AECP Final Project (Virtual Class)
As I was completing my last classes for AECP Level III Virginia and Erum encouraged me to begin thinking about what I wanted to teach for the class that would be my final project.
It had to be water color. That had given me my greatest challenge and my greatest feeling of accomplishment. Water color seemed to be the media that intimidated many of my friends. Yet they wanted to try it.
In Artist Water Color 101 Level III I used the Dip Dye technique Kristina Werner had taught in on Online Spring Card Class. That project totally captivated me.
Statement Flower had just been released. It had the size and open space that was ideal for beginning water color. I enjoyed working with it as did many others. It keeps selling out and card samples using that stamp were going viral on the internet.
And thus a class was being developed in my head. After I finished my last Level III class I began to draft a plan for the class. Foremost it needed to be “user friendly”. The combination of Dip Dye and Statement Flower provided water color projects that would give students a good opportunity to succeed. The Dip Dye was also a good lead in to painting the flower.
Prior to retirement I taught in several scrapbook stores, a stamp store and at a few conventions. My degrees were in education. For me, writing a lesson plan was the easiest of my AECP assignments. Being over-prepared had been my key to success. It saves time and frustration for me and the students if we don’t get bogged down the small details.
I sent two emails to students prior to class with necessary class supplies and photos of the projects they would be making. In their kit was a handout including any measurements or details they could refer to in class without having to ask questions that sometimes disrupt the flow. Class kits with pre-cut, pre-stamped elements and pre-folded cards saves class time. I always include envelopes.
Sample are so important. There should be enough that everyone in the class could easily see one for reference. For the Zoom class the handout had photos of the cards we’d be making. I held up my samples to the camera for all to see.
A stash of extra pieces for people who made uncorrectable mistakes kept things moving and allowed most everyone to go home with a finished card. For Zoom I included a couple extra A2 size water color papers and extra pre-stamped Statement Flowers.
But then COVID 19 threw me a curve ball. I had to do a Zoom class! All of that experience teaching in a classroom just became obsolete. (Technology was, by far, the most difficult part of AECP.)
I did some internet research and purchased a stand for my iPhone. I am still trying to figure out how to have my iPhone looking down at my desk AND my iPad open to the Zoom meeting so I can see the students and what the screen looks like.
My 10 year old granddaughter taught me zoom. I practiced by getting my craft lunch bunch and book club on zoom. We laughed, we cried. It was quite an accomplishment to see my senior friends one by one eventually pop into the Zoom Gallery!
Class kits for a Zoom class need to be carefully planned. It’s not like a class at my house where I can run in the studio and grab what is missing. Class kits were delivered a week in advance. They included homework and my contact information.
Labels needed to be removed from the paint pans prior to class. Strips of water color paper were provided for each person to make a swatch chart from their Artist Water Colors.
Fast forward to July 23, 2020. At 9:45 I sent out the Zoom invite. By 10:00 I had everyone on the screen and ready to start class. The hardest part of teaching the class was over!
Our first project was painting the Dip Dye ombre stripes. It was a good introduction to water color and the colors in the Artists Water Colors.
Then the background for the second card was water colored. This is a fun way to just let water color do it’s thing.
Water was changed, a pre-stamped Statement Flower was taped to the board. We talked about where the darkest areas of the flowers would be. Petal by petal the flowers were painted giving attention to where the darkest shading should be and leaving some areas very light. I gave helpful hits and we chatted as we painted.
I had planned for the class to be between 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. At one hour students were painting the leaves of the flowers. While they painted I went over assembly instructions for the two cards.
This allowed them to continue painting without feeling rushed. They had the option of assembling the cards after class as they were experienced card makers.
The ladies exceeded my expectations and their own. Even the one who NEVER is happy with her cards was happy with her card.
I’m proud of these ladies and I think they are proud of themselves. And that is what is most important.
The AECP Experience
Virginia believed in me and told me I could do it. And I did!
Seniors are Talented Stampers
My home is in an over 55 “Active Adult Community.”
I want to represent seniors in the AECP community.
There are some amazingly talented seniors. It’s time for them to get some recognition.
Altenew flowers especially lend themselves to senior artists. Those beautiful flowers can be intimidating. No different than other beginners, seniors need casual classes taken at a slightly slower pace, encouragement, praise and projects that will guarantee success and build confidence.