joyouslybecoming

Painting; reflections on the process

 WIP day 1

Thoughts about painting tugged me awake at 5:35 this morning; I knew I needed to get some words out here before I explode, markers along this labyrinth I'm walking. The thoughts aren't just targeted at this painting, a sawed off door I've propped on my easel, but extend out to my journal pages and all my smaller paintings as well. 

WIP day 2

I'm interested to recognize that I've gone for months without writing here, most months actually, only occasionally stepped out when I've had an announcement to share. 

But this...these questions-with-no-answers, they are burning in me now  as I stand in my studio painting and still hours later when I'm lying in bed when I should be sleeping. I'm grappling to express the core of it here but swim circles around it.

I'm divided.

Half of me wants unrefined, raw, abstract. The other half wants a hint of something representational to cling to. I tell myself it's "refining", but is the painting better for it?

 

There is a part of me that longs to linger in rough and unhewn

And another part of me that needs to wipe out much of what I see, yearning for that simple kernel of truth

(I know one can one get that in a painting, I've seen it and felt it)

So this is the path I travel these days, paint brush in hand, my head overflows with questions while my curious spirit propells me forward...  my heart longs for answers but all I can do is paint.

Studying Under the Masters - An Online Class

I'm thrilled to be part of Jeanne Oliver's upcoming online class entitled Studying Under the Masters; Becoming an Apprentice. Staring on January 7th, this nine week online course will focus on 9 Masters from the perspective of 9 working artists. Each week one of us will spotlight an artist and we will study them in depth, bringing you history, techniques, and inspiration through our live videos. I won't tell you who the other artists have chosen , but we'll be focusing on Marc Chagall during my week session.

There is a lost art of studying the works of others to find your own style. All of the "masters" were first apprentices. The apprentice sat beside the "masters", listening to their process, paintbrush in hand, mixing paint, creating strokes that told a story, and stirred their creative spirit.

Have you ever taken an online course, gone to a retreat, purchased an art technique book and were taught an artist's techniques and mediums?  Have you ever been worried about what is your style and what is "their" style?  Have you ever been afraid to create art that was inspired by another artist?  This course is for you!



Join nine artists as we become the “apprentice”. Through discussion and technique videos, each artist will share their week with a “master”. You’ll learn who their “master” artist studied under, who influenced their work and what techniques and mediums they used.

An integral part of the artistic process was to “copy” the master artist.  In this course, you will watch as these artists "copy" the works of another artist. They will share what techniques they learned and what they learned about their own creative process. 

You will then learn as they create art in their own style incorporating the techniques and/or medium of their chosen artist. 

My hope is that you will leave this course with freedom in your creativity. Freedom to pull from everything around you that inspires you and how to incorporate it into your art.

The confidence to realize that nothing is new under the sun and how to build upon others that have come before you.


 
*This is a nine week course


*Over 60 discussion and technique videos 



*Supply lists and prompts



*Weekly live chats on this site




****************

The Instructors:

Stephanie Lee, Katie Kendrick, Kate Thompson, Christy Tomlinson, Junelle Jacobsen, Danielle Donaldson, Teresa Sheeley, Jenny Wentworth and Jeanne Oliver

 * Earlybird registration opens NOW. The cost for this course is $48 for earlybird registration and $62 after that. Use the paypal button below to secure your place in what is sure to be a unique and amazing class!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

* What is an e-course?

 An e-course in an online class. The class is held on a website. There is a private classroom that only people that have registered for the course can access. All of my courses are held on the jeanneoliver.ning site.  Please go tojeanneoliver.ning.com and register (this is free). We will add you to the course.

  All videos are pre-recorded and you can watch them at your convenience. 

 * When will we receive the login and password information to access the course?

 You need to register at jeanneoliver.ning.com for course access. Please register (this part is free) and we will then give you access to the course.  If you have registered on the Ning site and paid through the site than you are already for the course.  This is only for people that pay through a button on a blog or website.

* Am I allowed to share my login and password with friends?

No. We have priced this course very reasonably and we have all worked very hard to give you a beautiful and inspiring course full of content. We would love to have your friends join us the proper way by registering. Thank you for honoring this request. We also promise to respect you by honoring the time and money you have spent for the course by giving you a beautiful finished product.

* What if I miss a week?  Will I be able to catch up?

Yes!  All videos are pre-recorded and available to watch at your convenience.  You have access to this course for over one full year and you will have plenty of time to watch everything again and again if you wish.

 *Do I need to be at the computer at a certain time to see a lesson?

No.  None of our videos are live.  We will have a live, written Q&A time once a week with one of the instructors.  If you miss this time slot you will still be able to read all the discussions on the website.

*What kind of internet and computer do I need to have to have the most success with the course?

To get the most out of the class you need to have a high speed internet connection and newer computer or mobile device that is equipped to stream video off of the internet.

 *Am I able to watch the videos from my ipad?

Yes, our videos are ipad compatible.

*I live outside the United States.  Am I able to sign up?

YES!  We would love to have you.  We have people signed up from all over the world. 

 

If you have questions that are not answered here please email us at [email protected]and we would love to answer them for you.

 

San Miguel de Allende, Pilgimage in Paint (Part 1)

Two weeks ago, I was here in this magical place, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

The experience surpassed any dreams or expectations I arrived with; everything was fresh, a surprise. I want to share a few highlights spread out over the next couple posts.

I partnered with Judy Wise (left) to teach two sessions of Pilgimage in Paint, Rebecca Brooks (right) our hostess for this amazing adventure, who has been leading groups of people to San Miguel for the past 7 years. They both have posted lots of photos of the trip and I encourage you to visit their blogs as well.

I could never tire of this daily view and it was on my route to purchase fresh coconut water from a old woman who set up a cart up the street. The freshest juice I've ever had, I probably purchased from her a dozen times over the course of my 3 week stay here.

Wandering the courtyard at Belles Artes, San Miguel's premier school for the arts, located in an old convent.

An artist at work there

A fiesta at Casa Carmen the first night, welcomed all the participants with delicious authentic foods, live music, and dancing

my very favorite coffee shop. last time I was in San Miguel I stuffed 5 pounds of coffee in my suitcase to bring back with me. This time both my bags were at 49 pounds so I had to just enjoy it while I was there.

 

the Pilgrims sketching

f

faces I would see daily

a favorite of the locals and one that became our favorite as well. They are known for their ginger margaritas

it was exciting to witness this beautiful wedding procession; there was a wedding in the zocalo (town square) every Saturday we were there, sometimes more than one

working on projects in the courtyard

the first group of pilgrims; I love these women.

 

 

A journal spread; me now, and where I've been

I gave three of my brushes a haircut 

Then I began drawing with charcoal to find myself

smudging and shading before I dragged the gesso 

by brush and finger

Looking at the black and whites in my life

What am I holding on to? What in my stories is "me"?

Swirling amidst the judgements

all black and white and gray

I find  shards of cerelean blue with hints of faded cranberry 

These are me, too.