Music-Inspired Canvases

Capture the essence of your favorite piece of music expressively through paint on canvas. Instructor Casey Bemis will guide students on how to gesturally apply acrylic paint with a brush and palette knife to create a unique abstract work of art. Students will start the class by loosening up with gestural brushwork on cardboard while listening to music as a group. After a brief discussion about how color and mark-making express mood the students will dive into their own canvas listening to their own musical selection. Participants can choose either 16” x 20”, 12”x12”, or two 12”x12” canvases. Students will need to have earbuds and access to music on their phone or other device. Feel the freedom and immediacy of abstract painting!

About the Instructor:

Casey Bemis is a multi-tasking artist that loves to share all kinds of art-related stuff with students. A graduate from Chicago Art Institute, Casey runs a studio just south of Whitehall year round, painting, drawing and even quilting. Color and texture are key components to her body of work as is observing nature in its abstract form.

COVID-19 Considerations:

Class size is limited to 6 students. Each student will get their own table which will be 6 ft from the neighboring tables. Students will have their own set of supplies that will be sanitized before class. Students should wear masks, use the provided hand sanitizer, and abide by social distancing mandates.

ACWL-Nuveen classes are supported in part by grants from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nuveen Benevolent Trust.