"Paintings With Personality"

Chinook is one of the first acrylics I painted. It is done in a fluid, watercolor manner.

I took a four day painting workshop early this month (May). I signed up for three primary reasons: 1) It was nearby and I was able to stay at home, thereby, avoiding the additional cost of room and board. 2) Several of my friends were taking it, so it was bound to be a lot of fun. 3) The workshop was about abstract painting and collage, both of which I wanted to know more about. I knew the instructors work and the title of the workshop, but had no other information. The workshop description was available, I just didn’t look.

The first two reasons were enough for me and it really was a lot of fun, but I wish I had read the description because it turned out to be a mistake for me. Had I asked the right questions before joining, I would have gotten the information I needed and been better able to decide on whether to take the workshop. Five questions I wish I had asked are listed here:

1. Do you want to be entertained or taught? Your teacher can be very entertaining without actually teaching. They might only present a few techniques, techniques abound and exactly how many do we need anyway? Choose the teacher carefully and know his/her reputation. Don’t let their style have too much of an influence on your choice.
2. What do you want to learn? Know yourself and decide what you want and need from a workshop then read the workshop description. Know exactly what is being offered and what you are looking for.
3. Will there be one on one time with the instructor and/or group discussions? The instructor usually goes around to each workshop participant and comments about their current progress. I had one instructor who scheduled time with each student to talk about goals, how we expected to attain the goals, and work habits. Group discussions, with a moderator to keep the discussion on topic, can be very interesting and informative.
4. Will there be a critique at the end of each day? Many workshop instructors today don’t give a critique at the end of the day or week. There are both pros and cons for each method. Not giving a critique certainly lets the student save face but no one is there to show off, they are there to learn. Students learn from a critique of all the work, not just the critique of their own work.
5. What level student is the workshop aimed at? It is more profitable for an instructor to accept all levels in their workshop and most do just that. You will get what you want out of a workshop when you know your goals.

Mainly, you need to think about your work and know your intentions and goals. No questions or answers will help you get what you want from a workshop if you don’t know what direction you want to take.

Please comment below, I would like to hear from you. Later, Judy

www.judyballance.com