Expand creativity while learning the techniques to support it

Diana S.

I am currently pursuing my master's degree in Art Therapy with the goal of using art as a means of self-discovery and healing. In my approach to art education, I emphasize both self-expression and structured techniques to enhance creative abilities. With 8 years of experience teaching ceramics and art privately, as well as at studios like Clayhouse Brooklyn, Taos Ceramics Center, and Clay Mavens, I have worked with individuals of all ages, ranging from 4 and up.

Coming from teaching in a non-academic setting, I prioritize self-expression and exploration of the medium while utilizing techniques to improve hand-eye coordination, such as gesture drawings, contour, blind, and sustained contour, to expand creative vision. My artistic skills encompass hand-building, wheel throwing, basic drawing (breaking everything down to shapes/lines), graphite, charcoal, painting, color theory, and digital art using Procreate and Photoshop. My artwork primarily focuses on abstract and fantasy illustration, often carrying a political message supporting the Earth and promoting mutual respect for all of its inhabitants. I encourage artists to use their voices to make the changes they want to see in this world.

Some of the techniques/approaches I teach include erasure drawing, contour drawing, grid drawing, perspective, cross-hatching, stippling, utilizing light and dark values to create realistic images, and layering opposing hues on the color wheel to avoid over-reliance on black and white colors. Additionally, I cover color mixing to build values and hues, creating depth in drawings through concepts like linear and atmospheric perspective, and measuring proportions by eye to create depth. I encourage students to find their why and focus on creating images that inspire them to keep going.