Rogers-Lowell Area News

Downtown Rogers Creative Space Hosts Nationally Recognized Artist/Instructor and the Beauty of the Ozarks

Autumn in the Ozarks feeds the appetites and nourishes the souls of artists attending a four-day landscape painting workshop at the Rogers Experimental House in Downtown Rogers. Participants from Montana, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas are learning from classically trained master artist, Susan Blackwood.

This is Blackwood’s first workshop in Northwest Arkansas. She relocated to Bella Vista in April and was drawn to the area because of the magical beauty, the communities that support art and the many ways for artists to earn a living while pursuing their artistic passion. Through gallery tours, artist demonstrations and hands-on techniques; participants are exploring the magic of landscape paintings using Ozark images. Students also brought a sample of their work for exhibit during the workshop, toured Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and participated in demonstrated instruction followed by exercises to activate the creative process. Blackwood then provided challenges to implement the concepts and the techniques learned. 

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to move to the Ozark mountains with the breathtaking trees, cliffs and rivers,” she explained. “These surroundings excite my desire to paint in this region and to teach others to see and paint the beauty that surrounds us.”

Blackwood lived in the Rocky Mountains for almost 50 years; first in Colorado and later in Montana. “I knew I loved the region, and now that I have been here for six months, I am thrilled to also fall in love with the people,” she continued. “I am in awe of the level of enthusiasm and support the community has for all types of art and the artists who create it.”

Last week, Blackwood shared her art with 60 students from Elmwood Middle School during the bi-annual Art and Architecture tour. She described the progression of her work as a professional artist and encouraged students to seek out career opportunities where they can use their artistic talents.

Blackwood’s paintings are on display through mid-December and the artist will participate in receptions at the Rogers Experimental House during the 2nd Thursday Downtown Rogers Art on the Bricks Art Walk, November 14 and December 12, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. each evening.

Blackwood is a nationally and internationally recognized, classically trained artist who has made teaching and painting her life’s work. Her business spans from one on one and group instruction, teaching workshops, creating instructional videos, demonstrator/lecturer and host of international painting excursions.