The May We Fly Painting Club is monthly meetup of watercolor enthusiasts who enjoy painting with one another and building connections through making artwork.

We meet about once a month at the Blacksburg Library, and participation is completely FREE! If you’d like to join us, simply bring along your painting supplies and a project to work on to our next meetup.

Kids are welcome if accompanied by a parent, and please feel free to invite friends as well. This is simply meant to be a fun, casual creative time and all are welcome.

There will not be a set program or formal instruction given during this time, but I will be available to help you with any techniques you may be struggling with. I hope to see you there!

When: February 19, 2024 1-3pm
Where: Blacksburg Public Library
What to Bring: Any supplies you need for your watercolor project

If you have never joined us before, please email me beforehand to let me know you’re coming (leana@maywefly.com). Thanks!

Get out of the winter blues with this fun watercolor workshop! We will explore the versatility of working within a single color along with a range of watercolor techniques to help you create your own beautiful winter-themed landscape. No prior painting experience is necessary to participate!

No prior experience is necessary for this class.

You are welcome to bring your own supplies, or purchase a supply kit add-on at checkout.

Supplies needed for this class:
- #6 round brush
- blue watercolor paint (or single color of your choice)
- practice watercolor paper
- watercolor pencil (optional)

When: Thursday, February 15, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Blacksburg Museum, 204 Draper Road, Blacksburg, VA
What to bring: Class supplies (unless purchased with the class)
Cost: $25 ($40 with supplies)

In this watercolor workshop, Leana of May We Fly will show you how to create festive sprigs, wreaths, and flourishes to adorn cards and gift tags for an extra-special handmade touch to your holiday gifting. There will also be yummy goodies to nibble on while we create. :) We do hope you can join us for this fun holiday event..

All experience-levels are welcome!

Your registration includes a watercolor supply kit from New River Art and Fiber with paints, brushes, and paper for you to take home. Gift tags, twine, and cutting tools will also be provided. *

When: Thursday, December 7th, 5:30-7:30pm
Where: New River Art + Fiber (back room), 101 S Main St Ste 1, Blacksburg, VA 24060
What to bring: Just your lovely self :)

Pottery has been part of my life for quite a few years as a creative practice that is purely for fun and therapy. The pottery studio where I practice, run by instructor Ellen Braaten, is hosting a winter sale on December 2. I will have some pieces there along with the beautiful work of my studio mates. If you’re looking for unique, handmade gifts, you won’t be disappointed!

When: Saturday, Dec 2, 10am-3pm
Where: The Clay Studio, 702 York Drive, Blacksburg*

*Parking Info: You are welcome to park anywhere on York St or just around the corner on Cork. Just follow the signs through the driveway gate and back through the garden to the studio!

I’m excited to host my first-ever pop-up at the May We Fly studio to celebrate Small Business Saturday! Stop by between 10am and 3pm to say hello, sip on hot chocolate, and find something special for your loved ones. As this is during the Black Friday weekend, you’ll also get to enjoy my biggest sale of the year!

When: Saturday, Nov 25, 10am-3pm
Where: The May We Fly Studio, 1195 Cambria St NE, Christiansburg*

*Parking Info: You are welcome to park anywhere on Cambria St outside of my house, or in the parking lot of my friends at Thrift Well, which is just half a block away across the street. :)

In this watercolor workshop, Leana of May We Fly will walk you through the basics of creating simple, lovely botanicals with watercolor. You’ll learn how to mix color as well as a variety of versatile brush techniques can be used for creating autumn place cards, note cards, and gift tags! There will also be yummy goodies to nibble on while we paint. :) We do hope you can join us.

All experience-levels are welcome.

Your registration includes a watercolor supply kit from New River Art and Fiber with paints, brushes, and paper for you to take home. Gift tags, twine, and cutting tools will also be provided. *

When: Thursday, November 9th, 5:30-7:30pm
Where: New River Art + Fiber (back room), 101 S Main St Ste 1, Blacksburg, VA 24060
What to bring: Just your lovely self :)

This watercolor workshop will be an introduction to the subject of birds! We will walk through the basics of drawing, shading and layering, so that you can begin to paint the feathered friends in your own backyard. This is a great one for beginners or anyone looking to improve their bird painting skills.

You are welcome to bring your own supplies, or purchase a supply kit add-on at checkout.

Supplies needed for this class:
- #6 and #2 round brushes
- watercolor paint (pan set or tubes)
- practice watercolor paper
- watercolor pencil (optional)
- regular pencil
- watercolor pencil

When: Tuesday, May 16, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Blacksburg Museum, 204 Draper Road, Blacksburg, VA
What to bring: Class supplies (unless purchased with the class)
Cost: $25 ($40 with supplies)

In this watercolor workshop, we will be celebrating spring with a fun session all about ferns and forsythia. The techniques we practice will also lend themselves well to a wide variety of botanical forms! This is a great one for beginners or anyone looking to improve their botanical painting skills.

You are welcome to bring your own supplies, or purchase a supply kit add-on at checkout.

Supplies needed for this class:
- #6 and #2 round brushes
- watercolor paint (pan set or tubes)
- practice watercolor paper
- watercolor pencil (optional)

When: Wednesday, March 22, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Blacksburg Museum, 204 Draper Road, Blacksburg, VA
What to bring: Class supplies (unless purchased with the class)
Cost: $25 ($40 with supplies)

In this beginner level workshop, you will get a fresh take on winter botanicals by working with just a single color. We will practice a variety of brushstrokes to create a range of botanical shapes, and then layer them to paint a lovely bouquet.

No prior experience is necessary for this class.

You are welcome to bring your own supplies, or purchase a supply kit add-on at checkout.

Supplies needed for this class:
- #6 round brush
- blue watercolor paint (or single color of your choice)
- practice watercolor paper
- watercolor pencil (optional)

When: Monday, February 27, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Blacksburg Museum, 204 Draper Road, Blacksburg, VA
What to bring: Class supplies (unless purchased with the class)
Cost: $25 ($40 with supplies)

In this beginner level workshop, you will get a fresh take on winter botanicals by working with just a single color. We will practice a variety of brushstrokes to create a range of botanical shapes, and then layer them to paint a lovely bouquet.

No prior experience is necessary for this class, however, if you've never painted with watercolors it is recommended that you first watch the replay of our January class about watercolor materials and supplies.

For this class you will need the following supplies (any brand):
- #6 round brush
- blue watercolor paint (or single color of your choice)
- practice watercolor paper
- watercolor pencil (optional)

When: Saturday, February 18, 11am-12pm EST
Where: Online
Cost: Free!

This fun beginner-level workshop will walk you through the basic techniques you need to paint some of the pollinators you might find in your own backyard garden, like coneflowers, goldenrod, and black-eyed susans.

No prior painting experience is necessary to participate!

Feel free to bring your own supplies (and drink of choice), or purchase a supply kit with your ticket.

Supply List:
+ #6 round watercolor brush
+ watercolor paint (pan set or tubes)
+ 140lb watercolor paper (4-6 sheets)

The workshop will take place in the beautiful new shop space of Cirro Studio in Rogers.

When: Wednesday, May 18 6-8pm
Where: Cirro Studio, Rogers at 103 W. Chestnut St., Ste. 101
What to bring: Supplies listed above (unless you purchase a kit) + BYOB!

Stop by the the May We Fly Studio Shop on Saturday, April 30 for a spring open house! All of my newest spring items from prints to cards will be available.

In honor of Mother's Day, all moms will get a free card of their choice!

When: Saturday, April 30, 10am - 3pm
Where: May We Fly, 221 S Block Ave, Fayetteville

In this fun, springtime workshop you will learn a variety of brushstrokes to help you create several types of seasonal botanicals and your very own floral wreath.

This is a level one workshop, which means that we will be spending some time covering basic watercolor techniques, from mixing color to using your paint brush, so that you feel more comfortable with the medium before we dive in to the main lesson.

Included in the cost of the workshop are all necessary supplies, as well as some light refreshments.If students would like to purchase a take home kit, they will be available for $15 on the day of the workshop.

Space is limited, so grab a spot while you can. I hope to see you there!

Thursday, March 26 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Bella Vita Jewelry | 108 W 6th St, Suite A, Little Rock, AR
What to bring: All you need to bring is your lovely self (and a friend or two). Everything else will be taken care of!
Cost: $45

In this spring landscape workshop we'll be covering the basics of creating a watercolor landscape by learning how to create a variety of landscape elements. You will walk away from this session with a better understanding of foundational techniques such as painting a wash, layering, adding texture, and using different types of brushes.

This is a beginner level workshop, which means that we will be spending some time covering basic watercolor techniques, from mixing color to using your paint brush, so that you feel more comfortable with the medium before we dive in to the main lesson.

Included in the cost of the workshop are all necessary supplies, as well as some light refreshments. If students would like to purchase a take home kit, they will be available for $15 on the day of the workshop.

Space is limited, so grab a spot while you can. I hope to see you there!

Saturday, March 26 | 11am-1pm
Bella Vita Jewelry | 108 W 6th St, Suite A, Little Rock, AR
What to bring: All you need to bring is your lovely self (and a friend or two). Everything else will be taken care of!
Cost: $45

I’m thrilled to be part of this masterclass with Kate Rhees and Cat Coquillette to share about how we’ve used POD platforms like Spoonflower, Redbubble, Society6 and Printful to create ceiling-less incomes for our creative businesses.

At the end of the session, you will be able to:
- Understand how to create a POD account, upload artwork to the site
- Learn how to create consistently and build a vast portfolio of work
- Mark-up your prices to make a sustainable profit from each customer's order
- Grow an audience on social media
- Know the optimal ways to get your shop noticed
- Be a total badass at the POD game

BONUSES you will receive:
1. eBook 'A Beginner's Guide to Print-On-Demand'
2. Color Swatches for Procreate by Cat Coq
3. Color Palette by Cat Coq
4. Free Access to Leana Fischer's watercolour course 'Native Flowers Online Workshop'
5. A Step-By-Step Video on How To Upload Your Art to Spoonflower by Kate Rhees
6. Transcript of the POD Masterclass in a simplified Q&A ebook
7. Lifetime access to the REPLAY!

I’m honored to share the original artwork from my “Homes of Blessing” along with sculpture artist Alex Cogbill’s beautiful pieces at Local Color Studio Gallery on Saturday, Feb 5 from 6-8pm.

I’m thrilled to be participating in The Little Craft Show this holiday season! Shop from over 100 of the best artists, crafters, and makers from across the region. The perfect place to finish off the last of your Christmas shopping!

I’m excited to partner with my dear friend and talented block-printing artist Angela Sammer for this fun holiday workshop! We will show you how to bring block-printing and watercolor together to create hand-crafted ornaments, gift tags, and greeting cards.

Our three hour session will include both a watercolor and block-printing tutorial. I will show you how to create festive sprigs and flourishes to adorn anything from cards to gift tags, and Angela will guide you through a variety of carving skills so that you can create your own handmade stamps.

When paired together, these techniques lead to some truly beautiful results.

You will walk away with all the supplies you need to continue creating at home:
- a watercolor kit, brush, and paper
- pre-cut gift tags, greeting cards, and paper for folded ornaments
- linoleum cutter set, equipped with 5 cutters
- two carving blocks

To make it extra festive, we will have lots of yummy goodies to nibble on while we create, and of course, Christmas music! We do hope you can join us.

When: Saturday, December 4, 9am-12pm
Where: The May We Fly Workshop space, 221 S Block Ave, Fayetteville
What to bring: Just your lovely self :)

I’m very excited to bring this popular workshop online! If you’re at home relaxing with family after the Thanksgiving weekend, feel free to let them join in on the fun (only one ticket required per household).

In this beginner level watercolor workshop we will explore a variety of foundational watercolor techniques while learning to paint a range of botanical forms. The lesson will include tips on mixing color, creating a variety of brushstrokes, and painting different types of leaves and flowers. By the end of the workshop, each student will leave with a finished painting, a watercolor kit, and the basic skills needed to create their own botanical artwork.

You will need to provide your own supplies for this workshop, but we are keeping it simple, so whatever supplies you have on hand are probably perfect. If you would like to purchase supplies, here is my suggested list. (Click the button below to register and view the full supply list).

When: Saturday, November 27, 2-4pm CST
Where: Zoom! You will be emailed a link to join the day before the workshop begins.

Your ticket for this workshop covers your household, so if you have a spouse or kids who would like to join you, there is no need to purchase multiple seats.

To make this workshop as accessible as possible, I’ve decided to make it “choose your price!” Please select whatever price is a fit for you in the dropdown menu below. I will look forward to seeing you there! :)

The May We Fly Studio Shop has been freshly renovated and I’m having an open house to celebrate! Stop by on Saturday, November 20 to browse my newest collection of calendars, greeting cards, and art prints while you sip on mulled cider and tasty fall treats.

When: Saturday, November 20, 10am - 4pm
Where: May We Fly, 221 S Block Ave, Fayetteville

I’m so looking forward to spending a Saturday morning in the beautiful Peel Mansion Heritage Garden with this beginner-level plein air workshop! We will be covering a variety of foundational watercolor techniques to help you paint the surrounding botanical scenery. The lesson will include tips on mixing color, creating a variety of brushstrokes, and painting different types of flowers and leaves. By the end of the workshop, you will leave with a finished painting, along with the basic skills needed to create their own botanical artwork. All supplies are included with the cost of the workshop.

We are keeping these groups to ten participants to ensure the best focused teaching as well as managing safe distancing and COVID-19 precautions.

When: Saturday, June 26, 9am-11am
Where: Peel Mansion Heritage Garden
What to bring: A face mask and a water bottle

I’m excited to partner with Crystal Bridges Museum of Art for this virtual “workshop in a box!” We will be stepping into our backyard gardens to take a closer look at several pollinators and their friends: the butterflies and the bees. During this two-and-a-half-hour workshop, you will learn watercolor techniques for painting a variety of botanical forms, as well as how to incorporate markers to achieve detailed, dynamic effects.

No prior painting experience is necessary to participate!

Registered guests can pick up their supply boxes beginning June 1, or boxes can be delivered if ordered no later than June 11.

I’m so looking forward to spending a Saturday morning in the beautiful Peel Mansion Heritage Garden with this beginner-level plein air workshop! We will be covering a variety of foundational watercolor techniques to help you paint the surrounding botanical scenery. The lesson will include tips on mixing color, creating a variety of brushstrokes, and painting different types of flowers and leaves. By the end of the workshop, you will leave with a finished painting, along with the basic skills needed to create their own botanical artwork. All supplies are included with the cost of the workshop.

We are keeping these groups to ten participants to ensure the best focused teaching as well as managing safe distancing and COVID-19 precautions.

When: Saturday, May 29, 9am-11am
Where: Peel Mansion Heritage Garden
What to bring: A face mask and a water bottle

This workshop will focus on shading and layering techniques, along with some helpful drawing tips, to create adorable watercolor succulents. Some familiarity with drawing may be helpful before taking this workshop, but total beginners are welcome.

A recording of the workshop will be available so that you can go back and re-watch any part of it on your own.

When: Saturday, April 17 | 10:30am - 12:00pm CST
Where: Zoom! You will be emailed a link to join the day before the workshop begins.

I’m excited to be participating in a Spring Maker’s Market at Airship Coffee! Join us out on the lawn to shop springtime goods from local makers while you sip on some of the best coffee around.

When: Saturday, April 10 | 10am-3pm
Where: Airship Coffee | 1000 SE 5th St., Bentonville, AR 72701

Join us on Sunday, March 28 from 2-5pm for the closing reception of “Green Is Gold,” an exhibit I’ve been part of along with local artists Lisa Nance and Daniel Coston.

There will also be an open air “Maker’s Market” outside of the gallery, and my studio door will be open for visitors.

When: Sunday, March 28 | 2-5pm
Where: Local Color Studio Gallery | 275 S Archibald Yell Blvd, Fayetteville, AR 72701

I’m excited to celebrate the first day of spring with a studio open house! The door will be open between 10am and 3pm. Stop by to browse my latest work, pick up a little something to freshen up your space, or just say hello!

Due to the size of the space, no more than three people will be allowed in the studio at one time, but I will have a couple of tables with snacks outside where you can hang out if there’s a wait.

I hope to see you then!

When: Saturday, March 20, 10am-3p
Where: May We Fly Studio Shop | 221 S Block Ave, #6, Fayetteville, AR 72701