Connect with your Creative Spirit
Do you have a creative teenager who would benefit from learning from a professional artist right here in Philly? Do you worry about how they will make a living as an artist? I bravely went to art school and learned how to be a fine artist, but didn’t learn how to make a stable income as an artist for a long time. There is so much I wish I would have known when picking a college program! I just had to make the most of where I went…and I did, but so many others gave up. I wish I would have known what I know now. That is why I am opening my studio up to teen artists! I want to expose them to many of the ways they can make money as a creative! This includes developing a portfolio of work they will be proud to apply to exhibitions and college with! When they are ready they will even be able to start selling their art! I sold my first piece in 11th grade and many more pieces of art throughout college and it was so empowering and helpful!
Here is what you can explore at Project Joy Studio
Laser Cutting - I have a Glowforge in the studio. We can think about how to incorporate this technology into your work. Once you know this technology is available to you it opens up some exciting possibilities. Most art schools will also have laser cutters and if you go in knowing how you want to use them, you will be many steps ahead in your creative journey!
Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator - I have the Adobe suite and can teach you how to use Photoshop and Illustrator to do many things including how to set up your files to cut on the laser cutter.
Surface Pattern Design - This is one skill I really wish I learned in college, or even better, before college so I could have picked a program to explore this further. This is a really great way to make art and make money as an artist and I can show you many ways to do this! You can put your designs on wallpaper, fabric, stationary, home goods and anything you see with a beautiful pattern on it. Take a look around the next time you are in a store and every product you see that has a design on it was made by a surface designer!
Traditional Art - I went to school to study fine art and I focused on painting. I can teach acrylic, oil, watercolor, ink, and much more. I have shown my fine art in galleries and museums and fine art is where my heart is. I can help you get your portfolio together to apply to college. This includes helping you create a cohesive body of work that is unique to you, as well as teaching you how to document it correctly, and create an artist statement to accompany your work.
Product Design - If you are interested in inventing your own products I can help you conceptualize and prototype. In grad school I worked with many undergrads who spent their thesis year creating products. I have also created many products and even sold my intellectual property to an awesome local company. I would tell you who, but the product is currently under development and the NDA says I have to keep quiet for now.
Teaching - Another great way to make money as an artist is to teach. We will explore many ways you can teach as an artist to make money and share your gift with others. I have taught workshops and taught in grad school, which enabled me to go to school for free and even get paid, and of course you could be an art teacher, or teach online or even travel around the world doing workshops! There are so many opportunities to teach to make money through teaching others and I want you to know about them. The more you know, the better you can craft your creative dream career!
Applying to Shows - Once you have a portfolio and artist statement, I can help you apply to shows to start beefing up your CV and making money off your art. I remember when I was in college afraid I wouldn’t get into shows because I had no experience. This will be a great way to start!
Social Media - I can help you learn how to leverage social media to sell your work when you are ready without letting it take over your life! I just started doing this a couple years ago and when I have put my fine art and my art kits out there I have done very well. It is all about creating a consistent body of work or a collection as you would say on social media, and putting it out there.
Art History - There are so many artists that have paved their own path and done some amazing things! As I get to know you and we see your interests unfolding together I will share these artists with you to inspire you! Do you love drawing? Did you know that Tim Knowles made gorgeous drawings by attaching pens and pencils to tree branches and put paper within reach in many different ways and let the wind make the drawings?! Click on his name to see images of his tree drawings! Are you into fabric and sewing and architecture? Check out Do-Ho Suh!
If you are not sure what you want to do, great! No seriously… that is what this program is for, to help you explore the possibilities within the creative world and help you practically move in that direction. Come as you are with whatever you have done up until this point and let’s explore the possibilities together!
Materials
I have many materials that you are welcomed to use! If there is something to explore and I don’t have it, I will be happy to point you in the right direction to get your supplies as inexpensively as possible. I am often able to get supplies for free from the ‘buy nothing groups’ as well. If you decide that watercolor painting is going to be your thing for awhile, I would encourage you to get your own supplies so you have them, and I will help you pick out good quality supplies to get you going! Also, if many of you are interested in similar things we can organize a bulk purchase to get the best prices!
Schedule & Cost
I plan to start October 25th and you can sign up for 2x a week or 4x a week from October 25th - December 15th, and January 4th - June 14th.
I will mostly be following the academic calendar, bit I will talk to our group and get a better understanding of your needs before we set anything in stone.
There are 6 spots a day, so there will be room for anywhere from 6 - 12 students.
The program starts after school, so giving you time to get here, we can start at 3:30 and go until 5:30.
2 days a week - $30 a day
Let me know which days you would prefer in the form below and I will do my best to accomodate you!
(If you have needs that I am not taking into account please let me know!)
The sooner creatives know how they can create a sustainable career doing something they love, the better!
Field Trips
To help you explore beyond my studio we will also be going on field trips within the building and possibly outside the building to meet other artists working in different mediums and businesses. This can include but is not limited to, a glass blowing studio, printmaking studio, and Twee, a creative business that creates chalk in the shape of unicorn horns, donuts, and so many other adorable things. I know the people who run these spaces well and they would all be happy to share their work and how they make doing what they love into a business!
