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Why join a workshop? You have been painting for years or have managed on your own to produce something that looks like what you set out to paint; or you are always going to go out and get started. soon. Perhaps, you have wanted to paint or write but have not started yet, one day.when I leave work. after the kids have left home.These words are familiar to many of us.

Enrolling in a workshop helps overcome the excuses for putting off what you really want to do. I know from my own experience; a planned day in the studio can be the first to go - something else comes up and is more urgent and that is the end of my painting time. Other issues seem to come first. Most of us need to feel relaxed before beginning a new project; whether it is a new painting, a piece of writing or a sculpture.

By joining a class, or enrolling in a workshop, you make a commitment to yourself and your needs as an artist, or creative person. You are stating: My work and needs as a person are important and I am putting aside quality time to pursue them. You may not want to follow up your creativity into a professional career; it may be time out from another profession; it may be a hobby - that does not matter, it is the commitment to yourself and the work that is important.

A workshop enables you to meet like-minded people and to talk and focus on a shared interests and activities; working together and individually to help each other learn new skills, and methods of creating. There is a shared energy created in a workshop environment that is difficult to find working in isolation; - a stillness of concentration where minds grapple tasks together. There is a sharing of emotions, the highs from a satisfied result, and the high from feeling good about working hard - and it is hard work. The relaxation is in the reality that everything else that is on the student's mind; work, relationships or home life has too be temporarily put aside in the class or workshop environment. Concentration is on the task before you. In a sense, it is a form of meditation.

A workshop usually has a demonstration or talk from the tutor, this is the fun bit for the participant, the sitting back watching someone else put paint on canvas, or read a passage, or demonstrate their skills. You have an opportunity to ask questions, and interact closely with an expert in the field. The interaction of the group can teach more than reading textbooks; questions that perhaps other students ask that you had not thought of may give a new insight.

Getting started is often the hardest part of any creativity. Here again, a workshop environment with a keen tutor can make all the difference. A little encouragement and direction can help you feel confidant inspired to begin; and there are other students to discuss ideas with, and gain valuable feedback.

One advantage the workshop has over the weekly class is the greater stimulation that is created from the intensive period of time you spent together where the focus is more concentrated and energetic. The workshop may be a full day, or spread across several days. the time you spend with a group sharing ideas and painting is exciting and seems to have a longer staying impact. From my experience I have found students can become bored and stale with the regular weekly two-hour class painting the same subjects in a studio environment. The workshop offers a fresh advancement to your work.

If you have been attending regular classes with one tutor for a long time, it is beneficial to occasionally enroll in a workshop with a different tutor that can introduce new ideas and stimuli; and to avoid becoming a clone of your regular tutor. It is important to allow yourself to be open to other voices and styles; and in time develop an individual style, or voice, gained from the sound knowledge of your craft.

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