Lisa Call – Textile Paintings » Learn From Me » Alumni Directory

Alumni Directory

The students in my classes work hard and I’m always impressed with the beautiful artwork they create. It is my honor to share with you their creations. Be sure to checkout their websites and blogs to see more of their amazing talents.

Organized by workshop:

Working in a Series
Abstraction
Setting Goals

All images shared with permission from the artist.
Interested in taking a workshop? Available classes are listed in the online course catalog.

Working in a Series

Lou Ann Smith

Flying from Santa Barbara to Denver
©2013 Lou Ann Smith
Textiles
Lou Ann’s website

“Lisa’s class was truly extraordinary. I have been taking art classes all my life, and have never had an experience quite like this.

Lisa provided a varied list of artists whose work we considered through the course, along with material to think about regarding design and process every week through email on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This, along with her one-hour lecture on Sundays, provided a rich coursework with plenty to think about without it becoming overwhelming.

Lisa’s assignments were clear and her critiques every week of everyone’s work was extremely valuable, thorough and insightful. I think I got the most out of her critiques of my work and her assistance helping me critique my own work. She helped me see my work objectively and continue to improve things that didn’t work in the original composition.

For me, working on a piece a week created a nice flow of design. Her class offered me a new way to work in a series by offering new ways to pursue the concept I had originally envisioned. I feel that I have a better perspective of my work and my process after completing this course.”

~Lou Ann Smith
Goleta, California

Cindy Kuo

Jardine House, Hong Kong
©2013 Cindy Kuo
Textiles
Cindy’s website and blog

“I signed up for Lisa’s Working in a Series workshop because someone had told me that they had heard that Lisa was a wonderful teacher. Boy, they were NOT wrong!!!

Lisa’s on-line workshops are very well organized and designed to help you to keep moving forward. You have constant reminders and deadlines. The conference call lectures are very informative. You never have the feeling that you are doing an on-line workshop vs. an in class workshop.

For me, the most motivating part about the class was the e-mails that we received 3 times a week. The information, prompts, encouragement that I received in each of these e-mails was well worth the price of admission. Every time I sit and work, things I read in those e-mails come to mind & they help me to move forward.

I highly recommend taking a class with Lisa & I look forward to signing up for further classes. ”

~Cindy Kuo
Northbrook, IL

Helen Parrott

Plants: utility & beauty
©2013 Helen Parrott
Print, collage, paint, drawing on paper
Helen Parrott’s website

“I signed up for Lisa’s online course to support me to make a step change in my art practice. The course certainly supported me to make a major change in my work as I intended. However, I gained so much more from my participation than just a new creative direction, important though that is. I was reminded of the joys and challenges of being an artist, my need to make work that is authentic and the importance of having and maintaining a clear creative focus. As I worked through the email and exercises over the ten weeks of the course I learnt some new skills, dusted off some old ones and did some experimenting.

The course is intensive and fast moving with weekly assignments. The emails, links and other resources Lisa provided were up to date, considered, interesting and extensive, going well beyond my expectations in their thoughtfulness, range and depth. As well as using the work of well known and less well known artists as examples, there was also lots of material on the ‘nuts and bolts’ of being an artist including practical strategies for making art in the busy and complex world we now live in. The sections on goals, focus and decluttering were especially helpful to me. I will work through the materials again over the coming months to learn more.

As the course progressed Lisa’s open, generous and straightforward style became clearer. I much enjoyed the sense she shares with students that an artistic life is important and that we are all exploring and seeking to make better art. This peer to peer style suited me. This openness was also present through the website where we could see the work of the other participants as it developed during the course.

On a practical note I found that being based in the UK worked well. We used Skype for our calls which was fine. For me a bonus of taking a course from a US based tutor was experiencing a different view of the world and accessing a wider range of information and resources.

I thoroughly recommend Lisa’s Working in a Series course as a rich and rewarding learning experience.”

~Helen Parrott
Sheffield, England

Allegra Brelsford

Cityscape and Gradation (initial work with domes)
©2013 Allegra Brelsford
Fabric, Fiber and Paper
Allegra’s website

Antzee Magruder

Aerial views of the Delta
©2012 Antzee Magruder
Fabric, Fiber and Paper
Antzee’s website

“Have you ever looked at your artwork and a nagging voice asks “what is missing?” Well that was me. I would hang my artwork in my co-op gallery and look at it wonder why I did not feel like it was complete. I had a great collection of well matched pieces much like a well coordinated outfit but they did not that cohesiveness that I needed.

I found Lisa Call’s workshop through a Twitter post and immediately knew this was the next step for me. Lisa is a professional and every aspect of her course is planned, informational and motivating. I am very busy and my time is limited and the schedule of the course allowed me flexibility to complete the work.

I have completed this course and now I feel like I have the information to take my artwork to a new level. Take the course, do the assignments and enjoy the results. It is so worth it.”

~Antzee Magruder
Memphis, TN

Peggy Black

!!!
©2012 Peggy Black
Textiles

“One of my distractions yesterday was going to a lecture by a well known quilt artist. She grew through series work without even pointing that out to the audience.

But after your workshop, I saw it with the progression of work. She is a trained artist so I think this Working in Series has a lot of merit to it and the art community has kept it a secret, at least from me. Or maybe I was just too oblivious to realize that an artist’s work follows a timeline.

Thank You for a worthwhile workshop. It was worth every penny and every minute spent!

I really like your teaching approach and your feedback. I felt I was supported in my style of work.

You did not try to rework my designs into your style. You put your style on the back burner and let my voice be heard! Thank you.”

~Peggy Black
Southwestern Pennsylvania

Sherri Woodard Coffey

Layers and Lines
©2012 Sherri Woodard Coffey
Sketches and Designs for future Tapestries
Sherri’s website and blog

“Have you ever needed a kick to get started on something? That’s where I was. I couldn’t decide what to weave next, so I was weaving nothing.

The Working in a Series classes were just right for me. Each assignment included a studio practice, mindset ideas to think about, and design principles. During the week, we received messages exposing us other artists and their series work. Several of these messages really “hit home” for me and gave me the kick I needed.

Since I am a weaver, I don’t have any real work to show, but I do have several designs that I’m excited about. In fact, I just jumped in and started weaving! The weaving is one of the earlier designs I made—and I’m not crazy about it—but I’m in the studio working.

The turning point for me came when I listened to an interview of Joan Mitchell (link provided by Lisa). She mentioned going into the studio and working, even if it’s only one line. Even if that line ends up being wrong. Of course, Lisa also covered that idea later in one of the studio practice assignments.

But above all else, the design principle assignments were the real impetus for getting to designs that I like. By taking one element of a design and expanding on that and thinking about it new ways, designs are born. And then I completely jumped ship and decided that lines were to be my focus for a while. And that’s exciting!”

~Sherri Woodard Coffey
Fort Worth, Texas

Liz Copeland

Birds and Dancers
©2012 Liz Copeland
Collage
Liz’s website and blog

Wendy Tribulski

Abstract Landscapes
©2012 Wendy Tribulski
Acrylic on canvas
Wendy’s website

“This course was all I was hoping it would be and much more. I am so appreciative of the time and thought you put into your responses to our thoughts and our work. The structure of the course and the topics you researched and presented to us were exactly what I needed at this point in my development as an artist.

The class work ethic was truly inspiring – it pushed me to do so much more than I thought possible!

Thank you for everything Lisa. I’m really looking forward to working with you in the future!”

~Wendy Tribulski
Avalon, NJ

Wil Opio Oguta

Abstracts: Squares, Circles, Lines
©2012 Wil Opio Oguta
Textiles
Wil’s website and blog

Sharon Robinson

Exploration of Color and Texture
©2012 Sharon Robinson
Art Quilts – In Progress
Sharon’s blog

“This was a fantastic workshop for me. I feel so energized about moving forward.

I have learned an amazing amount about art, about myself, and about other artists over the last 8 months. Until now I’d always seen art as a mysterious world that I had no idea how to enter.

Over the course of this class, reading about other artists, reading, studying, talking (or listening) about artistic principles made art so much more approachable for me.

My situation is sort of odd, I think, because of my background in architecture. Some aspects of art and composition come easily to me, while others are like learning a foreign language.

I’m writing a lot of words to try to say something relatively simple. I feel like a little kid in the coolest playground imaginable, and I’m free to run around exploring whatever I want, and around every corner is something else new and amazing.

I’m one of those people that has to experience things first hand to really absorb them, so even though I understood intellectually what “working in a series” is, and why it’s good, I had to actually go through the process of doing it to really internalize why and how I would want to do it.

Now I understand it, and I can’t wait to get back to the studio and do it!

Lisa thanks for your very well designed and presented class. It’s clear you have put a huge amount of time and energy into organizing and presenting the material in an understandable format for us.”

~Sharon Robinson
Bellingham, Washington

Michelle Goldsmith

Patina
©2012 Michelle Goldsmith
Painted Textiles

Katie Stein Sather

Color Fields – Aerial Views of our World
©2012 Katie Stein Sather
Textiles
Katie’s blog

Angeline Martinez

Palm Trees
©2012 Angeline Martinez
Acrylic and Encaustic
Angelines’s website and blog

“For a year my main studio was my sketchbook as I had no space to paint. Now that I have an art studio space I craved painting. Yet I faced fear. Unrelenting fear.

The voice in my head was saying “Did I forget how to paint? How do I use paint? I hate what I created. I used to know how to do that but I’ve forgotten!”

The desire to return to my studio is stronger that my fear so I jumped online to take Working in a Series with Lisa Call.

Those voices in my head? Altered: “What design element will be the focus of this piece? It is OK to work small, especially with limited studio time. What will be the composition of this piece? What colors should I choose? Should I add texture? Oh, wait, I enjoyed adding lines which is unusual for me, so where can I push lines in this piece, if I so choose? Ok, my encaustics are gathering dust – for now they ok gathering dust. Here is the cadium red, and my brushes. This worked last time, how about this time. Red goes here….. “

Now when I get into my studio, I have a plan. Jotted into my sketchbook is a quick draw of a composition, color notes & choices, ideas of direction if something changes. The Fear is gone.

Will I take another course with Lisa? Oh, yeah.

Working in a series has renewed my interest in being in my art studio. WIS has returned my confidence as an artist. My studio time is used more efficiently and creatively and with more techniques now than ever. I am having fun using skills and techniques learned over the years and still have a real body of cohesive art work to exhibit.
It has been invaluable to me to learn the design elements and create each assignment. I will continue to work on my palm tree series. I will also begin and end smaller series during my art creation times just because of outside influences such as vacations, life/world events, etc.

Thank you, Ms. Lisa Call. Thank you for the new voices in my head.”

~Angeline Martinez
Homestead, Florida

Angeline sent me this update 6 months after her class was over:

“A quick email while daydreaming and anticipating my self given art retreat this weekend:

THANK YOU thank you THANK YOU thank you THANK YOU.

Your class is a GIFT that keeps on giving. I’m STILL on a roll with my palm trees series. I’m still Be-Do-Have[ing] on many of the lessons you gave. My sketchbooks are full of fancy clips marking projects…and I’ve been averaging 4-6 hours a week in my studio.

THANK YOU.

I truly believe I would be lost without having taken your class.”

Georgeann Schellenger

Abstract Patina
©2012 Georgeann Schellenger
Surface Design

Jo Drueke

Tree Bark
©2012 Jo Drueke
Surface Design, Thread

Vivien Zepf

Chairs and an Exploration of Comfort
©2012 Vivien Zepf
Art Quilts
Vivien’s website and blog

“I’ve learned a great deal in your class and I have much to think about going forward. You gave us so much information that each of us, in our own way, would find a way for it to resonate personally.

I also appreciated the variety of artists you selected to illustrate your points. I may not have liked each one of the works represented, but I sure did think about them…. and that’s the point.

Being introspective — figuring out what we like and don’t like, what really makes us tick, what we have to say — will help us be better artists.

Thanks again for an excellent class!”

~Vivien Zepf
Thornwood, New York

Donna Deaver

Reflections
©2012 Donna Deaver
Textiles

“Lisa’s Working in a Series workshop was just what I needed to help me to move forward with my art and finding my personal artistic voice.

With a consistent studio practice, as well as all of the knowledge and skills I acquired during the workshop –especially learning how to view and critique my own work — I believe that I have a solid foundation and the tools to discover who I am as an artist. I will continue my series work that I began in this workshop for quite some time.

Lisa is a natural teacher and coach, and her love of art is obvious in her lectures, course content and individual feedback. The classes are intentionally small, so there is a lot of individual attention to the students and their work, as well as quality interaction between the students. This is truly a worthwhile investment in one’s personal artistic growth!”

~Donna Deaver
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Petra Kooij

Circles
©2012 Petra Kooij
Textiles

“I’ve come a step further in my development as a textile artist with aid of the many tips, advice, information and the good feedback provided in the online course Working in a Series with Lisa Call.

In the past I started a few times to work in a series but that ran out on nothing. After the course I am able to start a new series with confidence and joy! And I still have a lot of ideas to continue work on for the series that I am started during the workshop.

It was hard work but the course gives a lot of development and satisfaction. I really enjoyed it.”

~Petra Kooij
Netherlands

Lynne Croswell

Leaves – details and abstractions
©2012 Lynne Croswell
Art Quilts
Lynne’s blog

“Thank you again for a wonderful class. You have convinced me that working in a series is definitely a good way to work. Instead of having to “reinvent the wheel” with each new piece, I have a storehouse of ideas just waiting to be executed.

While I think I will still be working through some of my “fear” issues, I have looked forward to studio time and have actually missed it while I have been ill. The wealth of knowledge and resources you share in the workshop is amazing, not to mention the personal student-teacher time you make available.

Your well thought out reviews, your encouragement, your work ethic and example have all made this experience very enjoyable.

Thank you!”

~Lynne Croswell
Ludlow, Vermont

Carol Trice

NAME
A Study of Black and White Cross-Hatches
©2012 Carol Trice
Art Quilts
Carol’s website and blog

“I am just wrapping up the on-line workshop with Lisa on “Working in a Series”. In just 8 short weeks, we have covered so much ground, it is hard to fathom. Lisa covers three main topics each week; the Working in a Series assignment, a Working in the Studio discussion, and a study of successful artists who have worked in a series.

If there is any hesitancy at all with taking an on-line workshop, please don’t let that stop you. There is a structure for the students to view each others work as well as support each other. There was just as much student participation and camaraderie with this on-line workshop as I have experienced in traditional workshops.

Lisa provides critiques in a manner that that is encouraging but constructive. Her critiques help forward your development as an artist. Her weekly topics are both practical as well as enlightening.

Lisa, I cannot thank you enough for your knowledge, your encouragement, and your experience!”

~Carol Trice
Dallas, Texas

Pam Morris

A series exploring the beauty of Florida
©2012 Pam Morris
Art Quilts

“Lisa’s workshop has opened up a new concept to me: working from a single first piece of art to series of many related works.

I was able to use this idea to create several works of art that convey my ideas of the natural beauty of Florida through its continuing destruction process by man. I learned to simplify, and to build on my ideas.

In addition I have learned to close many doors and to focus on my passion. As a result of this workshop I have given away all but my own hand dyed fabrics, stopped wasting time on my computer, stopped dabbling in little practice surface design processes I do not care for and never use, keep a fairly tidy studio, and just go in there and do my art.

I usually enjoy in person 5 day workshops and was skeptical about an online class. But, Lisa is always available to her students, only a quick email away. The email is like waving one’s hand in the air and waiting for the teacher to come over.

I find I concentrate at home better than in class. In a class one usually has many fabric sketches to show for the week but with an online class the way Lisa structured it, one has quiltable works of art waiting to be finished.

I have never been so productive. I have made a few 12″ pieces as donor quilts for organizations, guilds and an exhibit, made and even discarded a top that did not work out, and have several tops to quilt as soon as I am able to do so.

My only problem is now need a 36 hour day to use all I have learned!

I really enjoyed this class and I will take online workshops with Lisa again.”

~Pam Morris
Florida

Gunhild Agnér Sigbo

Keys and a Study of Contrast
©2012 Gunhild Agnér Sigbo
Paint/Collage on Canvas
Gunhild’s website

“This course gave me much more of confidence with my abilities, more of concentration in art working, a cleaner studio, and a lot of patience, and for these worthy experiences.

I thank you very much, Lisa!”

~Gunhild Agnér Sigbo
Scania, Sweden

Kathy Kerstetter

Abstraction – Circles and Squares
©2012 Kathy Kerstetter
Art Quilts
Kathy’s website and blog

Isabel Forbes

Cumberland Island
©2012 Isabel Forbes
Oil on Canvas
Isabel’s website and blog

Dianne Crumbaker

Cups
©2012 Dianne Crumbaker
Pen, Ink, Paint on paper
Dianne’s website and blog

“Lisa Call states the following with respect to her workshop Working in a Series: “As with all my workshops, my biggest intention is to provide my students the confidence and tools so they can move their art forward by leaps and bounds.”

Amazingly, she accomplishes this, and in the course of doing so, provides concrete information, practical advice, clear critique, and encouragement (and provides a wealth of information on a wide range of artists).

If you have difficulty launching, Lisa is adept at nudging you into action. If you get off-course, she’s there with suggestions on what adjustments you might try. If you are already confident in your work, she shows you ways to expand and improve.

Our workshop had students with a range of experience, and each of us showed substantial growth over the course of these few weeks. It was really exciting to see.

Equally important, for anyone who has struggled with developing a regular art practice, Lisa provides real-world advice on how to get into the studio, find and maintain focus, and make decisions that lead to success. (And, as an added bonus, much of this advice spills over into non-art related daily life as well.)

I invested in this workshop with some hesitation, but the value received was worth many times the investment.

Lisa, this workshop is one of the best values on the internet.

The information was mind-broadening. This may not sound like a compliment, but it is: The workshop made me really uncomfortable. It shook me into a different perception, which is something that needs to happen with great regularity if we’re to continue growing.

Thank you.”

~Dianne Crumbaker
Tallahassee, Florida

Kathy Savage

Grand Canyon
©2012 Kathy Savage
Art Quilts

“I have always wanted to create art quilts of my own design, but I really did not know where to start.

The information and instruction that you provided in this workshop have helped me to start down an entirely different path of creativity — which is so significant for me as a beginner in this field.

I so appreciated your comments and suggests regarding the artwork I submitted — they helped me to move forward and develop a more artistic thought process. I appreciated the fact that even though most of the time I did not know where to start, you provided me with enough guidance, support and encouragement that I was able to create my own artwork — and each piece was just a little more exciting than the previous one.

This is huge for me as I had always created work based on patterns and instructions by others. Thank you for providing an experience that has opened a new door and direction for creating my own unique artwork.

Thank you so much for this great workshop!”

~Kathy Savage
Park City, Utah

Ruth Harmelink

Curved Lines on Pots
©2012 Ruth Harmelink
Textiles

Colleen Kole

Roof Lines
©2012 Colleen Kole
Art Quilts
Colleen’s blog

“I didn’t know how to move forward.

After various classes with amazingly talented teachers, I was frustrated. I knew what the phrase “working in a series “ meant except, I didn’t know how to apply my knowledge to my work. Workshop after workshop came and went and I knew that I wasn’t developing my skills as an artist.

With fear, I jumped into Lisa Call’s class Working in a Series. Lisa used a variety of educational tools (lectures, e-mails and assignments) to present just the information I needed to develop time management skills for my studio practice and to study other artists who had worked in a series.

As different aspects of composition were explored through weekly assignments, I learned how to do the invaluable self-critique. The online format of a private blog proved easy to navigate and inspiring to watch as my classmates series grew as well. Lisa’s lectures were concise and full of information.

Lisa Call’s online class “Working in a Series” has given my work a newfound focus and the skills to maintain a vibrant, exciting studio practice so I may grow and develop as an artist. I am a very satisfied student and I highly recommend this class. ”

~Colleen Kole
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Christine Watters

Footprints
©2012 Christine Watters
Surface Design

“As a self-taught craft person I knew I was missing something in my bag o’ tricks. I had enough technique, and even some good ideas, but I still couldn’t develop my own work into a cohesive style – my style. Lisa’s “Working in a Series” workshop gave me this missing piece.

Through Lisa’s thoughtful guidance I learned to recognize what a series is (apparently I already have a couple of series in the works!), I learned how to start and grow my own work… and so much more.

I will continue to pursue the series I began in class as I have several ideas still to explore. I’m planning to work on larger format pieces to take my series further.

An unexpected result was developing a studio practice. I don’t have many hours to spend in my craft space, but now the little time I do have I am excited about. All day long at work I am itching to get back into the studio.”

~Christine Watters
Toronto, Ontario

Dianna VanderDoes

Snakes
©2012 Dianna VanderDoes
Art Quilts
Dianna’s website and blog

Bobbie Edelson

The Women of India
©2012 Bobbie Edelson
Collage, Surface Design, Textiles

Maria Shell

Chairs
©2011 Maria Shell
Maria’s website

“Lisa Call’s online class Working in a Series was just what I needed to help me explore a new series idea. Lisa breaks down the components to good art and helps you apply them to your own work. Each week, we explored a different aspect of composition via Lisa’s lectures, web posts, and by studying other artists’ work.

By isolating just one aspect of what makes art art–whether it be line, shape, color, or figure ground composition– and then studying that aspect and applying it to my own work really created dramatic results in both what the work looked like and what I learned. I will continue to use this new knowledge and way of creating compositions as I move forward with this series and other work.

In addition to great, well thought out assignments, the class is structured for all different artists and media. It was an added bonus to get to see how other artists work. My class included students who weave, create ink drawings, and work with encaustics, as well as several fiber artists. This was a new experience for me–one that benefited all involved.

Throughout the eight week course, we received emails from Lisa that worked to help us hone our art and our studio practice. We explored ways to think about our art and how that can improve our work. Having a functioning studio, establishing hours of studio practice, as well as thinking about our attitudes towards our own art all worked together to help me improve my ability to make art.

After we completed each assignment, we were asked to do a guided self critique. This practice increased my ability to articulate how I felt about my work and were it was going. Learning how to critique one’s own work is a tool I will continue to use as I move forward.

Without hesitation, I would say this class is worth every penny. This workshop truly gives the students involved new tools that they can continue to use long after the workshop is over.”

– Maria Shell
Anchorage, Alaska

Polly Phillips

Aspens
©2011 Polly Phillips
Paper and Photo Collage

Elizabeth Munro

Squares in a Line
©2011 Elizabeth Munro
Paper and Fabric Collage
Elizabeth Munro’s website and blog

Lena Ohlén

A Study of Light through the Trees
©2011 Lena Ohlén
Ink on Canvas
Lena Ohlén’s website

Debbie Babin

Leaves
©2011 Debbie Babin
Textiles
Debbie’s website and blog

Gregory Vasgerdsian

Dusk at the Carquinez Strait
©2011 Gregory Vasgerdsian
Oil on Canvas
Gregory’s website

Jeanne Marklin

Shibori Circles
©2011 Jeanne Marklin
Surface Design
Jeanne’s blog

“The Working in a Series class was far more in depth and thought provoking than I imagined before starting the workshop. Lisa expanded and refined my own understanding of a series. She introduced us to some new artists and used them to illustrate design principles.

This workshop was a major step forward in disciplining myself to have a consistent studio practice, and prioritize my art as central to my future goals. I would highly recommend the class to anyone who wants to move their art practice forward.”

~Jeanne Marklin
Williamstown, Massachusetts

Dahlia Clark

Relationships
©2011 Dahlia Clark
Collage, Fabric, Digital
Dahlia’s blog

Susie Monday

Sirena Series
©2011 Susie Monday
Narrative Art Quilts
Susie’s website and blog

Brenda Gael Smith

Grasses and Wildflower Abstraction
©2011 Brenda Gael Smith
Pieced Art Quilts
Brenda’s website and blog

Carole Lyles Shaw

Words and Letters
©2011 Carole Lyles Shaw
Collage, Fabric, Paper
Carol’s website and blog

Sandy Ellison

Abstraction

Aryana Londir

“I just completed Lisa Call’s class on Abstraction. Although abstraction initially seems to be an easy theme, Lisa delves into the subject with a solid basis of knowledge and research. She provides an amazing amount of written materials from which to learn, as well as one-on-one contact via written evaluations and critiques, guidance and phone calls for each student.

I have created art for the past twenty years in different media, always in the abstract format. I have come to learn that there are different types of abstraction which have influenced and informed my work. How I design and how I interpret my work has been altered in the positive since completing this class.

Lisa provides a nurturing and supportive atmosphere for learning. She has given us a wonderful framework in which to work with spot on critiques and guidelines. It has been my honor to participate.

I have followed some of the work done by others in this class and it’s amazing to see the different interpretations of the same assignment.

She continues to inspire many of us to work harder and dig deeper. What can be better than that?”

~Aryana Londir
New River, Arizona

Monica Gonzalez

“Lisa’s online course about Abstraction is a gem that goes beyond art. She has the gift to bring out a content of art in a whole-way.

An extended knowledge is organized pristinely in an container that can suit everyone. Her course is a helpful tool to self improvement of mind, body and spirit.

I am in the second half of my century, following my heart as an intuitive abstract painter in the field of expressive arts and I totally recommend the course to everyone.

I feel Lisa’s course has profound intrinsic value. An amazing experience in art through art and above art.”

~Monica Gonzalez
Miami, Florida

Trisha Findlay

“I completed an 8 week online workshop entitled “Abstraction” with Lisa in October 2012. The format of the workshop and Lisa’s commitment were inspiring. There were 4 parts to the workshop and I found each part really valuable for myself as a person and as a quilt artist.

Firstly each week was devoted to some aspect of life as an artist ie belief, trust, vulnerability and so on. For me it was really valuable to be able to think about myself and my self-beliefs in an organised and safe way. Thank you Lisa. I felt I grew in confidence and belief as a person over the 8 weeks of the workshop.

Secondly, the subject “Abstraction” was supported with a thorough chronological review of the development of abstract art. This review, with examples and commentary, moved from the expressionists to the minimalists and pop art.

Lisa presented this information, combined with a preview of the week and aspects of life as an artist in weekly lectures and emails.

Over the 8 weeks we had 6 assignments, each one looked at a different aspect of abstraction. And each assignment was commented on and discussed by Lisa in a very competent and non-threatening manner. I enjoyed each assignment, some I found more challenging than others. I was able to complete work; normally a lot of what I do ends up in the corner or just stays in my head.

Finally Lisa contacted all the participants personally twice during the 8 weeks to discuss any aspects of the workshops or my own practice I wanted to talk about. This discussion was organised with a series of questions sent before the discussion which helped me to focus and think about what I wanted. This was really valuable because I could ask about little things like organising sketchbooks or how to hang my work.

I thoroughly recommend this workshop and on that basis any of Lisa’s online workshops. She is very organised, very committed and kind.”

~Trisha Findlay
Masterton, New Zealand

Leah Sullivan

“Lisa Call’s Abstraction Workshop gave me just what I was looking for; it elevated my art-making to a new level.

I wanted to learn how to bring useful planning steps into my process as I have created pieces impulsively in the past. I am thrilled that I have acquired means to plan work deliberately yet retain improvisation in my process.

I will be learning from the artists we studied for years to come and have learned that Abstraction is definitely a path I want to pursue.

Lisa’s insights into facets of the artistic process and the resources she shared were all very useful. The discussions of habits, vulnerability, confidence and trusting the process were helpful to me. Lisa’s critiques of my work and her encouragement were especially valuable.

I now have the firm conviction that only study and practice separate me from creating art that will amaze me, my ultimate artistic goal.”

~Leah Sullivan
Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado

Lena Ohlén

Roberta Nelson

Dahlia Clark

“Lisa Call’s Abstraction course has improved both my approach to art making, and my art itself. Lisa’s courses are very thorough, paying attention to the processes of making and evaluating art, the habits involved in being successful, and presenting a wide range of fantastic art to consider.
The weekly assignments covered a good variety of approaches. Some came naturally to me, and others were definitely a challenge. My confidence improved immensely through these assignments, and I am now prepared to tackle the artistic path that is right for me.

The explorations of art movements and individual artists opened my eyes to many sources of inspiration.

The weekly topics were well thought out, and covered mindsets that are crucial to being a successful artist.

Lisa’s feedback is always very helpful, and something to look forward to.

After participating in both the Abstraction course and the Working in a Series course, I no longer feel the need to take more courses – just the desire to make more art!”

~Dahlia Clark
Guelph, Canada

Pam Morris

I received a lot more out of these classes than I can explain.

I received a concise and comprehensive education into 20th century art movements and can apply this when visiting art centers and museums. I saw art in her classes I just loved and pieces I did not enjoy so much, but I now have an idea of where I might be moving on this continuum of modern/abstract art. I see choices of abstract styles I can move my work towards, now that I have a bit of knowledge of the past.

Through objective and non objective abstraction exercises I have moved my art from my safe sailboat images to abstract horizontal and vertical line compositions but with content implied in my work. I had been searching for this and was kind of stuck on sailboat images of Florida.

I am learning about balance and to create a composition from simple shapes through Lisa’s exercises. I enjoyed the structure of Lisa’s exercises as they followed guidelines but resulted in my own compositions.

The online workshop format worked out well for me. The structure of the class website allowed me to see everyone class work and Lisa’s reviews when I wished to do so. I appreciated that Lisa was always available-just like in an in person workshop. I also appreciated I had all my supplies, not just a kit I packed, but everything around me while working on the assignments.

I really thank my husband for giving me this excellent class and Lisa for offering it to us. Her inbox must certainly be full.

~Pam Morris
Florida

Debbie Babin

“Lisa you offer the best online courses. Your attention to detail, efficiency, advise and resources are over the top. You deliver everything you promise and then some.

Your spot on critiques are informative and yet kind. After taking Working in A Series and then Abstraction, I feel completely prepared to create new art. I am motivated by the validations you gave me.

I will recommend your courses to anyone who is serious about improving their art. You take your art and your teaching very seriously. I am totally delighted with what I learned.

Thank You so much!”

~Debbie Babin

Peggie Thomas

Katie Stein Sather

“Towards the end of Lisa Call’s Abstraction course, I reflected on just what we had covered, and was amazed at both the breadth and depth of the material. It was a combination of art history, focused completely on abstract art, and how to make abstract art.

Exercises pulled me into the process of abstraction without me quite knowing what was happening. We then critiqued our own pieces, and were able to see and see the critiques of other students’ work.

Most weeks had an assignment—using a particular style, focusing on only a couple of design elements, make a piece of art. It kept me busy!

The aspect of making art that I had not expected to be included were the ways we either trap, or encourage, our journey into being artist. How do we think of ourselves—as an artist, or just trying it out? How does my personality type help me, and how does it present challenges to my process of becoming an artist?

It was an online course, so spread out over eight weeks, which was good, but I did miss the personal interaction of a good in-person course. I very much appreciated the thrice-weekly emails of further material.”

~Katie Stein Sather
Vancouver, British Columbia

Setting Goals

Colleen Kole

“This workshop helped me to FOCUS rather than spinning aimlessly for another year. With the assignments and Lisa’s encouragement, I now have an intentional plan centered on my long-term goals. I developed a 1-year, 5-year and a 10-year plan in order to achieve these goals during this workshop.

Breaking this down into realistic tasks with measurable time frames, gave me the courage to move forward with my art.

I was worried that this might be another time management class. I am even embarrassed to say how many of those I have attempted. But, this class was more meaningful because it allowed me to dream and then plan for what comes next rather than waiting for it to magically occur.

I have a dream and with planning that dream, it can become a reality.

Thank you, Lisa, for another great class. It was organized, informative and a big encouragement to start the year strong.”

~Colleen Kole
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Maggie Winnall

“Lisa, your ‘Setting Goals’ workshop has been a fantastic, in depth, well supported process – a journey of discovery. I started with a to do list as long as infinity and now I have a plan, purpose and clarity.

I am excited now at the prospect of working through my projects, it doesn’t seem so daunting. I like that my new to do list has traceability and is aligned with my values- it makes much more sense.

Your support and insight has been invaluable. Thank you.”

~Maggie Winnall
London, United Kingdom

Maryann Gallaher

“Thank you, Lisa! This workshop has been a great help to me in planning the year ahead. After a lot of thought and hard work I am confident that my to do lists match my goals and dreams.

I will definitely be studying with you again!”

~Maryann Gallaher
Fremont, New Hampshire

Tricia Hutchinson

“This workshop has been a great help, not only in clarifying what I want to do long and short term, but it has also guided me to put in place systems to achieve these goals. I’ve written down goals / aims before but never broken them down like this.

I feel I’ve got the makings of systems to help me focus clearly on what I want to achieve and finally the means to break down these ideas into ‘doable ‘ jobs without being overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed is something that in the past has really stopped me doing things, So Lisa may I simply say thank you, you’ve made me work hard these last few weeks but the results have been well worth the hard work.”

~Tricia Hutchinson
Staithes, North Yorkshire, UK

Interested in taking a workshop? Available classes are listed in the online course catalog.