Feather River Art Camp
Confident Acrylics
with Mernie Buchanan

May 31 - June 7, 2026
5469 Oakland Camp Rd. Quincy, CA 95971

Join me in the Northern California Sierras for 6 days/7 nights of glamping, being fed three good meals a day and doing all the art and crafts you want without interruption. Included are some nice distractions though: a lovely swimming pond with sandy beach, walking trails, yoga, ping pong, games, Tai Chi and a hundred creative new friends. I’ll be returning after ten years away to host Confident Acrylics for adult painters at every level of experience and would love you to join in.

Important dates:
Early Bird Special $50 discount ends March 15
Regular registration ends May 30

More Info & Registration Fees


Getting to Feather River Art Camp From the Bay Area

Driving distance from Oakland to Quincy CA is 222 miles (less than 4 hours)

By Air Closest Airport to Quincy CA—and cheapest flights—is Reno NV (RNO). Rent a car for a 69 mile scenic drive over the Sierras. Supplies can be shipped ahead with advanced notice. Next is Sacramento (SMF) at 93 miles from Quincy (Tucson is 920 miles, so Bay Area peeps have a quicker drive than me.)


Establishing art classes in Tucson is an ongoing adventure and more will be added. Here are some directions I’m shooting for in addition to regular beginning instruction.


Intermediate Acrylic Techniques. I’m looking to schedule classes by Fall 2026.
Achieve the glow of oil paint, stunning gradations and softer, feathered edges by using cheesecloth (supplied). With this subtractive technique and layers of glaze, a portrait with beautiful skin tones can be completed in half the time an oil painting takes using non toxic, quick drying and more affordable acrylic. Draw any image you want on a primed canvas or panel up to 24x30”, show up and be amazed.


Advanced: Frame Painting Techniques. This will be a three day hands on workshop to learn how I up-cycle found frames, quickly refinish & prep them, then layer acrylic glazes to create something magical to perfectly compliment any work of art with every style of frame.




Have you ever used a credit card from the First Extortionist Bank to custom frame bodies of work for exhibits? Ouch. I’ve saved over $100,000 on custom framing in 30 years with a simple process I developed.

A color-matched frame becomes a sculptural part of the art. The effect can be everything from subtle and elegant to whimsical pop art. Collectors love them for being beautiful, unique, environmental and fun.



I’m hoping to combine this workshop with a getaway package to sunny Tucson next fall or winter and welcome input to arrange dates.

Details:
Bring your own art and start painting some colorful small works. I have lots of smaller 4x6 and 5x7 frames to include free with demos and sell. If you have a larger painting with its own frame that needs an upgrade… bring that too.
Georgie above is only 5x7 inches on a canvas panel. Canvas panels work best with the narrow reveals of decorative frames that are smaller than 16x20. Also easier to store/ transport than stretched canvas.
This unique frame painting process requires experience with quick brushwork and color mixing/matching—a lot of what I teach in beginning classes.

Please contact me with any questions and suggestions.