We are so pleased to tell you that Maja Sereda has joined Cloud 9! Maya is an amazing artist and beloved art instructor and we are thrilled to welcome her.

In Maya’s own words:

I am an artist and a published children's book illustrator. Inspired by my father's love of animals and my mother's creative talents, I LOVE art and all things nature. My fascination with details germinated in my childhood and continues to this day, which can be seen in most of my mixed media drawings and illustrations. I love sketchbooks, tiny details, mini worlds and visual storytelling. Outside of my art, I love to: travel, hike, take photographs, write poetry, dream, learn, make things with my hands and connect with people.

I love listening to people's stories, understanding and supporting others on their artistic journey. I teach students of all ages and across a wide range of abilities. I'm passionate about helping others dissolve their creative knots, find creative strengths and improve their skills. There is something magical about nurturing dreams and helping my students excel in their own art. I genuinely care and find much joy in seeing my students overcome creative hurdles, achieve something more than what they thought was initially possible. I believe that by showing up for our work and by being kind to ourselves during the process we can achieve amazing things.

In the past I have worn many hats: I have worked in advertising, as a fine art painter, illustrator, colorist for a cartoonist, as a volunteer at an animal shelter as well as a caregiver. My journey has been exciting, rewarding and interesting. I'm simply delighted to be a member of the Cloud 9 team!

Maya’s first two workshops at Cloud 9 are:

TALES OF IMAGINATION

Mondays 1:30 – 4:30
8 week course

January 27 - March 16

$300

All skills welcome

Bringing together your passion for drawing, nature and storytelling. Unleash your imagination by telling stories through images rather than words. Start and keep an illustrator’s sketchbook, learn how to develop character designs, create layouts, exciting compositions, learn how to mix media for desired effect and pick up easy to follow illustrator’s methods. Maja will help you through every step from idea, concept sketches to final artwork. In the process, learn how to sharpen your drawing skills, inject emotions into images and create exciting visual narratives.

To get the ball rolling illustration ideas & reference images will be supplied, but students will be encouraged to work on their own stories throughout the course.

For the first class: Please bring a sketchbook (smooth paper, no watercolor paper), animation paper or thin sketch paper, graphite pencil, few color pencils for sketching, pen(s), eraser, sharpener, ruler and your story ideas.

Other supplies will be discussed during the course. What you need to purchase depends on the artwork you’ll be doing.

Register at: http://majasereda.biz/cloud-9-workshops

RENDERING NATURE

Thursdays 10am – 12:30pm
6 week course

February 13 - March 19

$200

All skills welcome

Explore different forms of nature, from mushrooms, beetles, birds, seeds, flowers, seashells and more. Learn to sharpen your observation skills, explore textures, different techniques and tackle different mediums to find your perfect fit. In this course, we’ll cover graphite pencil, color pencil and/or pen & ink. If you’re feeling adventurous, we’ll mix media as well. Maja will help you bring out the best in each medium and each form. Leave the course with a collection of beautiful pieces.

For each class reference images will be supplied, but students are always encouraged to work on their own personal images. 3D objects welcome.

For the first class: Please bring drawing paper (nothing rough), graphite pencils, eraser, sharpener.

Other supplies needed for the class: color pencils, drawing pens, paper for pens, hot-press paper (useful for mixed media artwork).

Please consult Maja’s list of supplies for descriptions so that you can make the best choice for you.

Register at: http://majasereda.biz

For more information, please visit Maya’s website: www.majasereda.biz

Welcome Maja Sereda!