This Winter I took one of the best most fabulous amazing terrific inspiring wonderful classes I've ever taken. It was a Studio class (meaning hands-on) dealing with Abstract Expressionism at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The teacher was Corey d'Augustine, an artist and conservator and wonderful teacher.
Each class began with a lecture with slides, focused on a particular artist and his working style.
Then we'd head up to the galleries and take a private tour of some of that artist's work. Art is just so different in person, no matter how good the photos of it are.
Then back down to the classroom to make some art in that artist's style.
The exceptions were the first class when we were given a general overview of Abstract Expressionism, toured the galleries, and then learned how to stretch our own canvases. If I had the space (and access to some woodworking tools) I'd never buy another canvas again! And the last class was purely working time to finish up our paintings.
The artists we focused on were:
I am not naturally attracted to Newman's "zips" — those vertical lines that you find on almost all of his work. But I appreciated receiving an education as to why they're important art and some thoughts on Newman's process as an artist. He was probably the most difficult artist we studied for me to digest, so it was kind of a good thing that he was first.
When we returned to the classroom, I did a bunch of sketches to try to figure out how to mix Newman's austere style and my own more messy style.
In the end, this is what I came up with:
It's certainly not brilliant, but it was interesting to do. I had wanted the orange strip to be very smooth, but I miscalculated the drying time on oil paint and so it got a little roughed up.
When evaluating the painting, Corey — our instructor — suggested that I find ways to incorporate the zip into my work, rather than plastering it on top. Smart man. He pointed me towards Matisse's portrait of his wife featuring a green line down her face:
I am definitely intrigued by the possibilities now! And it reminds me to stop thinking so literally all the time!
Next up was Willem de Kooning.
photo source
Swoon. I love de Kooning! I was lucky enough to see the huge retrospective of his work that MoMA did back in 2011/2012. His work looks so casual and messy and haphazard. However, as you study it, you realize how very purposeful every single brush stroke is. I loved hearing about this process, the *amazing* art studio he built out on Long Island, and talking about his work.
More than any other artist we studied, I felt the importance of using oil paints when aping de Kooning. Painting in his style requires lots and lots of layers and lots of scraping away of layers. I worked on two de Kooning-esque canvases. In my opinion, neither of them is particularly close to done.
This is also when I started to get really frustrated by working small. A lot of de Kooning's techniques make sense on a large canvas and not on a small canvas.
I really enjoyed the scraping away process and painting with a palette knife. If I can find some patience, I may try my hand at a large de Kooning-esque painting. It feels right to me.
Anyway, there's lots more to share, but you'll have to come back tomorrow!
Thanks for stopping by!
I absolutely adore what you are doing here and how you are making it your own. How wonderful that you have been able to take these Studio Classes at MoMa, something my heart yearns for. Can’t wait to see more
I absolutely adore what you are doing here and how you are making it your own. How wonderful that you have been able to take these Studio Classes at MoMa, something my heart yearns for. Can’t wait to see more
I absolutely adore what you are doing here and how you are making it your own. How wonderful that you have been able to take these Studio Classes at MoMa, something my heart yearns for. Can’t wait to see more
I absolutely adore what you are doing here and how you are making it your own. How wonderful that you have been able to take these Studio Classes at MoMa, something my heart yearns for. Can’t wait to see more
I absolutely adore what you are doing here and how you are making it your own. How wonderful that you have been able to take these Studio Classes at MoMa, something my heart yearns for. Can’t wait to see more
I will definitely come back tomorrow! So interesting and inspiring to read about the process. I like the way you describe the course and your thoughts and personal development. So jealous about the many options life in NYC has to offer. I wonder if you can write something about the people who joined the workshop. Were they all artists? Was the interaction between the people also inspiring (and helpful) or you feel it was more individual learning?
I will definitely come back tomorrow! So interesting and inspiring to read about the process. I like the way you describe the course and your thoughts and personal development. So jealous about the many options life in NYC has to offer. I wonder if you can write something about the people who joined the workshop. Were they all artists? Was the interaction between the people also inspiring (and helpful) or you feel it was more individual learning?
I will definitely come back tomorrow! So interesting and inspiring to read about the process. I like the way you describe the course and your thoughts and personal development. So jealous about the many options life in NYC has to offer. I wonder if you can write something about the people who joined the workshop. Were they all artists? Was the interaction between the people also inspiring (and helpful) or you feel it was more individual learning?
I will definitely come back tomorrow! So interesting and inspiring to read about the process. I like the way you describe the course and your thoughts and personal development. So jealous about the many options life in NYC has to offer. I wonder if you can write something about the people who joined the workshop. Were they all artists? Was the interaction between the people also inspiring (and helpful) or you feel it was more individual learning?
I will definitely come back tomorrow! So interesting and inspiring to read about the process. I like the way you describe the course and your thoughts and personal development. So jealous about the many options life in NYC has to offer. I wonder if you can write something about the people who joined the workshop. Were they all artists? Was the interaction between the people also inspiring (and helpful) or you feel it was more individual learning?
I’m loving the de Kooning style. Thanks for the inside look at your class Julie.
I’m loving the de Kooning style. Thanks for the inside look at your class Julie.
I’m loving the de Kooning style. Thanks for the inside look at your class Julie.
I’m loving the de Kooning style. Thanks for the inside look at your class Julie.
I’m loving the de Kooning style. Thanks for the inside look at your class Julie.
This is really fascinating to read and learn about. I don’t have anything like that to go to so I love to read about your adventures at MOMA.
This is really fascinating to read and learn about. I don’t have anything like that to go to so I love to read about your adventures at MOMA.
This is really fascinating to read and learn about. I don’t have anything like that to go to so I love to read about your adventures at MOMA.
This is really fascinating to read and learn about. I don’t have anything like that to go to so I love to read about your adventures at MOMA.
This is really fascinating to read and learn about. I don’t have anything like that to go to so I love to read about your adventures at MOMA.
Wow Julie, that class sounds amazing! I love love all the pieces you did and I am interested to see how you incorporate lines in the future.
Wow Julie, that class sounds amazing! I love love all the pieces you did and I am interested to see how you incorporate lines in the future.
Wow Julie, that class sounds amazing! I love love all the pieces you did and I am interested to see how you incorporate lines in the future.
Wow Julie, that class sounds amazing! I love love all the pieces you did and I am interested to see how you incorporate lines in the future.
Wow Julie, that class sounds amazing! I love love all the pieces you did and I am interested to see how you incorporate lines in the future.
Wow! Great post Julie. I love that we get the art history and a peek at how you personally, and us more generally, can be influenced by art and incorporate it into our own work. Thanks. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post!
Wow! Great post Julie. I love that we get the art history and a peek at how you personally, and us more generally, can be influenced by art and incorporate it into our own work. Thanks. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post!
Wow! Great post Julie. I love that we get the art history and a peek at how you personally, and us more generally, can be influenced by art and incorporate it into our own work. Thanks. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post!
Wow! Great post Julie. I love that we get the art history and a peek at how you personally, and us more generally, can be influenced by art and incorporate it into our own work. Thanks. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post!
Wow! Great post Julie. I love that we get the art history and a peek at how you personally, and us more generally, can be influenced by art and incorporate it into our own work. Thanks. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post!
Julie, thanks for sharing this, what a great class! Love your first “de Kooning”.
Julie, thanks for sharing this, what a great class! Love your first “de Kooning”.
Julie, thanks for sharing this, what a great class! Love your first “de Kooning”.
Julie, thanks for sharing this, what a great class! Love your first “de Kooning”.
Julie, thanks for sharing this, what a great class! Love your first “de Kooning”.
That looks like so much fun! I don’t get Newman’s stuff either. I do like your paintings in de Koonings style though! Can’t wait to see the rest tomorrow.
That looks like so much fun! I don’t get Newman’s stuff either. I do like your paintings in de Koonings style though! Can’t wait to see the rest tomorrow.
That looks like so much fun! I don’t get Newman’s stuff either. I do like your paintings in de Koonings style though! Can’t wait to see the rest tomorrow.
That looks like so much fun! I don’t get Newman’s stuff either. I do like your paintings in de Koonings style though! Can’t wait to see the rest tomorrow.
That looks like so much fun! I don’t get Newman’s stuff either. I do like your paintings in de Koonings style though! Can’t wait to see the rest tomorrow.
I love these types of posts, Julie! Thank you for sharing your experience, your thoughts, your instructor’s thoughts and your wonderful journey as an artist. <3
I love these types of posts, Julie! Thank you for sharing your experience, your thoughts, your instructor’s thoughts and your wonderful journey as an artist. <3
I love these types of posts, Julie! Thank you for sharing your experience, your thoughts, your instructor’s thoughts and your wonderful journey as an artist. <3
I love these types of posts, Julie! Thank you for sharing your experience, your thoughts, your instructor’s thoughts and your wonderful journey as an artist. <3
I love these types of posts, Julie! Thank you for sharing your experience, your thoughts, your instructor’s thoughts and your wonderful journey as an artist. <3
Julie,
Love, love, love this post.
I learned to stretch my own canvas many years ago and will always do it myself. That is creating itself.
Your Newman inspired face is awesome. The colors speak to me even though I don’t particularly care for orange. That painting is so strong.
I am like you as far as preference of artists go. I like the de Konning painting style best. Your DkDraft1 is so interesting after you scraped it. I am sure you loved doing the layers since you do layers in your mixed media journals.
Thank you so much for all you share and inspire. I look forward to your blog everyday!
Julie,
Love, love, love this post.
I learned to stretch my own canvas many years ago and will always do it myself. That is creating itself.
Your Newman inspired face is awesome. The colors speak to me even though I don’t particularly care for orange. That painting is so strong.
I am like you as far as preference of artists go. I like the de Konning painting style best. Your DkDraft1 is so interesting after you scraped it. I am sure you loved doing the layers since you do layers in your mixed media journals.
Thank you so much for all you share and inspire. I look forward to your blog everyday!
Julie,
Love, love, love this post.
I learned to stretch my own canvas many years ago and will always do it myself. That is creating itself.
Your Newman inspired face is awesome. The colors speak to me even though I don’t particularly care for orange. That painting is so strong.
I am like you as far as preference of artists go. I like the de Konning painting style best. Your DkDraft1 is so interesting after you scraped it. I am sure you loved doing the layers since you do layers in your mixed media journals.
Thank you so much for all you share and inspire. I look forward to your blog everyday!
Julie,
Love, love, love this post.
I learned to stretch my own canvas many years ago and will always do it myself. That is creating itself.
Your Newman inspired face is awesome. The colors speak to me even though I don’t particularly care for orange. That painting is so strong.
I am like you as far as preference of artists go. I like the de Konning painting style best. Your DkDraft1 is so interesting after you scraped it. I am sure you loved doing the layers since you do layers in your mixed media journals.
Thank you so much for all you share and inspire. I look forward to your blog everyday!
Julie,
Love, love, love this post.
I learned to stretch my own canvas many years ago and will always do it myself. That is creating itself.
Your Newman inspired face is awesome. The colors speak to me even though I don’t particularly care for orange. That painting is so strong.
I am like you as far as preference of artists go. I like the de Konning painting style best. Your DkDraft1 is so interesting after you scraped it. I am sure you loved doing the layers since you do layers in your mixed media journals.
Thank you so much for all you share and inspire. I look forward to your blog everyday!
Pretty awesome! Loved reading about your experience & how you created from what you learned; great pix too! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s installment!
Pretty awesome! Loved reading about your experience & how you created from what you learned; great pix too! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s installment!
Pretty awesome! Loved reading about your experience & how you created from what you learned; great pix too! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s installment!
Pretty awesome! Loved reading about your experience & how you created from what you learned; great pix too! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s installment!
Pretty awesome! Loved reading about your experience & how you created from what you learned; great pix too! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s installment!
What a great share! As a wish-I-could-take-every-single-class-I’m-interested-in person, being a fly on the wall is next to perfect. Thanks for sharing the class process and hands-on projects. Looking forward to more posts like this.
What a great share! As a wish-I-could-take-every-single-class-I’m-interested-in person, being a fly on the wall is next to perfect. Thanks for sharing the class process and hands-on projects. Looking forward to more posts like this.
What a great share! As a wish-I-could-take-every-single-class-I’m-interested-in person, being a fly on the wall is next to perfect. Thanks for sharing the class process and hands-on projects. Looking forward to more posts like this.
What a great share! As a wish-I-could-take-every-single-class-I’m-interested-in person, being a fly on the wall is next to perfect. Thanks for sharing the class process and hands-on projects. Looking forward to more posts like this.
What a great share! As a wish-I-could-take-every-single-class-I’m-interested-in person, being a fly on the wall is next to perfect. Thanks for sharing the class process and hands-on projects. Looking forward to more posts like this.
Love it when you sort of give us mini art lessons. Everything I know, I learned on my own, and I really appreciate the details you give. Thanks
Love it when you sort of give us mini art lessons. Everything I know, I learned on my own, and I really appreciate the details you give. Thanks
Love it when you sort of give us mini art lessons. Everything I know, I learned on my own, and I really appreciate the details you give. Thanks
Love it when you sort of give us mini art lessons. Everything I know, I learned on my own, and I really appreciate the details you give. Thanks
Love it when you sort of give us mini art lessons. Everything I know, I learned on my own, and I really appreciate the details you give. Thanks
I love that you share so much about your art class experiences! Thank you. It is so inspiring and interesting to see your process.
I love that you share so much about your art class experiences! Thank you. It is so inspiring and interesting to see your process.
I love that you share so much about your art class experiences! Thank you. It is so inspiring and interesting to see your process.
I love that you share so much about your art class experiences! Thank you. It is so inspiring and interesting to see your process.
I love that you share so much about your art class experiences! Thank you. It is so inspiring and interesting to see your process.
First of all I agree with everyone here that these types of posts are my most favorite.
I really wanted to take this class too when you mentioned it on your blog and I almost signed up but I have a Mr-Doesn’t-do-his-homework-unless-mom-sits-on-him kid who I have to supervise. And you can believe that every Monday night I gave him a guilt trip about how I could’ve been in this class instead of sitting at the kitchen table making sure he doesn’t sneak off with his __(smart phone/tv/you tube videos) I live close to New York but it is still a commute each way– not a walk like it is for you.
maybe I’ll take a class this summer– anyway– loved this post and thank you so much for sharing it!!!!
First of all I agree with everyone here that these types of posts are my most favorite.
I really wanted to take this class too when you mentioned it on your blog and I almost signed up but I have a Mr-Doesn’t-do-his-homework-unless-mom-sits-on-him kid who I have to supervise. And you can believe that every Monday night I gave him a guilt trip about how I could’ve been in this class instead of sitting at the kitchen table making sure he doesn’t sneak off with his __(smart phone/tv/you tube videos) I live close to New York but it is still a commute each way– not a walk like it is for you.
maybe I’ll take a class this summer– anyway– loved this post and thank you so much for sharing it!!!!
First of all I agree with everyone here that these types of posts are my most favorite.
I really wanted to take this class too when you mentioned it on your blog and I almost signed up but I have a Mr-Doesn’t-do-his-homework-unless-mom-sits-on-him kid who I have to supervise. And you can believe that every Monday night I gave him a guilt trip about how I could’ve been in this class instead of sitting at the kitchen table making sure he doesn’t sneak off with his __(smart phone/tv/you tube videos) I live close to New York but it is still a commute each way– not a walk like it is for you.
maybe I’ll take a class this summer– anyway– loved this post and thank you so much for sharing it!!!!
First of all I agree with everyone here that these types of posts are my most favorite.
I really wanted to take this class too when you mentioned it on your blog and I almost signed up but I have a Mr-Doesn’t-do-his-homework-unless-mom-sits-on-him kid who I have to supervise. And you can believe that every Monday night I gave him a guilt trip about how I could’ve been in this class instead of sitting at the kitchen table making sure he doesn’t sneak off with his __(smart phone/tv/you tube videos) I live close to New York but it is still a commute each way– not a walk like it is for you.
maybe I’ll take a class this summer– anyway– loved this post and thank you so much for sharing it!!!!
First of all I agree with everyone here that these types of posts are my most favorite.
I really wanted to take this class too when you mentioned it on your blog and I almost signed up but I have a Mr-Doesn’t-do-his-homework-unless-mom-sits-on-him kid who I have to supervise. And you can believe that every Monday night I gave him a guilt trip about how I could’ve been in this class instead of sitting at the kitchen table making sure he doesn’t sneak off with his __(smart phone/tv/you tube videos) I live close to New York but it is still a commute each way– not a walk like it is for you.
maybe I’ll take a class this summer– anyway– loved this post and thank you so much for sharing it!!!!
I have unexpectedly become a fan of abstract expressionism. One of de Kooning’s contemporaries, Clyfford Still, is highly regarded out here in Denver. I am so glad you had the opportunity to take that class, and I love what you’ve done as a result. If only we had the studio space to work on the scale that they did, right? I feel the urge to do macro art!
I have unexpectedly become a fan of abstract expressionism. One of de Kooning’s contemporaries, Clyfford Still, is highly regarded out here in Denver. I am so glad you had the opportunity to take that class, and I love what you’ve done as a result. If only we had the studio space to work on the scale that they did, right? I feel the urge to do macro art!
I have unexpectedly become a fan of abstract expressionism. One of de Kooning’s contemporaries, Clyfford Still, is highly regarded out here in Denver. I am so glad you had the opportunity to take that class, and I love what you’ve done as a result. If only we had the studio space to work on the scale that they did, right? I feel the urge to do macro art!
I have unexpectedly become a fan of abstract expressionism. One of de Kooning’s contemporaries, Clyfford Still, is highly regarded out here in Denver. I am so glad you had the opportunity to take that class, and I love what you’ve done as a result. If only we had the studio space to work on the scale that they did, right? I feel the urge to do macro art!
I have unexpectedly become a fan of abstract expressionism. One of de Kooning’s contemporaries, Clyfford Still, is highly regarded out here in Denver. I am so glad you had the opportunity to take that class, and I love what you’ve done as a result. If only we had the studio space to work on the scale that they did, right? I feel the urge to do macro art!
Great work. Sounds like an amazing class.
Great work. Sounds like an amazing class.
Great work. Sounds like an amazing class.
Great work. Sounds like an amazing class.
Great work. Sounds like an amazing class.
So cool, and great peeks inside your class. I had to laugh at your attempt with the zip in your canvas, I would have done the same thing. I really like the zip in your piece, the bright color and the fact that it’s not smooth all the way through. I also see what you mean about de Kooning’s techniques being fora larger canvas. I can see if you’re using thin scrapers to account for the smaller canvas, but I like your interpretation. Fantastic opportunity for you!
So cool, and great peeks inside your class. I had to laugh at your attempt with the zip in your canvas, I would have done the same thing. I really like the zip in your piece, the bright color and the fact that it’s not smooth all the way through. I also see what you mean about de Kooning’s techniques being fora larger canvas. I can see if you’re using thin scrapers to account for the smaller canvas, but I like your interpretation. Fantastic opportunity for you!
So cool, and great peeks inside your class. I had to laugh at your attempt with the zip in your canvas, I would have done the same thing. I really like the zip in your piece, the bright color and the fact that it’s not smooth all the way through. I also see what you mean about de Kooning’s techniques being fora larger canvas. I can see if you’re using thin scrapers to account for the smaller canvas, but I like your interpretation. Fantastic opportunity for you!
So cool, and great peeks inside your class. I had to laugh at your attempt with the zip in your canvas, I would have done the same thing. I really like the zip in your piece, the bright color and the fact that it’s not smooth all the way through. I also see what you mean about de Kooning’s techniques being fora larger canvas. I can see if you’re using thin scrapers to account for the smaller canvas, but I like your interpretation. Fantastic opportunity for you!
So cool, and great peeks inside your class. I had to laugh at your attempt with the zip in your canvas, I would have done the same thing. I really like the zip in your piece, the bright color and the fact that it’s not smooth all the way through. I also see what you mean about de Kooning’s techniques being fora larger canvas. I can see if you’re using thin scrapers to account for the smaller canvas, but I like your interpretation. Fantastic opportunity for you!