Finger-Painting on Your iPad, new OLLI class starting April 19. Open House on Sat. Jan. 21st.

WHY PAINT ON THE iPAD?

portability - that’s why it's called mobile digital art

no mess or fumes - that’s the digital part

innovative - join a growing community of iPad artists

insanely fun - that’s the best reason!

Since I got my first iPad two years ago, I have painted on it in my studio, during trips, and at live music performances. I am an active member of iAMDA, the International Association of Mobile Digital Artists, and was invited to give a presentation on live iPad painting at their recent conference in New York City. I have exhibited iPad art as archival digital prints at Stanford’s Schwab Center. You’ll be studying with a pioneer in a brand new digital art form.

I have developed an introductory curriculum of four classes. Such a start will launch an iPad student! I am in the process of developing an intermediate class which I hope to offer in the fall.

Having explored several of the painting apps for the iPad, I’ve come to the conclusion that ArtStudio has a friendly user interface and is at the same time a very rich tool. At $6 or less (it goes on sale now and then) it is an affordable app. It runs on any version of the iPad.

Each class will consist of a demonstration of a specific set of ArtStudio features, followed by individual work on the iPad with guidance from me. This format allows me to the meet the needs of each student in the class. Between classes students are invited to email me their iPad creations and questions.

All that is required to get started is an iPad, the ArtStudio app, and a willingness to try something new. No art or digital art background is required. Professional artists will enjoy adding a mobile digital platform to their toolset.

Four classes, four Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. starting April 19, at the lovely Humboldt Aquatics Center on the Bay next to the Adorni Center in Eureka.

Enroll today! OLLI at HSU , www.humboldt.edu/olli , 826-5880

iPad painting of Marcus Shelby Orchestra at Yoshi's in San Francisco

It was a wonderful evening in SF. We took the bus from the Embarkadero all the way to the Fillmore. Sauntered down the street past all the boutiques and cafes until we got to the jazz district. Yes! There we met with friends Rich and Jenny, had a delicious meal. I loved the black cod and the sushi too. And then we got the hear the music.

And, as I have been doing since I got my first iPad (yes! I am now on my second iPad) I got ready to paint during the live jazz performance. Shelby launched into the Ellington songbook and I put in the backdrop in the first of six layers. After I moved into the second layer, sketching in the numerous musicians (a big band after all!), I was told by the ticket taker, to turn off the iPad. Oh no! So, I waited a while and started up again trying to hide it ....well, he came back. Saddened and disappointed, I though, I could perhaps convince him to let me continue, so I got up, and smiling hopefully, showed him my Esperanza Spaulding (everybody loves Espe!) iPad paintings. ( you can see them below in my blog), and the beginning of the Marcus Shelby painting. And, to my happiness and relief he loved them and gave me permission to continue.

Here's the painting. I hope you like it too. I am selling signed, limited series, fine art prints of my iPad paintings. Send me an email if you are interested. ischencke@mac.com