Let Me Introduce Myself

Happy New Year!

It's Christmas/New Years break and we have taken a couple weeks off from our regular art classes, so I thought I would take a second to introduce myself .

I've always liked to be creative and use my hands and mind to create things. Back in the day, I graduated from a little junior college (Rick's) in Illustration. I had hopes of going on to the Art Center College of Design to continue my education in art,

but life came along and swept me away.

However, my husband G. Bjorn attended the Art Center in Pasadena as

I became a mother of 4 boys.

We originally started teaching art in the studio at our home with success for three years.

Then in 2005 I went to work in an elementary school. I grew to love the teachers I worked with and the students. My favorite thing was being the school art specialist. Loved it! I decided to go back to school myself in 2007, and changed my major to Art Education.

In 2009 I had to quite my job at the school to finish up my degree. That is when we decided to start up the Youth Art Center, again.

I enjoy all kinds of art. I like looking for new and exciting projects, trying them myself and passing them on to the students. I love it when I can share with my students and they find an appreciation for creating art. There's nothing better.

In April I will have my degree in Art Education and be certified K-12.

Me with a couple of projects one inspired by Pop Art, the other a copy of a Derain painting in clay on canvas board.

Rexburg is a great little town and we hope that we can bring an influence of art and an appreciation of it to the community.

A big Thank You

to those who participate and support the

Youth Art Center.

Tis the Season"

We wrapped up the year by painting  "Nutcrackers."

The students looked at an actual nutcracker, drew it in pencil, then painted it in acrylic.

I think they turned out very nice. They made the art studio festive for a short time. The students worked hard and used good craftsmanship. Thank you!

We've had an enjoyable semester and hope that you will join us again in 2010.

We will be adding two additional classes on Wednesdays, 6-9 year olds from 5:00-6 pm and Adult Oil Painting 7:00-9 pm.

Merry Christmas, we hope to see you in the studio in '10.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas families are involved with many projects and activities. Kids have hit and miss art classes. The lessons continue as kids complete one project and move on to the next, get behind, try to catch up... it's real world time.

These girls are working on a project called "Abstract Still". The students looked at the line and form of different objects and placed them overlapping on their paper to make a design. Then they come back in with color.  (Some of them did what they were told. You KNOW who your are.;) When it is complete you have a very colorful, fun picture. This project teaches them to draw what they see, and carefully study the shape and form of objects. 

Shailee, finally completed her animal drawing and is very proud of herself. Good job Shailee!

Next time I hope to have picture that apply to the season. This class started to draw Nutcrackers and are anxious to paint them when we meet again.

The older class will be working on tight pencil renderings that I hope to post the progress of soon.

Until then, hope to see you in the studio!

Going Wild

The younger students started working on wildlife pictures too. The kids worked from a printed reference. I emphasized looking at sizes and relationships within the picture in order to get a more exact representation of their chosen animal.

It was fun to observe each of them as they tried to train their eyes to see what they were looking at instead of guessing, like we usually do. Some of them took it to heart and really improved. I love it when students are proud of themselves, after making the effort to become better.

After they got their drawing done they were able to choose a medium they hadn't ever worked with before, like chalk pastels, paint or watercolor pencils.

Above, Riley and Shailee chose to work with watercolor pencils.

Below are pastel drawings by Jessica, McKayla and Bryndi.

Wildlife

by Dimitri

by Shawn

I wish my photography skills were better. The class has been working on a wildlife project, and here are a couple that completed the project with oil paints. Both beginners, both did a great job.

I'll try to get pictures of the others being done in pencil.

It was initially for the NRA Art Competition but we didn't make the deadline. Non-the-less they should be proud of the work they did.

Winter Birch Trees

I wish I knew how to rotate the image, but it looks like you'll just have to rotate your head.

This was the latest project from the "Pencil Pacers". They masked out the trees with tape, put a colored wash in the background, and finished them off with charcoal.

I think they turned out very nice. I like how different they are just like the kids themselves.

This project is thanks to artprojectsforkids.com

It's Potato Harvest time in Idaho! 

That means school is out but we still got together for class because 

art is always a vacation. 

Bjorn is talking to his class about the joy and importance of drawing a still-life. I think they ALMOST believe him. 

They were happy to get their hands on a few cans of spray paint in order to do some dip-art. They will be adding their own creativity to what you see here for a finished piece. I can't wait to see the end product.

We don't want the rest of the class who are gone to miss out on important projects so we had some fun with positive and negative shapes with the "Pencil Pacers".

Just another fun week at the studio.

This week we continued with line, and shape. Then we did a fun project that was abstract in exploring values made by line as well as using design (big, med., sm.). Some of the students put their own twist on it and became creative with adding values using pock-a-dots, and plaid.

 What awesome students!

We have had a few calls for younger art students. We would love to have a class for ages 6-9 on Tuesdays 4:30-5:15 pm. Please tell your neighbors and friends that may be interested to give us a call. Thank you.

The Pencil Pacers

The Thurs. 4:30-5:45 pm class named themselves the "Pencil Pacers".

In class we continued to learn about the importance of "line", an element of art. I then introduced the next element of art "shape". 

I passed a bag around the class with seashells in it and they reached in blindly to choose one. They drew contour drawings of their shell until they were happy with the shape. Then they did a line drawing in ink and finished it with color for the end result. 

Next week, we will use that shell shape to do another project emphasizing both line and shape.

Great job kids! 

Welcome the Studio!

The Youth Art Center is off and running. We were thrilled to have excited bodies fill the classroom on Thursday.

We started off by introducing the "Elements of Art"; Line, Shape, Color, Value, Form, Texture and Space. Then spent the rest of the class time doing contour drawings of objects and each other, training our eyes to draw what we see. Often we use symbols, drawing what we know instead of what we see.

It's a great way to break away the fears of not being perfect, get comfortable with each other, laugh and begin learning.

Classes Begin Today!

Hurray!!! We are excited to get in the studio. 

We are still cleaning and arranging things but good to go.

FYI- There are pending classes for ages 8-12 on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 5:45 pm as over-flow. And, adult classes Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 pm. Also, there will be a discount for all Rexburg Art Guild members. 

We look forward to seeing you in the studio.

Schedule Change

The Studio/Youth Art Center

Thank you for showing interest in the arts. Our goal is to have a community art center, giving artists of all ages a place to create.

Classes will begin September 10th.

Thursday: Ages 10-14 will be from 4:30- 5:45 pm
Cost: $30 a month or $40 with Friday open studio time

In this class we will learn the elements of art and design as well as introduce the students to basic perspective. I like projects that are not only fun, but also geared towards strengthening the students understanding. I enjoy teaching with many different projects for students to develop a real love for art and all it has to offer.
-Connie

Thursday: Ages 15-up will be from 6:00- 8:00 pm
Cost: $40 a month or $50 with Friday open studio time

The older kids and adults will go a bit further with perspective and learn how to draw more accurately. They’ll do plenty of life drawing as well as specific projects that will develop the skills necessary to create good art. Each student will be able personalize their projects according to their interests and I will cater my teaching to each student’s needs.
-Bjorn

Friday: Open Studio from 1:00-6:00 pm
Cost: $25 a month with No instruction. Enrolled student time from 4:00-6:00 with minimal instruction.

Classes for younger age groups will be considered on demand.

We urge you to try and commit to a full semester. It makes learning easier for your student as well as the person that may take your place. Classes will run along with the school year and holidays. There will be classes during Potato Harvest.

We ask for an art materials fee of $30 for the first semester. This fee will go towards an art kit with storage container, as well as a pad of art paper. The remainder of the fee will give students access to the supplies that we have in the studio. These supplies will include; paints, brushes, pallets, scissors, rulers, pastels, etc.

Payments: Due at the beginning of each month.  

Thank you and we will see you in The Studio.

Where?

This is the place to look for: Arnold Press on 2nd North in Rexburg right by the railroad tracks. The classes will be held on the side where the windows are, facing North. See you in the studio!

Classes begin September 9th!

Wednesday- Upper level class for ages 15 and up, 7:00-9 pm $40  per month. Optional $50 per month if you want to participate in the "open studio" on Friday 4:00-6 pm. 

Thursday- Ages 9-11, 4:30- 5:45 pm at $30 per month ages 12-14, 6:00-7:15 pm $30 per month. Optional $40 per month if you want to participate in the "open studio" on Friday from 4:00-6 pm.

Friday- Open studio for adults with NO instruction from 1:00-4 pm. Come and draw or paint still life set-ups or live models, $25 dollars a month. 4:00-6 open studio for students, with minimal instruction from Bjorn or Connie Thorkelson.

If there is a demand for younger artist, classes for ages 6-8 will be scheduled as well. 

Tell your friends and neighbors, and we will see you in the studio!