NEW! Painting & Snowshoe Winter Retreat w/ Melanie Levitt

Join owner of Jackson Art and award winning painter, Melanie Levitt, for a unique experience combining snowshoeing and studio painting in the White Mountains of NH. (total beginners and intermediate painters both welcome)  The retreat will start with a short private snowshoe tour led by Jackson Ski Touring Center. Bring along your camera (or phone) to capture the beauty of the trail. Melanie will talk about how to gather the info needed to create a winter painting  in the studio. Guides from Jackson Ski Touring will explain the geology and ecology of the area, as well as talk about local history. After the snowshoe, students will enjoy lunch (included) at the lodge and an then head one mile away to Jackson Art for an afternoon lesson and painting demonstration. Melanie will cover how to use photos, sketches, and memory of the scene to compose a small painting from the journey. We will end the day with a tasting of some local wines from Alpine Garden Winery along with cheese and crackers. (and non-alcoholic beverages)

On Sunday, we will be at the studio all day working on our paintings. There will be lessons in creating a dynamic composition/sketching, color mixing, brush and palette knife work and how to paint snow with light and shadow. (we don’t just use white paint!) This class is for both the beginner student or those with some experience who want to improve their painting skills and enjoy a short adventure outdoors! Melanie will work with you at your level and help you at the easel. Students are responsible for bringing their own supplies.

 (Supply list below-oil or acrylic) Jackson Art will provide you with an easel, small table and chair. Included in the cost: snow shoe rental/pass & private tour, lunch on Saturday, wine tasting/cheese/crackers and two-day painting class with demos.We will end the day on Sunday celebrating our creations. Students will leave with at least one painting, possibly two. Class size is limited to 10 people to allow for individual attention. This will be a fun and stress-free weekend.

Saturday & Sunday, Feb 22 & 23, Sat 9am-4pm  $375
Class includes two-day workshop, private snowshoe tour/rental, lunch on Saturday and a wine tasting with cheese and crackers. (non-alcoholic beverages, too) *Meet at Jackson Ski Touring Center on Saturday at 9am and Jackson Art Studio & Gallery on Sunday at 9am.

Cancellation Policy: We ask that you to give us three weeks notice if you need to cancel for a full refund minus a $35 cancellation fee. Cancellations should be made by phone by calling (603) 387-3463. This provides us the opportunity to fill the space. We are sorry, but we cannot give refunds or issue credits for missed classes or no shows.  

SUGGESTED SUPPLY LIST:

BRING TO STUDIO ONLY:
-Paints: Oil Paints, Water Soluble Oils, or Acrylics:
Bring a limited palette of paints. Feel free to bring what you have. I use Gamblin Oil Paints which you can get at Michaels or online at Dick Blick or Cheap Joes.
Suggested Colors (colors with * are mandatory)
-*Titanium White
-*Cad Yellow Light, Hansa Yellow, or Lemon Yellow
-Cadmium Orange (optional)
-*Cadmium Red Light or other warm red
-*Alizerin Crimson or other cool red
– *Ultramarine Blue
-Phthalo Blue or Cobalt Blue (Optional)
-Phthalo Green (optional)
-Yellow Ochre (optional)
-Palette to mix on(wet palette suggested for acrylics)
-Gamasol or odorless mineral spirits (for oils) along with brush washer or jar
-Solvent free gel or Liquin medium for oils
-Medium of choice for acrylics, retarder
-Spray bottle for acrylics if not bringing a wet palette
-Jar for water (acrylic)
-Palette Knife
-Brushes- I like flats and filberts size 2,4,6,8,10
-Two canvases (I use boards) size 8×10” ,9×12” or slightly bigger is fine too
-Roll paper towels
-Plastic bag for trash
-Small sketchbook/drawing pencil
-Notebook to take notes
-Jackson Art will provide you with an easel, small table and chair
-Bring your own lunch for Sunday or one can be ordered out.
-Bring a mug for complimentary tea & hot cocoa at studio.

For Snowshoe Tour: Dress in layers depending on weather. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. You can also bring a small sketchbook and drawing pencil but not any other supplies

 

Weekend Schedule:

Saturday:
9am-Meet at Jackson Ski Touring Center and get gear for snowshoe.
9:30am- Private Group Snowshoe Tour
12pm-12:30 Lunch at lodge (provided with food options)
1-4pm Head to Jackson Art for painting and sketching demo, color mixing and set up supplies
3-4pm Wine tasting and cheese/crackers (non-alcoholic beverages)

Sunday
9am-Meet at Jackson Art Studio & Gallery
9am-12pm Sketching and Painting with instructor assisting each student at easel
12-1pm Lunch Break (bring a lunch or one can be ordered out)
1-3pm Painting
3-4pm Celebration of paintings and artwork created

 

Melanie Barash Levitt graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1990. She currently lives in the White Mountains of NH and is the owner of Jackson Art Studio & Gallery.  Melanie is an award winning artist who paints in a loose, impressionistic style with a brush or a palette knife in oils. As a plein air artist, Levitt paints on location braving the elements to capture the mood of the scene. Her favorite subjects are the mountains, rivers and small farms of NH and the rugged coasts of Maine. Her artwork resides is in the home of many collectors through the US, Canada and Europe. She exhibits her work in galleries and shows throughout NH, ME, VT and NY. She has been featured in Boston Chronicle (WCBV TV, ABC), NH Chronicle (WMUR 9), and has been published in various newspapers and magazines . She also has received numerous awards for her paintings in regional shows and juried events and is a member of the Salmagundi Art Club in NYC and is on the staff for the Plein Air Convention in Lake Tahoe 2025.