The Cape Ann Summer School of Art presents:
Karen Blackwood –
Painting the Essence of the Sea
MonDAY, September 21 - Friday, September 25, 2026 from 9 am - 4 pm, en plein air
RAA&M Members: $800 | Non-Members: $850
In this 5-day plein air workshop, Karen Blackwood will guide students in painting the essence of the sea—focusing on the choices that bring clarity, emotion, and atmosphere to coastal subjects. Through outdoor painting sessions, she’ll demonstrate how to simplify design, refine values, and create expressive seascapes that feel alive.
The workshop will be primarily held outdoors, with the first and last days taking place in the studio to support planning, refinement, and completion of work. With a balance of demonstration and one-on-one guidance throughout the week, students will gain confidence in capturing the spirit of the shoreline through their own unique vision.
Exclusive Lecture: Painting the Power of the Sea with Karen Blackwood
Thursday, September 25, 2026, 5:00–6:00 PM
Karen will discuss what draws her to the sea as subject and teacher—its movement, structure, and emotional range. Using examples from her own work and historical seascape painters, she’ll explore how artists translate energy, weather, and atmosphere into paint.
In addition to painting instruction, all workshops include guided gallery walks throughout the area, evening lectures and an exhibition of historic Cape Ann paintings at the RAA&M. Enroll now!
Trained in the classical tradition, Karen Blackwood painted portraits and figurative work before focusing on landscapes and seascapes. Feeling light is a defining factor, she looks for the light and it is the atmospheric quality of the light she captures in her paintings. Her work is a desire to paint what inspires her and to capture the very essence of the scene.
Now living in Newburyport, Massachusetts, the coastal scenery is providing her with endless inspiration for her marine work, garnering her a multitude of awards including a Best Water Award in the Plein Air Salon, Award of Excellence in the Eastern Oil Painters of America, First Place in the Spring Oil Painters of America Online Showcase, Second Place in the Bold Brush Competition, Award of Excellence in the National Juried Oil Painters of America, Award of Excellence in the American Impressionist Society, and an award from the International Artists Magazine Competition.
Karen’s paintings have been included in museum and nationally juried exhibitions and are in multiple publications including the cover and featured artist in The Artist’s Magazine. She happily shares what she has learned in her artistic journey by teaching select workshops.
Cancelation Policy for CASSOA Workshops: Up to two weeks (fourteen days) prior to the start of a workshop, participants may cancel and request a refund, minus a non-refundable $100 registration fee. Tuition will not be refunded after this two-week period. This policy is strictly enforced.
