Thursday, December 1, 2016

Let the Paint Speak: language of the Soul

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for. - Georgia O'Keefe

Let the Paint Speak: language of the soul  is all about finding our voice through direct contact with the paint. It's about getting up close and wrestling with the layers....the colors.... the marks. This class is about communicating on a deeper level....using art as a way to speak from our soul. This language has no words. It has magic and color and line and bold marks. We are bringing together simplicity through paint to speak with a voice so loud that it cannot be heard..... only felt.
Have you ever felt like the art that you are creating is not what you want it to look like? 
Are you struggling to put onto canvas what you are feeling inside?


This class applauds the happy accidents, making mistakes, and being better for it. That is where the magic is unveiled....through the wiping away, through the gentle thumb-print on a cheek. I don't know about you but I want to see something NOT work for an artist. I want to see the artist struggle. To fight for their art. If it comes so easily, I am quickly bored. I want to see scratches and splotches, and wisps of paint found from the accidental grace of an old t-shirt. There is the magic. There is the rawness that can only be found by peeling away from your "vision" ....going deeper than "what you want it to look like" and extending a hand to what is inside rather than surface. That is the depth I want to take you! There in the veil of magic and divine....we will meet up and converse in the found, the lost, the mist, the TRUE YO
Will it be hard? Oh yes. But the reward of the striped down - simple - complex - hungry - struggle through - YOU will show up. And it will be from your hand. The hand that dug, scraped, scratched, and wiped paint until it became something more than itself. It becomes your soul.




The details
  • Class begins January 1st, 2017
  • Lessons will post every week for 6 weeks
  • 6 large complete paintings in all
  • 15 videos with over 7 hours of film time
  • $75 early registration begins Dec 1st
  • $99 regular registration begins Dec 16th.
  • lifetime access
  • videos are downloadable



***This is NOT like my other classes. This is a deep comprehensive, intuitive approach to painting.  There will be more abstraction, more marks, more splotches and wiping away of paint. I will be standing at my easel and you will see me struggle through the process. You'll see me switch gears and paint over things that aren't working. You will see me tired and be ok with stopping for the day because today I'm not sure where the journey is taking me.
***I will talk you through the process. I will make happy accidents and applaud those. I will not know the direction at every point in the process. It will get uncomfortable and maybe even a little awkward. I am allowing myself to be vulnerable in hopes that you'll practice getting out of your comfort zone so those magical "mistakes" will show up. 
***This class is not meant for you to follow along and make every brush stroke exactly like mine. I love Bob Ross, but this is not a Bob Ross "follow along" type of class. The idea is for you to be inspired and see how the process unfolds and take that and create something magical.












FAQs:
Is this class for beginners?  Yes, this is for all levels, however I would strongly suggest that you have some painting experience or take my Paint Your Story or Soul Bird or Paint Like a Child online class as a precursor to this class. This class will stretch you and probably make you feel very uncomfortable so keep in mind that some painting under your belt can only help you.
Will there be a Facebook group?  Yes! We will share are work inside a private fb group. 
Can we sell the work we make in class?  Yes, yes....especially if it is your own voice. (meaning that the composition/marks/colors/figure work, etc is NOT an exact replica of my painting demos) If you'd like to mention that you took my class, I'd be grateful! My vision for this class is for you to find your own struggles and voice and style through happy accidents and paint discoveries.... :-D
If I post my work in the classroom how long will it take you to comment or give critique on my work?  I will try my best to comment or critique your work within 24 hours of you posting. (and you may also email me privately at mlacefield13@sbcglobal.net if you prefer not to share your work online with others in the classroom)   I also have an admin in the FB group that can help you with questions about supplies and will also provide some "cheering-on support" as we move throughout the class. Her name is Nolwenn Petitbois.





SUPPLIES
Keep in mind to use what you have on hand and don't feel like you have to have the exact colors and supplies that I use. Please improvise!
I strongly recommend using artist grade acrylics like goldenold holland, and holbein as well as house paint samples. (go to homedepot.com and in the search enter "paint samples". There are lots of colors to choose from. Grab some bright colors as well as neutrals and "blah colors". Be careful, some of the samples have a high shipping charge, but most don't. Most ship free to your home! yay for that!)
You can certainly mix in a few craft paints (like blick matte and target) and the like.... but if you want a richness then please pop in some artist-grade paints when you can.
Here are some of my favorite colors:
golden: iridescent gold deep, van dyke brown hue, titan buff
holbein: any of the luminous (like luminous opera) and the aqua blue
golden heavy body: titanium white, paynes gray, light magenta
target: avocado, coral, fuchsia 
blick matte: teal green, yellow oxide, green blue light, orange light, violet medium, sage blue
experiment with latex house paint - I got some samples at home depot
oil pastels: sennilierneopastelportfoliogallery neons (I use a mix of several of these throughout the class. You can use whatever you like. It doesn't have to be all of these)
chalk pastels (I love using the olive green in the face. You can order singles if you like)
collage papers
16x20 canvas panel or board (we will use this as our palette)
blick matte varnish (or collage pauge or mod-podge type glue)
old t-shirt
paper towels
16x16 canvas (a few)
watercolor paper - hot press 22x30" 140 lb ( a couple sheets)
hardboard panel 24x30"- to tape your watercolor paper to. (you can also work flat if you like on a table top)
silver tape - this is what I used to tape the paper down onto the wood panel. You can also use painters tape. keep in mind this silver tape is permanent and will become part of your painting. This is just what I had on hand....but I thought it might also produce cool results. You can also use it as a texture element inside your paintings.
water bottle - fill up bottle and add about a 1/4 - 1/2 cup alcohol (it will make the paint run/move easier)
big brushes, round brushes, mop brushes, old brushes, nasty brushes, any brushes :-)
and my favorite tool of all - YOUR HANDS!! 

I need your help spreading the news about Let the Paint Speak
  • I'm going to give away 1 spot. (if you've already signed up, no worries....if you win, I'll refund your money)
  • Please share this blog post link on your blog, pinterest, instagram, or Facebook
  • come back here and let me know - leave your name, email address, and how you shared
  • drawing will be done on December 5th

21 comments:

  1. Hi Mindy,
    How wonderful to see you and hear your lovely voice... I have commented and posted a link on my Facebook page to spread the news! Much love my friend,
    Sue Carey xx❤️xx

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  2. Hi Mindy - shared your post on my fb page - the class will be a wonderful one especially working big and with house paints....

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  3. I shared on Pinterest Mindy. I'm excited - this class will be my Christmas present to myself. Yay!

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  5. Hi Mindy - This looks like so much fun! I shared on Facebook. I wish your class the best success, and thank you!

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  6. Hi Mindy, I shared your post on facebook, and I will share it on my blog on sunday (when I update my blog).
    I would so much love to be the lucky winner.
    Kind wishes, eva
    The link is to my blog.

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  7. Oh, Mindy, this looks amazing! I shared via Facebook. Hugs. xox

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  8. Shared on Facebook! Thanks! tlee4359@charter.net

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  9. Shared on Facebook. .. Twitter and Instagram. Looks like a great class. Thanks for the opportunity to win! My email is vampyrdancer@gmail.com

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  10. This class looks amazing! I just shared on my FB page - I think I am searchable by my name Tracy Eau Claire and I think my official FB name is ScrapCandy.

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  11. It sounds amazing! Thank you for the opportunity to watch you play! (Shared on FB) xo

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  12. Looks like a fab class. Shared on my FB page BippertyBoppertyHat. My email is sweetjulieangel@gmail.com xx

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  13. I happily shared on Facebook.
    Andra Hepler
    hepler5825@charter.net

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  14. Mindy, this class looks so amazing! I am really loving the work you have shared as you are preparing for this class. I have always admired your passion for expressing yourself artistically, and the way you embrace the happy accidents and surprises! Thanks for a chance to win! XOXO

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mindy!!!' I am so excited 😀🦄💖💕

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  15. Charlotte Fletcher
    romalandwoodcrafts2.1@juno.com

    Shared a few ways:
    fb page: romalandwoodcrafts
    Twitter
    Tumbler
    pinned about 5 pins
    Blog:www.romalandwoodcrafts.blogspot.com
    Google+

    Looks fun! I have had fun watching my friend with the 24 faces...one day, I know I will have extra money to do it! :)
    I am simply blessed to create~charlotte ♡

    ReplyDelete
  16. Charlotte Fletcher
    romalandwoodcrafts2.1@juno.com

    Shared a few ways:
    fb page: romalandwoodcrafts
    Twitter
    Tumbler
    pinned about 5 pins
    Blog:www.romalandwoodcrafts.blogspot.com
    Google+

    Looks fun! I have had fun watching my friend with the 24 faces...one day, I know I will have extra money to do it! :)
    I am simply blessed to create~charlotte ♡

    ReplyDelete
  17. This looks fabulous! Sharing it on my FB page. So exciting, I can't wait.

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  18. Hi Mindy :)
    This class looks amazing. I love an intuitive approach to painting. Shared this on my Pinterest board "Journaling & art". Thanks

    Tal Shahar
    Talshahar68@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete

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