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Want to learn about Word-and-Image Relationships?

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Right now I am teaching students at Lesley University about word-and-image. It is my graduating student seminar and the culmination of both diligent research and a personal passion. We live in a visually engaged society and creative people of all kinds would do well to look into the future. Where are we headed? I believe part of that answer includes multi-genre, multi-media, and multi-medium artwork and collaborations.

If you would like to attend one of my workshops or bring them to your city or center, please email me at info@alexismariechute.com. Here is the information about my word-and-image seminar:

 The Art of Writing: Exploring Word-and-Image Pairings in Contemporary Literature

By Alexis Marie Chute

Is a picture really worth a thousand words? What happens when imagery and text combine?

In an age of visual communication, it is important for writers to reflect on the dynamic relationship between words and images. In this interactive seminar we will discuss the ways writers might capitalize on visual material to strengthen their craft. We will explore the word-image relationships in children’s books, graphic novels, hybrid novels, photograph/art books, magazines, comics, literary journals and advertisements. Through these discussions, students will learn strategies for pairing words and images, observe what works and what doesn’t, and be inspired to expand the scope of their own writing projects – whether they include visual elements or not.

Alexis Marie Chute word and image copyright workshop blog

Writers of any genre will benefit from this workshop.

Please come prepared to write and flex your creative muscles.

No artistic abilities needed.   

Healing by the Creative Arts

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Through making my art, I discovered art therapy in a natural, organic way. No one told me to try it to help me heal. I wasn’t recommended a set of exercises to do in order to find myself. I just sat down in my studio with a pile of small woodcuts and got started without any direction or even conscious intent. The first wood sculpture I made I named The Quiet Rebuild and it was the beginning of that larger body of work.

Since then I have looked into the theory of art therapy and find it very stimulating and thoughtful for me in my professional art practice. In one of the semesters of my MFA I took an art therapy class as an interdisciplinary option and found it deepened my perspectives on art and healing. It gave me a new dimension in making, reflecting on and contextualizing my work. Since then the wood sculptures in The Quiet Rebuild grew to incorporate portraits of real people sharing their stories of resilience.

Now I am honoured to teach about the restorative potential of creativity. I offer two workshops: 

Healing through Visual Art

Healing through the Written Word

This summer and fall I will be presenting these workshops in Chicago Illinois, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Sherwood Park Alberta and San Antonio Texas. If you are interested in having one or both of these presentations at your conference, event or association, please email me at info@alexismariechute.com

I strongly believe that art must say something that matters. Within my work, I wrestle with the ideas of loss, struggle and survival. You can read more about my approach in my Artist Statement.

Alexis Marie named Artist in Residence at Harcourt House Artist Run Center

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I am thrilled to announce that I have been named as the 2012/2013 Artist in Residence at the fabulous Harcourt House in Edmonton, AB, Canada. What an honour! My official start date is November 1st and I can hardly wait. I am already planning which furniture to outfit my studio space and literally dreaming about the body of artwork that I plan to develop over the year.

 

What exactly is an artist in residence? Thanks for asking. That is a great question!

 

The role of the Artist in Residence is twofold:

 

First, Harcourt House is supporting my artistic career for a whole year by providing a studio space where I will create new artwork. At the end of my term they will mount a solo exhibition of my creations in their gallery.

 

The second component of the residency is the opportunity for me to interact with the art community and Edmonton as a whole. I will be doing this through teaching art classes, opening my studio for visits and writing about my artistic journey here on my blog, Artist Reborn.

 

My plan for my residency includes developing a body of artwork that focuses on healing and rebuilding a person’s life through and after struggle. I will be painting, creating mixed media artwork and wooden sculpture (like “Quiet Rebuild”). Poetry and creative writing will also accompany my visual art.

 

About two years ago my son passed away in my arms. This was a pivotal event in my life which has dramatically changed me as an artist, mother and overall human being. Through mourning my son, I have found my voice as an artist and my subject matter of healing and rebirth. I am a new person and I believe art was one of the major factors that illuminated my way and gave me incite for personal evolution. I am sure this work will be an inspiration and touch many viewers as we all face challenges in our lives that require strength to overcome.

 

For those who are interested in learning more about my journey and how you too can use artwork in your healing process, I plan to teach a class on this subject during my residency. I will post again when dates have been set. Attendees will gain artistic tools including poetry writing and collage that will aid in individual restoration. Please get in touch if you are interested in attending this class (or if you have other ideas of subjects you would like to learn about).

 

I am elated to be Harcourt House’s 2012/2013 Artist in Residence and will keep everyone updated on my progress. If you would like to receive email updates on my residency, info on the classes I will be teaching and other fine art and creative writing posts, please enter your email address in the box on the right (“Subscribe to Blog via Email”).

 

Check out the Harcourt House website: HarcourtHouse.ab.ca

They even offer yoga in the gallery! Find out more at Art & Mind: ArtMind.ca