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There are so many amazing teachers and classes at Art is You.  It is so tough  to pick but I was beyond thrilled with Jodi Ohl’s class.

I watched her painting and I was thrilled with how a painting looked in the beginning.  I had no idea how much farther it would go by the end of class.  The lesson I learned: I fall in love with some of the backgrounds I make- to the point I hate to cover it up.  Those layers aren’t precious but they are important. They add depth to the art.

Another lesson I learned was to not give up on a painting.  I thought where I started was so-so but as I added the layers I began to see how the early layers played a role in the look as I continued to add more.  Where I was less than thrilled was just another place to put color, a stencil, a stamp, a smudge.

Here are a few shots of Jodi’s in class demo in progress.

At this point I loved the painting!  I felt it was amazing here but she kept going at made it even more interesting.Jodi doesn’t like wasting paint.  I love that because I hate to waste it too.  We used our extra paints, the wet stencils, and any other supplies on a group canvas.  It looked a bit chaotic at the end of the first class but when I saw it later in the week I was blown away.  Wish I had taken a picture!  I can’t wait to take another class with Jodi!

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This was my first class with Sue Pelletier.  If I see her teaching, I will sign up for the class in a heartbeat.  Why?  Because it was amazing.  Her class was very well paced.  Her teaching style was relaxed and informative.  She showed me supplies I have used before, but now I know a new way to make art.  Like plaster of paris gauze.  I’ve used it for mask making with the kids but now I can make  clothes out of them! It was incredibly messy – doing it outdoors was a good move.  It was also incredibly addictive.  Best part – we didn’t wait for the gauze to completely dry before we started on the painting.  Immediate gratification.  So many possibilities, so many options.  So much excitement.  This project was about the layers – forgiving layers.  At different stages I wasn’t sure about where it was going or I just didn’t like something it would be changing soon.  As each layer went on it interacted with those before it – completely changing it.

We started with the plaster and made the dresses.

More collage and color on the dresses

This is where the dresses are now.  I have more to add, but that will have to be at a later time.  Here’s a closer look at the texture.  The dimension just makes me happy!

 

 

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Doll making is something I haven’t explored until Art Is You.  Dee Foust was a wonderful teacher who took me way past my comfort zone and I have a wonderful angel.Sculpting the torso

Life lesson 6,592 – don’t give up.  I was skeptical while sculpting the torso of my angel since I don’t think of myself as a sculptor.  Why?  Because I’ve never done it.    I didn’t see where it was going but I didn’t let my inner critic get in my way.  This green floral foam is so soft it cut easily.  Instead of using sand paper I used my palms to sand it smooth.  At this point I just had to trust that it would “look right”.

This was the 2nd class this week that used plaster gauze.  I have loved it each time I used it.   I think this means it is time to procure some! Why was I so intimidated by sculptural things? Not any more.

The cream paint and subtle brown  antiquing began to bring it to life for me. Okay, just made it close enough to the finished product that I didn’t feel as much anxiety. 

 

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