Arts & Crafts   

Learn the ins and outs of painting in acrylics. This fast drying, non toxic media is a perfect entry into the world of painting. We will learn mixing, color, surface preparation, and all the steps of creating wonderful paintings. Students should purchase the following supplies: acrylic paints, palette, brushes, canvas, rinse bucket, rags. All supplies can be purchased at an art supply store or online. Approximate cost of supplies will be about $75. 

Learn the ins and outs of painting in acrylics. This fast drying, non toxic media is a perfect entry into the world of painting. We will learn mixing, color, surface preparation, and all the steps of creating wonderful paintings. Students should purchase the following supplies: acrylic paints, palette, brushes, canvas, rinse bucket, rags. All supplies can be purchased at an art supply store or online. Approximate cost of supplies will be about $75. 

Paint your dream birdhouse. We're going to create some fun and exciting birdhouses, using unpainted birdhouses (from on-line, or Michaels/ Hobby Lobby, etc.) Your imagination is the limit. With guidance by artist Art Gecko, you can create an amazing habitat for our local winged friends. We will be using liquid acrylic paints, and any accessories you care to incorporate to embellish your new avian habitat. Students should purchase: birdhouses, craft paint/brushes locally or online. Approximate supply cost is $40.  Class cancelled 2/22/23. Make-up class will be 3/1/23. 

Paint your dream birdhouse. We're going to create some fun and exciting birdhouses, using unpainted birdhouses (from on-line, or Michaels/ Hobby Lobby, etc.) Your imagination is the limit. With guidance by artist Art Gecko, you can create an amazing habitat for our local winged friends. We will be using liquid acrylic paints, and any accessories you care to incorporate to embellish your new avian habitat. Students should purchase: birdhouses, craft paint/brushes locally or online. Approximate supply cost is $40.  Class cancelled 2/22/23. Make-up class will be 3/1/23. 

A brand new kind of class begins this semester! Collaborative Art Works combines digital images through the magic of Photoshop "layering" and degrees of transparency. You don't need to be an artist or photographer-just have some digital images of subjects about which you have a passion!   "It's good to have some Photoshop experience, but it's not required. Just be willing to combine an image of yours with someone else's. One image will serve as the "background" - like a photo or painting of a meadow. Another's image creates the 'slightly transparent' focal point. Both images are viable and complement each other!"  Students will need a laptop  with a Photoshop program which is less than 5 years old. Computers will be provided to students without their own. 

One of the most effective modes of practice to improve your drawing ability is to do a master copy drawing. A master copy is simply copying another drawing, or creating your own reproduction of an artwork by another artist. The ‘master’ concept comes from the idea that the most effective artists to copy are the best or master artists.Master copies are usually prescribed and done in order to study specific master artists and their techniques. However, the process I describe below can be used to study and increase your facility with any type of drawing. Students will spend approximately $25 on course materials and should purchase the following for the course: 8.5x11 sketchbook or bigger as well as 2b, 4b, and 6b pencils. Students should get library card for class. 

This is a foundation figure drawing class featuring drawing mechanics from the fundamentals to the most advanced techniques. We will emphasize and cover key drawing concepts such as the description of form, gesture, line of action, structure, anatomy dynamics and the figure as story. We’ll discuss observing and organizing form, procedures and approaches, the understanding and description of difficult poses with basic theories of modeling form, and analysis of the old masters – composition, design and drawing techniques Emphasis on: desciption of form, gesture, structire, anatomy dynamics, and the figure as story. Students should purchase vine charcoal, pressed charcoal, conte and smooth newsprint paper. 

Classes will be an introduction to the components and creative assembly of beaded jewellery-namely the types, shapes, colours, and combinations of all types of beads with a concentration on Natural stone items. Pieces created will concentrate on design, stone and mineral combining, and various application methods of making earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and possibly decorator curtains if requested. Time and interest permitting, a pursuit of the intricacies of wire hand-wrapping will lead to the creation of stone pendants, and their application to the above mentioned neklaces or chain. Students will pay instructor approximately $30 for tools for the course and expect to spend approximately $60 in beading costs. Students are welcome to bring their own beads or purchase beads from the instructor. 

This is a beginning character design course with an emphasis on creating memorable characters with interesting personalities & shapes to tell a story. The goal is to visually communicate our characters from life observations, reference, and our imaginations. Students should purchase pens, pencils, and paper. 

Sacred geometry is the study of harmonic patterns that underlie and create the world around us. It is the one thing that is found in everything!This four-part class series is a metaphysical drawing class where we can explore the interconnectedness of all things by drawing the fundamental patterns of nature. We'll explore how these beautiful and basic geometric shapes have the power to align our subtle systems and create a coherent state of harmony. The intelligence of Sacred Geometry is potent and transformational! We will draw the Flower of Life, Metatron's Cube, 12 fold geometries, and much more. Students shoud purchase: 11"x14" paper, compasses, ruler, erasers, colored pencils.

In this course we will look for inspiration from the great masters of pen and ink illustrators throughout history. By copying masters we will understand their pen strokes and composition.The object of this course is to provide a solid grounding in creating sophisticated ideas for images, the procedures and practices of illustration, and the development of a personal vision. Students learn about representational, narrative, and conceptual approaches to problem solving and how they apply to the practice of illustration in the 21st century. Techniques and professional practice are discussed.

In Watercolor Landscape Painting with Art Gecko, students will become familiar with basic materials and equipment, understand basic watercolor techniques, execute key topics into basic landscape designs, find joy in paiting, and share knowledge with one another. Each week will bring a new lesson as students learn increasingly advanced techniques, building on previous lessons, including the use of mixed media, pens, pencils, etc. The class will also go over washes, glazing and layering, lifting, using frisket, and more. Students will learn about the materials, including brushes, brush care, paper, paints, (tubes vs. pans), color choices, and wet/dry techniques. The class will discuss composition as well as what makes a piece compelling, and what makes a piece boring. The class will do sketching, focusing on composition, and values to create a foundation for a great painting. See why students find classes with Art Gecko fun and informative.  Students will purchase own materials for approximately $40. Instructor will provide materials list. 

In Watercolor Landscape Painting with Art Gecko, students will become familiar with basic materials and equipment, understand basic watercolor techniques, execute key topics into basic landscape designs, find joy in paiting, and share knowledge with one another. Each week will bring a new lesson as students learn increasingly advanced techniques, building on previous lessons, including the use of mixed media, pens, pencils, etc. The class will also go over washes, glazing and layering, lifting, using frisket, and more. Students will learn about the materials, including brushes, brush care, paper, paints, (tubes vs. pans), color choices, and wet/dry techniques. The class will discuss composition as well as what makes a piece compelling, and what makes a piece boring. The class will do sketching, focusing on composition, and values to create a foundation for a great painting. See why students find classes with Art Gecko fun and informative.  Students will purchase own materials for approximately $40. Instructor will provide materials list. 

In Watercolor Pencils with Art Gecko, students will become familiar with basic materials and equipment, understand basic watercolor pencil techniques, execute key topics into basic designs, and find joy in painting and sharing knowledge with one another. Each week will bring a new lesson, learning increasingly advanced techniques, building on previous lessons, including the use of mixed media, pens, pencils, etc. The class will learn about materials, including brushes, brush care, paper, pencil techniques, color choices, and wet/dry techniques. Students will discuss composition as well as what makes a piece compelling, and what makes a piece boring. The class will do sketching, focusing on composition, and values to create a foundation for a great painting. See why students find classes with Art Gecko fun and informative. 

In Watercolor Pencils with Art Gecko, students will become familiar with basic materials and equipment, understand basic watercolor pencil techniques, execute key topics into basic designs, and find joy in painting and sharing knowledge with one another. Each week will bring a new lesson, learning increasingly advanced techniques, building on previous lessons, including the use of mixed media, pens, pencils, etc. The class will learn about materials, including brushes, brush care, paper, pencil techniques, color choices, and wet/dry techniques. Students will discuss composition as well as what makes a piece compelling, and what makes a piece boring. The class will do sketching, focusing on composition, and values to create a foundation for a great painting. See why students find classes with Art Gecko fun and informative. 

This is a foundation figure drawing class featuring drawing mechanics from the fundamentals to the most advanced techniques. We will emphasize and cover key drawing concepts such as the description of form, gesture, line of action, structure, anatomy dynamics and the figure as story. We’ll discuss observing and organizing form, procedures and approaches, the understanding and description of difficult poses with basic theories of modeling form, and analysis of the old masters – composition, design and drawing techniques Emphasis on: desciption of form, gesture, structire, anatomy dynamics, and the figure as story. Students should purchase vine charcoal, pressed charcoal, conte and smooth newsprint paper. 

In this course we will look for inspiration from the great masters of pen and ink illustrators throughout history. By copying masters we will understand their pen strokes and composition.The object of this course is to provide a solid grounding in creating sophisticated ideas for images, the procedures and practices of illustration, and the development of a personal vision. Students learn about representational, narrative, and conceptual approaches to problem solving and how they apply to the practice of illustration in the 21st century. Techniques and professional practice are discussed.