Art Life is a small and encouraging art studio. A place that allows the stirring up of the creative part of you. This is a place that encourages students to think like an artist, while encouraging that part of you that says that you are not. After teaching adults for so many years, I have heard all the voices of the inner critics. I have witnessed the universal anxiety surrounding our discussion critiques. I have felt the energy of doubt and the surrender to acceptance. I have seen the courage each student summons as they walk the tight rope of trial and error. There is a certain belief in the process that people have to have when learning a new skill, just doing it...and then you will believe later. Today I realize that one of the most important aspects of teaching, if not the most important, is to call forth people's confidence in their creative inner voice and the belief that they have a creative voice. This voice allows people to work independently of their critical thought, methodical, and factual thinking. This voice tells you what you think is beautiful. This voice tells you intuitively when you need more or less color on your canvas. This voice tells you that your work is finished. This voice tells you not to give up, and to keep trying as you learn a new artistic skill. Over the years I have come to believe that everyone has an artist voice. This voice is like a personal center of gravity, always finding a balance once you let it sing. You have to give yourself opportunities to find that artist voice. Classes at Art Life reflect my personal beliefs about self discovery, the importance of design fundamentals, and having fun working with familiar and not-so-familiar materials.
Happy Creating, Happy Listening, Happy Art Life!
Juli Schumann
working with students at Vanderbilt University
mixed materials waiting to be used!
Vision for Teaching Kids at Art Life Studio
Kid's love art. They instantly use all their senses to create, construct, deconstruct, imagine, and explore. Art Life studio is a place to concentrate, grow, and develop artistic interests in a small, professional, non-competitive setting outside of home and school. We have designed classes to enrich your child's current art education, and because of our small class sizes we are able to focus on each child's individual art interests, Our mission is to encourage and develop the artistic interests of your child through fun exercises and projects. We offer classes and workshops for kids in painting, sculpture, clay, and multi-media art techniques (as well as awesome birthday parties!)
r a story related to the art lesson of the day. This reinforces the art concepts and stimulates ideas.
