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We will be doing small to medium-size loose studies. We will keep the watercolor simple and fresh. We focus on the process more than the finished product, and we encourage play and experimentation. This is a great technique to learn for travel sketchbooks, greeting cards, or adding a little custom painting to your scrapbook, journal, or website. You will be able to finish several paintings. Lori will walk you through each project, and she will demonstrate and show samples, all in a very relaxed atmosphere. We will be drawing from observation of photos and from real life. We may have a guest artist join us for one lesson. This class is set at an intermediate level. You should have some experience with drawing and painting before taking this class. MATERIALS: Pens: I recommend Faber-Castell PITT or Micron waterproof, black. There’s a pack of four Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens that have nib sizes superfine, fine, medium, and brush-pen. If you have a variety of nib sizes in another brand of acid free, waterproof pens, feel free to use them. (Note: Be sure it is not the four-pack that has thick pens used for calligraphy.) Paper: one 9” x 12” watercolor pad. (From 90 lb. to 140 lb. is good. My favorite brand is Arches, cold or hot press, but others are fine.) Watercolor: If you have watercolors, just use what you have. If you want to buy some, you can get the Prang-brand, 16-standard-color set or splurge and buy tubes of Daniel Smith or Winsor & Newton. If you want a set for travel, get a travel Winsor & Newton set, with professional colors. Brushes: The sets usually come with a brush. I recommend that you get additional brushes (round #2, 6, and 8) and a flat, wash brush (½”). Feel free to set up any pens or paper you would like to try. If you would like to get a travel water brush, Niji is the best brand. Misc.: glue stick, scissors, two water containers, spray bottle, water mister, watercolor well palette. (It’s a palette with little cups to hold the paint.) Optional: one Uni-ball, Signo white fine-tip pen or white gel pen, Speedball sketching project set, and black waterproof India ink. Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens, waterproof, sanguine and/or sepia, any thickness of nib. Max students: 12 Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/class/103 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

Self-publishing one’s photographs in an on-demand photobook is more than just a fad. For more than two decades, photographers have embraced the process of creating, designing, and outsourcing their bodies of photographic works into small-edition books using various publishing software. By moving their images from the screen to the page, to an object one can hold in their hand, share with others, and memorialize visual projects into “a thing itself,” the photobook is the new paradigm shift for the photographic medium. This online course will introduce the history of the photobook in the context of early 20th century photography to the 21st century, challenging one to ask, “Why the book?” Within this context, the purpose of one’s book will be explored. Surveying and selecting individual images within a series, then editing images into a cohesive body of photographs, will drive the design, including creating dynamic layouts and prototype mock-ups for review. Using presentation software, such as Keynote or PowerPoint, one’s first look will be to critically examine scale, sequence, the visual space of each page, text, and other construction elements to heighten the experience of one’s photographs within the flow of a book. This is not a course on how to use publishing software. As the course proceeds, various publishing sources will be introduced and scrutinized from simple construction options to complex ones. Students will compare their level of skill with these proprietary software sources, selecting the best in regard to which book format has an acceptable degree and “ease of handling.” Further considerations for a publisher will be the design options needed to communicate the book’s purpose, selection of various papers, binding, and of course what is the final cost and turnaround time to hold the book in one’s hand. Requirements for successful completion of the course: Participants need a body of photographic works to create and design their book. The selection of a book design software is cost-free, but publishing costs for one book usually start at about $25 plus shipping. Turn around times are usually 6–10 business days. The course meets online consecutively for five weeks, taking one week off to outsource to publisher. There will be a final online class meeting (6th week) to review and celebrate one’s completed book! Max students: 12 Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/class/102 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

The Trump administration's dramatic staffing cuts at federal lands agencies like the Forest Service are causing anxiety in tinder dry New Mexico, where the wildfire threat is already severe this Spring.

This is a unique opportunity to study with two accomplished and warmhearted artist-educators in the same course. Ken and Stephanie are both well known for their ability to help each person find their own unique drawing abilities. For the first three weeks, Stephanie will introduce you to well-founded drawing techniques by working from carefully selected high-quality past and present master portraits and figures. Beginners are encouraged to start out with pencil or charcoal, while those with more experience may work in other mediums of their choosing. During the last three weeks, Ken will introduce color theory to portraits and figures using watercolor. But you can use any medium of your choice, as Ken also works in oils, acrylics, pastels, colored pencils, etc., and the same color concepts apply to all mediums. All levels are welcome because instruction and demonstrations are given on an individual and group basis. Materials: Since this is an online class, just use the materials you are already comfortable with. You do not need to buy anything on this list. It is just a suggestion: the simpler the better. For gestures, you need only newsprint; a drawing board (a piece of 3/16” thick foam-core drawing support cut to 19” x 25”, with four bulldog clips); very soft vine charcoal; a kneaded eraser; and one color-pastel for accents. Suggested optional materials by medium: Graphite: two mechanical pencils (a 2 mm mechanical holder with 4B leads and a 0.5 mechanical pencil with 2B leads); kneaded eraser; blending stump; small sanding block; rag; drawing pad, 18” x 24”, Strathmore 300 Series (or any brand you have); drawing support mentioned above. Charcoal: 4B charcoal pencil; softest vine charcoal; rags or Viva paper towels; kneaded eraser. Max students: 12 Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/class/101 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

DHS said it was conducting wellness checks on students who arrived unaccompanied to the border. The head of the Los Angeles Unified School District has a different account.

By the end of Greene's Tuesday town hall in Acworth, Ga., three people were arrested and two were hit with stun guns. Greene is one of many lawmakers confronted by angry constituents in recent weeks.

A coalition of Jewish groups warns that the Trump administration stripping international students of visas under the guise of fighting antisemitism actually makes Jews less safe and undermines the rule of law.

The SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship to be able to register to vote. NPR's Michel Martin asks Sean Morales-Doyle of the Brennan Center for Justice what that could mean for voters.

Shred and recycle sensitive documents in an environmentally responsible way for free. Residents should bring a maximum of five standard-sized boxes (10” x 12” x 15”) of paper for drop-off. Advanced registration and proof of residency are required. Register on the Republic Services Carlsbad website starting March 24. Visit: https://www.republicservices.com/municipality/carlsbad-ca

Yasmelin Velazquez has waited 10 months for her immigration court date. But a last-minute hospitalization and confusion over Trump's changing immigration policies lead to more hurdles and anxiety.