The Magic of Charcoal • Experimental Mixed Media
Charcoal is a cosmic medium with many formats and exciting mixed media possibilities, from traditional to contemporary applications. Explore gold leaf and water-based paint combinations while mastering Chiaroscuro and the hazy beauty of Sfumato for portraits, landscapes, still lifes and abstract designs. This is a safe space to experiment and play, with inspiring demonstrations, constructive critiques, and Open Studio-style sessions to work independently and discuss photography, archiving, and framing final works. 

Great Canadian Animals
This wild adventure explores uniquely Canadian animal portraits and environments. Grow in the confidence of knowing basic drawing materials and rendering accurate proportions and realistic details. Each class studies an animal such as the Atlantic Puffin, Canadian Horse, Polar Bear, Snowy Owl and Cougar, and the art of choosing good reference photos that capture spirit and personality. Colour theory, composition, design, personal style and expression are met with one-on-one direction and group critiques!  All projects feature ink and watercolour, soft pastel or watersoluable coloured pencils, with the goal of planning a complete series of works that can be merchandize into greeting cards or prints.  

Acrylic Confidence
Everyone deserves to paint with confidence, and this series of classes provides all levels of artists with the technical knowledge of acrylic paint and mediums to do just that. Learn essential techniques, starting with the anatomy of polymers, grounds and additives, pigments and colour mixing, plus many innovative possibilities of this modern medium, from glazing to palette knife tools, textures and mixed media. Subject matter will include abstractions to landscapes, and a Master Study with plenty of studio time to finish all projects. Benefit from demonstrations, critiques and personal guidance for beautiful paintings that combine knowledge with the joy of painting!

Bone Wind Fire • Master Class
For the love of nature and everyone who has dreamed of walking their own path! Explore the lives and works of Georgia O'Keeffe, Emily Carr and Frida Kahlo. These remarkable women listened to their own voice at a very interesting time in art history, defining a legacy with connection to nature, passionate drive and skill-based process. Learn from the Masters by studying key works of flowers, landscapes and symbolic imagery, with step-by-step demonstrations, critiques and OpenStudio time to create your own themed artwork inspired by one of these great women and personal interests. 

Your choice of media: watercolour, acrylics, oils or soft pastels.

Fresh Wilds 
Paint looser, bolder, freer and lighter! Push the boundaries of expressive mixed media that explore composition for bouquets and flower portraits in various styles. Have fun learning about colour, value, texture, tools and experimental acrylic mixed media combinations while strengthening your observational and conceptual skills to work more intuitively. These classes will be upbeat and liberating, fearlessly wild and philosophical, inspiring your creative courage to bloom.  

Expressive Landscapes 
Journey into the magical realms of your imagination with intuitive painting methods for abstracting from nature’s inspiration. Explore photo referencing tricks, dynamic compositions, unconventional tools, brushwork and colour harmonies, acrylic mediums and mixed media experimentation, all to help convey new ways of representing what you see and how you feel about the world around you. Inspiring demonstrations and exercises support Open Studio time for work with guidance in a nurturing and collaborative environment, celebrating fearless expression! 

These in person classes will be offered in the Spring 2024 schedule at Visual Arts Mississauga.

Mini Masters • Fauvism • Wed 1-Nov to 29-Nov from 9:30 - 12:30 pm

For Lovers of Colour! These sessions will study the history and theory of the Fauvists, to inspire colour explorations in your personal artwork. Demonstrations will primarily be in acrylic, with variations for soft pastels. Oil and watercolour painters are welcome. These classes will focus on colour, technique and stylization as we learn about this brief, yet powerful art movement that follows Impressionism and leads into expressionism. Previous experience in your chosen medium is essential. Artists for study: Henry Matisse, Maurice de Vlaminck, Andre Derain, and Auguste Herbin.

Mini Masters: Group of Seven • Wed 1-Nov to 29-Nov from 1:30 - 4:30 pm

These sessions will study the history, adventures and artworks of Canada’s beloved Group of Seven & Tom Thompson. These classes will focus on composition, process, technique, and stylization - what we can learn from the group, take away and implement into our own works, with modern insights, resources and materials. Demonstrations will primarily be in acrylic. Oil, watercolour and soft pastel artists are welcome. Previous experience in your chosen medium is essential. Artists for study: Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, A. Y. Jackson, and Tom Thomson. 

Fearless Drawing • Thurs 2-Nov to 30-Nov from 9:30 - 12:30 pm

Fearless Drawing provides the technical confidence required for experimentation, imagination and joy in the creative process. This courageous adventure explores understanding various drawing materials, eye-hand coordination, chiaroscuro shading, expressive mark-making, value studies, atmospheric perspective and relative proportion. Benefit from exciting projects featuring wild animals, motivating critiques and being proud of your artwork.

Fantastic Animals • Thurs 2-Nov to 30-Nov from 1:30 - 4:30 pm

This wild adventure explores projects of uniquely fantastical animal portraits and environments using soft pastels. Fantastic Animals provides the technical confidence of knowing your materials, colour play and artistic expression, rendering accurate proportions and realistic details. Each class features an animal portrait project, motivating critiques, being proud of your artwork and experiencing joy in the creative process.