Creative Growth in the Desert video: What would you like to create?
- ✓ 3,000+ happy students.
- ✓ Easy Project based Learning
- ✓ Tried + true methods
Visit our meetup to sign up for free and low cost art courses https://www.meetup.com/creative-growth-in-the-desert/
The courses I teach are focused on building creative confidence, so there are few things I don’t do as a teacher:
Critique
Art critiques may be effective for honing the craftsmanship of an object, but to GROW expression, which is what these courses are about…I focus on affirming attempts at making something new.
Competition
Grading people with harsh guidelines to determine who’s work is best. Why? My core goal as a teacher is to enCOURAGE experimentation. Competitive environments are one of the most common killers of creativity.
Observation
Even in a room full of people learning about art, one can maintain some privacy. I think of the classroom as a sanctuary space. In fact, in the Visual Thinking classes the last project is making an image of ideal door, or gateway to this imagined space.
EXPERIENCES: For 24 years I taught a course called Visual Thinking: art and innovation at a private university in Los Angeles. I spent literally hundreds of hours creating learning projects and experiences for more than 3000 students.
Project-based Learning
Art + Design are best learned by diving in; making images and objects.
Experiential Learning
Inspired by the classic book by John Dewey; Art as Experince.
Positive ‘vibes’
MAKING ART both individually and collaboratively is, I think, one of the great pleasures of life. As folk-rocker Ani DiFranco said, “I don’t know what art is, but I know its the main reason I get out of bed every morning.”
“I sort of stumbled into teaching in my late 20’s, and it turned out to fantastic way to work with creative people”
Michael Kieley
Art Educator & Studio Furniture Artist
Creative Growth Features:
- ✓ Personalized: 12 or fewer students
- ✓ Flexible: Master Courses or individual classes
- ✓ A positive space encouraging your expression
Creative Arts Education for ALL.
Classes in Design, Art Making, Contemporary Art History
Visual Tools
Learn true brainstorming, and mind mapping for planning and clarity.
Available June 1, 2025
$*
includes 4 lessons
Includes:
✓Learning True Brainstorming
✓Mind maps for clarity and expantion
✓Hand drawn & digital mapping
Collage Master Class
From foundation principles, to making amazing portraits, and expanding into 3d ‘found object’ making.
Available June 1, 2025
$*
includes 14 lessons
Includes:
✓Foundation composition principles
✓Photo collage crafting techniques
✓Assemblage (3d collage)
✓Text + Image Collage
Creative Myths
Explore inner concepts that may be blocking your creative flow.
Available June 1, 2025
$*
mini course
Includes:
✓Myths or Truths?
✓Exploring different ideas about being an artist/musician/dancer, etc.
✓#3: either you are born creative or you aren’t.
*To Be Announced at our launch in mid January ’24.
Testimonials from Visual Thinking students…
It let me be creative in a way that wasn’t asking me to make perfect lines, but rather was asking me to create something relevant to how I was feeling. That was a new way of making art for me. -Camille W
I really loved this experiential approach to art. I connected it to way in which strong visual communication could make a positive impact, helping to solve some of most significant global problems. -Cody S.
My creativity expanded. I started thinking about things I normally wouldn’t have previously considered. -Aamir R
My creativity expanded. I started thinking about things I normally wouldn’t have previously considered. -Shannon O
Visual Thinking Students: 3000+
Fall 2018 Ai Weiwei exhibit at the Marciano Art Foundation
Is there a free trial available?
Yes, I will be offering free workshops at various Hi Desert & Coachella Valley locations from mid January – June in 2025.
How much to classes cost?
Courses listed on the Creative Growth in the Desert MeetUp are currently free. Donations to our MeetUp are much appreciated.
Cancellation?
Appreciate it if you update your RSVP to ‘not going’ if your plans change.
Any questions about the Creative Growth in the Desert education program?
Please send me a message using the contact form. I’ll reply ASAP.
Various venues in the desert.
Some courses will be at my studio in Morongo Valley.
✓ Small classes allow for personal attention
✓ A desert garden setting with inspiring vistas.