In this course, we will explore different ways to create artwork featuring felines on A.T.C.'s: Artist Trading Cards. Artist trading cards are 2.5 x 3.5 inch artworks which can be created, traded, collected, and gifted.
Some basic directed drawing instruction will be provided with lots of options, and artists will be encouraged to be creative and follow as much or as little of the directions as they like. We will start with drawing, and choose our medias individually as we go. Demonstrations will be offered using a wide variety of medias including: pencil, colored pencil, marker, marker painting, painting, collage, gel-pen and permanent ink pen, and paper cutting. Zen-doodling, painting, blending, and mixed media methods will be explored together. Artists will be invited to create at least one collage during the course.
Artists will create accordion books to present their work using simple fan folding.
We will learn how to label, title, and curate our art collections.
Time will be reserved for sharing and discussing work throughout each class. I encourage students to interact socially with each other and also encourage focused work time.

My teaching style is a balance between providing structured instruction and allowing students to contribute, share, and interact. I encourage my amazing students to take what they can from my instruction, and to break out of the box and go beyond what I'm offering.

Here is a more in-depth description of each class than you'll find in the syllabus:

Session One: Introduction to Artist Trading cards, quick directed drawings of 2-5 cats, labeling A.T.C.'s.
Materials to have ready:
A dozen artist trading cards
pencil, eraser
drawing implements of choice
At the beginning of class, we will introduce ourselves and our cats (OPTIONAL) and share 3 of our favorite things.
We will then learn about the history, customs, and traditions of ATC's. Then we will create simple, quick drawings of cats with teacher direction and room for individual creativity. At the end of class we will learn how to label our ATC's. We will spend some time discussing how to title our artworks. We will label the ATC's with our name, media, date, and title. 
Optional Homework: Continue the work we started in class. We will have the option to share our art next week.

Session Two: Drawing a series of cats with distinct personalitities. Pencil drawing, inking, and coloring with markers, brush pens, paints, and/or gel pens.
Materials to have ready:
A dozen artist trading cards
pencil and eraser
ultra-fine or extra-fine sharpie or other permanent ink pen
coloring implements of choice: markers, brush pens, paints, and/or gel pens.
At the beginning of class, each student will have 1 minute to share the work we did in between sessions.
We will then discuss the creation of a series of works that share a theme and go together, yet are unique and interesting.
We will choose one drawing to ink and color with our choice of markers, brush pens, paints, and/or gel pens. Students will be encouraged to share their process throughout the class. At the end of class, we will discuss gathering collage materials, and examples will be shown.
Homework: Gather materials for collage
(Optional): Continue the work we started in class. We will have the option to share our art next week.

Session Three: Sitting pretty Collage
Materials to have ready:
A dozen artist trading cards
pencil and eraser
coloring implements of choice: markers, paint pens and/or gel pens.
a variety of interesting papers:
(junk mail, ads, pages from old books and magazines, discarded artwork, scrapbook papers, wrappers, etc.)
sharp detail scissors
glue, a tray, and a cotton swab or old paint brush (a glue stick can also work in a pinch)
Collage elements: Be creative! You can use a variety of materials from wrappers and packaging to yarn, wire, beads/buttons, etc.
At the beginning of class, each student will again have 1 minute to share the work we did in between sessions.
We will then explore drawing seated cats.  Students will learn how to create an ATC cat collage using whatever papers they have on hand. Optional Homework: Continue the work we started in class. We will have the option to share our art next week.

Session Four: Accordian books
Materials to have ready: 
4" x 12" piece of  cardstock or heavy paper.
a creasing tool such as a bone folder or a smooth, round marker
penny sleeves
clear double sided tape
a 30-36 inch length of raffia, thin ribbon, or twine 
Optional: Washi tape
At the beginning of class, each student will again have 1 minute to share the work we did in between sessions. We will then learn how to create simple ATC accordian books step by step. If time allows, we will do some drawing and work with zen-doodling.
Optional Homework: Continue creating and doodling. We will have the option to share our art next week.

Session Five: Strutting, pouncing, sleeping and flying!
Materials to have ready:
A dozen artist trading cards
pencil and eraser
Colored pencils
pencil sharpener
Optional: colored pencil blender
At the beginning of class, each student will again have 1 minute to share the work we did in between sessions. We will then explore drawing cats in action. We will choose one cat to color using colored pencil, with an emphasis on shading for 3 dimensionality. Optional Homework: Continue creating your art!  We will have the option to share our art next week.

Session Six: Painting and doodling ATC's
Materials to have ready:
A dozen ATC's
pencil and eraser
ultra-fine or extra-fine sharpie or other permanent ink pen
water-based markers and/or watercolor paints
fine paint brush(es)
Water basin
(optional: salt)
In our final session, we will greet each other and get right into using what we've learned to draw cute cats. Then, students will be invited to play with doodling and patterning, and adding color using paints or markers. 
We will share our assembled accordian books and talk about our favorite piece of artwork from the class. 
Finally, we'll talk about what we're inspired to do next, and say our farewells.