Creativity Can Help

Intake 1964, Bridget Riley

This last few weeks has been a whirlwind, and I honestly don't think the whirling will be stopping anytime soon. I know I'm not alone, and that we are all under a lot of stress lately. It is during chaos and stress, that I am reminded how important my personal art practice is to me. Art is a practice that allows us to stay centered and present. It can help us remember to think creatively, even during difficult times. If you are reading this, you must have a sense that art is a healing force as well. 

If you are looking for a way to make sure you make time for art in your life, or the life of your children, enrollment is open for my first ever classes with Starling Art Studios. This has been a huge shift for me, from the public school classroom to reimagining offering virtual art classes. And I am excited to offer classes at different age levels, including adult classes. Because, now more than ever we need creative adults who are confident in their expression.

The first units I have developed are focused on a foundational element of art, line. Line is so much more than a zig zag or a wavy design. It is part of the language art speaks through. It is mark making that can define forms, direct a viewers eye and give expressive feeling in a work of art. I wanted the first units I offered to be a building block that also had creative applications. Because I sense that I want future classes to be focused on expression and imagination....maybe even surrealism to go along with the world we are living in. 

In each of our classes, students will have the opportunity to develop understanding and practice with the topics and techniques we explore. The weekly sessions will provide demonstrations, instruction and guidance to help students gain confidence. Together we will start an exercise that may be continued independently. I also provide assignments for the week that will build on skills we are developing and allow time for independent practice that is paced by each learner and their own motivation. I have been creating videos, example and handouts that you will be able to use to further your own explorations. 

I have lowered prices for these introductory classes. There are 4-week units for $100, that is $25 a week, or a 9-week program that offers both units and an extra week of class content for $200. I'm very excited to find a way to share my passion for art, and art education, with students during this crazy period in history. I hope you will join me, and let art be a practice to help us find our center during all of this chaos. 

Let me know if you have questions. Review the current class offerings on the website and use the sign up form to enroll by August 10th. I am already in the process of creating more units...units that move us past reproducing what we see around us and more into our imaginations. Because I think we all need imagination more than ever. So, if you can't make this session. Look for new offerings in September. 

Stay Creative…