Laura created mixed media art using dried flowers, texture paste and acrylic paint in our painting class!

Kurt Schwitters is one of the 20th Century’s best known collage artist!

The Nazi regime banned Schwitters's work as "degenerate art" in 1937.

Art Classes Los Angeles will show you that art is for everyone. According to the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association, art therapy activities use multimodal arts processes to transform and help individuals, groups and communities. Expressive art activities allow participants to share feelings more openly with therapists or facilitators. Activities can be simple drawings to warm up a tough crowd, or more elaborate activities in a one-on-one setting.

Art therapy can help a person in so many ways. Art therapy is a form of treatment using simple art materials. Art therapy allows spontaneous art expression. Art therapy is non-judgmental. It allows free articulation of repressed thoughts and feelings. Art therapy allows expression without the threat of repercussion. It allows previously undisclosed feelings to be externalized. It can be useful as a primary or secondary healing tool. The organic nature of the materials encourages creativity.This type of therapy includes self-expression through art work and creative expression through appreciation of other people’s artwork. And, art therapy activities can include forms of expression that you might not have considered, like scrapbooking, sculpture, crafts, woodworking, free form activities like candle making or building your own boat.

During an art therapy session you might be asked to draw or paint a picture that represents how you are feeling, to sketch what you see on a forest walk, or to draw a picture of your house in detail. The essence of art therapy is to explore your feelings, perceptions and imagination. In addition to expressing yourself, when you create a painting, sculpture or a great wooden toy for your grandchild, you release negative emotions and increase endorphins, which help you to feel good.

Art therapy is effective under multiple circumstances because it uses the creation of art through exercises and activities to increase an individual’s awareness of themselves and others. This promotes benefits in multiples areas. Those that participate in art therapy exercises develop coping skills and increase their cognitive functions. It's believed to produce overall human development. Art allows individuals to use nonverbal forms of communication. This allows them to express themselves both emotionally and physically. Using a wide range of art supplies participates in the therapy can visually understand their emotional states and emotional states of others.

Art Classes Los Angeles and Art therapy activities involve a creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. For this reason, it is an excellent stress management tool. It is based on the belief that the creative process, involved in artistic self-expression, helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.  Art therapy activities, whether hands-on, imagination and interpretation of art by others, is an extremely important way for people to get to know themselves and to understand themselves. It is an outlet for emotions, and it creates endorphins, which elevate our moods.

Collage artists have wild imagination, creativity and a vision that not a lot of people posses. learning how to make a collage, the easiest way to begin is to decide on the materials you want to use. Anything that you can glue together to form a piece of art can be called a collage. There are several famous collage artists that are well known in today’s art industry such as Pablo Picasso and George Braque, Max Ernst, Hannah Hoch and Romare Bearden.

Pablo Picasso and George Braque were the two earliest modern collage artists, although there are several people in the art industry who claims the two gentlemen were one of the first collage artists to be known. Spanish painter Pablo Picasso and Cubist painter George Braque both dabbled into collage art during the year 1181 through 1973. Both started creating collages at about the same time while working together. Picasso's collages include Still Life with a Chair Caning and Man with a Guitar. Braque's collages were Fruit Dish and Glass and Violin and Pipe.

Approacing Puberty or The Pleiads/La Puberté proche... ou Les Pléiades. 1921. Mixed media on paper, mounted on Cardboard. 24.5 x 16.6 cm. Private collection.  Max Ernst was a German painter, sculptor, graphic artist and a poet. He had no formal training in arts but became famous collage artists.  In 1919 Ernst visited his friend Paul Klee and created paintings, block prints and collages, and experimented with mixed media. His collages include Le Limacon de Chambre (1920) and The Postman Ceval (1932). 

Man Ray also known as Emmanuel Radintzky was an American collage artists who spent most of his career in Paris. Best known in the art world for his avant-garde photography, Man produced major works in a variety of media and considered himself a painter. Just like his peers Man also explored his talents and became famous for his collage arts such as Involute and The Revolving Doors (1916-1917), a series of ten collages.

Hannah Hoch was the first artist to create a photomontage. She was the first woman social activists who based her art on same sex couples, and women were once again a central theme in her work from. She made strong statements on racial discrimination. Among her collages are Hochfinanz, Equilibre and Made for a Party (1923 -1936).

Romare Bearden an American collage master who grew up in Harlem after his family left North Carolina in search of more opportunities. He was a fortunate man with college education. In addition to artwork, Bearden was a composer, a cartoonist, social worker, an author and a civil rights activist. His collages include Pittsburg Memory, Return of the Prodigal Son and The Calabash (1964-1970).

Collage artists are individuals who have the passion for arts and visionary to compose their thoughts, emotions and ideas on a canvas or paper filled with other objects or pictures.  You might be surprised to find out how many artists that are known for other art mediums have dabbled in collage. Their work may also inspire you to try new techniques and new ideas in your collage work.

If you want to bond with your child and enroll in an activity together art classes is the perfect activity.  If your child is young from the ages of five and up you can choose finger paint or for teenagers drawing and collage is the best activity.  Both finger painting and drawing/collages will assist your child to express their emotions as well as enhancing their creativity.  Your child will always remember this activity throughout their lifetime.  You never know, your child can be the next Picasso.

Here are five easy steps on deciding which art classes to enroll:

1.     Take a moment and brainstorm with your child on your likes and dislikes before choosing an art class. This is very important because if you or your child is not interested in a specific class then you will not be inspired to learn or attend the art classes.

2.     If you and your child are unsure go to your local museums and explore through the painting, sculpture and drawing. If you spot an art work you are interested and is unsure on which category it falls into seek assistance with the museum clerk.  You can search for your local museum in your area through the internet.

3.     Inquire with your friends or artist on fun art classes.  Let them know that you are taking your child to bond so they have a better idea on which art classes to recommend.  Another suggestion is skim through the collage catalog the classes they offer will have a short summary and description of the class.

4.     If you feel that painting and drawing is not a class you want. Research on pottery, collage, sculpture or beading art classes. These types of art classes can be messy if that is what you are looking for. 

5.     If you plan to take art classes through a community colleges or universities the subject usually begins on August and end on December or January and ends on June. Private establishments may accept walk in without an appointment necessary.

Art classes are fun, easy, relaxing, and a great activity to bond with your child.  For young children it is the perfect excuse to get their hands dirty or make a mess, finger painting is an excellent class for young children. Parents and teenagers have a wide range of art classes to choose from. 

 10. Fine Art: Visitors find themselves surrounded by the expressive creations of established and emerging artists alike. Delight in a sort of art-inspired treasure hunt as you wander the home and discover a bold painting by Peter Max, Chiparus’ exquisite sculptures that dance tango, a subtly suggestive work from Susannah Bettag and even a Yul Brynner original photograph featuring the iconic Audrey Hepburn. 

9. Personal Examples from the Art Instructor: Interspersed throughout VillaBerta, guests will find the homeowner’s own abstract works of art. Expressing herself through mixed media and monotype, contemporary artist Clara Berta uses personal mementos and eco-friendly organic materials as the defining components of her work. The artist integrates items such as bark, old photos, tea grounds, dried flowers and newspaper clippings and manipulates them through image transfers, texture and paint in a unique abstract expression – individualized techniques she both creates and teaches.

7. Nature: VillaBerta is nestled in an enclosed haven of overgrown rock walls.  Lush palms, orange trees, feather-light ferns and blossoms of purple, pink and white adorn the Studio City oasis. A regal magnolia steals the spotlight, gracefully twisting through time as it forms nature’s very own sculpture art out front, while a rustic, wooden trellis shelters the back patio. Turn your gaze toward the serene, turquoise pool and watch a radiant glow dance among the rippling water as it shimmers in the sunlight. Take pleasure in the soothing sense water has on the soul. Slowly inhale the sweet aroma of the crawling jasmine. For the more adventurous, meander further out into the back yard to discover the hidden Zen garden. Gather inspiration from the forms, textures and shades of nature surrounding you.

6. Berta Academy: Presently teach mixed media painting classes on Saturday’s 10-1 p.m. and starting January 2011 I will have a class on Wednesday evening's 7-10 p.m.  Once a month I hold Ladies Night In with wine/cheese and we have fun releasing our Inner Artist.  This takes place on the 3rd Thursday of the month and the next one will be on Thursday, Jan. 20th.  In the spring of 2011 I will be exhibiting a mixed media show of my students work.

5. Authentic Art Studio: Witness a space where art is born. The BertaArt studio is an open space that nurtures the imagination and sparks creative expression. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from an accomplished artist – either through classes or a private lesson. Here, you have a clean slate, a blank canvas toward which you can direct your energy and release your emotions. Surrender to the moment. This is a safe environment without judgment. Relieve stress through the creative experience.

 4. Peer to Peer Inspiration: Draw upon the energy and excitement of fellow students as you share the VillaBerta art studio as a space for creation. Re-visit an old hobby or take this opportunity to try something new as you feed upon the ideas and energy of students around you. Art is about sharing – sharing ourselves and even the artwork itself. Make a one-of-kind gift for yourself, a friend or a loved one and pass on the inspiration. As you participate in the creative process, you will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for art and artists who make a living through the creative expression. Take your work to exhibit in local art shows, boutique galleries and coffee houses and meet other local artists working to creatively share a part of themselves with the world.

2. Aromatherapy: The sense of smell is a powerful tool. Smells can lead to a rumble of cravings in our bellies or can warn us of toxicity. They can jog old memories buried deep within our consciousness and even alter our moods. What do you want to feel while creating? Splash a little lavender on your wrists for a calming effect. Use a tad of orange for a bit of positive, energizing vigor. When we create, we are expressing all that we touch, hear, taste and see through a most unique perspective – our own.

 1. Your Inner Artist: As we absorb our surroundings and draw inspiration from the outside world, we cannot forget the most unique source of inspiration – YOU! Each one of us has a distinctive vision to share. Embrace your inner artist. Feel confident in knowing that anything you express and release is not only acceptable, but also beautiful. Let go… and discover your creative side.