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All throughout high school all I dreamed about was art school.

I was constantly sketching and designing clothing.

If I wasn’t making art I was watching design shows and scouring through fashion magazines.

I grew up in a town of 3,000 and sometimes when you dream big in a small town it is hard to find your supporters.

Sometimes you don’t realize at 17 that the lack of support has less to do with you…. and more to do with those around you.

At 17 you can sometimes not believe enough in yourself to go against the grain.

For that I am sorry.

I went on to college and got my degree in history and psychology.

But….

Looking back over my life I can not say that I am at all disappointed with how my life turned out.

I have everything that I ever dreamed about.  It all just became a reality down a different road than I had imagined.

Life is amazing like that.

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Sometimes I have to be honest though that my heart pulls when I see an art student with art supplies under her arms.

I would love to be the one sitting in art history classes and experimenting all day with new mediums.

My mind can wander on what it would feel like to step back in time and give all my energy to just making art.

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I can’t step back in time and go to art school (and I am not interested in taking the time and money now) but I can constantly dip my brush into local art classes, online classes, creative books etc.

My friend, Teresa Sheeley, has an incredible online class that is starting April 2.

Teresa and her daughter, Kayla, will be giving you a taste of what art school would be like (without the high bills).

I can not wait for it to begin and I would love to have you join me.

I will meet you out on the green and smoke cigs with you….hahaha

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Here is a taste of what’s to come…

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

Making Something Beautiful is all about living your art dream.  If you ever had ideas or dreams of going off to art school and living the artsy life ~{ MSB} will give you that feel.   Our goal is to make this experience for you to be just like stepping into art school for the first time.  Even if you are an experienced artist this course will be fun and informational for you too, as well as the opportunity to give you inspiration plus let you give back some helpful advice to the class.

This course will focus on what you would find if you were going to art school.  Introduction to various tools of the trade; drawing, painting, color, technique and even art history.  Learning about tools, different paints, technique and color are such important aspects to any medium you are drawn to.  It’s good to know why things work the way they do and even where they originated from.  Having these skills will only enhance where you are in your life of art.

You will receive weekly videos of instruction and assignments.  We will offer all kinds of support through the Facebook page, Flickr sights and our one on one help.  We will strive to create a very artsy aesthetically pleasing community.

ALL THIS INSTRUCTION WILL LEAD YOU UP TO A FINAL PROJECT TO BE PLACED IN OUR ART SALON TO SELL.

ART SALON:  Popularity of the art salon was originated in France beginning in the 1700’s.  The salons would exhibit pieces of art from floor to ceiling usually in someones home.  Many famous artists got there start participating in an art salon.  Cezanne, Picasso, and Matisse just to name a few were very present during the art salon era.  Probably one of the most famous salons were in the home of Gertrude Stein in the early 1900’s.  

Doesn’t it sound amazing?

Here is a breakdown of what the weeks will highlight.

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COURSE OFFERINGS:

This is a FIVE – WEEK course.

Week 1:  Important drawing techniques and instruction.  Learning tools for drawing.  Introduction to different papers and how this all blends together to give you the best techniques. Learning about light source.

Week 2:  Nudes, figure drawing and complex shapes.  Grid drawing and thinking BIG!!  {Week 2 also will be your first critique week}.  **Critique is an option; if you would prefer not to join in this, no worries. More on critiquing later.

Week 3:  Still life – painting – intro to color, materials, oils & acrylics. Painting using just 3 colors.

Week 4:  Plein Air painting – Watercolor & gouache introduction and more. Mixed media. {Critique week}

Week 5:  ART SALON – The art salon will be a website set up for virtual touring of your work.  We will be encouraging you throughout the course to think of a final project that you would like to put in the show. You have the opportunity to sell your work; plus make the money back that you put into the course.  This is a great way for you to invite your family, friends and strangers to view  your work.

You still have time to register.

To register go HERE.

Here is a fun video that tells a little more about the course (please pause my music first).

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Quick shop update!

New items will be coming to the shop soon.

All vintage items still in the shop have been significantly marked down.