Classes and Workshops

Unless otherwise noted, classes are held at:
The Art of Your Life Studio
At SE 80th between Salmon St. and Taylor Court.
Portland, Oregon

Classes and workshops are small and offer individual attention. To ensure your place, please pay in advance within a week of the workshop date.

Not Just a Pretty Face
	January 24, 2010 11-4:30 80. All supplies included. What Leonardo and Van Gogh knew: Learning to paint faces is all about learning to see! Choose faces painted by great artists to work from, discovering your own style as you go. Leave with several practice studies and at least one finished painting that you will be thrilled to hang on the wall. No previous experience needed!
Journal to the Center
	Sunday, February 7 2010 11-4:30 50. Bring a blank journal. All other supplies provided. You'll bring a blank journal to begin your artful descent to your center with visual journaling! You'll receive written and visual prompts to inspire you to begin writing and illustrating your experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Whether your subjects are profound or everyday, you will create a lavish and enticing book in which to record and honor your life.
The Art of Life (Evening Group)
	Ongoing Women's Creativity Group Meets Tuesday evenings from 7-9. Tuition: 35. per week. Most supplies included. A group for women who want to experiment with art, move through blocks, and share the joys and challenges of the creative process. Each group includes playful activities designed to bypass the inner critic and loosen up inspiration. Spirited art-making produces fun and surprising results!
Transferred Secrets: Photo transfer techniques
	Saturday, March 27th 2010 1-4 PM 40. Bring laser and inkjet color and black and white copies of your favorite photos. All other supplies provided. Do you love the mysterious, the elusive, the romantic? Learn methods of photo transfer using laser and inkjet copies of your favorite photos. You will create a unique collage using your lovely transfer images as a focal point. Workshop open to all levels.
Mind Your Own Beeswax
	April 24 1-5 PM Tuition: 75. All supplies included. This is your chance to fall in love with the aromatic, luminous, and versatile properties of beeswax in the form of encaustic painting! We will cover basic techniques such as building up layers, fusing the wax layers, adding color, including collage elements, and incising. We'll explore various heat tools and many design elements. No previous art experience needed, only lively curiosity and a willingness to risk addiction to painting with wax!
Mind Your Own Beeswax Part 2
	May 29, 2010 1-5 75.00 Supplies included More delightful fun with wax for those who've taken the previous Mind Your Own Beeswax class or another basic class. We'll continue to use wax paint and collage, and also explore 3-D and more mixed media techniques with wax.
Altered Alchemy
	June 26 2010 1-5:30 75.00 Bring an old book to alter. All other supplies included. Transform an old boring book in to your own fascinating work of art! Come join us for this mind and book-altering workshop. You can create a cherished keepsake or a travel journal for this summer’s vacation!
Assemble Yourself
	July 10, 2010 12-5 75.00 We’ll meet at the SCRAP store (School & Community Reuse Action Project) at noon. Your goal is to spend 10.00 or less, collecting all kinds of found objects, paper, fabric, and valuable junk. When we go to the studio, you’ll create a 3-D collage that expresses your dreams, using the supplies you found at SCRAP. More supplies, including cigar boxes, will be available in the studio. You'll leave with a unique assemblage, perfect for a special gift or cherished keepsake.
Wabi-Sabi Workshop
	August 8, 2010 9-4:30 At Art Unraveled Art Retreat, Phoenix AZ Go to artunraveled.com for more information on the workshop and retreat. Wabi-sabi--the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature; of accepting natural cycles. It's simple, slow, and uncluttered and reveres authenticity above all. We'll honor ourselves and go with the flow as we create a set of simple, eloquent, and, yes, gorgeous abstract pieces. The word "abstract" doesn't have to scare you! I'll show you how to let delightful accidents and mistakes lead you to creating with a playful spirit. We'll cover some basic compositions and designs to start you on your journey. Using acrylic medium, acrylic paint, Ranger reinkers and alcohol inks, tissue, Asian papers, and artist pens, you'll discover relaxing ways of interacting with your materials and your inner self. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, you'll leave with four or more paintings and with inspiration to continue the Wabi-Sabi way. If you've taken a Wabi-Sabi class from from me before and loved it, feel free to join us! I'll have new techniques and ideas for you!
Who's Your Mummy?
	Saturday, September 18 2010 from 1-5 PM 75.00 Supplies provided The encaustic mummy portraits from ancient Roman Egypt are as hauntingly beautiful today as they were when they were made. They were used to commemorate those who died, and showed each person with lustrous large eyes and lively expressions. Now you can make your own “mummy” portraits using gouache and cold wax. You’ll learn to build up layers of paint with cold wax and how to scrape off paint to evoke an aged portrait. You can choose a mummy portrait image from the many available, use an image of your own to paint “mummy style”, or create a strong and lovely presence from your imagination.
Wabi-Sabi Workshop
	October 6 9-4:30 This workshop will be given at the Art and Soul Retreat Portland 2010. Please see their website at artandsoulretreats.com for more information and registration. Fall is the perfect time to explore Wabi-sabi--the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature; of accepting natural cycles. It's simple, slow, and uncluttered and reveres authenticity above all. We will honor ourselves and go with the flow as we create a set of simple, eloquent, and, yes, gorgeous abstract pieces. I will show you how to let delightful accidents and mistakes lead you to creating with a playful spirit. We'll cover some basic shapes and designs to start you on your journey. Using acrylic medium, acrylic paint, acrylic ink,tissue and Asian papers, and artist pens, you'll discover relaxing ways of interacting with your materials and your inner self. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, you will leave with four paintings and with inspiration to continue the Wabi-Sabi way. If you took my Wabi-Sabi class last year and loved it, feel free to join us! I'll have lots of new techniques and ideas for you.
Coloring Outside the Lines
	Individual art coaching Learning to make art involves learning to see, moving past the inner critic, and accepting what you produce at a given moment. I provide gentle and inspiring coaching and guidance with both the technical and emotional aspects of creating. Media used are: acrylic paint, water based oils, collage, assemblage, and gouache. We go at your pace and free you to find your own style.
The Forgiving Medium
	Sunday, October 10 9-4:30 Class will be given at the Art and Soul Retreat, Portland 2010. Please go to their website at artandsoulretreats.com for more information and registration. No, I'm not talking about a compassionate clairvoyant, but a fun and supportive acrylic workshop for beginners or those who want to try new methods! We'll cover glazing, layering, impasto (thick, juicy paint), and various types of brushes, painting knives, and supports. Learn what Leonardo and Van Gogh knew: Learning to paint is all about learning to see! If you are one who thinks she can't draw, worry not!. You'll enjoy this relaxed workshop where you can paint without drawing. I'll provide lots of individual support and coaching and encourage you to paint with joy! You'll surprise yourself by creating still lifes and portraits. You'll leave with four original and delightful paintings.
The Egg and I
	Saturday, October 16 from 1-5 75.00 Supplies provided. Egg tempera painting has been used for centuries and it is still makes an exciting and durable medium. Learn how to make the simple and inexpensive paint that Botticelli used for "The Birth of Venus." Using pigment, water, and egg yolk, you'll create rich and luminous colors. The process is fun and easy. You'll use the paint to create a luminous portrait, still life, or abstract. You'll learn how to prepare your support, layer colors, develop lights and shadows, and how to scrape and incise paint for special effects. You'll also be able to experiment with egg tempera on canvas board, wood panels, and Claybord. You'll leave with a wonderful painting and with the knowledge that you can make your own paint any time!
Group Requests
	If you have a group of 3-5 people who would like to schedule one of the above workshops at another time, contact me to discuss scheduling options.