Meredith Martin

Meredith Martin

Meredith Martin has been an established artist in the Columbus, Ohio, area since 1996. Her work in pastels, oil, and oil pastels reflects her experience living in both the Western U.S. and Mexico and has been influenced by her studies in pre-Columbian art and architecture. Energy, color, and the inspiration of nature are hallmarks of her paintings. A Fine Arts graduate of Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, Meredith also holds an M.A. in Adult Education from The Ohio State University. She has shown work and is in collections throughout the United States. Starting as a member of Studios on High in Columbus, she established her own gallery, Sunbear Studios and Gallery, in 2003. This gallery enjoyed three separate locations, expanded to over 40 artists, and, after 20 years in business, closed in 2022. Meredith and Sunbear Studio have recently been part of the Front Porch Guild, an artist’s collective in Granville, Ohio, where Meredith has displayed work and has taught pastels and drawing. She focuses on showing at The All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus where she specializes in personally commissioned works. Throughout her many years of exhibiting, and 20+ years of gallery ownership, Meredith taught countless art classes for adults through her own gallery, as well as through public schools, museums and art organizations. Her proudest accomplishments are the many students she has influenced to become artists, create art, and share her love of pastels, drawing and painting. When Meredith teaches, she brings the experience of being a professional educator along with decades of commitment to art and artists. With her Passion for Pastels , she works to inspire that passion in others.

Artist:

“I have lived more than 7 decades without war, violence, or fear haunting my

personal doorstep. How very fortunate I am to have my link on this planet’s fragile

chain of life – in the place and time I live! I treasure life’s colors, shapes, textures,

and personalities. Art allows me to explore and share everything from the exalted

to the mundane. For me, painting is a prayer and a thank you note rolled into one.”

www.sunbearstudio.com

workshop description

Whether you’re simply fascinated by the rich beauty of pastels, or you’re seeking an in- depth study of the ‘pure pigment’ medium, Meredith’s workshops will engage your senses and provide you with experienced guidance as you explore painting in pastels. Both beginners who are new to the medium, as well as experienced pastel painters, will find inspiration in these five relaxed, fun workshops, set in the grand historical venue of Urbania, Italy, accompanied by incredible adventures created by Italiana Tours. One of the lovely qualities of pastel painting is the immediacy of results. You will quickly experience the joy of creating paintings with rich, intense color and most certainly find pastels to be a flexible and freeing method of painting. Whether you have a bold, direct approach or a delicate, fine touch, whether you are a representational or abstract painter, this medium responds beautifully to all types of expression and levels of experience. Enjoy a daily demonstration by Meredith as well as ample individual and group instruction. Throughout each workshop, Meredith will discuss the basics of composition, with an emphasis on the elements of design. You’ll be able to use photos taken during the fascinating tours and adventures provided by Piero Pagliadini, your host, as inspiration for your paintings!

Come and immerse yourself in the beautiful Italian landscape of the Le Marche region where the medium of pastels began in the 15 th Century! You’ll be painting just a few minutes away from Urbino, where Renaissance painter, Federico Barocci, first began forming earth pigment into sticks! You’ll see and learn about this very local and long history of pastels in Italy as you paint! Throughout the week you will delve into the following:

The basics of painting in pastel with demonstrations by Meredith, including various ways of applying pastel to the surface. We’ll discuss the use of all design elements, such as color, value, shape and line, texture, and more, all of which can easily be experienced in this direct, hand-to-surface medium.
The effects of varied surfaces on this tactile medium. Demonstrations and studio exercises will show the characteristics of these surfaces and how the varying textures inform your desired expression. This is particularly relevant to our time in Italy since we will be enjoying a visit to Fabriano, a major paper producer and supplier of paper for painters. And we’ll actually be making paper!
Color matters in pastel! Pastel is such a purely colored medium, we’ll emphasize the effects of warm and cool palettes, complimentary color palettes, along with the history and meaning of colors.
Value and inclusion of other elements. You’ll be combining pastels with several other elements, such as charcoal, or water-based paint, to experience the dynamic and dramatic effects of pastel used with other mediums.
A chance to EXPERIMENT! In our final gathering, you’ll have the opportunity to use any combination of techniques, elements of design, or materials you have experienced along with pastels throughout the week to complete your journey with the pure pigment medium.

$4,599 USD per person

August 29 - September 4, 2027

BONUS COMPANION PACKAGE:

Non-artist discount of $200. Piero and Alex will be your guide as you explore opportunities to see surrounding historical villages, including a Roman archaeological site, the Church of the Dead, a bell tower tour, sunflower fields or just eat and drink with the locals!

RETURNING PEOPLE SPECIAL DISCOUNT OF $200
EARLY SIGN-IN $200 DISCOUNT (by February 29th, 2027)
Discounts are not cumulative
Book Now to save your spot! $500 USD non-refundable deposit.
Terms and Conditions, including our refund policy, are located on the Book Your Tour page.