Tuesday, May 3, 2016

I See I Imagine I Create 52 Creativity Curriculum Round 2

52 weeks ago I started a journey with 60 fellow Creatives that would change the course of my life, and many of theirs. It was an online experience that brought together artists from several disciplines, different countries, and humans with vast differences and belief systems. We shared one common goal: to learn to move through this world more creatively. This week our time together comes to a close but this I know, like I am breathing, the year mattered. It mattered so much that many of them are ready for Round 2, and that is exciting. 




I See, I Imagine, I Create 52 is a part weekly, online self-study class that gives students the understanding, tools, creative behaviors, and questioning strategies to learn to see the world with creative lenses and use that insight to serve them creatively. It helps writers alter their points of view, it helps photographers see a different perspective, and it helps painters/artists find their own, creative voice. In its simplest form, it helps humans slow down and appreciate this incredible place we call home. 

With a 300+ page manual filled with weekly challenges and a weekly meeting time in our secret classroom, the community aspect was key in helping Creatives thrive because accountability and connection is really important. It is also integral that the study span over time, because the consistency and time frame is what creates the long term impact to alter behaviors. 




My students grew in how they saw colors, lines, patterns, connections, and surfaces. Their grey cells were bent in regards to considering big ideas such a deconstruction and reconstruction, big to small concepts, worn, weathered, multiples, and the weird. They considered the elements of character traits from the personal to the imaginative, and how birds could be messengers even wearing high heels. :) 

Not only did they learn to see and notice the nuances of a deeply creative world, they learned how to apply those concepts to the creative products they were working on. We wrestled with personal and technical frameworks, moving from the literal to the figurative, and how thinking outside the space around the room where the box lives was more exciting than just thinking outside the box. 

Come July 3rd we start Year 2 of our online study with a few major changes, which are really exciting. 

Rather than 52 straight weeks of study, we are breaking down our challenges into 6, 5 week study modules with a two week break in between each one. There will also be two, 3-week bonus modules between the first half of the year and the second half. This course is packed with information (did I say it comes with a 300+ page manual :) , and one thing we found was the need to slow down a bit and give ourselves more time to savor what we learned. 




There will be 10 video components with this study, two for each 5 week module. I am also offering an opportunity to enroll in the *Advanced Option to meet with me twice per module, in one hour, small group video sessions. 

Our secret classroom will remain, which is a safe, trusting environment to share our steps, thoughts, ideas, and personal journey throughout the year. Most weeks we will meet bi-weekly through a thread chat to discuss the challenge and how we are processing it. We will also have a few student guides from year one who facilitate some discussions as well. Although designed as a self-study course, I invest a great deal of time through our weekly chats teaching and following the engagement during the challenges. It makes for an in depth discussion most weeks!

Every human is creative, the key is remembering how to remain creative and grow that creativity over time. I Create 52 is a course developed to actually teach CREATIVE BEHAVIORS that help your creativity grow and evolve. If you are longing to learn concrete strategies and practices to help you grow creatively, The I Create 52 curriculum might just be for you! 



Student Testimonies - 

"My goal for this class was to learn to live a creative live in the broadest possible sense. I wrote, painted, collaged, and grew a whole new set of eyes, with the loving support of Ardith and her community of fellow creatives." Amy Diebaren

"This class has been a joy: a safe, supportive, and encouraging space. By learning the foundations of creative thinking, I have discovered the freedom to see, think, and create differently and courageously. Through this class, I have found my voice as a creative." Liz Dotterer


"I see I imagine I create' has had a substantial impact on my 

capacity and manner to process 'external' subjects stimuli 

into my creative process. It's been like tasting and enjoying a 

different piece of chocolate each week, and deciding to 

do something beyond gluttony with it. On a different 

dimension I have experimented it as an individual and

collective act of creative weaving, which has been deeply 

rewarding to me. Cecilia Luvecce Rouvrais.

This is the most amazing course. I have learned more than I could have imagined……about everything to do with creativity and particularly about ways of seeing the world with new eyes. Ardith is a generous, knowledgeable and wise teacher. I “met” so many nice people….the group part of this really worked for me. I am still digesting the lessons….the pace is brisk….so much in one year. My confidence has soared and my abilities have improved. Five star in every way….and awesome value for money.Fiona Knox


Class Details and Registration

We will meet Sunday evenings at 4 pm central (chosen so that international students can join us) for our weekly discussions in our classroom on Facebook. (class runs 45 min) We will will meet most Thursday evenings at 4 pm for our Mid-Week discussions. 

You will receive the challenges each week in Word and PDF form. Your Ebook will total more than 300 pages at the end of the year! 

You will receive 10 video components during the year long study, two each five week module.

You will have access to our Secret Creative Community on FB. 

If you have questions as to whether this class is the right fit for you message me at ardithgoodwin@gmail.com with questions! 

THIS CLASS IS FULL FOR 2016!




 

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Upcoming Workshops

This past April I had the privilege of teaching my IMPACT! workshop in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Hardesty Arts Center and it was wonderful! For four days, 11 of us dove into the study of what makes paintings have visual impact, which techniques can help artists alter their work to reach the viewer, and why this is important for visual artists. 




We painted, we sketched, we studied, and we worked as a team to give feedback and insight to one another which helped make the week deeply satisfying to so many. 




After a solo show the second week of June in Mobile at The Mobile Arts Council, I head to Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey and Traverse City Michigan to teach two, two day IMPACT! workshops and am so excited for that week to come. In July, I have just added a new abstract workshop, Move the Line, to Tulsa as well. Within 24 hours it is almost full and I only have two spaces left in it! 



July also brings an abstract workshop to Mobile, Al. Details to come about that venue and date. 

August I will be headed to Seattle for my abstract workshop, Move the Line at the Miller School of Art, and that workshop is FULL. If you would like to get on the waiting list let me know through email!  The following week I head to Portland to teach the Imaginative Figure workshop for three days. 




In October we are working out the details to bring the Imaginative Figure Workshop to the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Va. and I will be adding a couple of new venues along the East Coast which is exciting as all get out! 

The end of May brings a close to my teaching career with young ones at St. Paul's, but it opens the doors for me to travel in the coming years to teach and work with practicing artists full time. Along with painting, I cannot imagine a more rewarding way to serve and live. 

If you are interested in registering for any of these workshops EMAIL ME AT ARDITHGOODWIN@GMAIL.COM to confirm that there are spaces left. If the workshop is not full, I will invoice you through Paypal privately. 

You can read about the workshop details HERE


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

I Am Teaching On 21 Secrets Again!




My experience with the 21 Secrets Art Journaling project of the past couple of years has been amazing. When Connie Solera and Hali Karla contacted me to teach again I was thrilled, but more so because the theme of this series would be Tools and Techniques. 

Fundamentals are really important to me, They help artists now how to bend the rules to serve them when they are painting or creating in a journal, on paper, or on canvas. The focus of tools and techniques is a huge deal for art journalers and I am excited to be part of that. My focus is to show how Contrast and Value and The Journey of Lights and Darks helps figures come forward and others recede. 

If you are seeking to increase your skill set as a journaler or painter, this series of lessons would be a great option for you. 

21 Secrets is a series of art journal lessons from 21 teachers. It comes with a huge 150+ page Ebook, over 25 hours of videos to watch and download, and a connected group on FB to join in and learn from one another. I am honored to be a part of this group of 21 amazing teachers. 

The earlybird rate that is on sale today is $98 and the project launches April 1!  Click the LINK below to sign up! If you have questions, message me! 






Looking forward to slinging some paint together! 

Ardith

Monday, November 9, 2015

Expandorendative Solo Show of Ardith Goodwin





12 years ago, as an elementary school teacher at the top of my career, I was facing some major medical hurdles that I would have to jump whether I wanted to or not. I left the profession that I adored and was passionate about with great discouragement, to face a life on full disability and multiple surgeries. It was as if life had once again snatched the rug out from under my feet. One morning I lay in bed, watching the sunlight flow across the pane of the window and asked myself, "What on earth would I do now? Is this all that there would be in life?" 




Now if you know me, you know I have always had the outlook of extreme optimism, sometimes to a fault, so I tapped into that innate gift and gathered about 10 books on watercolor painting from the library. To set the record, I wasn't a painter. I didn't take art lessons, but when I was in elementary and high school I loved art and knew that I loved to doodle, and that was the extent of my creative talents at the time.




 It didn't matter to me that I didn't know how to paint, I just gave myself permission to try, to explore, to play with watercolor pigment and quickly found that I had three things going for me: I had the gift of visual transfer, I had a knack for color, and creativity came naturally to me.




Fast forward to this past weekend and I am coming off the most incredible experience of having my first major solo show with 35 paintings showcased at The Eastern Shore Art Center in Fairhope, Al. So what happened in the span of 12 years with a body that was lacking and a skill set that was brand new?


Taking in the moment before the crowd.

What I can share with you in this short space is a combination of several things: I turned to art for part of my healing process, I never had the voice in my head telling me I was doing it wrong, I practiced as much as I could to work hard and thrive, and I had the aid of the Big Guy Upstairs as part of the healing that would take part in my body. Looking back on it now, it has been a remarkable journey filled with struggles and pain and hurdles and moments of extreme joy. In essence, I have journeyed through a miracle to find that the gifts of creativity and communication I was born with, would be what would help save me. 







Over the course of the next few weeks I will be sharing part of my story here on my blog because as proud as I am about the impact and body of work I have created for this show, I am equally proud of the journey I took to get to where I am today. Very few people find a way to come off disability and reenter the work force with a brand new set of skills that are connected to divine purpose and heart, but I did. I heard a voice inside myself that whispered, "You are meant for greater things," and even though there were very dark moments, I never, ever let that whisper be silenced. Today I am beyond grateful for the gift of fortitude. 






Expandorendative - A Peek Inside the Land of Ardithian is a solo show built around the framework of fracturedness, dynamic movement, pieces and parts, energy fields, transparent layers, and story. It showcases figurative works which are elements of the children's book I am writing and abstracts which carry the same framework. 

Over the last 12 months I have worked passionately and exhaustingly to master the craft that I needed to paint in a way that evokes this framework. I pulled the business elements together that I needed and I applied 12 years of study into a year of unexpected growth and discovery. Expandorendative is what I am deeply proud of. 




This show will hang until Jan. 5th and is free to the public for viewing. On Nov. 21 I have the pleasure of hosting a gallery talk to share with the audience my inspiration, my journey, and the framework that my creative heart worked within to dream and bring to fruition these conceptual pieces. 




There will be many moments for me of looking back at all of this, to see the lessons, to share the wisdom of it all, but for today, my heart is full and seeking a bit of rest to let it all sink in. If you are interested in following my story as I write, sign up for my newsletter or follow me on FB! I share quite a lot there. 

Many thanks to the staff at ESAC and to all of the friends, family, and supporters that attending the opening. It was an amazing evening that exceeded all of my expectations! 

Friends sent me flowers and flats!!!!




Sunday, August 9, 2015

Wrapping The Summer

WHAT A SUMMER!!!!! 

I had ideas of what I hoped to accomplish this summer when the school year closed. 



I wanted to paint full time, I did. 




I wanted to teach workshops, I did.






I wanted to work toward building my solo show for November, I did. 




I wanted to travel and work with artists one on one, I did. 




I wanted to grow as an artist and a professional, I did. 



I wanted to be in a show at the Mobile Museum of Art, and I was!




I wanted to paint with magical young ones, and I did! 






And I wanted to spend time with family, new friends, and be present, and I did. 








I didn't achieve everything, but I came pretty close! 



This summer was hot as heck....there were days I thought I had lost my mind to be painting outside but I was determined to paint large and my only option was my outdoor studio, so I sucked it up and made the best of it. What that taught me was huge. Nature is important to my creativity, working hard adds a ton of confidence to my heart, and facing challenging circumstances builds character. 




I am deeply grateful to have had the time. 
















The paintings that I created were beyond what I had visioned. They were tied into my creative framework, totally connected to story, and really helped my heart understand that painting is my path and teaching is my path as well. I am proud of what I accomplished, beyond proud, and tomorrow I head back to the classroom to kick an amazing year off. 

Facing forward is important to me so I have chosen to let go of some social networking things such as groups and pages and engagements that I don't have time to engage in well. This was hard, I adore my connections, but when we choose to seek a path that requires commitment and passion, sometimes sacrifices are needed. I am up for that. 

Looking ahead you will see a lot more of me here. 

I want to share my struggles and joys of getting a solo show ready and launched.

I want to share with I learn as I grow through the occupation of being a full time painter and teacher. 

I want to keep sharing my love of art journaling, the techniques that keep me tapped in, and share some videos with you all about process and freedom. 

In essence, sharing with you here has moved up on my priority list, and that excites me. 



I am on a journey...one of beautiful marks, courageous impact, and a heart filled with the belief that if I work hard enough, apply myself, and dream a little I can achieve what I set out to. I am deeply grateful that you have chosen to take the journey with me. 

Stay tuned, I am just getting started :) 

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Quick Study Daily Practice

One of the things I do weekly and teach my students in my workshops is the value of a quick study using older work. I have tons of what I call my "Under The Bed Series" of work and they are prime targets for revisiting with fresh eyes. 

Here is an older abstract I did two years ago on paper. I was exploring texture and the colors of the sea. It was ho hum at best for me, didn't captivate the heart, but it taught me a lot so there was a great deal of value in it.




Here is the new piece now after revisiting it for a quick study. Setting a timer, choosing a genre, and visiting the basics of value, contrast, and loose lines teaches me a great deal. 

"Figure In Blue" by Ardith Goodwin


The goal isn't a masterpiece. The goal is to practice, to stay loose, to connect with fundamentals, and to create pieces that will become the stepping stones toward discovery and growth. 



I will be teaching workshops in Mobile, Tulsa, and in Austin in the next 9 months. Click on the image below for some details if you are interested. 



Happy Painting Friends! 

Ardith

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Impact! Painting Workshops With Ardith Goodwin

One of the questions that I keep hearing a lot from my adult students, both in person and online, is "How Do We Make Our Work More Impactful?" 

A beautiful and important question this is and one that is so relevant to so many painters these days. For the beginner, it comes from tapping into your own creative perspective, having a ton of fun getting familiar with the painting process, and being brave to show up and practice. For the advanced painter, it is an understanding about composition, concept, technique, and mastery of skills. 




IMPACT! is an acrylic workshop that blends both the joy of the beginner painter with the fundamentals and skills of the more advanced painter so that students gain a strong understanding of the strategies connected with creating paintings that resonate in powerful ways. 

IMPACT! is offered as a 2 or 4 day workshop! 

We will explore mixed media strategies connected to mark making and painting loose! 

We will dive into the study of what strong composition looks like and how to capture that! 

We will explore the delicious world of glazing and layering for contrast and value with the use of liquid acrylics! 

We will paint on paper and canvas, learn how prep work can transform the outcome, and explore the world of products that make our job easier. 

We will bend our grey cells a bit and discover how Creative Perspective can be the key to creating a unique work of art which is one of the most important aspects a painter can grasp based on Intention and Framework.


We will learn how to view contemporary and master works of art and identify the techniques and elements the artists used to capture the mind and heart of the viewer. 

We will gather, sling paint together, and enjoy a journey of learning and growth as painters, as artists, and as creatives. Each workshop will be a tad different than the others based on the needs of those attending as well, so you will get personalized attention for your process. 

The Juicy Tidbits:
Some supplies are provided, but not all. A list is given upon registration. 

Each participant receives an Ebook containing core components of topics and resources covered during our workshop. 

2 Day Workshop Fee is $275
4 Day Workshop Fee is $550

All painting and paper supplies (excluding canvas) can be provided for an additional $120 supply fee which is especially helpful for those who are traveling by plane for 2 or 4 day workshops. 

For others there is an "All In" option for students who wish to have a one hour video consult with me prior to the workshop to review portfolio/website/professional goals, have all supplies included, along with the workshop options. This option is often helpful for those who are working as professional artists, seeking gallery representation, or diving into the world of selling their work for the first time. 

The All In Option is $850 and is offered for 4 day workshops only.

Upcoming Impact! Workshops:


MOBILE, ALABAMA!




Mobile, Al. February 10-13 THIS CLASS IS FULL!



TULSA, OKLAHOMA! 
Tulsa, Oklahoma March 10-13, 2016 
Hardesty Art Center
101 East Archer St. 



Tulsa is Full!






LOOKING AHEAD: 


PETOSKEY AND TRAVERSE CITY MICHIGAN (JUNE)

PORTLAND AND SEATTLE (FALL) 


Refund Policy:
60 days prior to workshop there is a 75% refund 
50 days prior to workshop there is a 50% refund
40 days prior to workshop there is a 25% refund

There is no refund less than 30 days before workshop due to the costs of plane tickets and travel fees to set up the workshop.