|
I have the pleasure of teaching an enthusiastic and talented group of students art each year, including kids, age 7 - 12, teens, and adults. I teach classes out of my West Orange, NJ, home studio, as well as at Work & Play, a co-working space in neighboring South Orange, and last year I also taught a workshop at Peters Valley School of Craft in Layton, NJ. In Einstein's words, "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." I hope I've achieved this, even in the smallest of ways. Here's a smattering of the work accomplished by many of these students throughout the year, along with some takeaways. AGES 7 - 12: From various renditions of Harry, the studio rubber duck, completed in a variety of media, to self portraits on mylar, to Google Doodles inspired by ancient Egypt, design work influenced by the Sagrada Familia, skulls, invented dragons from dinosaur figurines, and landscapes, this is just the tip of the iceberg. TAKEAWAYS: Students understood how to perceive and represent a self-portrait, discovered how to incorporate text and images together to communicate an idea, learned how to use an X-Acto knife to cut foamcore, understood that some artwork is planned first while others are not, they always learn that making mistakes are ok, contrast is necessary to differentiate forms, and the use of negative space is integral to successful work.   PARENT / CHILD: I periodically taught a mother/daughter semiprivate with two of my students, and they went so far as to create two separate watercolor paintings that actually merge subject matter, from their own points of view. Can you see what is similar and connected? This was a great exercise for a parent and child to cooperate and grow together, artistically and relationally.  ADULTS: I teach adults primarily watercolor in a beautiful room in Work & Play (a co-working space) located in South Orange, NJ, as well as a program called JumpstART, out of my home studio, in West Orange. Over the course of 2016 I worked with several beginners as well as veteran students on the above work. Students explored botanical representations outside during the summer months, as well as inside during the cooler months. Etegami-style postcards were created as a way of lessening expectations and loosening approaches. Explorations in media have included collage, adding salt, alcohol, adding ink, working on different papers, including hot press and cold press and learning how to embrace the spontaneity of painting on YUPO. Students have learned how to perceive color by painting white and black objects. Newbies always start off with the basics of painting a singular object in monochrome, then building to complementary colors and eventually onto a full palette. TAKEAWAYS: I'm frequently talking about mindfulness and finding space for creativity during class. I've referenced "Wired for Creativity" throughout the year, which has led us to start incorporating meditation in some classes. Students have learned the importance of walking away from their work, or setting it aside for a week to get a fresh perspective. Many have trusted the sometimes fearful process of trying new approaches or working with subject matter out of their comfort zone to open up new possibilities and to attain growth. PETERS VALLEY WORKSHOP: Over a weekend in August, I taught a watercolor workshop at the beautiful Peters Valley School of Craft in Layton, NJ. Some of the students were utter beginners while others were more seasoned, having studied with other watercolor artists. It was a really enjoyable group and spending the weekend teaching in the Delaware Water Gap National Park is always a treat. I won't be teaching this summer, but planning for 2018. TAKEAWAYS: Students felt they stretched themselves and pushed themselves outside of their comfort zone. Some felt working outdoors was the best part of the weekend, as well as thinking large, rather than the details. A beginner was impressed that he could "paint anything at all" and that he "actually likes some of what [he] did." They were amazed with the amount of varied expereices we accomplished in two days. The monochromatic painting exercise is the most valuable lesson many learned. Want to Study with Me?Lessons are enrolling throughout the year for kids, teens and adults, both in my West Orange studio, as well as at Work and Play in South Orange, NJ. I encourage you to explore the class options and reach out if you have any questions. If you're not sure, here's what a recent workshop student said about working with me: "How stimulating being with a teacher like Jenny could be and inspiring!"
0 Comments
Join me at the Oh Canary Studio OPEN HOUSE Saturday, November 18th, 1 - 3pm Oh Canary Studio, located at 513A Valley St., in Maplewood, NJ. Meet the awesome teachers Lacey Buccellato of OhCanary, Leana Lyons Lu of Sew Leana, and me (Jennie Traill Schaeffer of TraillWorks). We'll have sample student work, opportunities to make some art, and watch demos. Winter art lesson schedules will also be available. Stop by and find joy in art making.  Summer art lessons and workshops finished off a few weeks ago with these fruits of my students' labors. I had the fullest teaching schedule I've experienced since closing my Newton studio, enrolling several new students in a part-time summer drawing camp, an after-camp art class, and a watercolor workshop. Since putting my youngest in part-time childcare, I've been able to promote my lessons to a wider audience and offer more sessions. These are just the tip of the iceberg from the summer:
What's even better than this visual eye candy is the experience my students had. None of them wanted the classes to end; my watercolor workshop students couldn't come up with one criticism. I worked with several adults, particularly mothers, who carved out time for themselves for the first time this summer. To see their joy and satisfaction from their work was priceless. And, whether the students were children or adults, the process of making these works was a conduit to growth, learning, and joy (despite occasional frustration). Interested in experiencing the joy of creating? Check out my Fall lesson schedule online. I'm offering several small group sessions in my West Orange Studio on the 3rd Floor including after school kids classes, an AM jumpstART for adults, and my signature Saturday teen class, as well as two classes (Painting in Watercolor and Taking Watercolor & Drawing Further) at Work & Play in South Orange. As we come to the end of 2014, the studio has been getting busier. I'm pleased to announce the opening of enrollment for the 2015 Winter session at my Studio on the 3rd Floor. Now through December 31st, save 15% on whatever tuition package you purchase. Two sessions are set with spaces available: JUMPSTART for adults on Tuesday mornings and a teen portfolio group on Saturday mornings. Sessions begin January 5th. Additional groups or private lessons may be scheduled based on availability and interest for children, teens and adults.
If you've been thinking about making creativity a priority in your life or your child's life, start the year right at TraillWorks! Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist who needs some coaching, consider TraillWorks for a nurturing, yet serious commitment to your art. Learn more about Winter enrollment and art lessons at traillworks.com/art-lessons--workshops.html. Look for a post soon with a very special announcement about one of my students. EARLY REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH JANUARY 10th!  Former adult students from my studio in Newton, NJ. "Your job is to learn to work on your work." David Bayles and Ted Orland, Art and Fear. Are you afraid to pull out those dusty art materials? I've worked with many adult students over the past 8 years who had some past experience or interest in art, but for many reasons stopped creating or never started. Fear is often the inhibitor. Through my nurturing approach, I've successfully jumpstarted several students into making art again, and turning it into a priority in their life. I am starting a small group class beginning November 4th on Tuesday mornings, called JUMPSTART, for adults who want to get back to their art and are afraid of where to begin. The sessions will be minimally, 1 hour in length, with an option to extend to two if there is interest. I intend to schedule the sessions between the hours of 9:30 - 11:30, to be determined once we have a group together. There will be some wiggle room to play with the time depending on the individuals in the group. We will be working mostly 2-dimensionally and media will be determined on an individual basis. I begin getting to know my students, learning their backgrounds and goals. My approach is a mixture of nurture and constructive criticism to get you back to making art. Where we go from there becomes a journey we take together, eventually developing a direction or vision for one's own work. Prospective students must realize that there will be fun, but sometimes growth is connected to frustration and roadblocks. I will be there to get you through them and achieve those "aha" moments when stuff clicks. If interested in enrolling and taking this journey with me, you can explore more at traillworks.com/art-lessons--workshops.html. There are two offers for you: refer / enroll other students and save 15% on your tuition or enroll yourself by October 31st and save 15%*. I would love to invite you into my studio this Tuesday morning for coffee and conversation about enrolling in JUMPSTART. Email me with your interest or fill out the form below. *registration fee does not qualify for discount. |
Jennie Traill SchaefferDeemed the Kitchen God's Artist by NJ Savvy Living for my sainted appliances, I'm now known more for my vibrant, meditational paintings of chairs set surprisingly in landscapes. Since relocating to NC from NJ, mothering my two sons, and caring for our rescue pup, Cider, took the lead. Now, that my Durham home studio is renovated it's open again for virtual art coaching and the resumption of my personal art and commissions. The work I make is inspired by my joy of teaching, exploring nature, and traveling. On The Teaching Artist Blog, I share my approach to teaching and educate my readers about my creative process. Join my VIPs for First DibsWORKSHOPS
 Archives
October 2024
Want to read more from the past? Click here to read archived blog posts from my previous blog on Blogger.
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed