The Expressive Figure Workshop with Ardith Goodwin and Shauna Meiri

 
 Have you been eager to lean in and explore the world of expressive figurative painting in acrylic but unsure about where to begin? Ardith Goodwin and Shauna Meiri, two acrylic painters with a gift for fracturing and deconstruction, are joining forces to co-teach a 4-day workshop April 2017 in beautiful Fairhope, AL, at the Eastern Shore Art Center.

Ardith specializes in the fractured line and approach, building figures through structure, variety of marks, and the transparent use of color and contrast.

Shuana is a master teacher at the art of deconstruction and reconstruction with an eye for emotional, raw imagery that penetrates the layers. She brings a connection with the intuitive process and the mystery of what is hidden and brought to the light through the deconstructive process. 

Though we each have unique styles as we approach the canvas, we share the belief that the soul of the artist combined with the spirit of the figure can be embraced and captured through freedom of play, mastery of craft, and an openness to create from a place of authenticity. 

In this workshop we will: 

• Learn the basics of the human form and structure of the face, and how to manipulate each through the use of expressive line, marks and color.
• Work with quick sketches and loose studies, play with a variety of materials and have fun creating artwork that has more impact and expresses what is important to you.
• Explore the building up of layers through the use of mixed media to create visual interest.
• Experiment with using deconstruction as a way to create textures, shake loose from perfectionism and make room for the unexpected.
• Practice integrating new techniques and ideas into your current creative work.

It is our intention to give intensive individual attention to each student and their artistic/creative process. We will offer an immersive, welcoming class filled with practical knowledge as well as nuggets of wisdom that both of us have learned through our years (and love) of creating figures and faces.

The Juicy Tidbits:

• The cost of the 4-day workshop is $550.
• A non-refundable deposit of $250 holds your space.
• The teachers will provide some materials, students will bring their own basic supplies. A supply list will be provided upon registration.
• For an additional fee of $150 you can purchase an all paints, materials, paper, and two 24" by 30" canvases provided option.
  
  
  
  


Registration Options

Basic Rate $550.00 USD All Supplies Included $700.00 USD

Refund Policy:

• Before Feb 1st, we will refund 75%
  Before March 1st, we will refund 50%
  After March 1st there are no refunds 

So What's It Like To Attend An Ardith Goodwin Workshop?

So What's It Like? 

I get asked this question a lot about my painting workshops and I always say, well every one is a little bit different but they are all filled with a great amount of grey cell bending. 

In all honesty, my workshops are a little bit different than most in that I don't teach from a demo painting. Instead, I teach to the needs of the room, show lots of techniques about impact and fundamentals on my own canvas, and strive quite hard to teach everyone in a way where they get their needs and questions met. 

As a teacher I want everyone to learn the strategies that will help them find their own visual voice. Those strategies might be different than the ones I use and we talk a lot about that. As an artist I want them to see how to approach a canvas with pure freedom and know what their options are creatively. As a human being, I want every student to know their marks matter, that the act of creating is sacred, and that showing up and doing the work is a beautiful thing. 

Whether it be my Impact Workshop, Move the Line Abstract Workshop, or The Imaginative Figure, every workshop is chock full of mini-lessons, study practice, watch and learn, and free paints. We explore color theory, the importance of contrast, how to create a variety of marks, and most importantly, how to understand our tools and products so that we can use them to their full potential. 

Peer support is common, we encourage one another. We celebrate big hurdles and shifts, and make way for learning curves because everyone walks in the door at a different place in their artistic journey. 

My two day workshops create thinkers about your process. They build confidence and connect techniques to the fundamentals of why you paint what you paint. My four and five day workshops dive much deeper in the technical process and way deeper in the purpose behind what you paint and how you paint it. 

One of the most exciting things I hear at the close of every workshop is when are you coming back, when is your next workshop? That fills my artist's heart with love and my teacher's heart with much gratitude. It matters to me that my workshop is relevant, that I leave my students feeling confident and valued more so than when they walked in the door. My workshops help give artists the core tools they need to thrive in moving the line forward. I could ask for no more. 

If you are interested in taking a workshop with me or would like to join my mailing list to get first dibs on when workshops become available, message me at ardithgoodwin@gmail.com. 

If you have attended a workshop, I would love for you to chime in and share your experience with others who are considering spending some time slinging paint with me! 

My 2018 online and in person workshop schedule has launched! View the available courses by clicking on the image below. 

 

Buckets of Colorful Love!

Ardith