Abstraction - Drawing and Painting with Michael Ottersen (Fridays)

Ready to move beyond the usual and break the mold with your art? This 8-week course invites you to explore the boundless possibilities of abstraction, encouraging bold experimentation with form, color, and concept. Whether you work with dry drawing materials, water-based media, oils, or acrylics, this class supports a flexible, student-driven approach.You’ll choose your own tools and timing, with the exception of weekly homework assignments, which will always be completed on paper. The structure of the class is adaptable: those looking for more guidance can follow weekly in-class prompts, while independent-minded artists may use the time as open studio to dive into personal projects.Through discussions of both contemporary and historical artists, we’ll situate our work within a broader cultural context. Group critiques will open up valuable conversations about process, meaning, and creative intention. Whether you're refining your visual language or just beginning to explore abstraction, this class offers a space to take risks, expand your thinking, and have fun while doing it.

Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students.

Born in Long Island, Michael Ottersen attended Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and spent three semesters studying in Rome in Tyler's overseas program. He later moved to New York City where he lived and worked for twelve years in magazine production and design. Later relocating to Seattle, Washington, Michael began teaching at various schools and colleges in the Pacific Northwest for the next nineteen years which included the Gage Academy of Art, Pratt Fine Art Center, the Northwest College of Art and Design and Kirkland Art Center. Returning to New Mexico, he continues to teach classes at The Art League.  www.michaelottersen.com