Summer Art Course

I've been making art now for 2 years. I've never taken an art class. I feel I have good intuitive sense about some of the design elements and principles, but I'd like to have them more readily accessible, to be more comfortable with composition. I am also struggling to find my artist voice -- where do I want to go with my art. I feel the need to start back at the beginning ...

So, I have only a couple more weeks of school. Then we are off to France for a couple of weeks. Then … when I return, I will start my “Summer Art Course.” Here is what I’d like to do.

Course Overview: This course is designed to cover the basics of design elements and principles and color theory. Using various media, the participant will explore design within a variety of contexts, like collage and quilt-toppings. The participant will also explore her artistic voice, ending with a clear statement about her art and art-making process.

Course Objectives: Participant will …

• explore the question of “what is art?”
• explore the basic design techniques of art-making (design elements, design principles, color, composition)
• explore working with various media
• oh yeah, have lots and lots of fun along the way!

Books and Resources:
1. Design Through Discovery by
2. Color and Composition for the Creative Quilter by Katie Pasquini Masopust and Brett Barker
3. Collage with Color by Jane Davies
4. Collage Unleashed by Traci Bautista
5. Contemporary Quilts by Sandra Meech
6. Quilt Toppings by Melody Crust
7. No More Second Hand Art by Peter London
8. Fabric Memory Books by Lesley Riley
9. Learning by Heart by Sister Corita or Come Alive: The Spirited Art of Sister Corita by Julie Ault
10. Jazz by Henri Matisse

Course Projects:
1. Image Journal/Sketchbook
2. Fabric book on Design
3. Various exercises/projects
4. Artist Statement


Any thoughts on this? Of course, since this is self-directed learning, I will depend on those of you who read this blog to provide your input and feedback :-)