Artwork by Lynn Sisler

In this eight-week in-person course, students will be guided by instructor Lynn Sisler through an exploration of various mixed-media tools, mediums and techniques. Sisler will guide students through the concepts of design, composition, mark-making, and color in a visual journal, on paper, and on canvas. Developing a growth mindset alongside a sense of play and experimentation, students will discover new ways of seeing with a constructivist spirit. As they delve into the weekly exercises, students will gain a better understanding of how to be more intentional yet deepen the expressionistic, intuitive, and personal side of painting. Over the eight weeks, students will collaborate, share and build on their skills and insights, culminating in final artworks that embody their refined creative perspectives, tools, and techniques.

Learning Objectives:

1. Students will recognize and intentionally utilize key principles of design, positive/negative space, and color development in a 2D composition
2. Students will develop and deepen a growth mindset through the process of art-making
3. Students will experiment with a range of mediums, tools, and techniques through specific, weekly exercises
4. Students will collaborate and supportively critique
5. Students will deepen their personal sense of creativity and expression
6. Students will be influenced or inspired by artistic examples
7. Students will work with intention and confidence

9/26-11/21 (8 sessions) no class 10/31, 6-9 pm, Thursdays

Tuition: $260 + $25 studio fee

CEUs: 1.6

522 Congress St. Room 402

No experience is necessary. This course is for people who want to broaden their skills and creative expression through various mediums in a nurturing, explorative community.

Faculty:

Lynn Sisler is an interdisciplinary artist and educator. She received her MFA at Maine College of Art in 2021 and completed a BFA in painting with a minor in Art History from Northern Illinois University in 1991. Sisler received the prestigious Hildreth Family MFA Scholar Award, the Hale Residency at the Artist Association of Nantucket, and has shown work nationally. She is a long-time educator, and runs Menagerie Fine Art Studio, her indie-online shop, and is represented by Elizabeth Moss

Teaching Philosophy: Differentiation and constructivist learning are vital keys to my teaching philosophy. My commitments to art-making, education, and professional teaching experiences are the foundations of the unique perspective I bring to the instructor’s role. Just as I continue to learn and be inspired by the creative community, I also want to facilitate this for my students.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to a successful learning community, thus crafting course content that all students can access is critical. I develop approaches that invite and celebrate the participation of students with a broad range of interests and skill levels. The curriculum of a given class is designed to expand on students' educational and personal experiences within their current schema and studio practices by encouraging the exploration of other methods and points of view. Hands-on, personalized choice with assignments that reflect student interest increases engagement and meaningful content. I see myself serving as a guide through demos, discussions and informal, positive critiques, encouraging risk-taking with original ideas, and supporting critical thinking and artistic problem-solving. A safe place to grow and express is intentionally built for all students to feel included and supported in taking risks and thus potentially expanding their growth.

SUPPLY LIST:

1.A variety of synthetic brushes: Flat 1" -4". Round sizes 6, 10, 12. Filbert size 6. Flat
"bristle" inexpensive brushes 2" and 3" (can find at the hardware store). A detail brush
(size 1 or 2). The exact variety does not matter as much as just having various brush sizes
and shapes to choose from. A variety pack like this would work just fine.

2. X-ACTO (craft) knife with blades, scissors, pencil, eraser, 1" painters or artist tape, (not
regular masking tape), palette knife (metal or plastic), a set of markers (optional), ruler,
printmaker's brayer (optional), wide-mouth water containers (like a large yogurt or glass
jar). Spray bottle. We will gather additional materials as we go, such as magazines,
printouts, etc.

3. Mixed-media visual journal spiral-bound 140 lb paper around 7” x 10” or larger.

4. A pad of 8.5" x 11" or larger 140 lb. watercolor or mixed media paper.

5. Primed canvas boards packs: 11” x 14” AND 16” x 20” OR 18” x 24”

6. Acrylic glass to be used as a palette (such as Plexiglass) OR other large palette with
ample areas for mixing paint.

7. A piece of thin cardboard or card stock.

8. Heavy matte gel or gel medium.

9. Sponge and/or sponge brushes, small bits of yarn, rubbing alcohol, spray paint
(optional), table salt, straws.

10. Crayons and/or oil pastels.

11. A variety of ink colors OR watercolor set.

12. An assortment set of acrylic paint of at least 10-15 colors, including black and white.

13. Mod Podge (matte) or white Elmer’s glue (or equivalent).

14. Colored pencils and/or watercolor pencils.