People have expressed a genuine need to connect with something other than their everyday routine of work and deadlines. Art can be just such an antidote for clearing space in the mind and re-orienting with the world again.

Using themed exercises each month, we will explore re-awakening direct visual experience as well as techniques for expressing the seen world on a two-dimensional surface.

Highlights:

• Every Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

• Sign-up for one month at a time.

• Each month themed on a particular aspect of painting and drawing.

• First month will be to work with charcoal and explore seeing lights and darks and expressing them in there simplest shapes.

• Main intention is to increase awareness of seeing, that is, learning to see more attentively and practicing seeing deeply as a way to be more present and grounded in the moment.

• Month of January is four Saturdays, $80 total for the month.

• Sessions will include some instruction and demonstration. Much of the work will be focused on your work, while recognizing the internal dialogue taking place.

Details:

Where: Berkeley Fine Art Studio, 933 Parker Street, Berkeley CA 9410, between 8th and 9th Streets [Map]

When: Saturdays, 10am to 1pm

Cost: $80 for four Saturdays-materials not included.

Materials: In January, charcoal, drawing pad, kneaded eraser, soft cloth or chamois

Class size: Limited to 12 students