Look what they created!
Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate.
Harvey Fierstein
As a teacher of art and creativity courses I feel a huge sense of pride, accomplishment and joy when I see what students create as they complete the different projects of each module. It takes me months and sometimes years to develop courses, the main aim is always to inspire students to expand their creativity and develop their art practices in dynamic ways. I explore ways to break down more complex creating processes and techniques and present them in bite sized projects in order to gently nudge students to explore different possibilities outside of comfort zones.
To quote Brad Henry “A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instil a love of learning.” This is always my objective.
Let me walk you through this course and show you some outcomes done by students from projects done when Explore Still Life 1 was launched last summer.
On this image you can see work created by: Therese Cruz, Pat Scheurich, Magdaalena Bogart & Marije Kalshoven
Module One
In Module I the focus of Explore Still Life I is on creating the colour mixes using the traditional and modern primary colours in the set of paints to create a wide spectrum of options to choose from. Different brush techniques and painting of layers with paint medium is important, incorporating neutral colours as well as positive and negative space with added details are explored in the daily projects. There is a strong focus on developing composition and colour harmony. A spring flower bouquet is painted as the final assignment to conclude this module.
Art on this image had been created by Susanne Häusserman, Judith Brass, Monique Froehler, Sally Gibson, Amber Sudduth Bone & Charlotte Thompson
Module Two
Exploring mixed media and drawing is this focus of this module that has a retro vibe, with subjects and colours inspired by mid century designs.
Paintings created by: Bar Harris, Ruth Phipps Chapman, Mary James, Jenny Kennedy Bender, Lauren Everett Finn, Annabel Langrish, Ruth Phipps Chapman & Monique Forhler
Module 3
This module is all about exploring shapes, textures and layering. Play is encouraged and experimenting with combined media on an underpainted canvas will lead to new discoveries. The techniques and processes build upon each other to develop individual creativity and increase knowledge of materials and techniques. This is a project that requires creative problem solving and innovation. Stencil shapes and drawing forms as well as developing knowledge of different kinds of acrylic paints make this module uniquely valuable.
Artworks created by: Liesbet Winter, Marjo Mälkonen, Charlotte Thompson, Annabel Langrish & Monique Froeher
Module 4
Monoprinting is an added component of this course as is observational drawing. An orchid is used as subject of two artworks with very different outcomes because of the paints used The last module of Explore Still Life 1 is dynamic, challenging and hugely rewarding.
All work in this image are from students of Explore Still Life1 2021
Bonus
I like to offer a little extra in my courses, and this one will have a bonus painting project to explore the different techniques and processes in combination.
As always there will be an exclusive Facebook group for this course where questions can be asked and outcomes shared: this is a valuable component of a ‘live’ course vs self-paced.
For more examples of students work see the Coloricombo Instagram page.
“To succeed, you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you.”
- Tony Dorsett
What They Said
Feedback from a few students of the previous Explore Still Life 1 course:
Thank you so much for another wonderful course, full of learning and growth. You always attract the most supportive, talented, and kind people to your classes and that’s a testament to you and your generous spirit as a teacher. One of the highlights for me is seeing how everyone approaches the lessons and all the diverse ways of creating. Best wishes to everyone as we continue our creative journeys and explorations.
JIEnjoying this still life class so much. You are a wonderful instructor thank you for doing all the fantastic modules. You only keep getting better as a teacher & an artist.
GSThank you, Esté, for such an inspirational and well-designed course. As a retired educator, I recognize the importance of and the amount of time that goes into planning and building skills. Each daily lesson in Explore Still Life 1 built one upon the next, leading to the challenging but fun weekly project. I look forward to returning to each lesson with a better sense of how to use the paints and mediums and more confidence in exploration and discovery.
CSThank you, Esté. This was the best art class I've ever taken! Lots of fun, and I learned a ton.
ER