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January 5, 2021

MAG Watercolor ClassJohn will be leading a watercolor workshop at Murray Art Guild coming up in February. WATERCOLOR:  EXPLORE THE LIMITED PALETTE

Art Work
"This workshop will explore the unique properties of watercolors and how
they can be exploited for our art. The emphasis will be on developing techniques to apply watercolor, as well as selecting a palette that suits your style and subject matter. The workshop is suitable for both beginners and experienced artists."

         








For more information, and to register online go to this link at Murray Art Guld: https://www.murrayartguild.org/workshops/2018/10/26/watercolor-workshop-pigment-characteristics



November 17, 2020

John D McLaren


Impressions 2020 Juror's Statement

by John D McLaren
Impressions 2020 Art Show, Ice House Gallery, in Mayfield KY.  
icehousearts.org


"Anyone displaying their art is brave.  Art is a personal expression.  The only honest feedback you can get from your art is what IT gives you, not what someone else thinks of it.  What I choose to award is not a reflection on your art or style - it is a reflection on me."

full statement






August 29, 2020

Coming Tuesday, October 6, 2020:  John will be teaching another session of "An Introduction to the World of Watercolor" at the Ice House Gallery in Mayfield KY.  The class is limited to 6 students.  If you are interested, contact the Ice House by phone or email.  Details about the class can be found below.

Ice House class
                                                                                                                     


July 18, 2020
An Introduction to the World of Watercolor

Watercolor ClassWhat:  An Introduction to the World of Watercolor
Date:  Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Time: 10AM - 1PM
Where: Ice House Gallery, 120 North 8th St,
Mayfield KY, 42066
Cost: $25 for Ice House members, $45 for non-members
Register at
http://icehousearts.org/Schedule/


This class will be a mix of discussion, demonstration, and numerous exercises.

When you are done, you will....





July 11, 2020

Dust to Dust
"Dust to Dust"
Watercolor
Framed, 23x20
is now on exhibit in the Religious Art Show
at the Ice House Gallery in Mayfield KY.
July 11 - August 22, 2020



Just as the breeze of time will scatter the dust of life,
the Rose Madder in this painting will fade.  In one generation
the dusky pink will fade to brown; in another,
it will disappear altogether. 






April 17, 2020

Life Drawing December 2019    "Life Drawing, December 2019"
     Charcoal, Framed 22x19
     by Cindy McLaren

received the honor of Second Place
in Drawing/Printmaking in the Murray Art Guild
Visual Evidence 2020 Art Exhibit in Murray KY








The Composer"The Composer"
Watercolor
Framed 22x26
by John McLaren

is also a part of the Visual Evidence 2020 Exhibit. 
Enjoy!


















November 15, 2019

Undone Framed 22x28
"Undone"
Watercolor
Framed, 22x28
by John McLaren

received the honor of Second Place Painting
at the Impressions Art Exhibit
at the Ice House Gallery
in Mayfield KY. 

The exhibit runs through December 14, 2019.
This piece sold prior to the show.















August 23, 2019

Selkie
"Selkie"
Watercolor
Framed 14x18
will be on display at the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art on the campus of Southeastern Illinois College, in Harrisburg, IL. 

Thank you to Barb Allen for loaning it to the museum for their opening collection.
The Grand Opening for the museum was August 23, 2019. 
















July 31, 2019

Tap into Art

Event Announcement: Tap into ART
Thursday, August 15, 2019
4:00-9:00 PM at TAP 216, 216 North 15th Street, Murray KY
 



John and Cindy will be 2 of the 10 artists drawing/painting in the 'Monster Draw' part of this event that will help support the Murray Art Guild.  These 10 artists will complete a work that will be randomly selected as prizes to those who purchase a ticket to the Monster Draw.  All visitors are welcome to check out the artists as they work, and participate in other fun things too!                           


The Plot
 "The Plot"
 Watercolor
by John McLaren 
Artists at work
The Bartender
"The Bartender"
Charcoal
by Cindy McLaren
Cindy at Monster Draw



July 14, 2019

"Serenade" was featured in Paducah Life Magazine in The Last Word section this month.

Paducah Life
Serenade




"Serenade"
Watercolor
Framed, 28x37














May 18, 2019

Sugar and Spice with John

"Sugar and Spice"
Watercolor
Framed 23x28

received the honor of Third Place professional division
at the 84th Annual Woman's Club Art Show in Paducah KY. 
The exhibit is open May 18- May 31, 2019
.
















February 26, 2019

Four Egyptian SeamstressEXHIBIT ANNOUNCEMENT

“Select Regional Artists Art Show”

Where:  Ice House Gallery, 120 North 8th St, Mayfield KY
Exhibit Dates:  March 2 - 22, 2019
Artist’s Reception:  Friday, March 1, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

John is one of 12 regional artists in this show.  John's entries include some special paintings that have been honored over the past 3 years, including "Four Egyptian Seamstresses" (left), and also one that is making its debut in this show, "Balance".  

It is an honor to be here.






October 26 and 27, 2018 (In association with Murray Art Guild)
PIGMENTS 
What:  Watercolor Workshop: Pigment Charcteristics
Instructor:  John McLaren

When/Where: 
Friday Oct 26, 6-8PM,  Murray Art Guild, 500 North 4th St, Murray KY
Saturday Oct 27, 10AM-2PM, Two Doves Studio, 3954 Pottertown Rd, Murray KY

John will be your guide as you explore all things PIGMENT.  Topics include pigment characteristics, pigment identifiers, what exactly is pigment anyway, and just how do I use pigment charts?  This workshop is for everyone (beginner-experienced) and is designed to help artists select paints, mix paints, and choose a limited palett










October, 2018

90 DegreesEXHIBIT ANNOUNCEMENT
“90 Degrees”

Artists: John and Cindy McLaren
Where: Murray Art Guild Gallery, 500 North 4th Street, Murray KY
Opening Reception: October 5, 2018, 5-7PM
Final day of exhibition: October 29, 2018


This is a figurative exhibition of works by Artist, John McLaren, and his apprentice, Cindy McLaren.
Cindy began drawing with John at Life Drawing sessions about 2 years ago.  For this exhibit, each artist set up their easel on opposite sides of the model (hence the title "90 Degrees") giving Two Perspectives...Two styles...by Two Soulmates. 

We hope you enjoy this exhibit and we encourage you to draw or be drawn!








August, 2018

Nude on Black
EXHIBIT ANNOUNCEMENT
“Reality and Figures: Figurists Approaches”

Artists: John McLaren, Tommy Fletcher, and Denny Hays

Where:
The Hartley Art Gallery and Event Center
100 S Park Ave
Herrin IL 62948

When:
Show Opens: August 11, 2018
Artist’s Reception: September 22, 2-5PM
Final day of exhibition: October 6, 2018





May 4, 2018
"Alaina in Native Dress", watercolor, framed 17x29 received the Juror's Merit Award at the Janice Mason Art Museum's annual juried art show.  This show in Cadiz, KY included a variety of art forms magnificantly displayed. The exhibit is open through Friday, June 1. 

Alaina in Native Dress               Display               John and Alaina



April 21, 2018

"Serenade"
Watercolor
Framed 28x37

received the honor of "Best in Show" at the 2018 Visual Evidence art exhibit in Murray KY. 
This exhibit, sponsored by Murray Art Guild, is located in Wrather Museum on the campus of Murray State University. 
See this exhibit now through April 30, 2018.

Serenade Framed   Gallery   John Best of Show  


March 11, 2018
John will be teaching a class on watercolor portraits at the Icehouse Gallery in Mayfield KY.
The class will be held on Saturday, March 17 from 10:00AM-2:00PM. 
Thank you Ric Watson and Icehouse for sponsoring this event!



November 17, 2017
"Becky" received Second Place Painting at this year's Impressions Exhibit at the Icehouse Gallery, 120 North 8th St, Mayfield Kentucky.
The exhibit includes a variety of works from sculpture, photographs, ceramics, drawings, paintings, and mixed media including fiber arts. The exhibit runs until December 16.


                           Becky        John and Becky


June 26, 2017
Discovery Park of America in Union City, TN has selected John for their "Local Artist Showcase" exhibit.  "Women in Hats", a collection of eight of his paintings, will be unveiled on Friday, July 7 at 5:30PM in Dinosaur Hall, and will be on display through December of this year. 

See Discovery Park Press Release on the selection of their Local Artist Showcase for July-December 2017


June 4 - July 7, 2017
The Dawson Springs Museum and Art Center, 127 South Main St, Dawson Springs, KY is hosting an exhibit of 23 of John's paintings.
Thank you for the opportunity to share art with you Dawson Springs!



April 22- May 5, 2017 
John was the Featured Artist this year at the Paducah Woman's Club Art Show in Paducah KY. 


Flyer


February 28, 2017
Selecting a Limited Palette
John will present "Selecting a Limited Palette - Using Mixing Line and Pigment Charts" tonight at the PAPA Gallery member meeting.
See a new dimension to the color wheel!



October 9, 2016

    First Place Painting, Pennyroyal Juried Art Exhibition    



Saturday, April 16, 2016
2016 Paducah Woman's Club 81st Annual Art Show, Paducah, Kentucky


John is overwhelmed and humbly grateful for the honor of receiving "Best of Show" and "First Place, Professional"
in the 81st Annual Art Show sponsored by the Woman's Club of Paducah, KY.


Best in Show

"Four Egyptian Seamstresses"
Pastel
Best of Show
First Place

"Innocence"
Watercolor
First Place, Professional Category


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