2023 (sold out)
September 1-8, 2023 (sold out)
Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny is probably the most famous garden in France. Monet painted some of his most famous paintings whilst living at Giverny. Each day we’ll enjoy artistic and cultural experiences: we’ll explore Monet’s house and gardens, paint the church in Auvers sur Oise where Van Gogh painted his final piece, visit the auberge where he lived his final days…and much more!
This inspiring tour in Normandy is an invitation to discover the magical sites once painted by famous artists at the turn of the 20th century only by Claude Monet, but also by William Turner, Camille Pissarro, Auguste Renoir, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso and others.
Contact French Escapade to get on the waitlist
Bar Harbor, Maine
October 9-13, 2023 (sold out)
October 16-20 (spaces available)
Contact Madeline Island School of the Arts to register
2024 Workshops
A Week in Provence, France
I’ve taught in many beautiful locales but I have to say that sketching in Provence, France is a standout in my teaching career. Maybe it was because every day began with pain au chocolate, fresh peaches and local cheeses. Or maybe because the South of France is blessed with a magical light and there’s something captivating around every corner and down every cobbled street, just waiting to be sketched.
For all these reasons — and a hundred more — I am thrilled to announce my return to Provence, to once again teach with wonderful hosts Jackie and Valerie from French Escapade. Expect beautiful accommodations and delicious food. As well as sketching locations that include the 11th-century monastery of Saint Paul de Mausole, where Van Gogh spent a year, a vibrant market town, a Medieval village and the warm red buildings of Roussillon. Dates are June 15 – 22 and June 22 – 29, 2024.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
I will count you in! It will be great to have you…
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I have put you on the list already Jane.
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Ok, I will put you on the list Angela. That would be great!
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HI Juliette. Find me a group to teach and I will gladly come to France. Paris is my favorite city in the world and I dream of sketching there.
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Hi Wendy,
I am just finalizing plans for workshops this summer. I should have more info by the beginning of March. I’ll put your name and email on my mailing list and send it to you soon. I see the emails of commenters on the blog, by the way, so I have your info.
Regards,
Shari
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I would be interested in the Paris workshop depending on when it is.
I live in Portland,OR. so it is a loooonnnng way. My son will be doing research
there the next few summers,so any excuse to go to Paris.I would love to study with you
as I admire your work so much.Want to come to Portland? I did email Marc about it. He said
he might be interested if I could get a group together.
Thanks,
Linda Daily
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I would LOVE it if Shari could do a workshop in Portland!!!!!!
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I loved Portland, and would love to get back there one of these days Ellie.
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I, along with a few friends in Ottawa, are interested in your workshops. Some of us are oil painters though, but like to use water colours when traveling. We all need to improve our skills. Please let me know what your workshop schedule is.
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Hi Valerie. Are you interested in coming to Montreal for a few days? If there are enough of you I could make the trip to Ottawa. How many people are in your group?
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Hi Shari. I also live in Ottawa and I think I could find at least 3 others interested in a workshop here. Otherwise, please add my name to your Montreal workshop waiting lists.
Thanks. Your work is lovely. Janice Kelly.
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Hi, Shari:
I live in Ottawa and would love to attend a workshop if you decide to come here. Fingers crossed.
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I am also in Ottawa and would be interested in one of your workshops.
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HI Christine,
I will add you to my workshop mailing list.
Regards,
Shari
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Hey, Montreal maybe not, but Paris, perhaps, if it’s in June, as I will be in Spain all that month.
Do put me on the list!
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Hi Gina,
It is looking good for Paris. It will likely be June 11 & 12. Is that a possibility for you?
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I am interested in your Portland workshop. Do you have dates for it yet?
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Hi Tracey. The dates are August 3, 4 & 5. We will be posting on Urban Sketchers but if you don’t go on that site I can send you the info.
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Could you send me the info? I may miss it on Urban Sketchers. Thanks!
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I will do that Tracey.
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Wish I was talented enough to consider enrolling, Shari! What a great idea!
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You are talented enough to enrol Susan!!
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Hello Shari. Please send me information about the workshop in Paris. Thanks
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Hello Shari, Please send me information about your workshop in Paris. Thanks
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Since me up for the Montreal workshop! I would be thrilled to take another workshop with you.
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Hi Shari,
I would like to participate in your workshop in Montreal in June. How do I register??
Merci
Lynn
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Hi Lynn,
I will send you info by email.
Thanks!
Shari
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Hi Shari,
Do you ever consider offering something online? I’m in Australia.
Thanks,
Ruth
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Hi Ruth,
Maybe eventually I will do something online but it’s not in the plans for the near future. That would definitely take a lot of time to organize, although I have seem some very good training videos online.
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Thanks for your reply, Shari. I have only just come across your work and am so impressed with the detail and tones you manage to achieve in a sketch. Many would consider that highly detailed for a studio work. If you do decide to do an online course, count me in!
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Thank you Ruth for those really kind words! I will count you in, don’t worry.
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Hi Shari, I would love to follow your blog but when I try to enter my email address the page just reloads. May I follow you?
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Thanks – I am now activated. I’m thrilled.
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Great Barbara! Let me know if you receive today’s post. If not I will get in touch with WordPress to find out why this isn’t working.
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I would very much like to be involved with your workshops….my career ?? in Oil has just been interrupted due to Asthma restictions. I am so impressed with what I saw in the Gazette this morning.
Please advise when and where I could join you in Montreal.
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HI Birdie. I will add your name to my mailing list. I am thinking of adding another workshop in August or September.
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Liked your gallery in today’s Gazette. Watercolour sketches are the perfect opposing force against the digital photography trend, and with cameras everywhere, in cell-phones, etc — why not more painting kits.
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Thanks Terry. Yes, more painting kits are the way to go!
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Hello
Will there be any other workshops in Montreal this summer, since your June 5 and 6 workshops are full.
Thank you.
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HI Frances. I am thinking of offering another workshop in August or September so I will put you on the list.
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Hello Shari
Will you be offering any workshops in Montreal in the Fall? I would be interested. Having said that, I have sketching experience, but am not a watercolourist. Would this be a problem?
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Hi Dorothy. In my workshops there are people with many levels of experience so don’t worry about that. Some have no watercolour experience, others paint in oil but not watercolour. That would not be a problem. I will put you on the list if I open up another workshop.
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Hi Shari,
My name is Ligia. I would like to be added to your course in Montreal if you do one in September. I have some experience with oils but none with watercolours. Thanks
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Hi Ligia.
I have added your name to my list and if I open another workshop I will let you know. Regards!
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Hi Shari
Great watercolors! I’d love to attend one of your workshops in Montreal (what a shame I missed the upcoming two days). Please add my name to your list. You truly capture everyday life.
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Hi Caroline. I will put you on the list. Thanks for commenting.
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Would you put me on your list for Montreal, also? I would love to attend one of your workshops.
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I will put you on the list Jackie.
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Please let me know if you’re doing more workshops at John Abbott. I’ve done tole painting, but I’ve always wanted to learn watercolors!
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I will put you on the list Leslie.
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Lynn Riel
I have no sketching experience at all or painting.Would your course be good for a first timer? The course that you are offering in the fall.
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HI Lynn,
I think it would be preferable if you had some drawing experience before you do my workshops. For first-timers I suggest taking a beginner drawing class and then taking my workshop. There are many offered in the Montreal area and having that experience would really help you before you launch into watercolour.
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Will you be having any workshops this Fall? If so, I would be interested. Thanks, Sharon
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Hi Sharon. I may have a one day workshop in the fall. I will put you on my mailing list.
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Sounds good!
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I’d like to see you hold a workshop in Vancouver BC or even Victoria BC. Both lovely cities. I enjoyed our Portland experience very much. Thanks again. I just ordered a Da Vinci sable set from Amazon to use.
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I think Vancouver or Victoria would be fantastic. We need Don to find us some sketch locations. Let me know how the good brushes work out.
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I will start thinking about this, I would love to have you do a workshop in Vancouver Shari.
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I would LOVE to do one there Don. Let’s talk about it at some point.
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If you do a workshop in Van or Victoria, I’d make an effort to be there. I live in Alberta, but always enjoy a holiday on the coast and this would be the perfect excuse! Can you put me on a list for a possible BC workshop? Thanks!
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Sure Yvonne. I will add you to my mailing list.
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No, not the west coast again! Come east! I’m in New Brunswick but we have Nova Scotia next door. How about PEI? Cape Breton? I’d even drive to Newfoundland!
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Gina, if you find enough people to be in the workshop I can come your way. That’s why Portland and Paris worked out. Do you have lots of sketchers/painters in your area?
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No, I only moved here from Montreal recently and I know nobody in this tiny village who does watercolours, and I have no contacts in larger cities either. But I’ll snoop around the web and see what/who I can find.
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Ok Gina. I would love to paint in Nova Scotia. I love the area around Lunenburg. Maybe we can get a group to travel there with me.
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Hallo Shari,
I am a resident of Beaconsfield and a member of the Beaconsfield Artist Association. Do you have any courses for the fall and winter session? If so could you please let me know. We are 4 who are looking forward to join a class.
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Hi Huguette. I have no classes in the winter because I have no venue to hold them in. Plus I teach in a CEGEP so it is hard for me to hold classes at night. The summer is the best time for my workshops because I am not in school then.
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Thanks for responding to my request and I will be following up with you for next summer. However, if it is ok with you you can give us courses at my house on your free time from Cegep. I can set up for the 4 of us. Think about it and let me know. We are all retirees but active in watercolour. Otherwise it will be for next summer. Thank you again.
Huguette
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Ok Huguette. I will think about it!
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HI Shari, can you put me on the list? Love your work! -Genine
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I will do that Genine!
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Hello, Shari:
I have been an admirer of your watercolors posted on Urban Sketchers. Please add my name to your list for a Montreal workshop. Many thanks!
Kristine Domenichini
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Hi, Shari:
Please add my name to your list for a Montreal workshop. Thanks for posting such beautiful paintings/sketches on the web!
Kristine Domenichini
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I will certainly add your name to the list Kristine. So glad you like the posts.
Shari
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Wondering how you are enjoying that Jim Richards sketch you purchased in StoDo. I came so close to putting $55 on it….so very close, but … not close enough. Loving your sketches and your blog. I’ve not seen one like it anywhere.
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I love my sketch Jim! I framed it and it is now in my front hall so I can see it every day.
Thanks for letting me know what you think about the blog. I am getting close to the one year anniversary and wondering if I should continue. I always wonder if people are reading it and finding it useful. So I really appreciate you letting me know what you think.
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Don’t even DREAM of stopping! I so look forward to receiving your weekly gift every Monday!
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Thanks Gina!!
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Glad I found your site. I love your work! I would also be interested if you’re going to have any workshops out here on the west coast, especially Vancouver. Please add me to your distribution list.. Thanks!
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I will add you to the list Jeff! There is a chance there will be a workshop in Seattle in the summer so watch my blog for more news as well.
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Hi Shari can you add me to your list for workshops in Montreal! Thanks
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You are already on my mailing list Angie!!
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Awesome treks. Great video in Paris; thanks to the stealthy student that caught it. Seeing you in action added great depth and insights to your blog. Kudos for such great discipline and sharing it. Fred
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Thanks Fred. It was a total surprise to see this video but I really cherish it. So glad you enjoyed it too.
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How can I get access to the Paris video?
Thanks
Frances
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Hi Frances. If you click on the word “video” in the post you will be taken there.
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hi Shari,
I will be interested to join your watercolour courses or workshop in th summer. Please keep me in mind. Thank you and all the best for 2013.
Huguette
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Thanks Huguette. I will add you to my list. All the best to you too.
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Dear Shari,
I love your paintings/sketches. May I just ask, when you paint, do you wet the whole of the page or do you just wet the area you are working on, or do you just make the colour very dilute before putting it on the paper?
Many thanks.
Ann
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Hi Ann,
So glad you like the work. I have so many ways of working. Sometimes I wet the whole sheets (as in Baie des Rochers), sometimes I wet an area and sometimes I paint on dry paper. But one thing I try to do is make the colour as saturated as possible.
Shari
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Dear Shari,
Thanks for the advice. I’ll keep practising. If you ever come to Australia ….
Many thanks.
Ann.
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You never know Ann. My son is working in Sydney now and liking it a little too much : )
Maybe if he stays there long enough!!
In the meantime keep practicing.
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Hi Shari,
I have been following your blog and daily sketches since I read the article in the Montreal Gazette. I enjoy oil painting, but have done some acrylic and watercolor. I would truely enjoy being in one of your workshops sometime in the future.
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Hi Brenda.
So glad you like the sketches! I will add you to my mailing list.
regards,
Shari
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Love the cheerful bright colour on yours.. captured me every time I see one on urban sketchers page..
I don’t think I can make a trip to Canada but if for some reasons you make it to Sydney Australia.. I would love to do classes with you..
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Glad you like the work Rooi! I would love to paint in Australia but no workshops there in the near future. I will keep you posted if I do.
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Hi Shari… what dates are 2014 workshops… hmm… I really hope to make it.. lotsa plannings required…
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Hi. I don’t have any plans yet for next summer. I usually start to plan that in January. Where are you coming from?
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hi Shari… Sydney australia
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Wow! That’s a long way to come for a workshop! I’ll get planning!
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yeah I know but I really like your ways/ styles.. I need to plan ahead for $$ and Time… sigh..
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Any plans for workshops 2014?
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Hi, Any plans for workshops in 2014? Woukd possibly travel all the way from Iceland to attend!
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Dear Shari
What great and fresh work. You are a master sketcher. What’s the schedule for the summer of 2014? I would like to join. Elias
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Hi Shari,
Sorry you can’t make it to Portland this summer and look forward to possibly next summer. If you send out a separate email for workshops, please add me to your list.
Love your work!
Lesli, Portland
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I will add you to the list Lesli!
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Seattle, Washington
July 12 & 13, 2014
(This workshop is full. Contact me if you would like to be on the waiting list)
please place me on your wait list.
Anita Lehmann
Thank you.
ahldraws.com
anita@ahldraws.com
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I will add you to the list Anita!
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Since Vancouver is full, why not pop over to beautiful Victoria, BC on the 6th. I’ll show you some great places to paint!
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I would love to Ian but I am giving other workshops in Seattle and Anacortes. There seems to be a lot of demand in BC for sketching workshops. If you get a group together from your area I can always come out next year!
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How many do you need for a group? Particulars?
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Hi Ian. Why don’t you email me. I think it will be easier and more direct that way. My email is on my about page.
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when are you planning to have your workshop in Montreal. Huguette
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I don’t have any plans yet for summer 2015. I will add you to my workshop mailing list Hugette, if you are not already on there.
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Hello, Shari,
I love your watercolor style and would like to be added to your workshop waiting list: whatever location comes up with a spot, I would check dates and consider!
Also, I am interested in purchasing one of your watercolors. I particularly like “Trinity,” “Petty Harbour,” and “Davis Bay.” Can you give me details–framed/unframed, prices?
Thanks so much.
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Hi Dottie,
Thanks so much. I will respond to you by email, if you don’t mind. It is much easier that way.
Shari
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Greetings.
Exciting to think of a workshop in either Montreal or Ottawa next summer.
Please, please (pretty please?) put me on the waiting list.
Many thanks.
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I think I am on your waiting list. However please check it. Thanks. Huguette
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Please add me to your blog/email list. I love your work. If you ever again offer a workshop in the Pacific NW (Seattle to Vancouver BC) I would love to enrol. Thanx.
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I will certainly add you to the list Barb. I hope to be out there again next summer.
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Please add me to your list of summer workshops. Thanks
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I will add you to my list Ruth. Thanks for writing.
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Shari,
I would love to know more about your summer workshop in Montreal and everything you offre to imprime Waterville.
Lucie
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Hi Lucie, I am only offering one workshop this summer at Montebello. I will add you to my mailing list for next summer.
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Hi Mona,
I will certainly add you to my list for workshops in 2016.
Shari
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Just wrote you an email but will do so here also. Would love information on your workshops. I live in the states so if you have any here or even the west coast i would love to know about them. Please also if possible could I also be signed up to get your sketchbook blog emails? Love you work.
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I just sent you an email and I signed you up for the blog. I hope it works!
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