Ciao from Parma
Workshops April 2010
“By my teaching I hope to inspire you to personal activity and to present your vision.” (Robert Henri, 1865-1929)
When the weather gets warmer and the light changes to the more vibrant colors of spring, I long to be outdoors to both paint and breathe with greater ease feeling the new grass under my bare feet. Sharing this desire with others is engaging; it is time to participate in a workshop!
Workshops are perfect opportunities for creative pursuits while connecting with other fellow artists. Most workshops I have joined in the past have been an uplifting experience. I have enjoyed the change of scenery and pace as well as the atmosphere of immersion and camaraderie. Away from the familiar, I feel challenged and ready to explore with renewed enthusiasm. Most workshops are less structured, more fun and social than formal classes. Also, I have usually returned home with at least one finished work which gave me a sense of accomplishment.
Obviously not every workshop is the right match. You’ll need to inquire about the instructor. This is crucial, it is far more important than the location. I have heard horror stories about costly painting trips abroad that basically left the participants to fend for themselves. Regardless how captivating the scenery might be, if the instructor’s own art is not to your liking then it is likely the workshop is not for you. Furthermore, you need to find out about the instructor’s teaching style.
Before signing up for a workshop you may want to ask pertinent questions with regard to group size, agenda, structure, set-up, demonstrations, accommodations, supplies and painting sites. Check out the instructor’s web site. Is she or he easy to contact? Open to questions? The web site should include some form of mission statement. What is the instructor’s approach and philosophy? The main goal of a teacher should be to give you new eyes to see. In doing so what is his or her personal style? Is he or she conventional, organized, provocative, innovative? Make a list of questions that are important to you and call the instructor for a brief interview.
In the end I am confident you’ll find that participating in a workshop will no doubt foster your growth as an artist.
Yvette Stenzel