Feeling stuck? Haven’t done anything creative in a while?

I’ve been there. After 20 years of metalsmithing, I got bored and stuck. I started painting out of the blue. It was the start of a new direction artistically that has really paid off.

I’ve taught jewelry and/or art making for 20+ years and one of the most important things I do is make it safe for my students to make art. I’ve been in classes where the teacher said, “okay, draw something,” and everyone in the class got their fancy drawing pencils out of their bags! I didn’t even have one! Flop sweat! I actually started sweating as I had to ask the teacher for a pencil. I can’t draw! At all!

I take at least one art class every year, to remind myself what it’s like to be a student. I take you step by step, prepare you, create a safe space (or if you’re at home because it’s an online course, help you create that safe space) to make art.

I can take you from haven’t done anything creative (ever) or in a long time—to completed project! I will guide you and support you to ensure your success in reconnecting with your creativity.

Where can you take a class with me?

If you’re in the Chicago area, watch this space for announcements of upcoming workshops that are open to the public. (Some of my classes are private, only for members of certain programs.)

My first online tutorial that’s available for purchase is my Kirigami Prayer Flag tutorial! This is a project many of my students have enjoyed and successfully completed! You can find it here:

And I’m hard at work creating online classes that you can do in the privacy and convenience of your own home!

Upcoming online classes include Assemblage Sculpture, where we’ll take mint tins and found boxes and transform them from:

Assemblage Sculpture Class, Gesso'd Mint Tins, photo by Elaine Luther

Assemblage Sculpture Class, Gesso’d Mint Tins, photo by Elaine Luther

to projects like these and more!

Mothers and Daughters Tin by Elaine Luther

Mothers and Daughters Tin by Elaine Luther

Perfume Bottle Tin by Elaine Luther Copyright Elaine Luther 2015-2016

Perfume Bottle Tin by Elaine Luther Copyright Elaine Luther 2015-2016

Remember Box, Outside, by Elaine Luther

Remember Box, Outside, by Elaine Luther

Remember Box, Inside, by Elaine Luther

Remember Box, Inside, by Elaine Luther