About the Artist: ailikurtis.fineartstudioonline.com

Aili Kurtis is an award-winning artist who explores the rhythms and patterns of the Canadian landscape. She seeks the “abstract within the real” and creates images that move away from reality while still maintaining the appeal of the theme.

Raised in Yellowknife, Aili travelled south to study painting at the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, and went on to receive a degree in Art Education at the University of Quebec in Montreal. When Aili moved to Ottawa, she taught portraiture and landscape painting at the Ottawa School of Art and has worked as an illustrator, graphic designer, and courtroom artist. She was also the Art Director for CJOH TV and the Creative Director for Corel Corporation.

Aili was awarded the title of “Master Pastellist” (PAC), and her award-winning paintings in pastels, oils, and acrylics have been published in The International Artist Magazine, Artist’s Magazine, The Pastel Journal, and in several AcrylicWorks books: “The Best of Acrylic Painting”; “Bold Values”; “Abstract Painting”. In 2022 she was featured in an eight-page article in The International Artist Magazine.

Workshop Description:

This two-day workshop is an opportunity to lift your artwork to another level by exploring ideas and techniques that will enhance your ability to bring vitality and light into your paintings. The focus will be on using dynamic compositions, creating luminosity through glazes, applying vivid colours and contrasts. There will be guided sessions and one-on-one feedback to help you reach your inner potential.

Supplies: Aili Kurtis Supply List

Dates: September 15 & 16, 2026  9:30a.m. – 4:30p.m.

Fees:  Members – $280- Non Members – $330

Registration Opens:  Volunteers July 3; Members, July 6; and Non-Members, July 9

Terms and Conditions: Kanata Art Club reserves the right to cancel a class where there is insufficient registration.  You will be notified and receive a full refund.

To withdraw, please contact the treasurer at treasurer@kanataartclub.com.  An e-transfer less an administrative fee of $50.00 will be issued if a written request is received on or before August 18,  2026.  There will be no refund beyond that date, unless we are able to fill your spot from a waitlist.

About Katherine McNenly

​“Katherine McNenly is a painter in the Naturalistic tradition. She is a graduate of Fine Arts from York University and spent her formative years studying in the studio of the renowned portrait artist and teacher, John Angel, in Toronto.  She attended the atelier Cecil-Graves in Florence, Italy in 1990 and has participated in workshops at the Grand Central Academy in New York. She has been featured in the International Artist Magazine and was a finalist in their 2009 Still Life Competition.  She has been a finalist in the Canadian Portrait Society’s Annual Competition, The Kingston Prize and in the Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition 2012, where she received an Honour Award. Her work is in private collections across Canada, the United States and Europe” – from: https://www.katherinemcnenly.com/about.

About this class

This 10 week course will concentrate on providing students with a more traditional approach to painting. You will learn about the fundamentals of drawing, colour mixing, materials and how to build up a painting from underpainting to overpainting and glazing. You will learn how to see form and structure and how to approach a more realistic image. The instructor will be doing short demos to aid in understanding concepts. Students will have a choice of subject matter: portrait, landscape or still life. Students may work in either acrylic or oil.

What her students say:

“Kathy is cheerful and relaxed and creates a supportive environment” – JoAnne

“. . .exceptional.  Over the course of the weeks . . . Kathy became familiar with the painting styles of each of the participants.  In my case, she identified my weaknesses, and helped me with colours, brush strokes, composition, and so much more.   I was very pleased with the final painting, and attribute much of my success with the piece to Kathy’s tutelage.  I will sign up for more classes with Kathy.  She is a star.” – Sandra

“We are fortunate to have a teacher of Kathy’s calibre . .  Kathy is very knowledgeable. . .Regardless of the student’s skill level, Kathy is able to make suggestions that help the students grow and create better paintings.” – Jette

“Kathy is able to customize her teaching,  giving each student individualized instruction where their next step is. . .  She clearly explains the theory behind the why, before she explains and shows the how. That way her students can continually build their capacity at their own pace.  Kathy is an extraordinary art teacher as evidenced by the wide range of repeat students  in her classes,  from beginners up to more advanced students. We are very lucky to have Kathy . . .”- Patty

“ Since I’ve taken classes from her, my paintings have improved dramatically.” – Lucy

“Kathy is so knowledgeable, friendly, great personality, and has the patience of a Saint. She works with each student individually, helping them achieve their goals. She certainly deserves a medal.” – Shirley

Kathy McNenly Supply List

Dates: Fridays, Sept 25, October 2, 16,  23, 30, Nov. 6,13, 20, 27, Dec 4 2026 (no class on the Friday before Thanksgiving, October 9)

Time:  1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Location: 155 Industrial Avenue, Carleton Place

Registration:  Opens for volunteers July 6, for KAC members July 9th, non-members July 12^th

Fees: KAC members and volunteers: $350.00, non-members: $400.00

Terms & Conditions

Kanata Art Club reserves the right to cancel a class where there is insufficient registration.  You will be notified and issued a full refund.

To withdraw prior to the start date, please contact: treasurer@kanataartclub.com.  A refund less an administrative fee of $25.00 will be issued if a written request is received no less than two weeks prior to the start of the first class.  There will be no refund issued beyond that date, unless your spot can be filled from a waitlist.

     

About the Artist:

Barb Sohn is an elected member of the Canadian Society of Artists, the Federation of Canadian artists and the Ontario Society of Artists.  She is represented by two galleries, and her work is in collections around the world.

She works to “capture the mesmerizing qualities of water and landscape on canvas”, in acrylics.  For more information about Barb, see: http://www.barbsohnart.ca/

The artist’s statement: 

These classes are designed to introduce students to the techniques I use to inform my intuitive approach to interpreting landscapes and water in acrylic paints.

We will delve into each person’s own artistic exploration. My goal is to help students to better understand and articulate their own unique visual language.

We will view slide shows of various artists, who in their work, demonstrate the use of transparent paints.

We will discuss transparent colours, how they are labeled, and why I use them.  I will demonstrate each step and explain colour choices.

The main focus of this class is to build a completed painting through a series of layers of transparent acrylic paints.

We will end with a final show and tell of the paintings done in class.

Supply list: Barb Sohn Supply List

Kanata Art Club reserves the right to cancel a class where there is insufficient registration.  You will be notified and receive a full refund.

To withdraw, please contact the treasurer at treasurer@kanataartclub.com.  A cheque or e-transfer for a full refund less an administrative fee of $25.00 will be issued if a written request is received no less than two weeks prior to the start of the first class.  There will be no refunds beyond that date, unless we are able to fill the spot from a waitlist.

 

Drypoint

Collagraph

About the Instructor:

Deidre Hierlihy graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art from Queen’s University, 1981, followed by a year at the Graff, Centre de Conception Graphique in Montréal on a Graff Grant.  She returned to Queens in 1984 to complete a Bachelor of Education.  Her love for printmaking subsequently led to international study in both Japan (woodcut) and Northern Ireland (linocut).  Learn more about Deirdre at https://deidrehierlihy.com.

About the Course:

The beauty of line, the wonder of pattern, the dynamics of colour, the subtly of form. Artists gravitate to different printmaking processes because they express different elements of art. This course provides focused instruction in relief (linocut) and intaglio (drypoint) and collagraph platemaking and printing. Starting from students’ drawings and photos, we will develop the skills to transform any image into rich prints, focusing on strong TBD pattern, line, form, composition, and colour. We will print with less toxic vegetable oil-based inks.

Supply List: Print Making Supply list

Dates: Wednesday mornings, October 28^th to December 16th, 2026 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Venue: 155 Industrial Avenue, Carleton Place

Fees:  Member – $280.00, Non-Member – $330.00

Open for Registration: Volunteers – August 30th, KAC Members – September 4th, Non-member – September 11th

Terms and Conditions:

Kanata Art Club reserves the right to cancel a class where there is insufficient registration.  You will be notified and receive a full refund.

To withdraw, please contact the treasurer at treasurer@kanataartclub.com.  A cheque or e-transfer for a full refund less an administrative fee of $25.00 will be issued if a written request is received no less than 14 days prior to the start of the first class.  There will be no refunds beyond that date, unless we are able to fill the spot from a waitlist.

About the Artist:  Rehann Vazid is Melbourne-based (AUS) watercolour artist & educator known for his bold, light-filled landscape paintings.  He draws inspiration from his time in nature – hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, his love of literature, poetry and finds a way to channel that into his art. He uses his art and his teaching to send a message – to get out of the chair, the studio and to go outside into nature. It works wonders for the art, but also for the artist.

Rehann’s artistic practice explores the dynamic and expressive potential of watercolour. After a 15-year career in product design, he transitioned to become a full-time artist and instructor. He is known for his innovative use of colour and his ability to capture natural light and atmosphere in his work. He regularly conducts workshops for art institutions across Australia and internationally. His teaching often focuses on developing intuitive painting skills, painting fearlessly and understanding how to create luminosity in watercolor.

About this workshop:  This workshop is designed to help artists break through hesitation and discover the power of bold painting. Through gestural brushwork, strong composition and unapologetic color, participants will learn to trust their instincts and find their visual voice in watercolor.

Open to artists at all levels who want to level-up their technique and confidence.

What you’ll learn

• Bold Brushwork. Let go of fear and embrace confident strokes that carry energy and clarity.
• Glow of Watercolor. Explore how to harness clean pigments, transparency and timing to capture luminosity in skies and water.
• Color with Courage. Experiment with limited palettes, explore warm vs. cool contrasts and push pigments to reveal vibrancy without muddiness.
• Techniques for Light. Dropping clean colour into wet washes, colour harmony & avoiding overwork.

Workshop Structure

Instead of treating watercolor as “one skill,” we break it into distinct, learnable parts. These micro-skills are taught through:

• Live demonstrations
• Guided sessions
• Personalised one-on-one feedback.

Supply List: Rehann Supply List

Dates: May 25th, 2027 – May 28th, 2027  –  9:30 – 4:30

Fees: Members – $600.00 (goes on sale Nov 27th , 2026, Volunteers Nov 20th, 2026)
Non-Members – $650.00 (goes on sale Dec 5th, 2026)

Terms and Conditions:

The Kanata Art Club reserves the right to cancel a workshop where there is insufficient registration.  You will be notified and issued a refund or e-transfer for the full amount.

To withdraw prior to the start date, please contact: treasurer@kanataartclub.com.  A full refund (or e-transfer) less an administrative fee of $50.00 will be issued if a written request is received on or before March 24th, 2027.  There will be no refunds issued beyond March 25th, 2027, unless we can fill your spot from a waitlist.