Learning to see

Everyone can draw. Learning to draw is really a matter of learning to see correctly. Then add feeling and thought. It really is that easy, but most people are discouraged before they event get past kindergarten.

I read an article from an old magazine that a friend passed on about some artist's inspirational drawing experiment. They asked everyone they met in a cafe to draw a saltshaker in their journal and then sign it. Everyone could do it, but just needed some coaching on how to actually look at the saltshaker. I absolutely loved this idea. It challenged the inner bully that says 'I can't draw' and instead offered the idea that they just didn't know how to see. If a person can learn to observe clearly, then drawing becomes easy.

In my personal journey teaching art, I see that those who are able to connect with how they feel end up with the best drawings, even if there is no previous experience. For a first time in long time drawing, here are some guiding tips.

 Draw what you feel about what you see. (Jack Reid)

Move your object around (or you move around it) and see it at different angles. Find something about it you are interested in.

Once you have decided, look for the largest, most general shapes and start to draw those lines first (then draw in all the smaller shapes).

Proportion is relative, so if you are not sure, then compare it to something beside, around or inside it.

DRAW WHAT YOU SEE (not what you think...this means that you should actually be looking at what you are drawing more than looking at the paper ;).

Now put in the shadows (those are shapes too) and don't be afraid to go really dark! Notice that value is also relative to its surroundings, and that there's a variety of dark, mid and light values. Notice the edges....are they soft edges that change subtly or very sharp, changing abruptly from dark to light?.

DRAW WHAT YOU FEEL. The structure is all there now, so its time to delight in all the little patterns and details! Dots, lines and scribbles are all ways of creating interesting textures and expressionistic marks.

Let go of the idea that it has to be perfect....there is something fantastic about your own unique way of seeing and sharing that! So get that old kindergarten teacher's voice out of your head, she sucks and she's wrong. It's all about passion and more about self-expression than perfection. I'd rather say that it's better to be wrong and strong than right and light, and I would love to hear more people say "I can" ;)

You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. (Maya Angelou)

So start with a saltshaker. The best part is, once you get past that first drawing, the more you draw the better you get as your eye-hand coordination skills improve. Drawing is quite enjoyable too, very relaxing and meditative. It's like writing, music and dancing. Creativity in all it's forms is a release that lights up our spirit and makes us feel alive. So draw just to celebrate, because you can see.

Shared Palette Interactive Art for Corporate Events

“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” — Albert Einstein

I created Shared Palette to fill the 'fine art' missing link in entertainment - party guests paint together with my guidance and create art for fun. It's interactive, and it's a winning idea - everyone who makes their mark tells me so. The return business and word of mouth kudos reaffirms any doubt. So 2 years in and 20 events later, I've put together snazzy media kits (which highlights an overview of process, artwork samples and case studies) to introduce my unique gig to new possibilities worldwide - Event Planners, Corporate Parties, Team Building, Charity Galas, Bat/Bar Mitzvah, Baby Showers and any other party situation where there is a group of people with cocktails in hand, I'll put a paint brush in the other! www.SharedPalette.ca

Send an email to sharedpalette@gmail.com if you are interested or know someone who would appreciate more information about Shared Palette, Interactive Art for Corporate Events and more. www.SharedPalette.ca

Upcoming - Feb 5th MOTIONBALL CLOUD 9 GALA - Shared Palette will be entertaining for the VIP reception at Centro Restaurant before the gala heads on over to the Capitol Event Theatre. motionball raises money and awareness for the Special Olympics in Canada to provide sport training and competition (and joy) for people with mental disabilities. EDUCATE/INTEGRATE/CELEBRATE. Get involved by buying a ticket to the gala, donating or networking and pass on word of this great cause. www.motionball.com

 photo credit kostelphoto.com

Today brings on wonderful news...

As this early morning I sift through email, with a great cup of coffee and listening to Koop (loving them right now), checked the Sunday EE 'Empty Easel' newsletter to find out I'm the feature artist for the week upcoming. Wednesday January 27th 2010. Check it out here *Feature Artist

And this afternoon was Shared Palette's first time creating for a baby shower for an amazing couple and their darling girl (a few weeks and she's due). Another highlight was working with artist Pam J Bell on this beautiful painting. It really tells a story about love, and what I love the most is that this little girl is going to grow up seeing this vibrant, beautiful painting, and know that everyone in her life helped create that for her!!! That is so awesome.

Such a good day.

I've been getting asked a lot about classes lately, so I'll post what I know:


2010 UPCOMING ART WORKSHOPS WITH ARTIST & INSTRUCTOR SHARLENA WOOD

>> Abstracting Reality -- A relaxing, fun and inspiring art day!

Get away from reality for a day! In a serene and meditative environment, Sharlena will guide to see beyond ‘what you see’, work intuitively, and see differently so you can abstract anything. Innovative drawing exercises, entertaining demonstrations and stimulating group discussions will inspire new possibilities for you to explore abstraction in your own works. Beautiful photos by photographer Hany Maurice will be provided as reference for you to reinterpret in order to push the boundaries of visual representation. I will bring all paint supplied by Tri-Art www.tri-art.ca - a very small supply list is required.

Spaces are almost filled, so if you are interested email sharlenawood@gmail.com now

Date: Saturday February 20, 2010

Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Price: $50.00 cash

Location: Port Credit Mississauga

>>Breaking Ground with New Acrylic Mediums

This inspiring workshop will introduce you to Dry Media Ground as well as demonstrating the innovative and unlimited possibilities of their many grounds, gels and polymers. Used on their own or combined with colour, these products produce extraordinary textures on an impressive variety of supports. This hands-on Tri-Art workshop draws inspiration from mixed media possibilities, and will prick your curiosity about drawing and painting with layers and textures and answer your questions as to which mediums are perfect for marker, pencil, charcoal, pastels, acrylic paints, and other media. There will be many samples on hand to examine and enjoy, and the opportunity to work from your own reference in an encouraging environment - practice, play and discover! *Tri-Art paints and mediums will be available for your use in this must-do workshop. Other course supplies extra.

Date: Sunday April 11, 2010

Time: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Price: $40.00 + gst (code: SWK06)

Location: Visual Arts Mississauga

To register, call 905-277-4313 or www.visualartsmississauga.com

and

Date: Mon August 9th - Friday August 13th (5 day)

Time: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Price: --

Location: Loyalist College, Belleville

To register, call (613) 969-7900 or toll-free 1-866-344-9944 or www.loyalistfocus.com

>>Abstracted Landscapes in Acrylic & Mixed Media

This studio week is for those ready and willing to explore new spaces in visual expression, in between styles and subjects and reality. Sharlena will guide to see beyond ‘what you see’ and work intuitively. Daily drawing exercises, demonstrations and group discussions will inspire new possibilities for you to explore abstraction in your own works. This is an opportunity to develop your skills of observation, integration, and invention, also experiment with a variety of tools, supports and applications with Tri-Art Acrylics and unique mediums! Imagery from your own photo reference will be simplified and reinterpreted in order to push the boundaries of rural and urban landscape painting. *Recommended Intermediate Drawing Skills *Tri-Art paints and mediums will be available for your use in this must-do workshop. Other course supplies extra.

Date: Monday June 14 - Friday June 18 (5 day)

Time: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Price: --

Location: Loyalist College, Belleville

To register, call (613) 969-7900 or toll-free 1-866-344-9944 or www.loyalistfocus.com

>> Create your Own Art WORKSHOP!

Sharlena Wood invites you to choose your theme and she'll create a lesson plan just for you. Do

you need more drawing instruction? Always wanted to try oil painting, or feel daunted by acrylics?

Are you in an art rut and need personal guidance? Whatever your heart desires, this art materials

expert and muse and will delight you with fun and innovative exercises, demonstrations and

stimulating discussions to inspire new possibilities which will nurture your deepest love of fine art.

What: Private art lessons

Where: Port Credit

When: custom

Time: 10 am - 5 pm

Cost: $100

Sunshine Magazine covers Winter Fairy!

We can learn a lot from young artists starting out. I am privileged to know such talented kids who have such supportive and encouraging families.  I teach private art classes for some home schooled kids and more specifically a girl named Karoline once a week. I customize and work one-on-one with her, to discuss her artistic likes and dreams, and help her determine projects that will help her grow and reach her goals. One of our last projects of the year is her very best. Perfect for her portfolio! She created it and worked through the new parts, the hard I've never done this before parts, the I don't like this anymore parts and because of her courage and dedication, she is learning a lot quickly. The mistakes and the not every thing you do will work out but the more you do, the more will turn out reality-check is sticking, and so is the knowledge, persistence and encouragement. And encouragement and love is everything. And, I love love it when they succeed!
So this incredible piece was created by Karoline Kayser. I've been coaching her since May 2009, teaching her anatomy, portraiture, drawing, painting, colour and composition. She's only 12 years old now, and is talented, enthusiastic and dedicated. Her spirit and creativity is inspirational. I think she is remarkable, and I think this watercolour/pastel  painting 'Winter Fairy' is a masterpiece! Check out the emotion,  detail, colour, texture, story and character! I'm sooo proud to say that her mother submitted  the painting, and it was chosen to be the cover of Sunshine Magazine for the Winter edition www.sunshinemagazine.ca WOW!!! congrats Karoline! You ROCK darling girl!

Summer Art Class in Paradise

I organized another 'Art Day in Paradise' last Sunday. What an incredible group of artists! I must say, it is equivalent to bliss, eating, drinking, drawing and painting. And it goes far beyond that, as we share artistic visions with each other. The concept is similar to an open studio, with direction, and one of the coolest things is all acrylic paint materials are provided for by Tri-Art. I usually bring in other media (I love drawing mixed with painting) and really goal to make it as experimental and inspirational as possible. I'm an uber-curious person, I question everything! I believe experiments, samples and notes should be made.....like an artistic scientist in a mad lab! muahahaha.

I've booked another class for Sept '09 and was thinking about scheduling one every month! Stay tuned.....

www.sharlenawood.com

I love teaching kids

Today's project was using soft pastels for the first time, and focusing on colour since our last few lessons have been on value with charcoal.
My art student Ioanna is 9 years old and this is our 8th class. I like to draw in tandem with my art kids, as they learn a lot by example and there is a beautiful connection created and shared by working together. My drawing is the boring one on the left!

Our reference was a golden retriever, so we distinguished that
the fur colour would have a mid-tone and also a highlight and shadow tone. We chose to use a complimentary colour for the background space. The decision to also use the Iron Oxide colour in the background is brilliant as it ties in with the shadow colour used in the dogs fur, and makes the space interesting. And she did that instictively! Her skills are awesome, and she has recently received some recognition in her class at school, from her teacher & peers, which makes me sooo happy!

drawing with kids

I have been mentoring little artists for awhile now, usually one-on-one private classes to further develop their technical knowledge and skills. I came about this naturally, and I do it because I want to, and love to - so I've started taking on younger kids and booking classes more often :)

I believe in nurturing individuality and building confidence to freely express our gifts, whatever they might be. It makes me incredibly happy that I can inspire and encourage a passion for art.

I have been tutoring a little girl age 9, now over 14 weeks, and I just love her. Just last Saturday, she put all the pieces together and completed the best drawing she's done yet (now with a newly found love of charcoal, that's my girl!). I know I've taught her well, I know she is listening...but I've also noticed something amazing in me recently that wasn't there before. My freedom, playfulness, and heart is connecting with my own work in new and wonderful ways! There's an added dimension to drawing what I see...another world that surpasses it that I haven't been able to tap into since as long as I can remember, if at all.

It's amazing to me that my imagination is stronger than ever! This is a gift my students have given to me. I can see more now than I ever could, and I credit this to all little artists and their sense of wonder and awe that has inspired me more than anyone has before.