ART COACHING - sharing the flip side, the other side, the inside side of art.

       WHAT IS ART COACHING?
  • you talk about why you want to create
  • you talk about your concerns, desires and direction
  • the art coach asks to see your work
  • you talk about your work and past art experiences
  • the art coach gives you an 'on-the-spot' exercise in response to what you have shared
  • you do art-related exercises in 10 to 30 minutes
  • the art coach observes your body language, your technique and listens to any comments you make during the exercise
  • you comment on your experience after completing the exercise
  • the art coach shares observations to encourage you to become aware of your feelings and attitude towards what you have just created
  • you reflect and make further comments
  • the art coach may give you another exercise

       DRAWING WITH COLOUR    by Judy Martin

This is the book I turn to when I want to get inspired again. Five chapters all dealing with colour: properties, physical descriptive, atmospheric and expressive. The photos of various media speak as much about what Judy says as do her actual words.

ART WORKSHOPS IN THE KOOTENAYS

  Are you an individual, art club, art gallery, museum, seniors group, or community group looking for something different? 
 Workshops on Coloured Pencils, Wax Crayon or Indian Ink are now available on demand. The adaptation of  some workshops to work with adult colouring books is available on request. Click here to receive more information.​

               The Tree Stump

 This tree stump has been for me for several years -  as a photo of mine included in a blog that I used to write, and then as the photo for an art image. The outline and the positional lines were traced from the computer screen to give me the major shapes and I was so busy tracing that I didn't see until I was finished that I had placed the image too close to the top and bottom margins of the paper.  I did not want to redraw the image so it sat for more than one and a half years until I decided to carry one. I chose ink and started to draw in more of the lines that would define the wood and bark areas. Then there was another long pause because something didn't feel right. One day, it occurred to me that the image needed colour. I didn't put much in (see image far left) and stopped because I didn't like what was happening. It was probably half a year later before I returned to the stump and accepted that the damage was done: placement set, ink and coloured pencil not removable. At the start of February, I suddenly had this need to work on it some more. Two sessions and suddenly, I am in love with the piece and so now, finally, it's full steam ahead!  
"I have always wanted to take art classes but didn't know where to begin. With Elaine's encouragement and teaching expertise I quickly learned many basic drawing techniques that had me hooked from my first lesson. Elaine's professionalism, natural artistic talent, and love of teaching are gifts that she eagerly shares with her students and I highly recommend her."  N.J. MacRae
​"I have drawn in pencil and ink all my life, and despite numerous art courses over the years, I hadn't found what I needed in order to fully explore colour, and have confidence in my own artistic expression. Since working with Elaine I have been inspired, challenged, introduced to tools and resources, as well as to techniques and new mediums which have expanded my personal creative adventure in a very exciting way. I appreciate her astute eye for seeing what will add to a piece and what is in the way, which has enhanced my own ability to see."
​B. Clements 

"Elaine, with her patience and her experience, very gently unlocked the creativity inside of me, encouraged me to overcome fears and resistances, guided me to more spontaneity, and most importantly helped me to find the 'joy' to express myself through creating. Thanks a lot, Elaine!"  E. Blanchard

"Sometimes we need a bit of guidance and Elaine comes across as someone who is trustworthy and supportive.  After having one meeting with her I felt quite at ease, listened to and confident that my artwork is supported and directed." C. Evans 

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© Elaine Van Staalduinen and www.elainevanstaalduinen, 2014 to 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of images without express and written permission from this webpage's author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Elaine Van Staalduinen and www.elainevanstaalduinen with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.