About Acrylic University
At Acrylic University, we are a community of both professional and hobby artists seeking to grow our skills.
How It Works
Each month we focus on a different landscape theme like Colors of Spring, Rivers & Streams, and Sunrise & Sunset. These are the elements which are included in each month:
Workshop with Dianna Shyne
On the first Friday of each month, Dianna Shyne hosts a workshop based around the current theme. Dianna is a skilled artist and wonderful teacher. She has studied under renowned Russian artists like Ron Lukas, William Reese and Del Gish. You will gain deep insights that propel your art forward through her expert instruction and 30+ years of professional experience! Friday at 10am PST.
Guest Artist Demos
This is a great way to regularly gain fresh perspective on the artistic pursuit! On the second Friday of each month, we release an exclusive interview with a professional Acrylic artist. Artists will share about their own journey to find their artistic voice, provide valuable insights into the secrets of their success, and answer members' questions. Friday at 10am PST.
Discover Your Voice with Jed
The third Friday of each month starts, Jed does a painting demonstration and teaches students techniques for finding their own unique style. These sessions with Jed are encouraging, educational and inspiring and are designed to get you to find your own style as an artist!
Friday at 10am PST.
Critique Week with Jed and Brian Buckrell
On the fourth Friday of the month, Brian Buckrell and Jed Dorsey analyze paintings submitted for critique by Acrylic University members. They explain what they like about the pieces as well as adjustments that could be made to create a more pleasing image. These get added to your membership automatically on the fourth Friday of the month
Other Important Info
- Events are usually on Fridays at 10am PST. They are 1 - 2 hours long depending on the event.
- If you aren't able to join the events LIVE you can watch them afterwards in The Journey. You have access to them as long as you are a member!
- All events are at a private YouTube link and then added to The Journey afterwards.
- Remember you also have access to The Library which is a wonderful collection of recorded courses and lessons at your fingertips! You can work on these when your schedule allows.
Meet Jed Dorsey
My Story
I represent the fourth generation of artists on my mom’s side of the family. My dad is also a professional artist. I always had the opportunity to practice art as a child. I sold paintings as early as 11 years of age when my family had their “Dorsey Gallery” at the local fair. I remember a few kind parents of my friends buying my paintings for $10 which quickly turned into cotton candy and a few rides. As I grew older other interests such as music and sports called for my time and I didn’t paint much for several years.
That changed after I married my beautiful Canadian wife, Renae. On a trip to Whistler, B.C. in 2001, we stumbled on some galleries that were showing some vibrant oil & acrylic paintings. My family had always done watercolors so this was something different and very appealing to me. That very week on our vacation, I bought my first acrylic paints and spent countless hours painting in this new medium. I loved it. Thus began the journey.
I painted for many years as a secondary pursuit but in 2016 took the plunge into full-time art while living in Indianapolis. My studio was located at the Harrison Center for the Arts, an incredible arts organization. What an amazing opportunity for me as an emerging artist to be part of such a vibrant and creative community. I now make my home on Camano Island where I grew up. There is nothing quite like the stunning views of the Pacific Northwest. I will never tire of the the view when driving over the bridge onto Camano Island. It is a scene I have painted over and over.
I like how light changes objects, from garbage cans, to buildings, to plants and trees, creating shadows and diverse colors. One of my favorite subject matters to paint is filtered sunlight shining through trees onto a road, river, sidewalk, or path. It is an invitation to the viewer. I paint landscapes and cityscapes because I have lived in both rural and urban spaces. I see beauty in both. Whether I am painting on location or painting from a photograph, I create the scene in a way that I find aesthetically pleasing. I don't want to just duplicate a photograph.
I am thankful to have had the opportunity to study under some great artists like Mike Svob, Ovannes Berberian, John Michael Carter, and the late Robert Genn. There are others that have influenced my work, like Michael O'Toole and Kim English. I have learned so much from all these artists. My parents continue to be a huge inspiration and encouragement to me. Renae walks on this path of artistic endeavor with me daily and is a constant source of friendship and support. Our daughter, Willow, also helps by naming paintings and is an enthusiastic supporter of my work.
Sunnyshore Studio
In 2016 my brother, Jason, built a beautiful gallery space, Sunnyshore Studio, near our childhood home on Camano Island, WA. Our family has regular shows and workshops there.
- To see more Dorsey art and read about our family history, click here.
- To see my dad's work, click here: www.jackdorseyart.com
- To see my mom's work, click here: www.anncoryart.com
Resume / Curriculum Vitae
SOLO EXHIBITS
Oct 2018 - “Home” - Sunnyshore Studio, Camano Island, WA
Oct 2017 - “Inheriting Indianapolis” - Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN
August 2017 - Frankfort Library, Frankfort, IN
July 2017 - “There and Back Again” - Sunnyshore Studio, Camano Island, WA
Oct 2016 - “West Coast Memories” - Grace Vancouver, Vancouver, B.C.
August 2016 - “”Roads, Rivers & Paths (and Other Places I Love)” - Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN
Sept 2015 - “The Sun Also Rises” - Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN
Oct 2014 - “A City to Live” - Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN
Dec 2013 - “Urban Landscapes” - Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN
Nov 2012 - “Casting Shadows - the Unity of Light” - Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN
March 2010 - “There and Back Again” - Vancouver, B.C.
GROUP SHOWS
Jan 2019 - Dorsey Family Show - Covenant Shores - Mercer Island, WA
Nov - Dec 2017 - Christmas Show - Sunnyshore Studio, Camano Island, WA
July - October 2017 - Annual Hoosier Salon Show, Indianapolis, IN
June 2017 - Indiana Heritage Arts, Nashville, IN
May 2017 - Encore Sotheby’s International Realty - Indianapolis, IN
April 2017 - “Blossoming” - Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN
Dec 2016 - “Beaches of Camano” - Sunnyshore Studio, Camano Island, WA
Oct 2016 - “Soldiers and Sailors Monument Show” - Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN
July 2016 - Porch Party Group Exhibit - City Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
May 2015 - “Urban and Rural Landscapes” - Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN
Oct 2014 - “Homecoming” - Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN
Sept 2006 - Family Show - Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA
August 2005 - Family Show - Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery, Bellevue, WA
Oct 2003 - Group Show - Federation of Canadian Artists, Vancouver, B.C.
May 2002 - 2018 - Camano Island Studio Tour, Camano Island, WA
Oct 2001 - 2004 - “Arts in the City, Arts in the Sanctuary” - Grace Vancouver, Vancouver, B.C.
OTHER EXHIBITS
Dec 2016 - Jan 2017 - Featured Artist - Patachou Downtown, Indianapolis, IN
April 2015 - Featured Artist - Patachou Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, IN
2006-2016 - Seagrass Gallery - Camano Island, WA
2002-2006 - Gallery in the Loft - Camano Island, WA
AWARDS
Oct 2020 - Fine Art Connoisseur Award, Laguna Plein Air Invitational
Sept 2018 - 1st Place - First Brush of Fall, Michigan City, IN
Sept 2018 - Best of Show - Carmel on Canvas, Carmel, IN
April 2018 - 3rd Place - First Brush of Spring, New Harmony, IN
Sept 2017 - 2nd Place - Carmel on Canvas, Carmel, IN
Sept 2017 - Purchase Prize - Carmel on Canvas, Carmel, IN
Sept 2017 - 1st Place - First Brush of Fall, Converse, IN
August 2017 - Purchase Prize - Kekionga Paint Out, Ft. Wayne, IN
August 2016 - 1st Place - Zionsville Paint Out, Zionsville, IN
Sept 2016 - 3rd Place Quick Draw - Carmel on Canvas, Carmel, IN
Sept 2016 - Honorable Mention - Carmel on Canvas, Carmel, IN
