Virtual learning brought growth far beyond my expectations

Written By Cristina Montesinos

August 15, 2020

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I just finished the online expressive arts course that I’ve been sharing about, and, wow, was it ever a fertile ground for growth!

Led by Roseline de Thelin, based in Ibiza, Spain, I took this virtual course, Virtual Art Lab, with 19 other international artists. All from varying backgrounds, ages, experiences and countries — yet we shared a love of art, mindfulness, openness, learning, growth and community.

We were all on lockdown trying to find a way to survive the chaos of the global pandemic. All experiencing the same health crisis at the same time. All dealing with similar uncertainly and emotional trauma. All trying to make sense of a complete shift in everything we know and do.

For three of the most difficult months in our times, we were one family. Far from each other physically, yet one as a community. We were a refuge in a world of chaos. We meditated together. We learned together. We made art together. We inspired each other. We shared deeply. We offered support. We watched each other grow. And all in a virtual space… We were an island of light in a world in crisis.

Because of this class, I experienced about a year’s worth of growth. Ironically, I made huge leaps forward as an artist in a time when the quarantine held us back from physical movement.

It was three months of experimentation. Consistently pushing my artistic boundaries far beyond my comfort level. Wildly expanding my understanding of art. Learning new ways to approach my work — ways that had never crossed my mind. Turning my process on its head. Opening me up to endless possibilities and bringing me immense clarity.

I learned…
… how to use all forms of art to influence my visual expression
… how movement, mind space and music influence my work and my brushstrokes
… the importance of being part of an active art community
… new ways of discovering painting themes and ideas
… how to use chaos to inspire my work
… how to build my fine art work from a concept
… how to write about my work.

I journaled for the first time.
I made my first successful 3D piece.
I painted my first mask.
I finished 12 works on paper.
I completed a new series of 3 large canvases which I approached in a whole new manner.
I found and experimented with new tools.
I studied my art and that of others in ways which truly expanded my understanding of art and process. 

I learned…
… to slow down
… to experiment
… new ways to analyze and think about my work
… how to wildly vary textures, shapes, sizes and colors
… new ways to see, paint and express
… how to avoid repetition within one painting
… how to sketch and not lose freshness in the final piece.

I was able to let go of previously limiting thoughts. I learned to approach my art with newfound, child-like curiosity and enthusiasm. I discovered the importance of non-producing. Every moment in my studio does not need to result in a final piece. In fact, it shouldn’t. It’s the in-between time, the experiments, the tests, the thinking, the analysis and the mistakes that bring forth growth and uncover new possibilities.

After years of avoiding it, I finally learned how to journal, and, frankly, how to let go of my fear of journaling. I’d always been afraid to journal because I had thought that everything in a bound book should be right, look right and feel presentable. I thought it should be perfect. It’s in a book after all! All pages are bound! You can’t tear them out!!!

I learned that the beauty of a journal is not in the way it looks in the end. The beauty of a journal is in the internal growth and thoughtful work that happens while journaling. It’s the freedom of thinking, analyzing, documenting, brainstorming and processing that brings the growth. The part that you can see is not what’s important in a journal. It’s the part that you can’t see that makes it a treasure.

And, oddly enough, this virtual course highlighted the importance of being part of an art community. Yes, a virtual course gave me the art community that I didn’t even realize I’d been missing. Interestingly, the fact that we never met in person was not a limiting factor. In fact, it was actually a benefit. We could all work from our studios with all of our materials for three months while communing weekly online to share and make art with other artists all over the world!

I couldn’t be more thankful for this course, everything I learned, the growth that I experienced and all the people in it. I leave this course with a renewed sense of enthusiasm for artistic experimentation and excitement over the endless possibilities. This experience went far beyond my expectations. I’ve truly internalized my new learnings and am excited to see where it all takes me now.

Above: The new abstract series I completed during this course.

Above: The new abstract series I completed during this course.

Cristina Montesinos
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