Living Canvas -- worth going? What to expect?

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to face painting and am trying to get as much training as I can so I'm thinking to going to Living Canvas next month -- but I'm not that familiar with many of the instructors, so I'd love feedback on which classes to select if I go... If it matters, the cost for the two days is $165

Below are snapshots of the schedule followed by a link to the schedule page with links to class description. All suggestions, feedback and opinions are welcome.





Living Canvas schedule web page with class description links

On the second day, I'd really like to take the henna classes, but they conflict with other classes including the the Basic Mark class and 10 most popular designs with Gary cole so I'm not sure what to do...

So I guess my question is -- Is it worth spending the money to go to this based on who is teaching and if yes, which are the "DO NOT miss classes"

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Michelle

I have the same conflict...Is it worth it or not ?? I will love to go to Mark Reid Class..

It IS worth it. It is a very reasonably priced convention (way cheaper!), really excellent intructors. The hotel is around a courtyard and the conference rooms are all next to each other and the vendors are just a few steps across the courtyard.

As to what to take... depends ENTIRELY on what you want to learn/see/watch. Also... your level of painting will have a bearing on it too... some instructors are more "beginner" level/introductory that the others.

Read the descriptions, pay attention to what level they say the class is and pick what you are most interested in.

I HIGHLY recommend the tribal class with Andrea... she is a great instructor and last year she blew us all away. Excellent class for anyone! Takes "tribal" and makes it very possible for everyone to do well.

Kerry Ann Smith and Gen Keller really offer a lot but assume you have a certain skill set already as they are showing off THEIR styles and how to do their type of design... Gen is a very unique painter and it was really interesting to see HOW she works. Kerry Ann is fantatsic painter (comparable to the Wolfe Bros, but a girl... )

Jodi Carr's classes are always very instructional and she covers a lot of variations.

Nina Dees is also excellent.

If you want to upscale your cheek art take one of Val Polega's classes - VERY useful.

Those are the ones that I have taken classes with, the others I've not observed in class.

I'd say for that price it's well worth it. There are some great instructors. You'll also get so much out of jamming w/ that many painters.

I'd say go. I have never taken a class and not come away with something. Everything you learn will in some way improve your skills and therefore you painting.

it sounds like a great variety of classes, especially for that price! be sure to use your evening time well; you may meet friends going to different classes and then you can share a bit what each class was about and demo what you learned!

that way if you have a tough call between two classes, you could go with your gut, but still have someone tell you a little about the other one afterward.
the henna classes sound REALLY useful, especially for someone who doesn't do any henna yet as part of their business, but wants to add it. sounds like a great booster to get henna off the ground, and then a period of practicing designs on your own, and you're ready to add it!

Thank you all for your helpful replies. Especially Shannon -- it is nice to get first hand information from someone who has been there.

Still not sure if I can go yet (need someone to watch the kids) but if I do, as of now I'm debating about the following classes:

MONDAY
9:15-10:15	Bringing the BIC out of the closet Kristin Scott	OR	Simplify and make happy customers Nancy Eidson
10:30-11:45	Split cakes and rainbow cakes Anna Wilinski
1:30-2:45	It all starts with cheek Art Val Polega	OR	Off to a great start Christina Davidson
3:00-4:15	Southwestern Tribals
4:30-5:45	Adding 3D effects to basic faces Carol Miner	OR	Super Heroes Kerry Ann Smith
TUESDAY
8-9am	Upgrade your designs Lisa Smiley	OR	Mixology Henna Neeta Sharma
9-10:15			Traditional designs Henna
10:30-11:45	Basic Mark Mark Reid
1:30-2:45	Bring your designs to the party
3-4:15	Monsters and more Kerry Ann Smith	OR	Color Explosion Gen Keller
4:30-5:45			Take a powder please: Working with powder paints Judy Luthy

link to class descriptions: http://www.living-canvas.org/classes.html

Any additional would be feedback much appreciated

Thanks,

Michelle

I would go in a heart beat but can't leave NY at the moment. Think about where you want to improve your business. This will be the first of many events you will attend - so what do you need right now - right now my focus would be halloween - henna can wait until the warmer months at this point if you haven't taken it before take it in Jan or so. How to use what you have and think out of the box. Check out the instructors on the web and see if what they do is in line with what you are trying to achieve. There are some really amazing instructors on the roster but you will see them again so tailor your choices for you immediate future needs. I can say something good about everyone listed thats for sure.

I'd say this is not worth the travel from the other side of the country. Any small convention is worth a visit if it is regional - but the expense from thousands of miles away - one is better off going to a big event - Vegas or Orlando. From Cali alone for the price Vegas will give you far more.

As an instructor there last year my experience I think my experience was very different than Shannon's. All these instructors offer something in areas regional to you and all will come a do private classes.

I just got back from a convention in Alberta and loved it! I highly recommend going to Living Canvas. I'll probably go next year, but two in one year is a bit expensive. I have so much info to process still (and PRACTICE). Just the networking value alone is worth it. You meet so many awesome artists and share great tips and ideas. There is usually a jam session or two so you see them in action too. I took classes from Jodi Carr and Mark Reid at Bodyssey and highly recommend both.

Living Canvas looks really reasonable and I'd say go for it!

Magic wrote:I would go in a heart beat but can't leave NY at the moment. Think about where you want to improve your business. This will be the first of many events you will attend - so what do you need right now - right now my focus would be halloween - henna can wait until the warmer months at this point if you haven't taken it before take it in Jan or so. How to use what you have and think out of the box. Check out the instructors on the web and see if what they do is in line with what you are trying to achieve. There are some really amazing instructors on the roster but you will see them again so tailor your choices for you immediate future needs. I can say something good about everyone listed thats for sure.

Thank you so much for your feedback -- It's just hard to choose 'cause I feel like a kid in a candy store and want to do it all.

It makes sense about the henna -- In fact, I think Neeta will be teaching again in January...

Sweet Loretta wrote:I'd say this is not worth the travel from the other side of the country. Any small convention is worth a visit if it is regional - but the expense from thousands of miles away - one is better off going to a big event - Vegas or Orlando. From Cali alone for the price Vegas will give you far more.

Please explain -- from what I've read, many painters seem to like the smaller conventions... Also, I'm just starting out so I thought I'd get me feet wet at a smaller venue.

As an instructor there last year my experience I think my experience was very different than Shannon's.

Would you share more about your experience? I'd love to hear differing points of view

Thanks!

Miranda's question in another thread about Marcela's class made me I wonder the same thing about what to take to Living Canvas?

I have been to workshops (hands-on) but never to a "convention".

Are most of the classes at convention more lecture based, or are there "hands on" opportunities? Reason I'm asking is that there is barely 15 minutes between classes, and I was wondering how one would pack and and move even a small kit with h2o etc between classrooms in that short a time?

Suggestions on what to bring and how to navigate between classrooms would be appreciated.