We never really learn anything alone. Even if we are self-taught, our learning involves any number of books, videos, and resources that someone else put out there so we could walk the path with them.
It has only been in modern times that artists have become more or less solitary. From ancient times until the Impressionists arrived on the scene, artists learned and worked in studios with other artists. The energy of knowledge, discovery, and disappointment was shared and helped to develop the great works of art we see in museums today.
I believe that energy needs to be rekindled and not lost in the banality of a Facebook group. Art is a social activity. Art is communication between two living beings: the artist and the viewer.
It doesn't matter if you are a painter or a seamstress or a writer; art is what you create and it is about being alive.
In the spirit of sharing that energy of knowledge and discovery, here are a few of the art workshops and communities I found valuable in my own creative path, including some of my own work I have created from each.
If you live near Ann Arbor, Michigan, I recommend the in-person workshops offered here. All of the teachers are skilled and you can learn everything from pottery to painting to digital art. It is a great way to learn a new medium, brush up on old skills, or just enjoy a day out in Ann Arbor.
This is where, way back in time, I rediscovered how much I loved drawing. It has been a slippery slope since.
Sandy offers a selection of online classes in many mediums at at several skill levels. She also runs an an online artist community called Artventure and has a wonderful set of YouTube videos. She makes art fun and approachable for everyone, and she is the one that taught me how to draw dogs.
Louise Fletcher is an abstract artist in the UK, but her online community and classes are not just for abstract artists. She teaches ways to open up, explore, and as she named her class, Find Your Joy. She also co-hosts my favorite artist podcast, Art Juice.
Laura Horn works in mixed media in a semi-abstract style and works with botanical themes. Her online workshops are gentle and supportive and just plain beautiful. She also hosts a podcast and has a ton of resources for finding your style and exploring new directions. I continue to work with her lessons to practice loose seeing in different perspectives.
