Big news, art lovers!
Our beloved Play with Abstraction course is back, and this time, we’re stepping out of the studio and onto the runway of your imagination. Starting Thursday September 25. We will dive into a bold, fresh curriculum: Abstract Attire Atelier.
Forget static canvases. We’re designing wearable abstract patterns for scarves, sarongs, evening gowns, and more, all fueled by your intuition and the fearless spirit of women abstract pioneers like Helen Frankenthaler, Joan Mitchell, and Lee Krasner.
What’s the Vibe?
Over nine 2.5-hour Zoom sessions, we’ll transform abstraction into functional fantasy. Each week, you’ll tackle a new garment challenge. Think a cozy scarf painted with music-inspired swirls or a beach sarong dripping with emotional tides. We’ll draw sparks from women who shook up the abstract world, like Frankenthaler’s dreamy color fields, Mitchell’s raw strokes, Krasner’s chaotic collage vibes, and O’Keeffe’s minimalist magic. Did you know O’Keeffe hand-stitched her own androgynous tunics and kimonos, weaving the same bold shapes and stark palettes from her paintings into wearable art?
Her wardrobe was a canvas of independence, and we’ll channel that energy to create patterns that feel like you. No copying here. Just gut-driven, playful creation.
New to abstraction? Start easy with paper and markers, guided by gentle prompts like “paint your breath” or “drip a memory.”
Returning student? Get ready for bold nudges, blindfold scribbles, non-dominant hand layers, or swapping motifs with a classmate for a remix surprise. Every session feels personal, supportive, and electric. We’ll paint live together (2 hours of core creation time after our Matthew Collings Rules of Abstraction video and homework chats), building a mini “collection” of patterns that scream you. Bonus: You can even scan your designs for digital fabric mock-ups to see your art come to life!
Why Wearable Abstraction?
This isn’t just about making art. It’s about making it relatable. Imagine wrapping yourself in a scarf that holds your favorite playlist’s rhythm or gifting a tote bag layered with your life’s story. Our curriculum pulls from the best of online abstract classes (like MoMA’s tactile experiments or Tracy Verdugo’s flow sessions) but goes further, blending intuition with everyday magic. It’s abstraction you can wear to brunch, the beach, or a gala, inspired by O’Keeffe’s boundary-breaking style and the women’s abstract movement. Think Mitchell’s raw emotion and Hartigan’s bold pop flair, to ignite your own fearless marks.
Who’s It For?
Whether you’re a newbie nervous about that first stroke or a returning fan ready to push your edges, this course is your playground.
Hesitant painters, fear not, paper and low-stakes tools keep it fun, not fussy. By session nine, you’ll have a mood board of your abstract “wardrobe” and a stronger sense of your creative voice.
Join the Fun!
Spots are limited to keep it cozy, so don’t wait! Sign up at the Yellow Barn and peek at the full curriculum in my latest announcement. Want a sneak peek? Subscribe to my newsletter for updates, tips, and behind-the-scenes inspiration.
Let’s make abstraction wearable, wild, and yours. Grab your brushes, and let’s play!
Happy creating,
Elisabeth
