Virginia K. Freyermuth, Inc.

 I have just returned from working with an amazing group of teachers at the Rowe Conference Center in the Berkshires of Rowe, Mass. Co-teaching with my friend and colleague Dr. Peter London, together we explored the concept of transformative, Wonder Full teaching and learning at this transitional time of an historic Great Turning. 

The teachers engaged in dynamic art making, writing, performance and dance as they explored ideas of personal meaning, growth, and teaching towards welcoming the true inner self to appear in a safe and welcoming space. It was an honor to participate in this extraordinary experience, hear many moving stories, and witness wonder-filled growth and learning.  Peter and I will be creating a website dedicated to The Wonder Full Teacher Project and we invite like-minded individuals to participate.  

This project has been in the making for approximately five years and will be of interest to teachers of all age levels and disciplines. Peter and I examine how Wonder Full teaching extends the idea of the excellent teacher while considering the needs and inherent potentials of all people at any given moment in time. I hope you will stay tuned for further details about our wesbite and consider becoming involved and embracing these transformative ideas about teaching. It was a most rewarding experience complemented by the backdrop of the Berkshires in June, complete with daily song, delicious vegetarian meals, and a surprise sighting of Mama, Papa and Baby Bear! Many thanks to the folks at Rowe and a memorable group of dedicated, caring educators who brought it to life in such a lovely way!

For those of you unfamiliar with Carver, Massachusetts, it is situated approximately at the intersection of the South Shore, SouthCoast and Cape Cod. It was named for the first Governor of Plymouth Colony, John Carver. The first cranberry farming here began in the late 19th century, and to this day, acres of bogs delight the eye with their ever-changing vistas. I find the land to be inspiring and endlessly surprising. Often, I spot birds and other wildlife around the wetlands. Speaking of wildlife, a family of birds has made their nest in our wreath. I took this photo of the babies from a distance with my zoom lens. Wishing you a lovely Memorial Day weekend as the warm weather months get underway!

This is the perfect time of year to cultivate your inner artist and reconnect with the natural world. Perhaps you would like to treat yourself to personalized art classes at Cranberry Barn Studios or take a weekend workshop. Whether your chosen way of tapping your creative spirit is through word or image, taking time to step back from the daily grind, reflect, and honor the artist within can be both relaxing and rejuvenating. Please click the art instruction link at www.virginiafreyermuth.com, and while you are on the website, be sure to see Virginia's Illustration Gallery and newest portraits in the Portrait Gallery.

Happy New Year to all! May 2009 bring you peace, prosperity, and joy! As the snow falls in Carver on this New Year's Eve, I am reminded of the beauty of Nature and the many ways in which the world is continually transformed. 

This coming year, I am looking forward to teaching my newest offering--online art classes, titled Art Where You Are, for adults and high school students. Perhaps this will be the year you decide to explore your creative development, and now you don't even need to leave home!

My January and Spring 2009 art classes at the barn studio are also enrolling, so check the Art Classes page for the current dates and times. I teach classes in my studio for grades 7-12 and adults of all levels of experience. With no more than 6 students per class, the instruction is tailored to each student's needs.

Have a wonderful, creative 2009, and may the New Year be a work of art for you!

As a teacher who has worked with hundreds of students over 33 years, I am well-aware of the challenges of time, travel and personal constraints. My company is now pleased to offer Art Where You Are™, creative and artistic guidance in an interactive distance learning format. Today's technologies make it possible to access learning no matter where you live, but Art Where You Are™ is unique because it tailors instruction to YOU personally rather than a large-group online class format. It is a responsive experience of mutual exchange, and your work is accomplished according to your own schedule and at your own rate of speed.

I am seeking a limited number of participants in the continental United States (excluding Alaska) for this new interactive distance learning pilot program in visual art and/or creative writing. Please read more about it at www.virginiafreyermuth.com and click Art Distance Learning. Apply and register before December 31, 2008 to receive a special offer.

November and January art classes at Cranberry Barn Studios in Carver are currently enrolling. Gift certificates are avaialble for the holidays!

Please read about the head-and-shoulders portrait special that is offered through December 31st under About Portraiture.

I have just completed work redesigning the website and hope you find it easier to navigate through the many instructional, artistic and professional offerings. My web designer at Auxano Creative did an outstanding job and was a true pleasure to work with. The link for Auxano Creative is found at the bottom of the website.

By popular demand, I am offering a new line of portraits that are smaller in size, are available more quickly, are offered at affordable prices, and are archivally framed.

Portrait Studies are slightly smaller than life size, and are created with archival materials. They are offered in pastel and mixed media on paper, head & shoulders only, with white background and solid-color clothing in simple styles, thus keeping prices low. Pricing includes a photography session at the artist’s studio at 4 Cranberry Rd, Carver, MA. The artist will recommend selected photographs to choose from as a point of departure for the portrait.

Portrait Studies are completed in approximately 3 weeks after the photographs are taken and selected. Discounts are offered for multiple subjects in one portrait.
Prices start at $399, archival framing included.

Please visit the online gallery to see my newest portrait, "Isabeli." This pastel & mixed media portrait shows Isabeli dressed in a smocked brown velvet dress surrounded by greenery. This portrait was a beautiful collaboration between myself, Isabeli's family, and of course, little Isabeli herself who was the perfect model. It is the ideal time of year to commission a portrait within natural surroundings. Portraits commissioned before summer's end make exquisite gifts.

My portrait titled "Grampa" received  the "Award of Excellence" this weekend at the South Shore Arts Center 's signature annual event: the 2008 Arts Festival in Cohasset, Massachusetts. The pastel and mixed media portrait was exhibitied in the Members' Show. The award, sponsored by Diane & Patrick Kennedy, is an honor for which I am most grateful.

The juror's written comments at the exhibition were: "The technical execution is beyond impressive, rendered as it is with what feels like photographic 'accuracy.' What I find even as compelling is the psychology of this piece. The gaze of the man and the bird towards us, the viewers, are both telling and questioning. I very much appreciate art that asks as many questions as it answers."

My "Self-Portrait in Faux Fur" has received the "Popular Prize" of the 32nd Festival of the Arts of the North River Arts Society which was held in May 2008. My thanks to all those who offered their vote in support of my work; it means a great deal to me. There were many beautiful pieces in the exhibition and I was happy to have my work included among them. The show was beautifully and expertly hung with great care.

My lifesize mixed-media "Self-Portrait in Faux Fur" is currently being displayed in the Juried Art & Sculpture Exhibit at the North River Arts Society 32nd Festival of the Arts in Marshfield Hills Village, Marshfield, Massachusetts. The exhibit is free and open to the public through June 1, 2008. Hours are Monday through Friday 9 AM- 12 Noon, and Saturday/Sunday 12 Noon-3 PM. It is located in the G.A.R. Hall at 157 Old Main Street.

May flowers are in full bloom at Cranberry Barn Studios. Yesterday, I took this photograph of the profusion of pink blossoms on the apple trees.

I just completed a new pastel portrait of Jeff which was added to my website today. Please go to the portrait gallery and click on the enlargements for a closer look.

It has been a beautiful autumn in Carver, Massachusetts. I am always amazed by the way the bogs reflect the changes of seasons, light, weather, and care of the growers.

I recently spoke at the Weymouth Art Association and had the pleasure of meeting many lovely people who care deeply about art and support each other's pursuit of the creative life. My topic was seeking and valuing out one's own personal creative voice.

Please visit the Art Instruction page on this website to view upcoming classes for 2008 that are now enrolling. I am very excited about the day-long New Year's Retreat on January 19th to be held at a lovely meeting hall just down the road. Register early to reserve a space!

Today I received the most beautiful and unexpected e-mail from an art student who was in my high school class in the 1980's. She told me of her life since graduation and how meaningful and rewarding art has become to her life. It was a precious gift to receive this letter, and it caused me to wonder: How many other lives of my students have been impacted by their experience our art class? In what ways? What has been most memorable and meaningful? If you were a former student of mine, I would love to hear from you! Just click on my contact page on my website: www.virginiafreyermuth.com