Victoria & Amelia

Sometimes, a client comes to me wanting pictures but doesn't have any preconceived ideas for it, or set any limits on how to do them. In this case, she told me to "do what you do". Getting to shoot in my own style is simply the best, and shoots like these always end up being both the most fun to shoot, and some of my favorite images! 

This year I went with a "Blue Christmas" color scheme for this mother and daughter duo, and adore how their beauty and love radiates and shines through.

Earth Art Fall Session: Artists & Exhibitions

In our fall series of classes, students and instructors discussed what an artist is and who determines if something is art, the basics of how to critique artwork, and the process of creating and exhibiting a piece of art. We also learned how an art gallery and museum work, and took a group field trip to a local art museum. Students were introduced to various famous artists and artworks, and had the opportunity to find pieces that spoke to them, explaining why they liked or disliked certain pieces of art. Additionally, we brainstormed and sketched ideas, and worked on collaborative pieces. Here's a look inside this recent session of classes...

Students on our field trip

Sketching

Artist research

Students then voted on the theme for our show, and worked on their final pieces over the course of multiple classes. They helped us create signs for the reception, sign the back of their pieces, came up with titles and artist statements, and we discussed things like what their favorite and most challenging aspects of this session were for them. We also discussed sequencing, and some of the things a curator would consider when hanging artwork in a show. 

Discussing curating and sequencing

Our theme, Save What You Love, stems from what we feel art essentially is. It's showing the viewers something important to the artist, whether it's a person, place, object, memory, idea, or feeling. Capturing, or "saving" that important thing in a single image. Our students have interpreted this theme in different ways. Some have chosen to share a favorite pet, an important memory, the feeling they get when they spend time with a loved one, or a fictional idea. Regardless of interpretations, their subjects are something that is important to them in some way, or that they feel joy from creating images of. 

As far as the materials and techniques go, we were inspired by something basic, by the very first experience children often have with "art"- coloring books. The bold black outlines that have been laid down pay homage to this, and the delicate watercolors add a sense of lightheartedness, whimsy, and exploration that we often associate with childhood as well.

Opening night!

Student sketchbooks

Warm-up collaborative art exercises 

My Pet, by C.B.

“My guinea pig Lilly and me.”

Jesus and His Angel, by C.R.

“This image is showing my love of Jesus.”

Memory in the Rain, by C.V.

“This is a good memory of when my sister and I were

playing in the rain- some of the drops were rain, some

were snow. Our dad was in the house.”

Spiders Being Saved, by A.V.

“Save the spiders, don’t kill them. The spiders

in this picture are representing my family.”

My Pets, by G.F.

“My painting is about my three animals who I love-

my dog, cat, and fish.”

Elfie, by I.M.

“I felt excited when I was painting this picture of

my dog Elfie, who is holding her red bone.”

A Dragon Saving Ruth, by I.P.

“My piece is about a dragon saving my cat.

The dragon is like a sea dragon.”

Spooky Graveyard Party, by T.C.

“Even though my creatures are spooky, they still like to

have fun.” 

Family Earth, by J.M.

“This is the earth, my family, and my favorite toys.

The colors I used for the people are their favorite colors.”

Mommy & Me, by A.K.

“I’m showing the love between myself

and my mommy.”

Instructor pieces

Collaborative pieces

Earth Elements, collaborative piece by Earth Art students

Things We Love About Wildwood, collaborative piece by Explore Wildwood participants

The Earth Art instructors 

Congrats to all of our students for working so hard this session and on the smashing success of their first art show! Thanks to everyone who came out and supported them on opening night- we had a great time and hope you did too. Stay tuned for details on our next session of Earth Art classes (starting after the New Year) coming soon.