When you talk about art, you talk about what you sense, think and feel. When we have a discussion about an artwork together we can better understand each other’s experience. Therefore, having a conversation about an artwork is one of the best ways to have a meaningful conversation with someone. That is why I recommend it to English language learners who want to connect to other people throughout the world.

There are many ways to talk about artwork. Some of these ways require a deep knowledge of history and culture. That knowledge is one meaningful aspect of an artwork, but I will not help you learn that.

Instead, I want to help you see what choices the artist is making. How are they using their materials? Which parts of the artwork are simple, which are complex? What did the artist choose NOT to show you? How do the different parts of the artwork create the overall effect of the artwork?

My goal is to give you a framework to think and talk about artwork that you can use with any artwork, with anyone, anywhere in the world.

When we talk about the artwork, I could also help you with your English by providing you with appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures to describe your ideas. If you want, I could take 5-10 minutes to correct or improve the sentences you spoke in our discussion. This way you can feel confident expressing your ideas to anyone.

 --- About Me ---

I am an American and an art lover. I graduated from the Art Institute in Chicago in 2006 and ran an art studio designing sculpture in glass from 2006 to 2015. I then moved to China where I lived for several years, teaching English at a University while both teaching and studying art. I now live in Lyon, France.

--- Art Materials and Techniques Class ---

Many people want to learn how to create art in a class, at a university or through an online program. Many of these classes and programs are in English. One of the most difficult parts for English language learners is understanding the specific vocabulary and usage of terms related to art materials and techniques. What are the different kinds of brushes or pigments in English? What format paper do I buy in the US? How do I describe my multimedia artwork? How do I describe the process of creating digital artwork?

You can contact me with a specific project you want help with, or we can discuss materials and techniques in general. For this class, please contact me before we meet as I may need to prepare in advance!