What's a Class Like?
We have small, intimate classes
Private lessons and semi-private lessons allow you to ask plenty of questions, receive personal assistance, and get to know the other members if it's a group lesson.
For youth classes, we will meet in my studio-garage where we have a wash basin and bathroom nearby. For adult classes, we meet in my tropical backyard garden (unless it is pouring rain, neighbors have mowers out, or someone has a mobility accommodation). Private lessons meet in the studio-garage.
These classes are about learning and improving your skills from wherever you're at. You can literally walk in knowing nothing about art, and that's PERFECT! We have fun, get messy, and make new friendships along the way!
We observe and learn
Each day we meet, I'll do a lesson/demo and answer your questions. Ask as many as you want! Sometimes we'll do things step-by-step on our own papers, but sometimes I'll give a quick talk/demo while you watch, then let you dive into practicing the skill of the week. I observe each student's work to see how I can help them.
Projects can vary from week to week, and students will have plenty of room for creativity within the framework of our projects. In group settings, you won't go home with an exact replica of someone else's art because you will be making decisions unique to your art.
We improve our art skills
Of course we have fun and get creative, but you will be learning real skills you can take home and apply to more of your own art-making. Sometimes there will be specific things we're learning where everyone's art looks the same, but other times we will all end up with something totally different.
It's ok if you feel like you or your child didn't "get" a concept one day, and it's ok if you didn't even finish it! You aren't making a masterpiece in these classes - you are learning. The skills you learn will be applicable to your future artwork, even if what you make is a totally different style than what we practice in class.
We talk about our art
Throughout the lesson or class, we'll pause to talk together about our progress, what we struggled with, and what we're proud of. It might sound scary to show-n-tell your art with others if you've never done it before, but it's essentially one of the most useful things you can do to improve. If you aren't getting feedback on your work, you aren't getting the full learning experience. Most people in the class have never dug into art this way before, so I'll guide everyone as we learn how to approach talking about our art.
P.S. You might end up gaining a lot more confidence in yourself even though it sounds scary at first!
We all clean up
In the last 10 minutes, we'll all clean up our supplies and wipe down tables. I appreciate everyone's help in keeping the space and supplies neat and orderly!
We practice at home
(Ok, sure, call it homework if you want.) Each class will have a suggested activity or skill to practice over the course of the coming week. I really like to personalized my students' learning, so if I see something they need to work on individually, I will include that. I write these things down and send it home with you so you won't forget!
For this reason, students are encouraged to have a sketchbook and pencils at home, as well as watercolor supplies for the painting classes. It really does make a difference!
If you are completely lost on what kind to get, check out the supply recommendations here. We'll talk about supplies in the first class as well as throughout the other classes. I also have a limited number of made-to-order covered watercolor palettes for sale if you aren't ready to commit to a set of paints from the art shop.