kirah van sickle : the classroom
"I learned more in a week with Kirah than ten years of classes."
Kirah offers a variety of educational opportunities. As a certified Golden Artist-Educator, Marabu USA Artist-Educator, and Silver Brush Educator, Kirah has tremendous insight and experience with materials, and professional history in both traditional and contemporary processes. She teaches acrylics, watercolors, oils, pastel, mixed media, monoprinting (gelli arts), and creates custom programming and mentorship for the individual or small groups.
CRITIQUE PUNCHCARD
Interested in a critique or consulting session? Perhaps a painting session to work on a specific issue or technique. The punchcard is $60, can be used to get insights/advice on up to three works in progress, or a painting session, juried show submissions, grant proposals, art biz advice, materials questions, or push past blocks.
This can be in person or virtual. Available in the art "store."
2025 WORKSHOPS & LECTURES
Interested in custom private or semi-private, in-person or virtual studio sessions?
Kirah works with student-artists from beginner to professional in building painting confidence and art biz insights. Contact here.
PAINT LIKE THE MASTERS: HELEN FRANKENTHALER
Cameron Art Museum - Pascoe Studio Full with Waiting List
Sunday, May 4th, 2025
10:00 - 4:00 pm
As a member of the New York School, Helen Frankenthaler's color field painting
style is expressive, nature and landscape-inspired. This one day intensive is an
opportunity to explore color and abstracting with brushes and an array of alternative
painting tools: scrapers, trowels, sponges, sticks and pouring. Our medium of choice
will be acrylic on watercolor paper. Beginner to advanced levels welcome. All levels.
Image: Helen Frankenthaler, Nature Abhors a Vacuum, 1973, Acrylic on canvas,
National Gallery of Art
CAM Member/ $112 Not-yet member $140
2025 ART + TRAVEL WORKSHOPS
PAWLEYS ISLAND SPRING ARTIST RETREAT
(Full with Waiting List)
Friday, April 18 - Friday, April 25, 2025
Join Kirah for the 45th Annual Plein Air Workshop at Sea View Inn
Spring is the perfect time for this beloved annual workshop combining great
low country painting sites, food, cultural and natural history and the historic
Sea View Inn. Every April Kirah and the artists take over the charming shabby
chic inn for plenty of plein air sketching, painting fundamentals, art history,
and gorgeous coastal inspiration. This fills up fast!
Contact the inn directly here for 2025 pricing and availability.
CAVES OF PAINTED DREAMS WORKSHOP (Full)
Dordogne, France
Wednesday, September 10 - Friday, September 19, 2025
Dreams, Symbolism and ART in the Painted Caves of France
with Carol Aalbers PhD & Artist Kirah Van Sickle
Nestled in the Dordogne Region we find some of our oldest and most notable
cave art sties in the world. Paleolithic art, which likely functioned as sacred
spaces for early humans, is our focus. Our artist-ancestors maintained a
sophisticated art and crafts practice that mystifies and inspires. By exploring
through art the archetypal images in the caves, in our dreams, and in the
landscape and villages of the Dordogne Valley, we connect to creativity,
personal iconography, and to what makes us human. Utilizing active imagination
and recording our own dream images with various art mediums, will enhance
our experience and aid in our inner journey.
Contact Kirah at kirahart@yahoo.com for workshop brochure, itinerary, and pricing details.
CIAO, ITALIA!
Plein Air Sketching and Painting in Rome and Umbria
October 3 - 12, 2025
Sketching & Painting the History and Colors of Rome
and the Gems of Umbria
This custom plein air Italy adventure begins with two nights in
Rome, with Etruscan masterpieces, Roman frescoes, sketching
Palatine Hill, and off-the-beaten path art museums; We then head
into the green heart of Italy - Umbria, with 6 nights at our home base,
Spello. This is the perfect location to explore the history, art, food
and wine, of Assisi, Perugia, and the Montefalco wine region.
Artists and companions welcome. Maximum 14.
Artists will work with a limited travel palette, explore plein air sketching techniques including loose, quick watercolor studies and small painting studies in acrylic, gouache or oil.
Pricing includes transfers, hotels, entrance fees, tasting, cooking course, breakfast, and most meals. Air and travel insurance not included. Deposit due March 31.
For itinerary, pricing, and trip details, click here!
