As an art teacher, I often get asked why I teach. In college, I taught kids and adults how to swim. Teaching art is very similar. I'm still helping people release their fear, making it fun, and giving them techniques to use to enhance their experience. But one big difference is that I don't get cold teaching art!
I love teaching art. For my art classes, I enjoy creating a relaxing, no pressure environment for everyone. I provide most of the supplies, so folks don't have to spend money on art supplies they aren't sure about, or schlep an armful of supplies to class. I have many repeat students and they keep me on my toes-asking me to come up with new, fun classes for them to take. I truly feel like this is part of my journey on earth-to share the joy of creativity.
Art Classes in Seattle
No art experience necessary.
All supplies provided (with a few exceptions).
• Small classes, 12 students max.
• Learn in a fun and supportive atmosphere
• All levels welcome. Ages 16+
• Taught in the artist’s studio near Seattle's zoo.
• Two lovely cats may be present.
View current class schedule and info
A Gypsy's Journal- Saturday, November 24th
What students have to say -------------------
"Thank you so much for a fun class and for opening the door to easing up inside around the process of creating art. My favorite thing was being given permission to be open to exploration without judgment or restraint. It helped me to relax around it and not feel like I have to love or show every piece; it helped me make more peace with process." -Deirdre
"First I have to say thank you a million times over. I had the best time I have had in a long time. I cannot tell you how it felt to do something creative. Since that class everything I look at is different. I see things I did not see before. Thanks so much for opening a new world." - Rob
"I just wanted to send you a little note thanking you for the wonderful classes last week. I really enjoyed everything. I had no experience with watercolors and now I feel confident in using them :) Plus, I really loved all of the techniques you showed us - very cool stuff!" - Susan
What the workshops are like -------------------
Are you wanting to add some creativity to your life or try something new? Being creative is a joyous counterbalance to life's stresses. I believe that we all have the potential to be creative and that making art can add an invaluable richness to your life.
When you arrive for a class, everything is all set up for you. I provide professional quality materials for you to use. You won't have to shlep your stuff or spend money on art supplies before you know if you'll like them. You'll also receive a handout with class information and techniques.
I understand how scary making art can be – whether it is your first time or not. My goal is to create an atmosphere of supportive, creative exploration where enjoying the process and trying new things is the focus. I will never criticize your work. If you get stuck, I will be happy to help you look at your work in a new way and offer any number of ideas you could choose from. I will never paint on your work and will happily demonstrate techniques as often as you need me to.
I have seen how uplifting and energizing art can be for many people regardless of level of experience. Any form of creativity is a self nourishing act – regardless of the result. It is in the making of art – the exploration – the trying of new ideas that lights us up. Art connects us to our child-like selves and helps us recapture that sense of freedom and play we had, before we learned to be self critical.
I enjoy sharing my passion for art and helping everyone express their own unique creative style. Give yourself the freedom to create, play, and fall in love with the colors, textures, and images that you enjoy. What greater gift for yourself than to do something that makes you happy?
Adventures in Book Binding- Sunday, October 28th
View current class schedule and info
Fall 2012 Classes- sneak preview
September
Sunday, Sept. 9th, 10:00 – 3:00
No jewelry experience required. There is something irresistable about a chock-full charm bracelet. Much like running your hands through a box of vintage buttons, it is both visually fun and sentimental. Join us for a fun day learning how to create many types of charms. Shrink plastic has grown up! Learn how to paint, stamp, color, print on, punch, and bake your own charms. Next we’ll make a variety of decoupage beads, this allows you to incorporate your own paper ephemera such as music sheet, wrapping paper or any decorative paper. Discover how to add and embellish your favorite beads and buttons with creative wire wrapping and seed beads. We’ll cover how to how to create wire-wrapped drops, spirals and coils. You'll leave with one or more charms of each technique, plus a complete handout to refresh your memory when you are back home. Join us for a day full of charm!
See supply list
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Saturday October 6th, 10:00 – 3:00
No art experience required. Bring two children's picture books. All other supplies provided.
The magic of children's books never fails to enchant us. Learn how to make your own one-of-a-kind journal, using one children's book as the beginning structure and another book to cut up and use for collage, pockets, and flaps. The thrift stores have plenty of books-give them a new life with your creativity! You'll learn techniques for decorating the covers and decorating the interior pages. We'll recapture the magic of stories, using collage, acrylic paint, ink, and markers. By adding words, windows, and other interactive elements, you'll make a special journal just for you!
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Sunday October 7th, 10:00 – 3:00
No art experience required. All supplies provided.
Come try a variety of art mediums! This is a fun, flexible approach where anything goes and the goal is to keep it loose and playful. We’ll create luscious layers of color with collage, acrylic paint, markers, and oil pastels. Learn what works together and what doesn’t. I’ll show you how to set up, keep your palette wet, and mix colors. We’ll look at ways to start a painting and how to get over the fear of the blank white page. Come play and have fun!
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Saturday, Oct. 13th, 10:00 – 3:00
No art experience required. All supplies provided.
More mixed media mayhem! Join us for a delightful day and learn eleven techniques for altering photos and for making gorgeous photo transfers. Learn techniques that work with color copies, magazine tearsheets, newspaper, maps and ink jet photos. Each technique yields a different effect. Some are great for creating interesting backgrounds for your work, others give you new ways to manipulate or add texture to your image. Mimic the look of a double exposure or Photoshop layers with transparent techniques with which you can layer and overlap your photos. You'll make test swatches of each technique for future reference, and creating another piece in which you use all the techniques together. Come find out why this is so addicting to do!
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Sunday, Oct. 14th, 10:00 – 3:00
No watercolor experience required. All supplies provided.
This beginning level class is a fun and relaxed approach for developing your skills with watercolor. Using wet into wet, dry brush, and transparent layers, you’ll learn how to capture the rich colors and textures of autumn leaves, pumpkins, and other squash. Compare each technique, and learn which you prefer. You'll get to learn how to add veins and highlights by lifting both dry and wet paint and compare how they differ. You'll also get to discover color mixes for creating rich shadows. You get to try out PrimaTek paints which are made directly from the earth’s minerals and see how wonderful they are for creating autumn’s palette. Join us for this celebration of Autumn's colors! If you are looking for a class that is a general introduction to watercolor,
Beginning Watercolor 1, is the class that goes into depth about materials, set up, and color mixing.
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Saturday, Oct. 27th, 10:00 – 3:00
No art experience required. All supplies provided.
This hands-on class is the perfect introduction to watercolor. You’ll learn how to set up your work area and arrange your palette. We’ll discuss different types of paint, brushes, and paper. You’ll get to compare student and professional grade paint, cold and hot press paper, and different types of brushes. Learn how to do dry brush, wet in wet, solid washes, and graduated washes. Discover how to mix and layer colors, and how to mix a whole color wheel from just three colors. This is a fun introduction to watercolor!
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Sunday, Oct. 28th, 10:00 – 3:00
Have you ever wanted to make your own journal with your favorite paper(s) inside? In this fun class you'll learn how to create 4 different kinds of journals. Book #1- Create your own signatures, make your own cover and you'll sew in your pages. Book #2 - Learn how to use an old book cover and sew in your paper. Book #3 You'll make a journal out of a single sheet of paper. Book #4 is an accordian fold journal with two canvases as your book ends! This one is fun to use for display on a shelf or mantle. You will have time to make at least three of the journal structures (#1 and #2 are similar). If you finish early, paint and collage supplies will be available if you wish to start decorating your covers. And as with all my classes, you'll get a detailed handout so you can refer to it next time you go to make a journal! I love my handmade journals. I think you'll find that working in a book that you've made will really enhance your creative fun!
View all classes and info (go here to view all the November classes)
If you have any more questions feel free to email me.
Hope to see you in class sometime! We always have a lot of fun!
