One of the best ways to learn posthumously from a master painter is to paint a “master copy." In this workshop we will study Max Beckman's Self Portrait in Olive and Brown. You can see it at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Beckman is one of the leading German expressionist painters. He escaped Nazi German in 1937 and lived in exile in Amsterdam during the war. He started painting this portrait after the German troops withdrew from Amsterdam at the end of the war. He completed it on Nov. 29, 1945, noting in his diary -- "Germany is dying, et moi -- self-portrait 1945 finished."

Supplies

A $22.50 materials fee is included in the registration fee and covers all materials needed for the three classes including one 9inx12in canvas.

Max Beckman
Self Portrait in Olive and Brown
10 am - 2 pm
Thursdays,  March 20 and 27, April 3

About the Instructor

Donald Cronkhite is a Michigan artist, most noted for his extensive series of expressive atmospheric paintings. His work has been represented by the Gruen Galleries in Chicago’s River North Gallery District since 2005 and at the Robert Kidd Gallery in Birmingham since 2020.

Cronkhite’s work is included in private art collections as well as museum and university collections such as the Flint Institute of Arts, Wayne State University and University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Cronkhite received his BFA from Wayne State University after exploring the art galleries and museums of Europe where he became inspired by 17th-century Dutch painting and 19th-century French avant-garde painting.

In 2019, he began teaching painting classes at the Flint Institute of Arts (FIA), Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC) and the Grosse Pointe Artists Association (GPPA). He maintains a regular studio practice and continues to take art commissions, sell, and exhibit.

For questions regarding the class, please contact the Grosse Pointe Artist Association. Phone: (313) 881-3454 Email: gpaa@grossepointeartcenter.org