Hello there...
I just wanted to share some thoughts about taking online classes...art classes in particular. I signed up for a handful of what looked like amazing creative experiences and have to admit, with the exception of one, I could have created my own classes. I have been surprised to find some of the tutorials I paid for are on YouTube...for free...or on the artist's websites. I have also discovered a wealth of free classes with just as much content and inspiration...if not more...than those I paid for.
Now, I am not trying to diminish the integrity of the classes that demand a fee, but with how I approach art, I am finding there is no need to pay for inspiration.
However...I am glad I signed up for Life Book 2014. Tam LaPorte has assembled a fine group of artists and sends out a weekly lesson with tons of interesting ideas. This class also continues on for one year, which for the modest tuition fee, is a wonderful deal...at least for me.
Every experience offers an opportunity to learn something of value and I have learned...as the song goes...Can't Buy Me Love...or in my case...Creativity.
Oh how frustrating for you Vicki - I had been thinking about doing some of the art classes you signed up for, but was so unsure, but seems like it was perhaps for the best that I wasn't able to ... especially if some are available for free! It is just knowing what to look for I guess.
ReplyDeleteYou live and learn, that's for sure! I was also surprised how one artist in particular was quite rude to me because I asked for my login again as it was saved on my computer which died. I was basically scolded for being so careless and was told in CAPS to make a hard copy of it this time. This exchange was so far removed from the persona presented on the Previewing the Class video promising assistance whenever needed. Oh well...as I mentioned...the Life Book 2014 class is my favorite and makes up for the others!
DeleteI'm with Lorraine--I had a look at a couple and wasn't convinced. I saw another course online for $70 involving a journal for a trip that you pretend you've gone on, that I was interested in but couldn't afford. Like you, after some rumination I thought I could probably sit down, pick a city, and do my own thing for free.
ReplyDeleteIt's like you were saying about Facebook, it's all about selling things to people. I used to read a couple of card sites that started to niggle at me that way, so I dropped them.
People have computers that conk out or are eaten by viruses. Functional electronics come and go (holy cow what is going on at your house???) It's patronizing, rude, dismissive to treat you like that. Blah.
You will know better in future, I guess that's all you can get out of it. Sorry to hear of such treatment of you after you were so keen. Still, you've got the supplies and can see examples of the work of others to inspire you, even if the "teacher" is not very good.
Thank you for all your wise and kind words, Judy...And I love your idea about journaling a "pretend" adventure! I am trying to decide where to go as I type this. Please keep me posted if you decide to "travel" as well...
DeleteSo you know how Cathy Johnson has some travels in her art journal book? You do that, and pretend you've gone to a restaurant or seen a tourist site and draw that. You stop for gelato in Rome and draw a picture of it. You tour a winery in the Napa Valley and draw that, you see a sunset in Tuscany and draw that.You draw the architecture in England that interests you.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember if you bought Danny Gregory's second book on art journalling which had travel journals: "An Illustrated Journey" has examples of real trips that you can translate into a pretend journal. You probably have your own photographs of places that you could draw. And the book you bought by that lady in England (sorry my memory escapes) has great examples.
I am not feeling too well at the minute but would like to do this eventually. I was thinking of something totally out of my knowledge like South America.
First of all...I hope you feel better soon. I know what it's like to be under the weather and any project sounds too big. I do have that Danny Gregory book and will take another look at it tomorrow. And I was thinking about Susan Branch's adventure to England as a wonderful example of a travel journal. I am actually toying with the idea of having my Vicki doll go on a trip...I could do all kinds of things using pictures, drawings, journaling, etc...Now I'll never get to sleep! South America would be an extremely interesting choice, that's for sure!
DeleteSusan Branch--the very person.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking Chile--perhaps I shall pretend travel for 6 months there. I notice that Dorling Kindersley has an Eyewitness Travel Guide for Chile and Easter Island. It's a bit expensive but I might use that as my travel guide and itinerary for a pretend travel journal once I get some money. The DK books are so good for visuals. That's my plan.
I just bought Eyewitness Chile. The spouse is going to kill me.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that this might be a year-long journey: cafes, backpacking, textiles, art.....
Well, thanks to your very awesome idea and the Eyewitness Travel Guide information, Joe and I headed to Mansfield's Barnes and Noble today. I have decided to "visit" Paris and will write about it tomorrow on my blog! I found the DK Paris Travel Guide...you are right...it will be perfect! I also found another travel guide, a really interesting map, and a Paris calendar to help me with backdrops for my dolls. THEN we traveled to Jo~Ann's where I found some great things to use for the journal Vicki will be keeping...I have all kinds of ideas bouncing inside my already active brain!
DeleteI am so glad you ordered your book and I really am eager to see what you will do...I have always been intrigued with Easter Island. I remember reading Thor Heyerdahl's book about the island...Aku-Aku...years ago. Hitty Gertrude Bell also visited Easter Island long ago. Isn't this fun?
Oh Vicki, I had a look at the preview pages of the Paris guide and you will LOVE it. It's so detailed with illustrations, maps, and photography. A calendar and other things for backdrops is a terrific idea.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this for a few weeks so I'm glad I bought the book too. My husband didn't get mad at me, he was glad to see me doing art again. So how about that, it all worked out! Yes, it is fun, good for the soul and mind.