New Classes and New Fee Structure

New Classes
If you have wanted to take art lessons but felt that you are just not artistic, my classes are for you. I work with each student on an individual basis.

All my classes are now only $10 for a Regular Drop In fee and only $5 for Seniors and Students! There are discounts for multiple sessions: a 5 Class Pass is only $30 Regular $20 for Seniors/Students. So, very affordable! AND the Pass makes a great gift! They are attractively packaged in a handmade (by me) card and can be used whenever the recipient wants for any of my classes. There is no expiration date. I will be adding lots more fun classes in 2012 which will be available for this Class Pass. You can give the gift of discovery and creativity to everyone on your list!

Thanks for sharing this link with your friends.
http://jo-thompson.artistwebsites.com/calendar.html

New Fall Art Classes in Riverside

I have a whole selection of great classes starting this month at my Studio #36 in the Life Arts Bldg. on the corner of University and Lemon in Downtown Riverside.

There are some really new things Happening! A Lunchtime art class and an art Happy Hour on Fridays! And...a new series called ART IS FOR EVERYBODY! focusing on restoring your inner artist through play: music, guided meditation, painting for relaxation, collage dream maps to affirm our visualizations, and more! Open to all. No experience needed. All materials provided.

Register for Classes on Eventbrite!

I have just added all my upcoming events to the Eventbrite website which makes it easy and safe for you to register and pay for them.

The Calendar to the left will show you the events and you can click on the image or the link above to get to the site. I am so excited to add this to my blog and website.

Summer Art Classes

I am planning a full summer of Art Classes, Salons and Workshops in my studio, #36, in the Life Arts Center, 3485 University Avenue in Riverside, California. Several formats will be offered.

Classes: Passionate Pastels, Watercolor Only Wild, Self-Portraits
Classes are focused on specific media and techniques, and are two, 3 hour sessions long, meeting every other week.

Sunday Salons: Summer Dream Maps, 100hearts Heart-Centered Art, and Mystical Mandalas
The Salons are on a Sunday afternoon and are about creativity, inspiration, centering, and recharging with a 3 hour format which includes meditation and tea!

The Drawing Studio is another format where drawing instruction is offered for 90 minutes on the 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings and will be an ongoing class.

All Classes are open to students of any skill level or experience. You will take home your artwork and handouts listing resources, materials, websites, reading list and more! All materials are provided. Just show up and have fun experimenting and artmaking!!

My classes are relaxed, lively and focused on taking students from wherever they are to where they want to be with their art skills. Click on the link above right to Jo's Calendar for details on my website.

Contact Jo at 951.660.4925 or jothompsonart@gmail.com to reserve your space today!

Passionate Pastels Workshop

Workshop Saturday June 25th 10AM-2PM
Pastels can be a challenge! It can feel like you are drawing with a log. Learning to be comfortable and control this traditional medium can be a joy. I have been working in pastel for decades and can give you the benefit of that experience.

This 4 hour workshop will present the types of pastel which are best to use, the kinds of papers and other supports used for pastel paintings.This medium is very direct and you will complete several pieces. You will have handouts to take home listing materials, websites of interest, a book list and more.

Join us and you will be PASSIONATE about pastels, too!

All Classes are open to students of any skill level or experience.
All materials are provided. Just show up and have fun experimenting and artmaking!!

Cost: $60

Drawing Studio

I LOVE to draw and I LOVE to teach drawing!! I have literally been drawing since I could hold a pencil at about age 3. My parents were both artists and they showed me all the tricks they knew. I was fortunate to attend an excellent University Art School for my BFA where drawing was stressed and valued.Drawing is the foundation not only for everything you create but the basis for learning how to see! I.

I am so convinced of the power of enhanced drawing skills...not only for students but for professionals to continue to practice, that I am going to offer this as an ongoing class which meets consistently. You can sign up in advance and get some discounts for taking more sessions or you can also just DROP IN when it fits your schedule.

Whether you are a total beginner or have been drawing for years you can have fun and learn techniques to improve your drawing skills immediately! Practice specific exercises and work on projects designed to enhance your ability and confidence to draw anything you want to: figures, faces hands, still life, landscapes, animals and more. Shape, shading, value, contours: we will do it all. We will have interesting set ups, drawing from the model, life drawing and take some fun field trips around the Life Arts Studio Building!

What I want to create with this class is a drawing community...an artistic support system that you will be part of when you join us! I am creating a blog just for this class which will host resources, materials, links, reading list, exhibition and art contest opportunities and more!

All Classes are open to students of any skill level or experience.
All materials are provided for your first drawing session.

Cost:
$20 per session