As promised, here are the photos from the final class I taught at Whimsodoodle in Florida, Gelatin Printing: Beyond Basics:
Lots of fun, right?
Here are my personal takeaways:
- Every time I teach there are a few basics that I always go over no matter the class. These basics aren't sexy. In fact, I've tried offering classes in these areas and people don't sign up. BUT, these basics truly are huge keys to your being successful at creating the kind of work you want to. I think if you're looking for a good foundation for lots of kinds of art making, these are some things to learn:
- Color Mixing
- Basic Color Theory
- Opacity/Translucency
- Basic Design Principles
- I know I've said this one 100 times, but it's still true: You have to practice talking about your work. Being able to talk about your work is the key to being able to develop your work. If you can't talk about what's wrong or what's missing or why you're unhappy, you can't fix it. We aren't born knowing how to do this, it's a skill that requires practice. And the good news, is you can talk to yourself! I do it all the time in the studio. I talk through the problem until I find a solution!
- Growth takes time. I had a few students in class who I've seen over the years. Several of them mentioned to me that comments I had made to them years ago were starting to sink in. Growth takes time. I think it's really important to give yourself time. Be kind to yourself and focus on the long game, so to speak.
- Don't compare yourself to others. In class it's very tempting to look to your left and look to your right and judge yourself either better or worse than those around you. Don't do it. It's toxic either way. Breathe in the camaraderie of class and art making and let that fill you up!
- Don't try to do it like the teacher! If you go to class expecting to make something that looks like the teacher's work, I think you're making a big mistake. You are a wonderfully unique artist. Steal ideas and techniques from that teacher. Let the teacher fill you up with excitement and enthusiasm, but filter all of it through your unique self. You are not in class to erase the artist you currently are. You are there to enhance the artist you currently are!
- Try things you don't like in class. Use color combos you hate. Embrace the things you anticipate being awful. Class is a place to fail, to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and to grow.
- The teacher is there to help you. Never feel embarrassed about asking questions or asking for help. It's their job to help you out.
- Take notes. You are not going to remember it. I know you think you're going to remember how you did everything, but you won't. Learning is hard and taking notes makes it easier. Taking notes also forces you to really think about what you're learning and put it into words. Taking notes always makes me hyper aware of what I think is important about class.
So, that's it. These are my thoughts after teaching for three days. Is there anything you would add to my list?
Thanks for stopping by!
Love your thoughts and approach to teaching. My wish is that you would be teaching in my area someday.
In Michigan.
Your tips have inspired me to teach at my local community center. Enjoy your blog/vlog.
Love your thoughts and approach to teaching. My wish is that you would be teaching in my area someday.
In Michigan.
Your tips have inspired me to teach at my local community center. Enjoy your blog/vlog.
Love your thoughts and approach to teaching. My wish is that you would be teaching in my area someday.
In Michigan.
Your tips have inspired me to teach at my local community center. Enjoy your blog/vlog.
Love your thoughts and approach to teaching. My wish is that you would be teaching in my area someday.
In Michigan.
Your tips have inspired me to teach at my local community center. Enjoy your blog/vlog.
Love your thoughts and approach to teaching. My wish is that you would be teaching in my area someday.
In Michigan.
Your tips have inspired me to teach at my local community center. Enjoy your blog/vlog.
Love your thoughts and approach to teaching. My wish is that you would be teaching in my area someday.
In Michigan.
Your tips have inspired me to teach at my local community center. Enjoy your blog/vlog.
Love your thoughts and approach to teaching. My wish is that you would be teaching in my area someday.
In Michigan.
Your tips have inspired me to teach at my local community center. Enjoy your blog/vlog.
What I appreciate so much about you as an educator is your ability to encourage and guide through thoughts and processes to support the individual artist. Not something I learned in my undergraduate art program and as a result feel like I lost many years not finding my own unique style and feeling like I needed to be Picasso or Degas in order to create. Thank you…thank you. You have helped to liberate my art experience to simply play and experiment and enjoy the process. And in the end, there are times I enjoy what was created even if very abstract. I look forward to someday taking a class in person. Looks like so much fun!!
What I appreciate so much about you as an educator is your ability to encourage and guide through thoughts and processes to support the individual artist. Not something I learned in my undergraduate art program and as a result feel like I lost many years not finding my own unique style and feeling like I needed to be Picasso or Degas in order to create. Thank you…thank you. You have helped to liberate my art experience to simply play and experiment and enjoy the process. And in the end, there are times I enjoy what was created even if very abstract. I look forward to someday taking a class in person. Looks like so much fun!!
What I appreciate so much about you as an educator is your ability to encourage and guide through thoughts and processes to support the individual artist. Not something I learned in my undergraduate art program and as a result feel like I lost many years not finding my own unique style and feeling like I needed to be Picasso or Degas in order to create. Thank you…thank you. You have helped to liberate my art experience to simply play and experiment and enjoy the process. And in the end, there are times I enjoy what was created even if very abstract. I look forward to someday taking a class in person. Looks like so much fun!!
What I appreciate so much about you as an educator is your ability to encourage and guide through thoughts and processes to support the individual artist. Not something I learned in my undergraduate art program and as a result feel like I lost many years not finding my own unique style and feeling like I needed to be Picasso or Degas in order to create. Thank you…thank you. You have helped to liberate my art experience to simply play and experiment and enjoy the process. And in the end, there are times I enjoy what was created even if very abstract. I look forward to someday taking a class in person. Looks like so much fun!!
What I appreciate so much about you as an educator is your ability to encourage and guide through thoughts and processes to support the individual artist. Not something I learned in my undergraduate art program and as a result feel like I lost many years not finding my own unique style and feeling like I needed to be Picasso or Degas in order to create. Thank you…thank you. You have helped to liberate my art experience to simply play and experiment and enjoy the process. And in the end, there are times I enjoy what was created even if very abstract. I look forward to someday taking a class in person. Looks like so much fun!!
What I appreciate so much about you as an educator is your ability to encourage and guide through thoughts and processes to support the individual artist. Not something I learned in my undergraduate art program and as a result feel like I lost many years not finding my own unique style and feeling like I needed to be Picasso or Degas in order to create. Thank you…thank you. You have helped to liberate my art experience to simply play and experiment and enjoy the process. And in the end, there are times I enjoy what was created even if very abstract. I look forward to someday taking a class in person. Looks like so much fun!!
What I appreciate so much about you as an educator is your ability to encourage and guide through thoughts and processes to support the individual artist. Not something I learned in my undergraduate art program and as a result feel like I lost many years not finding my own unique style and feeling like I needed to be Picasso or Degas in order to create. Thank you…thank you. You have helped to liberate my art experience to simply play and experiment and enjoy the process. And in the end, there are times I enjoy what was created even if very abstract. I look forward to someday taking a class in person. Looks like so much fun!!
Everyone’s gelli prints are fantastic. Your thought on teaching are what I take away from everything I read or see of yours, learn all you can, don’t compare your art or any part of you to anyone else, do it your way with joy. You’ve opened up my whole life. I do have to relearn this philosophy,is it?, often.
Everyone’s gelli prints are fantastic. Your thought on teaching are what I take away from everything I read or see of yours, learn all you can, don’t compare your art or any part of you to anyone else, do it your way with joy. You’ve opened up my whole life. I do have to relearn this philosophy,is it?, often.
Everyone’s gelli prints are fantastic. Your thought on teaching are what I take away from everything I read or see of yours, learn all you can, don’t compare your art or any part of you to anyone else, do it your way with joy. You’ve opened up my whole life. I do have to relearn this philosophy,is it?, often.
Everyone’s gelli prints are fantastic. Your thought on teaching are what I take away from everything I read or see of yours, learn all you can, don’t compare your art or any part of you to anyone else, do it your way with joy. You’ve opened up my whole life. I do have to relearn this philosophy,is it?, often.
Everyone’s gelli prints are fantastic. Your thought on teaching are what I take away from everything I read or see of yours, learn all you can, don’t compare your art or any part of you to anyone else, do it your way with joy. You’ve opened up my whole life. I do have to relearn this philosophy,is it?, often.
Everyone’s gelli prints are fantastic. Your thought on teaching are what I take away from everything I read or see of yours, learn all you can, don’t compare your art or any part of you to anyone else, do it your way with joy. You’ve opened up my whole life. I do have to relearn this philosophy,is it?, often.
Everyone’s gelli prints are fantastic. Your thought on teaching are what I take away from everything I read or see of yours, learn all you can, don’t compare your art or any part of you to anyone else, do it your way with joy. You’ve opened up my whole life. I do have to relearn this philosophy,is it?, often.
Julie,
I’m just curious. Have you ever tried using fabric paint on the jelly roll and to make your own unique fabric?
Julie,
I’m just curious. Have you ever tried using fabric paint on the jelly roll and to make your own unique fabric?
Julie,
I’m just curious. Have you ever tried using fabric paint on the jelly roll and to make your own unique fabric?
Julie,
I’m just curious. Have you ever tried using fabric paint on the jelly roll and to make your own unique fabric?
Julie,
I’m just curious. Have you ever tried using fabric paint on the jelly roll and to make your own unique fabric?
Julie,
I’m just curious. Have you ever tried using fabric paint on the jelly roll and to make your own unique fabric?
Julie,
I’m just curious. Have you ever tried using fabric paint on the jelly roll and to make your own unique fabric?
That is such really sound advice Julie that is helpful no matter how long I have been making art. Thank you.
That is such really sound advice Julie that is helpful no matter how long I have been making art. Thank you.
That is such really sound advice Julie that is helpful no matter how long I have been making art. Thank you.
That is such really sound advice Julie that is helpful no matter how long I have been making art. Thank you.
That is such really sound advice Julie that is helpful no matter how long I have been making art. Thank you.
That is such really sound advice Julie that is helpful no matter how long I have been making art. Thank you.
That is such really sound advice Julie that is helpful no matter how long I have been making art. Thank you.
Looks like a great class. Your take aways have valuable ideas to remember.
Looks like a great class. Your take aways have valuable ideas to remember.
Looks like a great class. Your take aways have valuable ideas to remember.
Looks like a great class. Your take aways have valuable ideas to remember.
Looks like a great class. Your take aways have valuable ideas to remember.
Looks like a great class. Your take aways have valuable ideas to remember.
Looks like a great class. Your take aways have valuable ideas to remember.
This past summer, I was reflecting on all the quilt classes I took many years ago, most of them from teachers on the national level, mostly in the 1990’s. I still remember what I took away from each of those classes. Sometimes, what sticks in your head is not anything that was in the class description or anything you thought you would learn. Instead it was often something unexpected and something which resonated with me and influenced all of my future projects. One time in particular, it was a phrase the teacher told me as she was helping me to work through an issue I had – so definitely find good teachers who will work with students one on one and don’t be shy! You may just be surprised at what you learn.
This past summer, I was reflecting on all the quilt classes I took many years ago, most of them from teachers on the national level, mostly in the 1990’s. I still remember what I took away from each of those classes. Sometimes, what sticks in your head is not anything that was in the class description or anything you thought you would learn. Instead it was often something unexpected and something which resonated with me and influenced all of my future projects. One time in particular, it was a phrase the teacher told me as she was helping me to work through an issue I had – so definitely find good teachers who will work with students one on one and don’t be shy! You may just be surprised at what you learn.
This past summer, I was reflecting on all the quilt classes I took many years ago, most of them from teachers on the national level, mostly in the 1990’s. I still remember what I took away from each of those classes. Sometimes, what sticks in your head is not anything that was in the class description or anything you thought you would learn. Instead it was often something unexpected and something which resonated with me and influenced all of my future projects. One time in particular, it was a phrase the teacher told me as she was helping me to work through an issue I had – so definitely find good teachers who will work with students one on one and don’t be shy! You may just be surprised at what you learn.
This past summer, I was reflecting on all the quilt classes I took many years ago, most of them from teachers on the national level, mostly in the 1990’s. I still remember what I took away from each of those classes. Sometimes, what sticks in your head is not anything that was in the class description or anything you thought you would learn. Instead it was often something unexpected and something which resonated with me and influenced all of my future projects. One time in particular, it was a phrase the teacher told me as she was helping me to work through an issue I had – so definitely find good teachers who will work with students one on one and don’t be shy! You may just be surprised at what you learn.
This past summer, I was reflecting on all the quilt classes I took many years ago, most of them from teachers on the national level, mostly in the 1990’s. I still remember what I took away from each of those classes. Sometimes, what sticks in your head is not anything that was in the class description or anything you thought you would learn. Instead it was often something unexpected and something which resonated with me and influenced all of my future projects. One time in particular, it was a phrase the teacher told me as she was helping me to work through an issue I had – so definitely find good teachers who will work with students one on one and don’t be shy! You may just be surprised at what you learn.
This past summer, I was reflecting on all the quilt classes I took many years ago, most of them from teachers on the national level, mostly in the 1990’s. I still remember what I took away from each of those classes. Sometimes, what sticks in your head is not anything that was in the class description or anything you thought you would learn. Instead it was often something unexpected and something which resonated with me and influenced all of my future projects. One time in particular, it was a phrase the teacher told me as she was helping me to work through an issue I had – so definitely find good teachers who will work with students one on one and don’t be shy! You may just be surprised at what you learn.
This past summer, I was reflecting on all the quilt classes I took many years ago, most of them from teachers on the national level, mostly in the 1990’s. I still remember what I took away from each of those classes. Sometimes, what sticks in your head is not anything that was in the class description or anything you thought you would learn. Instead it was often something unexpected and something which resonated with me and influenced all of my future projects. One time in particular, it was a phrase the teacher told me as she was helping me to work through an issue I had – so definitely find good teachers who will work with students one on one and don’t be shy! You may just be surprised at what you learn.
Great tips, Julie, thank you. I appreciate your willingness to teach and reach out to encourage others.
Great tips, Julie, thank you. I appreciate your willingness to teach and reach out to encourage others.
Great tips, Julie, thank you. I appreciate your willingness to teach and reach out to encourage others.
Great tips, Julie, thank you. I appreciate your willingness to teach and reach out to encourage others.
Great tips, Julie, thank you. I appreciate your willingness to teach and reach out to encourage others.
Great tips, Julie, thank you. I appreciate your willingness to teach and reach out to encourage others.
Great tips, Julie, thank you. I appreciate your willingness to teach and reach out to encourage others.