In this crazy world, it can be challenging to allow yourself to stop and smell the roses. But in the garden, surrounded by beautiful flowers, we're compelled to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us.

My name is Jennifer Laurel Keller. I'm an artist and instructor, but what I really do is help people gain creative confidence. In over 20 years working as an artist, I've taught many students how to paint flowers, but sometimes it's nice to use paper collage to take some of the pressure off and simply play with pre-made imagery.

In this class, Secret Garden, you can play with flowers, beautiful papers, and acrylic paint while letting go and enjoying a fun and easy project with big results. By using a welcoming, organic composition, we'll create the perspective of being low to the ground as if we're a small secret garden visitor like a bunny or a little bird nesting in the undergrowth.

We'll glean all of the flower imagery from decorative papers, so you won't have to paint them from scratch, and we'll use acrylic paint to create colorful embellishments.

In the lessons, you'll learn how to

Prepare a unique assortment of paper flowers
Create a rich mixed media background
Arrange your composition to create depth within your garden.
Use scale to achieve a sense of perspective.
Go further with your final touches for a more professional look.

I'll also demonstrate easy color mixing, contrast, texture, brushwork, and layering techniques so you can have fun and get in the flow.

This class is right for you if you want to deepen your experience by creating a floral landscape that's beautiful, colorful, and has excellent results without a lot of technical painting skills.

So if you love playing with gorgeous papers or tearing pages out of magazines, now is your chance! So get ready to go on a treasure hunt. You can use your stash of papers from home or go out in the world and find new imagery at the art supply store, thrift shops, or even by trading with your friends. Let's put those papers to good use! Be bold and remember, if you show up and practice with an open mind, you'll learn something new every time. I hope to see you in class.

Elizabeth McDermott

Art not crafts!

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