As an educator Helen Byers offers classes, workshops, and private lessons in field sketching, botanical painting, observational drawing, portraiture, and “drawing on the right side of the brain.” She welcomes opportunities to work with adults and youth in venues of all kinds, including classrooms, camps, botanical gardens, parks, zoos, and museums. Contact Helen with your ideas!mailto:helenbyers@me.com?subject=email%20subjectshapeimage_1_link_0
classes & workshops
GHOST RANCH
is an education and retreat center in northwest New Mexico. Ranging across some 20,000 high-desert acres, it was for many years a home of Georgia O’Keeffe. Helen Byers has been painting and drawing at Ghost Ranch almost annually since 1984. Since 2005, she has been a Ghost Ranch instructor. For more information about these courses and Ghost Ranch, please visit the Ghost Ranch website. Click here to register online.http://www.ghostranch.orghttps://thriva.activenetwork.com/Reg4/(S(esohzubmbjn3ymnonoetjxao))/Form.aspx?regkey=RpYOYPxE378wNjTYCkFkMw%3d%3d&qid=911http://livepage.apple.com/shapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1
Upcoming at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico 

Still-Life Drawing

June 25–July 1, 2012


"At the still point, there the dance is." — T.S. Eliot

Discover the fun of still-life drawing! Our subjects will be treasures borrowed from the Ghost Ranch museums: Hispanic and Native American artifacts, dinosaur bones, and more. Our materials will include traditional drawing media on paper. Instruction will cover classical drawing techniques as well as composition, line, proportion, and value. Daily demos, relaxed individual instruction, and helpful group critiques. Evening slide shows on the still life in art history will offer additional inspiration. A list of recommended supplies will be sent to participants. Previous drawing experience useful, but not required.  All levels welcome.


Field Sketching
Ghost Ranch Fauna & Flora

co-taught with Janet Darrow, Ph.D.

July 2–8, 2012


The desert will be in bloom! Join Helen and Janet—an artist and a biologist—to identify and record the summer plants and creatures of Ghost Ranch’s several ecosystems. On field trips and walks, hone your skills of observation and practice the art of nature journaling. Daily demos will provide instruction in field sketching and the basics of botanical illustration in watercolor. Those who wish may contribute artwork for possible inclusion in a Ghost Ranch nature guide, an ongoing project since 2009. This is a fun, informative course, offering individual attention and time for independent work.  All levels welcome.


Celebrations for Days of the Dead (Días de los Muertos)

October 29–November 2, 2012


Días de los Muertos is the Latin American holiday coinciding with Halloween and All Souls' Day. Explore the whimsy, humor, history, and ritual of this ancient acknowledgment and transcendence of death. We will make traditional ofrendas (memorials to departed loved ones), as well as foods and folk art, including masks. Mornings will begin with readings and discussion of selected poetry.  Afternoons will include free time for private journaling, exploring the ranch, or what you will. Join us for thoughtful times and festive fun! 


This course will be held and housed at Casa del Sol, an historic adobe hacienda in a private setting amid the spectacular scenery made famous by Georgia O’Keeffe. It includes a living room and kitchen as well as an inner courtyard and outdoor fire pit (for enjoying under the stars). If you’ve never stayed at Casa del Sol, here is your chance!  Register early, as enrollment is limited.

Click below to see slide shows from Helen’s Ghost Ranch courses.
Upcoming at the Concord Art Association in Concord, Massachusetts 

An Introduction to Botanical

Painting in Watercolor


4–Week Class

Wednesdays, May 2 – May 23, 2012

10:30 AM – 2:30 PM


This class will be held both in the classroom and in the garden at the Concord Art Association—indoors in order to study, draw, and paint live plants and flowers in a controlled setting, and outdoors to observe and sketch plants in relation to their natural environment.  Instruction will cover conventional botanical drawing and painting media and techniques, emphasizing technical control and attention to detail.  Helen will provide daily demos and plenty of individual attention.  Her technique and keen observation of the natural world will inspire you to continue what you have learned after the class is over.  A recommended supplies list will be provided to participants. Some drawing and watercolor experience helpful, but not required.


$225 members   $275 non-members

To register, please call 978-369-2578, email education@concordart.org, or go to www.concordart.org.