Workshops
UPCOMING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS...
When: Any four sessions beginning March 13, 2010 (see schedule below)
Instructors: Michael David & Thomas Swanston
Location: Serenbe & King Plow Arts Center (Atlanta)
Cost: $400 for any four sessions
Michael David and Thomas Swanston are pleased announce the Fine Arts Workshop Atelier Program, a professional level development tool designed to provide individuals working in the studio with a heightened intensity of on going critical support through portfolio review and guidance. This review process is designed to provide a graduate and post-graduate level of ongoing instruction and support. Atelier is for those returning to the studio after a prolonged absence, the professional artist preparing for an upcoming exhibition, or those that want the support and fellowship of other artists.
Through exposure to other artists’ work and techniques and an emphasis on "process and materials," Michael and Tom, with their combined fifty-years of professional experience, will help to motivate and deepen your practice of painting, and help you with your questions regarding professional practices.
Suggested assignments will serve to reinforce what we learn in the classes. (These classes are included for those enrolled in our Extended Encaustic Program.) More information...
Atelier Schedule (eight offerings)*
Saturday, March 13th (Serenbe) 12:00pm - 3:00pm w/ Michael David &Thomas Swanston
Saturday, April 10 (Serenbe) 12:00pm - 3:00pm w/ Thomas Swanston
Sunday, May 2nd (King Plow - Atlanta) 10:00am - 1:00pm w/ Michael David
Saturday, May 22nd (Serenbe) 12:00pm - 3:00pm w/ Michael David & Thomas Swanston
Saturday, June 11th (King Plow - Atlanta) 10:00am - 1:00pm w/ Michael David
Sunday, June 26th (King Plow - Atlanta) 12:00pm - 3:00 pm w/ Michael David & Thomas Swanston
Saturday, July 11th (Serenbe) 12:00pm - 2:00pm w/ Michael David
Sunday, July 18th (King Plow - Atlanta) 10:00am - 300 pm w/ Michael David & Thomas Swanston
* Dates subject to change based on participant’s schedules and needs.
Taking a Break From Life: Drawing 3
When: Thursdays 7:00 - 9:30 pm, March 25th – May 6th
Instructors: Michael David & Thomas Swanston
Location: First floor gallery space under the Serenbe Photograph Center
Cost: $350 for 8 week session (includes model fees and some materials)
This hands on studio experience is designed for those with experience drawing who wish to deepen their creative expression and have fun doing it.
We will explore drawing through the use of a variety of tools, both traditional and nontraditional. Imagining the figure requires an artist to invent a believable body that holds an interior emotional reality. There will be a focus on developing visual vocabulary, distinguishing preconceptions from personal meaning. Artists will be encouraged to value the experience of genuine engagement—how one feels while painting and drawing—as the criteria for quality. Reproductions of various artists’ work will be discussed with an emphasis on visual meaning. We will do all of this in a supportive atmosphere. Discussion of studio work will be an ongoing group activity with the goal being that when you complete the course you will be excited about drawing and with a sense of direction in the development of your drawings for the future
Drawing from the model will be the ONLY tool we will use to develop a greater understanding of each of our creative processes. Participants will use perceptual skills as a point of departure but the emphasis in the class will be on experimental modes of mark making, the use of the imagination, drawing systems and technologies
Participants will extend their drawing practice by broadening their comfort level of with traditional drawing methods, by utilizing innovative techniques, experimenting with non-traditional drawing materials (consider unorthodox media) and scale shifts. We will emphasize the use of different media to expand our effort to render, at the same time to a deeper involvement of self expression. More information...
Private dialogs about your art, your development as an artist (includes 1 eight week class).
When: Beginning March 25th until May 22nd depending on the selected class
How Often: 4 times during the 8 weeks of class
Instructors: Michael David & Thomas Swanston
Location: Critical Dialogs will take place at the Serenbe Institute studio off the courtyard & at participant’s studios
Cost: $625
Here is how it works, if you elect to sign up for “Art House Calls” we will work with you individually on your relationship to your work, helping you grow and develop a unique “body of work.” We will design a curriculum and syllabi related to materials and techniques and process to achieve your goals. You will also be able to attend either the eight week “Landscape As Narrative” or “Drawing III,” meeting at the regularly scheduled class time.
The “Art House Calls” portion will run concurrent with any eight-week class, i.e. “Direct Observation Figure” and the upcoming “Plein Aire Spring Landscape Painting”, You will receive four “Art House Calls” within the eight weeks, scheduled on weekends for 1 ½ hours that would take place on a mutually agreed schedule. For “Direct Observation Figure” Michael will meet privately with you twice, Tom once, Michael and Tom together for the last critique. For the upcoming “Plein Aire Spring Landscape Painting” Tom will meet privately with you twice, Michael once, Tom and Michael together for the last critique. More information...
Photography & Encaustic: Use of the Sequential (and Beautifully Distressed) Image, part 1
When: March 26-28, 2010
Instructor: Michael David & Thomas Swanston
Class Size: 12
Location: Getting Around Studio, Serenbe
Cost: $475
Photography & Encaustic is an experiential three-day workshop on the theory and practice of the fusion of photographic processes with the encaustic medium. This interdisciplinary workshop covers archival techniques, methods of presentation, and basic safety, along with slide presentations, step-by-step instruction, and plenty of time to experiment, create, and critique work.
Participants will learn how to integrate a photographic image with encaustic through techniques such as layering, pouring, painting, and by making the original imagery translucent. We will also demonstrate how to experiment with various methods of manipulating the original photograph—including toning, distressing, and a variety of transfer techniques. We will explore working with photo-encaustic and sequential/multiple imagery, and, as part of an exploration of the history of the relationship between painting and photography, examine the work of artists such as Joel Peter Witkin, the Starn twins, Gerhard Richter, Chuck Close, Eadweard Muybridge, and Andy Warhol.
Experimentation is the name of the game—new possibilities and processes! As always this Fine Arts Workshop presents opportunity for personal growth and intellectual enrichment. More information...
This Will Not Be Your Mother's (Life) Drawing Class!
When: Every Wednesday night from 6:30–8:30pm beginning April 7th, 2010
Instructor: Michael David & Thomas Swanston
Location: King Plow Arts Center: 949 Marietta Street, Suite X-105, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $349 for an 8 week session
Please join Michael David & Tom Swanston Wednesdays from 6:30–8:30 pm for lessons in an “anyone, any level" class in drawing paired with “hi-lo” culture. This “hands on” studio experience is designed for everyone who desires to explore and deepen their own creative experience and have fun while doing it. Drawing from the model (yes, beautiful and not so beautiful "neked men and women" will be among us) will be only one of the tools we will use to develop a greater understanding of each of our creative processes. We will use apples, eggs, fabric and trash too… In class we will view and discuss other artists and their work: One week after a visual presentation on contemporary art we’ll have a lively discussion, playing “Jerk or Genius," Gioto to Hirst.
Here’s an example of “hi-lo” that we’ll explore: After viewing Film Noir will discuss how Seurat influenced the “value and tone” in post war American cinema.
Seriously… after work instead of heading home (boring) or to the local bar (mind-numbing), come by the new studio at King Plow – The Fine Arts Workshop. We will draw beautiful live models, mix and meet, have some wine and food. It’s a fun and informal way to feed your creative side. Wednesday night will always be provocative and FUN. More information...
“Plein Aire” Spring Painting Class at Serenbe:
When: Saturdays, 9:00 - 11:30am, April 10th - May 22nd
Instructor: Michael David & Thomas Swanston
Location: Serenbe
Cost: $350 for an 8 week session
Experience the inspirational Serenbe countryside this Spring with Tom Swanston & Michael David in an “anyone, any level, most ages” plein aire painting experience paired with guided travels through a history of the cultural landscape. We will go outside with the technique of plein aire painting, (A technical achievement of 1841 made possible because of the ability of paint manufactures to put paint in to new transportable tubes along with “French Easels”) while learning about the history and philosophy of Dutch, English, Impressionist, Chinese, Japanese, Hudson River School and contemporary landscape painting.
We will explore painting the cultural landscape through the use of drawing and painting (acrylic or oils, your choice). You will become familiar with the principles of drawing and painting such as line, tone, mass, light, composition, positive/negative space, scale, and both analytical and emotional observation. We will do all of this in a supportive atmosphere. Discussion of studio work will be an ongoing group activity with the goal being that when you complete the course you will be excited about “plein aire” painting with a sense of direction in the development of your painting for the future. More information...
Private VOICE LESSONS
When: Monday or Tuesday after 5pm by appointment
Instructor: Marilyn Carino - myspace.com/mudville
Where: King Plow Arts Center: 949 Marietta Street, Suite X-105, Atlanta, GA
Lessons in Serenbe are available other times by appointment.
Cost: $45/hour
Award winning vocalist and songwriter Marilyn Carino (myspace.com/mudville) is offering, private voice lessons at Fine Art Workshop’s Atlanta campus in the King Plow Arts Center.
To schedule a lesson or for more details: 917-741-2560
THE PRACTICE OF ENCAUSTIC & ITS APPLICATIONS
When: April 23-25, 2010
Instructors: Michael David & Thomas Swanston
Class Size: 12
Location: King Plow Arts Center: 949 Marietta Street, Suite X-105, Atlanta, GA
Cost: TBA
Registration not yet open.
Taught by Michael David and Thomas Swanston, this workshop provides participants with an immersive experience from the classical use of the medium to the highly experimental. It is tailored to the individual who wishes to deepen their creative self-expression through the practice of encaustic. More information...
Fine Arts Workshop at Serenbe provides exceptional workshops and classes for emerging and established artists and lifelong learning students. Year-round intensive three day and one week workshops are taught by teams of professionals from both the creative and business sides of the art world. This multifaceted approach, combined with small class sizes provides participants with a personalized, immersive, hands-on experience. Workshops are held both in Serenbe and at our studio at the King Plow Arts Center in Atlanta.
