Sketching with David Hooker
Sketching in Place
In this class we will use the practice of sketching to explore our connection to place. While we will be practicing sketching from life, the emphasis is not on how to become more proficient at drawing. Rather, the focus is on the ritual of sketching as a way to slow down, explore and connect more deeply to the world around us.
Sketching as a practice will be defined in very broad terms to include a number of ways of creating small works on paper, which may include watercolors, rubbings, collage, and cyanotypes. Class members are encouraged to think outside the box and be messy!
Each Day
Each day of the class will have three basic components:
• A short meditative/ contemplative time to help prepare us for work.
• One or more sketchbook prompts to explore.
• A time to share our work and encourage each other
David will be leading the class as both teacher and participant and will be available for extra help as needed.
Preparation
No work is required in advance of this class, but students are welcome to bring anything they would like to incorporate into their practice for the week.
Supplies
Students will be required to have
1) a sketchbook, 5.5" x 8.5" or larger (9"x12" preferred). If you would like to bring and use any wet medium (like watercolor), be sure to bring a sketchbook with appropriate paper.
2) 1-2 pens (felt tipped preferred)
3) Pencils. Any pencil will do, but a small set of artist pencils (2H, HB, 3B, 6B) preferred
Optional: Any other materials you would like to work with. This may include watercolor, gouache, ink, collage materials...etc
Who is best suited for this class?
This class is designed for beginning and mid-level artists, or anyone curious about what a sketching practice is and how they might use it as personal creative outlet. No previous art experience necessary!
"One of the most convincing aspects of Hooker’s practice is the way he finds a point of convergence between several disciplines that invite viewers to explore the crossroad between Human and Nature.” Dario Rutigliano. Curator
“Rituals are constructs, ways of ordering and structuring our lives, that shape the way we see and understand the world. This constructed, and mediated, way of encountering the world is reflected in much of Hooker’s work.” Dr. Jim Watkins. theologian, art critic
About the Instructor
David JP Hooker lives and works in the greater Chicago area, where he is an artist and full professor of art at Wheaton College. He received an M.F.A. in Ceramics from Kent State University and a B.A. in English from Furman University.
His artistic practice explores a variety of media, including sculpture, pottery, performance art and collage. His works have been exhibited both nationally and internationally, including the Guilford Arts Center in Connecticut, Pottery Northwest in Seattle, the Third Annual Triennial of Silicate Arts in Hungary, and the 2016 International Cultural Fair in Dunhuang, China. His work can be found in various public and private collections, including the South Carolina State Museum, the Greenville County Museum of Art, Winthrop University, and Lanzhou City University.
When David is not freaking out over deadlines, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Elaine, his children Abbey and Samuel, the family dog, Meg, and the family cat, Evee. He also enjoys gardening, walks in nature, good BBQ, and tennis—not necessarily in that order. More can be found at www.davidjphooker.com.