A Webinar Series from the American Impressionist Society 

FREE FOR ALL CURRENT AIS MEMBERS!

Honest conversations about the realities of being a working artist.

There are endless resources available for painting techniques — but far fewer spaces to talk honestly about the day-to-day realities of an artistic life. As if we “only” had to paint!

Fresh Impressions is a monthly webinar series created fo r artists who want practical conversations about navigating a creative career: juried shows, travel, studio organization, social media, community, AI tools, and everything in between.

Hosted by Board Secretary Chris Rapa AIS and Julie Davis AIS, each session features candid discussion, guest artists and experts, audience Q&A, and actionable takeaways designed to support artists at every stage of their journey.  

GOAL: To create a space where artists feel comfortable asking the questions they think they should already know the answers to.

This is not about how to paint. It’s about how to BE a practicing artist.

When: Third Thursdays

Time: 1:00 PM Eastern / 10:00 AM Pacific

Where: On Zoom. Link will be sent to registered members on Tuesday before the session. 

June 18 

Succeeding in Juried Shows

Guest Artist: Debra Joy Groesser AIS

Strategies for entering shows with intention: selecting the right work, presenting a cohesive body of art, and dealing with the inevitable rejection that comes with the process. Thick skin, humor, and support from fellow artists go a long way. Ben& Jerry’s may also help.

WHAT TO EXPECT

* Monthly live webinars

* Guest artists and field experts

* Interactive Q&A

* Curated member questions

* Follow-up resources after each session including a link to watch later.

A Webinar Series from the American Impressionist Society 

FREE FOR ALL CURRENT AIS MEMBERS!

Honest conversations about the realities of being a working artist.

There are endless resources available for painting techniques — but far fewer spaces to talk honestly about the day-to-day realities of an artistic life. As if we “only” had to paint!

July 16   Studio Design, Storage & Workflow

Creating a studio space that supports both your art and your business — regardless of square footage. Organization systems, storage solutions, lighting, workflow, and keeping the pthalo blue on the canvas and off the dog.

Fresh Impressions is a monthly webinar series created fo r artists who want practical conversations about navigating a creative career: juried shows, travel, studio organization, social media, community, AI tools, and everything in between.

Hosted by Board Secretary Chris Rapa AIS and Julie Davis AIS, each session features candid discussion, guest artists and experts, audience Q&A, and actionable takeaways designed to support artists at every stage of their journey.  

GOAL: To create a space where artists feel comfortable asking the questions they think they should already know the answers to.

This is not about how to paint. It’s about how to BE a practicing artist.

When: Third Thursdays

Time: 1:00 PM Eastern / 10:00 AM Pacific

Where: On Zoom. Link will be sent to registered members on Tuesday before the session. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

* Monthly live webinars

* Guest artists and field experts

* Interactive Q&A

* Curated member questions

* Follow-up resources after each session including a link to watch later.

A Webinar Series from the American Impressionist Society 

FREE FOR ALL CURRENT AIS MEMBERS!

Honest conversations about the realities of being a working artist.

There are endless resources available for painting techniques — but far fewer spaces to talk honestly about the day-to-day realities of an artistic life. As if we “only” had to paint!

Social Media for Artists - August 20

We love it. We hate it. We probably can’t ignore it. Building an authentic online presence without sacrificing studio time. Selling through social media, understanding current trends, reels, newsletters, and whether artists now need to become indie filmmakers to stay visible.

Fresh Impressions is a monthly webinar series created fo r artists who want practical conversations about navigating a creative career: juried shows, travel, studio organization, social media, community, AI tools, and everything in between.

Hosted by Board Secretary Chris Rapa AIS and Julie Davis AIS, each session features candid discussion, guest artists and experts, audience Q&A, and actionable takeaways designed to support artists at every stage of their journey.  

GOAL: To create a space where artists feel comfortable asking the questions they think they should already know the answers to.

This is not about how to paint. It’s about how to BE a practicing artist.

When: Third Thursdays

Time: 1:00 PM Eastern / 10:00 AM Pacific

Where: On Zoom. Link will be sent to registered members on Tuesday before the session. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

* Monthly live webinars

* Guest artists and field experts

* Interactive Q&A

* Curated member questions

* Follow-up resources after each session including a link to watch later.

Open to all AIS members, our Paint Out will be exhibited at Mockingbird Gallery in Bend Oregon on September 5. No fee to participate,  preregistration is required. 

You may paint from September 2 - September 5. 

What is a Paint Out? Read this information if Paint Out's are new to you! 

You must have your materials stamped BEFORE you start painting. You can have your materials stamped at Mockingbird Gallery s from 10 am - 4 pm Wednesday - Friday.  Or at any AIS painting location, workshop and events. 

We have arranged for locations to paint and you can register for each location separately. 

Artists may turn in one painting, maximum size 12 x 16 on Saturday, September 5 for judging between 9 am and 10 am.   All work must be for sale. Mockingbird Gallery will  process sales and artists receive 60% commission.  Work must be framed.   

Awards: $250 First Place, $150 Second Place, $100 Third Place and four Honorable Mentions $50

Questions?  Contact AIS Executive Director, Liz Ahrens  231-881-7685 aisdirector1@gmail.com

AIS Welcome Party for Members to celebrate the National Exhibition!

Mingle with your AIS artist friends and make some new friends.

Location: TBA in Bend, Oregon

As part of our AIS Member benefits we invite you to enjoy light bites and wine, beer and beverages courtesy of American Art Collector magazine. 

Open to all AIS members and one guest per member.  You MUST register if you plan to attend so we can get an accurate catering count.

Join us for the Awards Presentation for our 27th Annual AIS National Exhibition at the Residence Inn in Bend, Oregon. This event is open to the public. 

Refreshments and light bites. 

Awards Judge, Calvin Liang AISM, will make brief remarks together with AIS Chairman Kathie Wheeler AIS. Over $105,000 in awards and prizes will be presented. 

The winning artwork will be displayed in a video presentation. The following evening, September 4, we will celebrate at Mockingbird Gallery with an opening party! 

Registration for AIS members and guests is suggested. 

Instructor and Awards Judge Calvin Liang

Learn from AIS Master Calvin Liang as he teaches a one day workshop. Time will be spent working on a single studio painting based on photos you take on location. Calvin will begin a slideshow to show how he uses the photo as a reference for the painting followed by a demo. Calvin will spend the remaining time with each student throughout the rest of the day. You may bring a laptop/tablet or color prints of your reference photos.

The lessons will include:

1. How to plan a composition that will be effective for the artist’s intentions

and references

2. How to better see and use warm and cool color in landscape

3. How to command hardness and softness of the edges to create space in a

painting

4. How to simplify the subject matter throught the use of basic design, value,

color and drawing skills

5. How to consider the reasons for different paint surface textures, and

brushstroke direction over the forms

6. How to get the best possible results in a short time.

Download supplies list

If AIS cancels, students are given a full refund.  AIS will offer a partial refund of 80% of fee if students need to cancel up to August 20, after August 21, no refunds. 

You must pre-register to participate to allow for ample time for each critique. 

A team of AIS Signature Members will be available to critique your artwork.

You may bring ONE painting if you would like, or photos of paintings. Critiques will last 15 to 20 minutes each depending on how many sign up. 

LOCATION: 

Residence Inn  

500 SW Bond Street

Bend, OR 97702

For two decades, Ronnie Walker and Dave Bass served on the FBI’s elite Art Crime Team, pursuing some of the world’s most sophisticated art crimes and cultural property investigations. Drawing on firsthand experiences from the art world’s underground, they will share never-before-heard stories involving the theft of priceless works of art and cultural artifacts, and provide rare insight into how the FBI investigates fraud, forgery, and deception within the global art market.

Through these extraordinary cases, Walker and Bass will explore how their experiences exposed the urgent need for better tools to protect artists, provenance, and artistic legacy. They will discuss how those investigations ultimately led to the creation of the Art Legacy Institute and the development of a new artist-centered approach focused on the democratization of the artist’s catalog — empowering artists to document, preserve, and control their own legacy before others define it for them.

The presentation will also address one of the most urgent emerging challenges facing artists today: artificial intelligence and the unauthorized use of creative works. The Art Legacy Institute is exploring practical ways to help artists strengthen documentation, provenance, and certain aspects of copyright protection, while collaborating with innovative technology companies to bring new tools and resources directly into the hands of artists and their studios.

Attendees will receive a preview and live demonstration of the Art Legacy Institute’s emerging technology platform, currently under development, which is designed to help artists safeguard their work, strengthen provenance records, and preserve their artistic legacy for future generations.

AIS will present a  two hour painting demonstration with AIS Signature Member Barbara Jaenicke. 

Meet at the Residence Inn of Bend, Oregon.

500 SW Bond St, Bend, OR 97702

Join us on Saturday, September 5  as we present awards for Wet Wall Exhibition as the last event for the opening week of the 27th Annual National Juried Exhibition! This event is open to the public.  

An exhibition and sale of artwork created during the week by AIS members in and around Bend, Oregon.  Artwork will be on display from 11 am to 5 pm.

Join us for a final gathering to celebrate together with your fellow AIS members and their guests! Sponsored by Southwest Art Magazine.  

Held Mockingbird Gallery, Bend Oregon

The 27th Annual National Juried Exhibition will open on Friday, September 4, 2026 at Mockingbird Gallery in Bend, Oregon

Enjoy a celebratory reception with remarks from Awards Judge Calvin Liang AISM and Kathie Wheeler AIS Board Chairman.

The ribbons will already be on the winning artwork as awards announced on Thursday at the Awards Presentation. 

A Webinar Series from the American Impressionist Society 

FREE FOR ALL CURRENT AIS MEMBERS!

Honest conversations about the realities of being a working artist.

There are endless resources available for painting techniques — but far fewer spaces to talk honestly about the day-to-day realities of an artistic life. As if we “only” had to paint!

Community - September 17

The importance of artistic community and professional support. Working with a coach or mentor, forming critique groups, planning strategically with trusted peers, sharing studio space, and participating in artists co-ops. 

artist co-ops.

Fresh Impressions is a monthly webinar series created fo r artists who want practical conversations about navigating a creative career: juried shows, travel, studio organization, social media, community, AI tools, and everything in between.

Hosted by Board Secretary Chris Rapa AIS and Julie Davis AIS, each session features candid discussion, guest artists and experts, audience Q&A, and actionable takeaways designed to support artists at every stage of their journey.  

GOAL: To create a space where artists feel comfortable asking the questions they think they should already know the answers to.

This is not about how to paint. It’s about how to BE a practicing artist.

When: Third Thursdays

Time: 1:00 PM Eastern / 10:00 AM Pacific

Where: On Zoom. Link will be sent to registered members on Tuesday before the session. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

* Monthly live webinars

* Guest artists and field experts

* Interactive Q&A

* Curated member questions

* Follow-up resources after each session including a link to watch later.

A Webinar Series from the American Impressionist Society 

FREE FOR ALL CURRENT AIS MEMBERS!

Honest conversations about the realities of being a working artist.

There are endless resources available for painting techniques — but far fewer spaces to talk honestly about the day-to-day realities of an artistic life. As if we “only” had to paint!

AI as a Professional Tool for Creatives - October 15

Understanding what AI actually can — and can’t — do for working artists. Practical uses for writing artist statements, marketing, planning, organization, and administrative tasks. Competition rules, ethical considerations, and using AI to work smarter, not harder. No, it can’t replace actual brush miles.

Fresh Impressions is a monthly webinar series created fo r artists who want practical conversations about navigating a creative career: juried shows, travel, studio organization, social media, community, AI tools, and everything in between.

Hosted by Board Secretary Chris Rapa AIS and Julie Davis AIS, each session features candid discussion, guest artists and experts, audience Q&A, and actionable takeaways designed to support artists at every stage of their journey.  

GOAL: To create a space where artists feel comfortable asking the questions they think they should already know the answers to.

This is not about how to paint. It’s about how to BE a practicing artist.

When: Third Thursdays

Time: 1:00 PM Eastern / 10:00 AM Pacific

Where: On Zoom. Link will be sent to registered members on Tuesday before the session. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

* Monthly live webinars

* Guest artists and field experts

* Interactive Q&A

* Curated member questions

* Follow-up resources after each session including a link to watch later.