Category: Art Workshops

Dynamic Composition – Week One

IMG_4775I’m taking an on-line class, the second time I’ve done this. Although I love the in-person classroom experience, I must admit, these on-line classes are a pretty cool way to: 1) take an art class from anywhere, 2) experiment with new techniques and ideas, 3) connect with new members of the art community, and 4) build a new body of work.

The class I’m currently taking is from Jane Davies, an artist I have followed for a long time and last AprilI had the privilege of taking a class from at Art and Soul in Kansas City, Missouri (here’s a link to the blog post I did about Jane’s class – just click here). I’ve had friends take some of Jane’s on-line classes and they raved about the experience (and how much they learned). So I jumped in and registered for Keys to Dynamic Composition. I’ve completed week 1 (of six).  Take a look at Jane’s website and blog to see her amazing work.

Our first lesson in creating a dynamic composition had to do with using variety of size and repetition with a limited color palette (yikes, that was difficult for me!) and only squares and rectangles. Here is my Pink  Series from our first exercise.

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???????????????????????????????For our second exercise, we had to again use a limited color palette, squares and rectangles, but we got to add one shape of our choice. I was much happier with being able to mix it up a bit. I give you my Blue Series.

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Art in the Annex – “I’m Nuts For Art!”

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I was invited to join two other artist friends, Deanna White and Cynthia Herron, to teach a children’s art class at the Salem Art Association. The class was the brainchild of Deanna, who writes:

Both my children still have fond memories of the many art classes they attended at the Bush Barn Annex so many years ago. I have been a Gallery Guide for 13 years and have seen the Gallery Guides support many art educational opportunities and so would like to revisit this tradition again.

Deanna put together a proposal, invited Cynthia and I to participate, and presented it to the Bush Barn Gallery Guides, who approved the proposal and funded the class. The class was limited to 15 students, grades 3-5, and it cost each student only $10 for an afternoon of art.

Dayna, Deanna, and Cynthia
Dayna, Deanna, and Cynthia

The day was divided into three segments:

Station 1: Book of Your Own with Deanna White

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Station 2: Coloring Outside the Lines with Cynthia Herron

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Station 3: Fantastical Creatures with Dayna Collins

For my station, we played with bendable muslin dolls and I set up a big table with fibers, jewels, feathers, boas, leather strips, buttons, ribbons, googly eyes, and lots of paint. Here’s my doll collection, which I brought for inspiration:

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Some of the activity at my table during the three rotations (from clean and tidy to wildly and deliciously messy:

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The kids had one hour at each station before rotating to the next table. Here’s the first group I had with their fabulous fantastical creations.

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Overheard at my table during the afternoon:

I never knew it was going to be this fun.

I’m nuts for art.

I never get to paint!

It’s like we are scientists making our own creation.

No mom’s are here – we can paint all we want.

It was a great day for the kids and teachers (and for the several Gallery Guides who helped throughout the afternoon).

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Of course, I couldn’t help myself. I made a doll to add to my collection. No name, but she’s sort of a warped demented ballerina.

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