More choices than ever before with Open Studio and Creative Corner!

This past weekend Johnny and I were sitting in our living room working from home on projects for ArtsyU when I was inspired on what to write for today’s blog plot. Johnny was updating the calendar, while I was writing up a couple step by step instructions (SBSI's) for our manual that we use during Open Studio and Creative Corner. I was skimming over the documents and was struck by a wondering thought, "Just how many of our paintings have instructions that accompany them?" "How many choices do people actually have when they are painting in Open Studio and Creative Corner?" An even more thought provoking, "I wonder if our painters know they have the resource of picture and text instructions available to them before signing up for these classes?" Well, my curiosity obviously wouldn't rest and I quickly began counting. "One hundred and thirteen!" I yelled across the living room at Johnny, moments after I had tallied up the final number. Johnny looked a little surprised, partly because I'd just yelled at him all of a sudden and partly because he was as equally contemplative of my realizations. "That would be an informative blog post," he had noted. So here we are to explore exactly those questions and to enlighten our painting audience about our SBSI's and the Open Studio and Creative Corner classes, specifically how they are different from a regular class.

If you've attended a regular class you may already be familiar with the setup of these classes and how they are taught. The majority of the classes on our calendar are regular evening classes. During a regular class everyone paints the same painting and are instructor paced throughout the night over a 2-3 hour period. These classes offer a "follow the leader" type of teaching, meaning as the instructor paints something on a canvas of their own, the class follows along, step by step until the end. This teaching approach appeals to a lot of visual learners who learn best by being shown a technique first, before attempting to do it on their own. If you like to watch how to videos and YouTube demonstrations then a regular class might be the most suitable class for you.



The three volumes of the Master Book of Paintings, which collectively
house over 100 Step by Step Instructions (SBSI's).

The teaching model of the Open Studio and Creative Corner are a bit different. Instead of everyone painting the same thing, each person gets to pick their own painting from our step by step book or choose a painting they liked from the calendar. Picking something can be difficult, since there are over 100 different paintings to choose from (with more being added weekly). Originally, the SBSI were developed for our instructors as a reference to show them how a painting was systematically layered and painted by the original artist. Since there are multiple artists at ArtsyU contributing to our overall painting selection, it is not uncommon for an instructor other than the original artist to teach it to a class. When we first started teaching Open Studio classes, we made these instructions available to our painters.  We believe our painters have found them to be rather helpful resources and that they greatly impacted their enjoyment and experience. So we have continued the process ever since and are thrilled to be able to offer more choices than ever before! A variety of art genres are represented in our SBSI book, from the abstract to the realistic. Because there are multiple paintings being taught during an open studio, these classes do not have an instructor up front demonstrating how to paint them step by step. Instead, painters are given a SBSI that has a set of sequential pictures and accompanying texts explaining how that painting is painted from start to finish. Instructors and assistants help the painters upon arrival in finding the correct paints and brushes and circulate the room throughout the night to offer expertise in painting techniques and tips. Instead of being instructor paced, these sessions proceed at the pace of the painter, so they can go as fast or as slow as they prefer.


An example of two different sets of SBSI's.

A Creative Corner is similar to an Open Studio, with the key differences being the size and start time. The Creative Corner begins an hour earlier than the regularly scheduled class on Friday evenings and occurs simultaneously while the regular class is being taught. The size of the Creative Corner is usually limited to 4 individuals and occurs out on the high top tables in the corner of the room (hence the name.) Each painter still picks their own painting from the step by step book and uses the pictures and text for the majority of their instructions. The only exception is that painters can't paint the painting being taught in the regular Friday night class. The instructor and assistants get the painters in the Creative Corner well under way in the painting process before the other class begins and throughout the night they are available to offer help and assistance when they are not providing instruction to the regular class. This painting model is perfect for smaller groups who like a more intimate setting, who prefer to be self-paced, or for smaller groups who can't decide on the same painting to paint. It also allows the painters in the Creative Corner to view the process of a regular class and how the two differ in their delivery of instruction and pace.

Painters in our Open Studio and Creative Corner classes are not limited strictly to the SBSI book either. Many of our older works do not have these instructions, but if their composition is simple enough they can be verbally explained or painters can be provided verbal instruction on how the painting is painted. Another choice for painters during these classes is to treat them like a freestyle session, where the painter paints an idea of their own creation during their studio time. Personal expression is always encouraged and inspiring to see!

So if you have been considering an Open Studio or Creative Corner class on the calendar and just weren't too sure about it, I hope the information in this post has helped you reach a decision. Of course, the best way of knowing, is to join us for a class and find out for yourself. With more customizable options and painting choices than ever before, there is certainly no time like the present! If you have questions about the Open Studio or Creative Corner or have a particular question about a SBSI feel free to drop me a comment below! 

What is a paint party?

“So what is all the hype about?” “What is this new recreation called paint parties and do I really want to try this?” “I've seen lots of my friends on Facebook posting pictures and they seem to be having lots of fun...but I don't have a creative bone in my body and can't draw a stick figure!” “You're going to teach me how to do that?” Absolutely!!! As an artist at ArtsyU, I have heard every one of these statements and more and can't explain how awesome it is to see people awaken that right side of their brain and create something themselves that they didn't think they could do.

When we first started our studio in Chattanooga, an average 7/10 people we spoke with didn't even know what a painting party was or it's concept as a social recreation. Through word of mouth and the use of Facebook to share pictures, that ratio has gotten a lot better. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all our supporters on Facebook and those who have helped get the word out there about this fun alterative to the movies. We wouldn't be here without you! There are still some misconceptions that we hear from time to time among curious individuals who have never tried a paint party before and the goal of this post will be to help clear some of those up.

I'll start with the biggest misconception, the one that keeps most people from actually trying something like this out and it is the idea that you must already be artistic, crafty, or have natural talent for painting and art. That is absolutely not true and not necessary!!! I call this the stick figure syndrome! People who believe, because they can't draw a stick figure, they are naturally untalented. Throw that idea out of your brain right now! Grab a piece of paper and draw these basic shapes: a circle, square, rectangle, and a triangle. Now identify something in your surroundings that's red, blue, and yellow, the basic colors! By participating in this mini exercise you have demonstrate that you know your basic shapes, colors, and can follow directions. You have all the essential skills to create a masterpiece in one of our classes! At ArtsyU, the teachers simplify everything and teach using a step by step process similar to the style Bob Ross used in his “Joy of Painting” programing! When paintings are complex, we usually provide a stencil. So don't sweat it and fall victim to Stick Figuritis.


Basic shapes and colors!

Moving onto our next misconception! This is social recreation, not your high school fine arts class! So relax, you're not getting a grade at the end of class! At ArtsyU, we pride ourselves on making fine art, fun art! This means, no stuffy classroom setting, no boring notes or dates, no long winded lectures of impressionism or realism and no overly critical teacher if you go off on an artistic whim and want your sky to be pink. It's just you and some friends out having a good time! So feel free to relax, enjoy the tunes on Pandora, the jokes from your teacher, and the exploration of your own unique artistic license.

This is a good place to talk about the cookie cutter misconception. You know the one I'm talking about, the one formulated in the left brain, saying that everything must be organized, uniform, and orderly. The one making you feel like your painting must look like the teachers and everyone else's in class. But... Does your painting have to look like the teachers? Not at all! No two paintings at ArtsyU are ever alike, even when you've painted it as a teacher numerous times. That's what makes it fun, because you know that it is 100% your own creation and interpretation. Some of the most interesting paintings are the ones that take the artist down a rabbit hole, leading them to a wonderland of vibrant colored flowers, purple rivers, and blue birds unlike anything in nature! Seriously, it's your painting and you can do anything you want to it!

Perhaps, this is a good place to mention that everyone is their worst critic and sometimes we are too critical of ourselves and our mistakes. When things don't turn out the way we envision them in our minds we think they are awful. Relax, this isn't art class! You are not being graded on performance! Or your level of cleanliness! At ArtsyU, you are free to doodle and paint on the tables to practice techniques and best of all, leave the mess and clean up to us! So “Just Keep calm” and take a sip of wine! Repeat after me, "Who cares! This is art; it's about exploring, and having fun!" So bring your favorite beverage and relax. Can it be alcoholic? Absolutely! Does it have to be? Not at all!

So I hope I have dispelled some of the misconceptions about paint parties and I have encouraged you as a new painter to pick up a paint brush and join us in the studio to experience for yourself what all the hype is about. If you have done a paint party before we would love to hear your testimony and about your creative journey! What do you love about paint parties? What would you tell someone who’s trying it out for the first time? What were some of your misconceptions?