The Blackwater Workshops studio space is located in the Fentress-Blackwater section of Chesapeake. Just a "stone's throw" from the Virginia Beach line and the Intracoastal Waterway, the setting is quite rural. However, the Virginia Beach oceanfront, hotel accommodations, shopping and restaurants are all within less than 30 minutes driving distance. The revitalized city life of Norfolk is close by, as well. And Williamsburg is just an hour's drive to the north.

The Blackwater property offers a variety of subjects, all "paint-worthy". There is a small, spring-fed pond, with rustic dock and occasional waterfowl visitors. We have farmer's fields and bordering wooded swampland.  There are planned gardens with winding flagstone paths and a variety of floral plantings and statuary. And just across the road, we enjoy the "neigh"borly company of several equine friends, who will pose for a quick portrait for the price of a sugar cube!

Here is a photo sampling of the subjects, which workshop students have to choose from, as well as shots taken at the first two workshops at Blackwater.
        
Hope to see you at one of the workshops, soon.   -Karen Kinser.

At Blackwater Workshops, we take our art quite seriously, but having fun is also a major part of the curriculum!

LEFT: the "inaugural" workshop
group, painters - Ernie Franklin, instructor Janice Gay-Maker, Angela Bounds, Jeane Kight, and Kathy Shibely.