Taking a workshop is a unique experience – in whatever form it is presented. I view the time you set aside for a class as *an appointment with creativity*. You claim a portion of your precious time to devote solely to art and discovery. Being in a classroom with other like-minded souls, be they friends, or not-yet-friends, can be intimidating, but it can also be a wonderfully fulfilling experience. So much is learned in a group setting – we learn from each other as we work on projects, or try new things, and problem solve together. I love standing in the role of teacher. I love being the one who gets to witness your light-bulb-moments. I love spilling my entire arsenal of tricks and techniques, to share all that I know, to assist students in finding new visions, stretch their boundaries, and feel confidence and satisfaction in their work.
In less than a month I will be making my annual trip to Wisconsin to teach at my most favorite workshop venue: Valley Ridge Art Studio. It is the only place I have committed to teach in the last few years. I've said it before – it truly is a magical place. Since they are taking a well-deserved sabbatical in 2011 it will my last real life gig for a while. There really is nothing that compares to being physically present in an environment like this. I get it that online workshops are increasingly popular. I get it that online classes can be taken at your convenience, at your own pace, from wherever you are on the globe. I hope to embark on this new platform for teaching sometime in the future. But I'll say it again, there is nothing that compares to being physically present, and setting aside undivided attention for the purpose of moving forward on your artistic journey.
There is still time, and some room, to join me in September. Hope to see you there.
You can see class descriptions by following the sidebar links on the left, or visit Valley Ridge here and here.
Leave a Reply