For more information contact: Maria Nikl email: fox8maria@yahoo.com

Phone: 415-314-0808

www.mariartnikl.com

 

Two Classes at Maria Nikl’s Art Studio-San Rafael

 

"All Marks Are Valid"-Abstract Painting Class in Acrylics

Location: Artist's Studio in San Rafael-Call for exact location

Price: $210

Instructor: Maria Nikl, MFA

Schedule: 6 Tuesday Classes @3hrs, Tuesdays, 6:45-9:45pm, beginning March 18

Materials: Acrylic paint (including Matte Medium, and Gloss medium), wide (2") spatula, paper towel, cheap wide brushes, brushes, sponge, scissors, palette and/or disposable cups to mix paint. A Watercolor pad 18"x 24,” a cheap Sketchpad 18"x 24,” scissors, and glue.

**No prerequisite, all levels welcome.

 

About this class:

Instead of reinforcing the realist, traditional, representational approach to art, such as landscapes, figures, flowers, etc., the Abstract Painting in Acrylics Class aims at freeing students of prefabricated concepts, standards programmed into their vision, enabling them to experiment, experience their own, unique and purely visual language.

 

In addition, students will gain knowledge and certainty in verbalizing pure visual phenomena and concepts while presenting their own, or viewing other artist’s abstract work.

 

There is a human tendency to resist change, and the series of assignments and experiences provided will help to overcome this resistance, to find ones unique, right brain vision, and be able to manifest it in a substantial and consistent form, establishing ones personal visual vocabulary.

 

Composing and its elements, creating texture, collaging, cropping, experimenting with non-traditional ways of paint application and color mixing, layering paint, creating spaces will be explored using acrylic paint. This class will encourage non-representational imagery, to stimulate and validate the expressions of the right brain.

 

Assignments are designed to elicit genuine personal experiences, instead of giving pre-fabricated answers. Lots of supportive, but honest group discussion is integral part of each session.  

 

 

"Tangible and Intangible Textures"-Composing With Textures

Location: Artist's Studio in San Rafael-Call for exact location

Instructor: Maria Nikl, MFA

Price: $210

               Schedule: 6 Fridays x 3hrs, 11am-2pm Fridays includes Brown Bag lunch, beginning March 21

**Pre-requisite: Having taken at least one visual art class, such as painting, drawing, or sculpture, anywhere, any medium.

 

 

Course Objective

To inspire and enhance a rich variety of surfaces from rustic and tactile to smooth and transparent, using a variety of inventive materials and techniques, such as newspaper relieves, plaster, rice paper and glazing. Learn to compose with textures.

 

 

 

Composing with Textures

Though such division is artificial, there are 2 kinds of textures in painting, tangible, something one can touch and feel, --and intangible, something one sees by the eye perceiving a depth, a 3 dimensional space. Within these groups there are unlimited variations, and applying them alternatively creates a unique and personal rhythm in the work.

Preplanning and composing directly with textures is the goal, without having to apply toxic and troublesome materials and methods, such as resin, wax and encaustic. This class introduces inventive and affordable techniques and materials, such as the rustic newspaper relieves, smooth rice paper mounts, mono print collages, glazing and many others. Emphasis is placed on abstract imagery, though the techniques are not exclusive, and will breathe life into any style or subject matter of painting. Being conscious of one's creative process and vision is an integral part of this course, thus lots of group discussions are encouraged.

 

This course can be a next step to the "All Marks Are Valid" Abstract Painting class currently offered at my Studio, or build on top of previously taken painting, drawing, or sculpture classes of any kind. Being abstract in its nature this class is sought after by many artists and students to enhance their visual and textural vocabulary.

 

About Teacher Maria Nikl:

MFA

www.mariartnikl.com,  fox8maria@yahoo.com

415.314.0708                   

Born 1962, Budapest, Hungary

Lives and works in San Rafael, California

 

Growing up under a political system where reality was hidden, Maria Nikl developed an extra sensory ability to see the truth for herself very early.  Her overall inspiration and vision is drawn from this inner source consistently till present day.

 

After obtaining an excellent academic foundation at the Hungarian Fine Arts Academy, in 1986 she immigrated to the USA, where she gained entrance to the San Francisco Art Institute in California.  Her talent was recognized immediately, earning her the Merit Scholarship in 1989 and the First Prize at the Spring Show in 1990.  She received her BFA in 1992, and her MFA in 1995.Such masters as Sam Tchakalian, Franklin Williams, and Fred Martin, as well as her Japanese husband greatly influenced her work.

 

She further transcended cultural boundaries while living in Australia and Peru—her work was represented at the Adela Vega Escuela Particular del Artes, in Lima, Peru, and within the United States at the New Jersey Center for the Arts, Summit, New Jersey, --where she won the Honorary Mention Prize, --as well as at the SOMAR Gallery, San Francisco, California, at the Marin Society of Artists’ Gallery, Ross, California, at the Frank-Bette Art Center, Alameda, California.

 

Working primarily with dynamic abstract imagery in acrylic, collage and resin on wood panels and tarpaper, Maria introduced alternative methods of printing and painting, such as plastic wraps and newspaper relieves. In her paintings she challenges false securities; the prefabricated and controlled--demonstrating the organic, dangerous world of imagination and integrity.

 

Teaching art as an agent to the human ability of envisioning and displaying the truth plays a passionate part in Maria’s life.  She had been actively involved in the Art Education of the local community in North Beach, San Francisco, where she curated and hosted art exhibits as well as weekly Figure Drawing sessions. Currently she teaches at her studio in San Rafael and the College of Marin at Kentfield, California. Her strongest fascinations are Salsa dancing, Extra Sensory Perceptions, and Human Consciousness.