Expressionist Abstract Painting - Session B
Adult Course | Registration closed 4/17/2025
This course emphasizes freedom of emotional expression, technique and execution beginning with a series of studies to build your confidence as an abstract painter. Learn the importance of creating a strong composition from the beginning and of mixing rich, clean colors, dynamic lines and strong brushwork. This class is for beginner, intermediate and advanced painters.
The classes will be geared towards your visual goals as an abstract painter. In the first class we will be working on large, inexpensive paper, concentrating on quick, large brushstrokes and mark making. The following classes will be on the surface of your choice, emphasizing composition and delving deeper into the all of the elements of art and design. Objectives of the class include learning how to use the elements of art and design to create dynamic compositions, learn different techniques and explore line and brushwork to enhance your work. Class exercises, demos and individual critiques.
- MATERIALS LIST
- Large inexpensive paper,
- surface of your choice for finished paintings,
- rags,
- paper towels,
- flexible palette knife,
- palette for mixing paint,
- large water container,
- a variety of brushes up to 4” wide,
- Acrylic or other water based paint:
- -Quinacridone red or magenta
-Ultramarine blue
-Bright yellow
-Black
-White
-Any other colors of your choice - various mark making tools from narrow to wide
- spray bottle
- masking tape
- scissors
- images of paintings you admire for discussion
Linda Harper
I earned a BFA from East Texas State University and was a graphic and book designer in California before moving to Taos, New Mexico where I painted for 25 years. “Brush mileage” and many generous painting instructors who shared their knowledge and years of experience with me have helped me to develop as a painter. Throughout the years, my paintings became less impressionistic and more and more abstract to the point of expressionism. My abstract work is non-objective, occasionally figurative and stems from intuitive, energetic and painterly gestures, carefully balancing brush strokes, line, form and composition.
https://lindaharperart.weebly.com/
Jeff Wenzel
MA, MFA, University of California, Berkeley
Working with students in both painting/drawing and ceramic media, Wenzel emphasizes the importance of directness, spontaneity, and discovery which are inherent in real creative freedom. Jeff Wenzel studied and worked as teaching assistant with renowned abstract expressionist sculptor Peter Voulkos. Jeff also studied drawing and painting with Elmer Bischoff and Joan Brown, both expressionist painters identified with the Bay Area figurative movement. Jeff's work is exhibited and collected nationally.
Teaching Philosophy
Working with students in both painting/drawing and ceramic media, I emphasize the importance of immediacy, spontaneity, directness and discovery, which are inherent in real creative freedom.
Artist Statement
I work intuitively, instinctively. My work is visceral. It's not conceptual; it's physical and experiential. I work best when I'm open and loose and a little reckless, setting aside the restrictive tendency of my rational mind. By being direct and avoiding self-censorship and doubt, more interesting things happen and I am less prone to contrivance. Destruction, impulsivity and accidents are a big part of my process. I take liberty to paint over, to cut and rip, to obliterate. A central conviction of mine is that any really good piece transcends itself; the materials and techniques employed become insignificant. That something comprised of ordinary mundane materials—cardboard, crayons, string—can embody the intrinsic expressive power to spellbind and delight is compelling to me. Picasso said, “It's what one finds, not how he gets there, that is the thing." That I can occasionally and to some degree happen upon this experience in my own work is what sustains me as an artist.
View Jeff's Website