All workshops are listed in Eastern Time.
Unless specifically noted, our programs are free, virtual and suited for participants ages 16+. For further details about what to expect from our workshops, along with registration and Zoom instructions, click here.
Join Veteran Artist Shaun Smith, as he takes you on a journey into the world of Yupo Paper and watercolors. Yupo isn’t your ordinary paper – it’s a semi-translucent plastic sheet that resembles paper! In this workshop, we’ll dive into the fascinating interplay between watercolors and Yupo’s unique surface. Watch as the water-based hues dance and swirl on the waterproof canvas, creating art that’s as unpredictable as it is beautiful.
Suggested Supplies:
Shaun Smith is a Retired U.S. Army Veteran and Fine Artist based in Northern Maine. Shaun served 10 years as a Combat Medic with a tour in Afghanistan. During that time he was awarded The Combat Medic Badge for providing care under fire and a Purple Heart for injuries sustained from a VBIED. Shaun found comfort in art therapy as a way to express his experiences, leading him to enroll into an art university. Shaun graduated from The Academy of Art University of San Francisco with a Bachelors in Fine art Painting in 2021. Shaun dedicates his time to painting landscapes, wildlife, and peaceful moments.
“War carves a deep scar on us, always reminding us long after we leave the battlefield. I combat that ugliness by submerging myself in the tranquility of the wilderness to reflect and find peace. When I paint a scene or a subject, That’s the only thing that matters in that moment and I get to meditate on that beauty.”
About CBAW Visual Arts Workshops
Join Veterans and Artists, Valerie Acosta, Shaun Smith, Joe Merritt, or a special guest to learn new art techniques on Wednesdays at 7pm EST. Come hang out in a collaborative group setting and bring what materials you have. No experience necessary! To register, click the link below.
MissionBelonging is funded in part by Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program is managed by Mid-America Arts Alliance.