"A Creative Journey..." with Donna Steel Contemporary Artist

Check out my latest Christchurch Greeting Cards!

donnasteel — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:50:06 +0000

http://www.zazzle.co.nz/donnasteelart/gifts?cg=196308388124243726

Art Classes 2012

donnasteel — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:38:25 +0000

Art Classes 2012

Art Classes with Donna Steel Contemporary Artist.

Class Mission Statement

LEARN* GROW* CREATE * while having fun discovering your “Creative Self” and unearthing your own “Artistic Voice”.

Explore various forms of Contemporary Art and Mixed Media in a fun and relaxed environment.

Grow in confidence as you learn product knowledge and different techniques to create your own unique works of art.

Things are a little different at the moment, the venue I normally use for my classes is out of use at the moment because of the Quakes, so I have started to teach from home.

Classes are for 3 hours at a time and class numbers will not exceed 7 Students.

For Bookings or more information please contact me here donnasteel1@xtra.co.nz or please feel free to phone me to have a chat about the classes and what we do Ph 033599125 or Mobile: 027 5070426

Monday Classes – 10am to 1pm – - Next Classes Start Monday 23rd January 2012 10am to 1pm

Tuesday Classes – 10am to 1pm – Next Classes Start Tuesday 24th January 2012 10am to 1pm

Friday Classes – 10 am to 1pm – – Next Classes Start Friday 27th January 2012 10am to 1pm

For those of you that cannot make it to a day art class I do teach on a Monday and Thursday Night at Papanui High continuing education Art Classes !

(Monday Classes) Art and Painting and Mixed Media - 7- 9pm 13th February 2012

Here is a little insight into what we weill be doing in this class…

Ground Work – COMPOSITION! Looking at the differences between Paint- Mediums- Gels – Pastes and Pigments.

Preparation Of Artwork- Prepare your substrate that you will be creating your artwork on. Learning how to Paint – learning some tried and true painting techniques – Washes and learning how to Blend, layering, using correct pigments and looking at gesso as a great fix it! Looking at Feathering, Scumbling, scragfitto, and impasto techniques, . Looking at ways to prepare your substrate, (Gesso) and looking at what mediums and how to use them in your artwork.

Getting your painting Dressed! Layering starting with under painting starting to experiment with washes and blending paints or impasto depending on what style of artwork you are painting and layering with colour texture and detail.

How to paint from photos, images and getting composition correct – graphing etc… Painting Landscapes – hills – trees – sky – water – stones – rocks and looking more closely at blending and shading adding light and highlight effects.

Looking at different types of mixed media ideas – Skins, Transfers, Layering, Embedding and experimenting with different collage ideas.

(Thursday Classes) Art the Next Step- Painting and Mixed Media for Teens – 6-8pm 9th February 2012

To enquire about Term 1 classes for 2012 - contact Papanui High Continuing Education (03) 3520701

http://intranet.papanui.school.nz/mod/glossary/view.php?id=3799

A Small Selection of Artwork created by Students in my Art Classes.

Some thoughts…..

donnasteel — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:26:39 +0000

Our “Mind” is a funny thing! I always try to think positively in my life, and try to see good in all situations, not always an easy thing to do !!

I have started up biking again to get fit and shed some unwanted excess pounds !! and I have found that I just love that time to loose myself in my thoughts ! I use this time each morning to help set me up for the day ahead, I feel it centers me and allows me to time to “just B”….

As I was biking this morning a wonderful sentence just came to mind …

“Nice thoughts – Kind Words”

and then when I opened up my little book of Zen Gems tonight, this is the quote that met me!

“Mind is the forerunner of (all good) states.

Our life is the creation of our mind.

If one speaks or acts with pure mind,

happiness follows one as his own shadows that never leaves.

(Quote from The DHAMMAPADA)

Space – Time – Atmosphere

donnasteel — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:36:38 +0000

Finding space and creating time are two of the most important things I think you need to think about to help you get in a good creative Place!

1. Find a place where you can get into “the zone” without being disturbed…

2. You only need a small space just enough room for maybe a table easel, and some paints, brushes and palettes….

3. Think about atmosphere, maybe have your Ipod there set up with speakers, I find music really relaxing and it helps me to loose myself while painting….

It is always a real bonus if you have a space that you can set up and leave your paints, canvas, art pads etc there without having to pack up after each art session, this saves so much time and effort, and usually allows you to be able to glide in and paint for any amount of time and just glide out and leave everything…..

Dont panic if you don’t have a space as you just need to be a little more organised that’s all!

1.Think about organising your paints and brushes in a carry box… like a tool box that you can easily pack away after use.

What is Creativity?

donnasteel — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:14:59 +0000

To be creative is one of the hardest and most physical and emotional taxing things you can do!

1) Be well rested and relaxed! I find if I am tired and have been rushing around then the last thing I can do is sit down and be able to paint or be creative.

2) Paint, Create what is in your heart and Don’t put pressure on yourself! Paint what you feel you want to paint Not what others tell you to! This includes painting what you enjoy and love rather than what is in vogue for now.

3) Experiment! Experiment with using new products, new techniques, and colours etc… When we stay in one place and don’t wish to look outside the box we are comfortable in, that is when we tend to get stayed and bored in our ways… and then Creativity is usually the first thing to go!

4) Maybe Create with others? Joining an art class, group or simply find a friend to paint with… Painting is such an uplifting thing to do and is always enjoyable with others, you may find very special friendships within your painting groups and also you can kick of different ideas you may have.

1. What is Creativity ?

Noun – Meaning of Creativity – the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretation, etc; originality, progressiveness, or imagination: the need for creativity in modern industry; creativity in the performing arts.

Art Tips – How to B Creative?

donnasteel — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:32:31 +0000

To be creative is one of the hardest and most physical and emotional taxing things you can do!

1) Be well rested and relaxed! I find if I am tired and have been rushing around then the last thing I can do is sit down and be able to paint or be creative.

1. What is Creativity ?

Update- Welcome to 2012!

donnasteel — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:06:41 +0000

Hi everyone, just realised that I have not used this blog in well over a year ! not good enough as from now I will be updating what I am up to on this blog and attach the link to my website !

Hope everyone has had a Great Xmas Break and Fantastic New Year! and getting ready for an even Better 2012 !!

Talk soon!

cheers Donna

Here is my interview from Nor’West News

donnasteel — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 06:58:04 +0000

http://donnasteel.co.nz/2010/10/27/norwest-news/

A few things you can do with Golden…

donnasteel — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:01:35 +0000

Hi folks I have been busy creating some small artworks with a variety of Golden Products and thought you may like to have a sneak peek… We will be exploring lots of awesome products on my half day workshop in November…

: Using Golden Interference Colours …

Art Class – Art Using Mixed Media 3 more people needed !!

donnasteel — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 22:34:59 +0000

Hi all my Art – Using Mixed Media Class starts Tuesday Night 26th October at Papanui High 7 to 9pm.

If you are thinking about joining an art class , learn about colour – tecture and different styles to paint in …then this is the class for you, phone Papanui High continuing education to book your place!

To enrol contact Papanui High Continuing Education (03) 3520701

Because this class is run through Papanui High School and is a community based class it must have 10 students to go ahead!

We have 3 SPACES AVAILABLE! and then the class can run next week, please spread the word if you know anyone that is interested in coming

cheers Donna