How to Work in a Series

Today I’m sharing an inside look at what it’s like to take my working in a Series workshop. I’m frequently asked for more details on what it’s like to take one of my online workshops. This post will shed more light on the process.

First – if you want to know more about why you might want to work in a series? Check out this podcast I did with Cory Huff, of the Abundant Artist, a few years back: How to Create Art in a Series and Why You Should with Lisa Call

During this walk-through, I’m sharing the artwork (with permission) of Jeanne Marklin, a talented and experienced fiber artist, who fearlessly signed up for my very first online Working in a Series workshop in 2011.

First, thank you Jeanne for the trust!

While I’ve been teaching this course for over 10 years, it has grown and changed many times over the years as I start over and rewrite the entire course from every few years to keep it current.

Originally the course was presented as a series of emails – now it is delivered on a private e-learning platform. The widespread adoption of zoom for the review calls has also changed the feedback and critique of artwork from me providing a few paragraphs of written feedback into a wonderful group conversation and interactive experience.

Here’s what a glance at what happens during the course…

Preparation and Goals

The first tasks for all students is to prepare their studios and check that they can access the private classroom website (no facebook for us!)

In addition, students are asked what they would like to achieve in the workshop, this way I can tailor my help for that student to their specific goals.

Finding a Series Theme – a Key part of Working in a Series

The first two weeks of class students are focused around selecting a theme/subject for their series. This is a lot harder than one might think so we spend a lot of time talking about where to get ideas an how to narrow it down to just one idea for the duration of the course.

I provide individual feedback as needed during this process to ensure that all participants have a theme that is likely to lead to success.

Jeanne decided to explore circles and rings using her hand dyed circles and shirbori fabrics during her session.

Each student selects the medium they would like to work in. No art making techniques are taught in this workshop. Artists of all mediums are welcome as the topics and principles we cover apply to all artists looking to deepen their studio practice. I’ve even had a musician take the course and she went on to work with me in additional programs as the concepts we cover are relevant to many creative pursuits.

The Studio Assignments

Once a theme is selected, there are 8 studio based assignment that guide students through the process of working in a series with their chosen theme.

Multiple options for the assignments are provided each week so students have a rich list of ideas to continue working on their series after the workshop is over.

Each student decides how far they will take each piece before declaring it to be “done” and moving on to the next assignment.

Much of Jeanne’s work was focused on her exquisite dyeing techniques, which are quite time consuming, and so her definition of a completed exercise was a composition pinned to her design wall, which is what is shown in these images. Jeanne went back and completed the artwork after the workshop ended.

This flexibility allows students with slower art making processes to keep up with the pace of the course. (I’ve even had weavers take the course with much success.) We aren’t focused on completed masterpieces (although some students do achieve that) and instead learning what it feels like to work in a series.

As you can see from the images in this post, by focusing on a single subject, Jeanne was able to explore her subject in depth and the final piece just fabulous [note that when Jeanne took the course 10 years ago there were only 6 compositional exercises.]

Jeanne’s experience was not unusual, as

• when we allow ourselves to focus on a single subject
• when we begin to develop regular studio practices

our artwork can leap forward at an incredible pace.

Course content and Mindsets

The course consists of 10 modules that are covered over a 3 to 3 1/2 month period. Generally at a pace of one module per week – with a handful of breaks during the course for a more comfortable pace.

Each module presents the concepts with a recording and a series of lessons. Each modules also includes 3 case studies of artists that work in a series. This helps to demonstrate the variety of ways one might approach this way of working.

Students can expect to spend about an hour a week review this material. And I also provide a plethora of references so if students have more time – there is plenty of opportunity for more in depth study.

The primary focus of the workshop is to expand one’s understanding of what it means to work in a series and to create a series of work while in class.

I also believe that a critical component of this type of work are the mindsets needed for success. This is one of the main reasons I became certified life coach – to help my students reach their goals in my courses.

So in addition to the art focused content, each module contains a mindset focus which I’ve found beneficial in my own studio practice. A class conversation around these topics occurs on our private website each week and during our review zoom calls. Everyone is encouraged to participate in these conversations.

Individual Instruction

Each student receives much individual feedback on their artwork during our group zoom calls. This is possible because I keep the class size very very small. In addition to learning from my reviews of your work, you also gain further insight into working in a series by listening to the assignments and reviews of your fellow classmates.

If desired, students can enroll in optional individual private coaching calls to focus their private specific questions and concerns. The topics covered in these one-on-one phone calls vary from art, to art business, to mindsets. Each student tailors the calls to their specific needs.

Jeanne and I spent time during her first phone call talking about why she wasn’t totally in love with her series and changes she could make to suit her better. In an ‘ah-ha moment’ of defining the difference between could and should, she found a better way to work and went on to create her masterpiece the final week.Next Session.

Course Sessions

I generally teach 2 to 3 sessions of Working in a Series each year.

It is the perfect course for students that have taken a variety of technique based courses and are now ready to combine what they have learned to create their unique series of work.

It’s also perfect for artists that feel stuck and need some structure and inspiration to get back to their studio.

Learn More About upcoming sessions of Working in a Series

More From Jeanne

Jeanne’s goals in taking the workshop were to stay more focused on her artwork and to create a more cohesive body of work than she previously had.

At the end of the workshop she had this to say:

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

Jeanne’s wrote more about her experience in my workshop on her blog – the articles are here:

• New Series
• Working in a Series – Part 2
• Series Assignment #2
• Series Assignment #3
• Series workshop assignments #4 and #5.

Read more student testimonials for Working in a Series.

The post Working in a Series – An inside peek into an online workshop appeared first on Lisa Call.