Participants Comments
Posted on January 14, 2010 - Filed Under Uncategorized | 14 Comments
Tooting one’s own horn is not the favorite pastime of some of us, so I asked some folks who have taken my classes to comment about them to share with those of you who have never heard of me, or my workshops.
Jill Berry is a multi-faceted human being who teaches her art classes in such a way that curious students are able to find their own creative paths. Jill provides a nurturing environment and offers materials and techniques that encourage participants to get out of their own way to let the creative juices flow. After the first day of my first class with Jill, I reflected that we would all be different (and better) human beings if we could have had her influence early in our lives. Jill’s teaching and presence make it possible for students to find those surprises hidden in the recesses of their own potential expressions. In the end, of course, there are no words for it…
-Pamela Metz, Educator
Jill Berry gives new meaning to the word “Workshop;” sadly, “Funshop” is not yet in the language. I have taken other book-making workshops, and have enjoyed them, but Jill made the process so much easier than it has ever been for me. Whether it is because her instructions were easy to understand, or because she is enormously talented and competent herself, or because of the spirit of cooperation she instilled in the class, our books went together like happy little sprites just waiting to please their creators.
- Mary Redenius, artist, calligrapher
I consider Jill Berry’s The Painted Page Workshop in Taos, New Mexico at the TIA to be one of the best that I have participated in many years. Her creative energy which inspired and motivated us along with her extensive technical knowledge which she shared with us kept me excited about the painted page and all the possibilities it had for me as an artist and art educator.
- Dan Dakotas, Artist, Educator
Jill is a creative teacher extraordinaire! She unabashedly shares her knowledge, techniques, tips and delightful sense of humor with her students. She is motivational and upbeat. She provides highly effective group instruction as well as patient, detailed individual attention to all students, equally. -Libby Rehm, Artist, Marketer
Jill makes sure you wind up with completed projects from her classes. They aren’t necessarily precisely done because you are working fast on them but they are perfect templates/samples for your own work later on. Why are you working fast? Because she always has extra projects for the fast workers and you want them all!
-totally solicited testimonial from Susan Madden, can be quoted, requested donation of $50,000 will be gratefully accepted
If you’re looking for a fun, project filled workshop where you actually complete a gorgeous piece of artwork, this class is for you. Whether it’s working with paper, bookboard, paints, leather or metal, Jill’s projects are unique, fun and beautiful. I always have her workshop schedule on my “favorites” list and try to fit one into my schedule each year. Don’t every underestimate what you can do if you are presented with the right creative opportunity. Jill’s classes deliver what they promise, and I have never been disappointed in the results.
-Kay Arnold, Boulder, Colorado
Has attended Jill’s classes in Golden, Colorado, Taos, New Mexico, and Estes Park, Colorado.
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Jill is cheery, enthusiastic, supportive (even for self-proclaimed introverts who only do art in the dark under their own beds.)
During her “mapping your geography” class I was inspired, encouraged, and taught little secrets to make my art-making soar.
In turn I was enthralled, entertained by little stories, and happily overwhelmed with all the new ideas that kept popping into my head. On top of all that – I had a really fun time.
Not only was the time spent at the workshop a great experience, I went home and put to use many of the book-making and other skills I had learned. And I am still using and adapting what Jill taught me last spring.
For me, that is the mark of a great workshop – that you truly can incorporate what you learn in your art-life.
Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonder-full!
I have to say that Jill is one of the most fun instructors I have ever had the pleasure of taking a class with. She makes class feel like an intimate gathering of dear fiends. I learned a lot from her too. She is very generous with her knowledge, and shares it in a way that makes it all seem like cupcakes with pink frosting and a cherry. Yay for Jill!
I’ve taken many workshops over the years, from art to cooking, and I can honestly say that my favorite instructor is Jill Berry! Here’s why – she is way smarter than I am – you leave not just with techniques and finished projects, but with the history and details about the process or topic. She’s fun – she has great sense of humor, you’ll laugh. She is organized – there’s nothing more annoying to me that taking a class from someone who is scattered and unprepared… Jill should teach her organization skills to other presenters! And most of all, she is generous… with her time, her materials and her knowledge. I have been delighted with every class I’ve taken from Jill, and have learned techniques that I’ve applied to my own artwork with great success!
Jill’s classes are not for those who only want to replicate what the instructor does. Jill encourages you to dig deep within and interpret the work so that it is truly yours. Even for those of us who truly aren’t writers, she involves you so much in the process that you can’t help but write.
Where to begin about class with Jill…first and foremost, Jill is not only someone with uber-talent, but a woman who is oh so passionate about what she does, how she lives her life, and the kind of person/friend she is to the people she interacts with.
I’ve been fortunate enough to take multiple classes from Jill and each time I’ve entered in to something that takes me and my art to the next level. She has not only been an inspiration to me in my artistic life, but someone who has also become a true friend. Jill is not only full of passion, but is compassionate, funny, patient and understanding of everyone that she encounters during her journey.
Jill is a thought provoking teacher, encouraging the student to explore and express the inner life. She is articulate, organized, prepared and presents unusual and interesting workshops!!Jill always shares her materials and has great resources.I had always been hesitant to take any sort of book making workshop because I am terrible at measuring things exactly, my hand writing is terrible & I seem to get paint and or glue all over- Jill teaches in such way that I came away feeling VERY satisfied with what I made and learned and the other participants,many with way more expertise, were also completely happy.AND Jill is passionate & fun to be with!! Thank you Jill!!!- Deedee Hampton
And where do you go to study with Jill??????
You come to Valley Ridge Art Studio where Jill will be teaching over Labor Day, Sat. Sep. 4, 2010-Mon. Sep. 6, 2010.
Located in southwest Wisconsin, you will experience the workshop of your lifetime. Jill is amazing, full of energy, creative, talented, smart… and down to earth. I promise you you will leave with more than you bargained for. We love Jill!!!
Jill was the first workshop instructor I ever had, and she set the bar SO high! I loved the subject matter (maps & cartography), the setting (Valley Ridge), her lovely personality, and, last but certainly not least, her amazing talent. I had the great fortune to take another of her classes at Raevn’s Nest in Cedarburg, which was Fun with a capitol F. I highly recommend taking any class she’s teaching because not only will you learn a new technique, you will have a great time!
Paint? I don’t paint. That’s what I thought before taking one of Jill’s classes. Thank you Jill for the helping me find the confidence I needed to try new techniques and think outside of my previously restricted world of creativity. The classroom experience was a blast – much better than I expected. I look forward to your next class at Valley Ridge this summer.
Pam
I was fortunate enough to have been able to take Jill’s “Mapping your Inner Geography workshop” and was completely blown away by her depth of knowledge about physical geography and the down-and-dirty bits about politics and map-stealing! I’ve generally been more of a head-type person rather than an arty person, and I was really curious to start exploring my own inner geography as my life shifted gears. Jill’s amazing knowledge and insights about the workshop subjects hooked my brain ~ and her intuitive and artistic gifts and guidance engaged my sleepy inner artist completely! She’s so approachable, infinitely patient, really funny, and oh so talented. What a combination, and all in one person!
Jill’s knowledge and enthusiasm are contagious. Her handouts are detailed and easy to follow, this is pretty important several months after the class when you can’t remember everything. She is open to everybody’s ideas and creations, this attitude fosters an atmosphere where the creations of each student soar into new universes. I had my first art show recently, something I could never have done without Jill’s spirit giving me confidence. You always have fun and accomplish a lot as well as meeting great people.
WOW! That’s the one word that pretty much sums up my learning experience with this FAB-u-lous instructor! Her love of her craft is evidenced in the gorgeous samples that she shows in class; and her appreciation for students willingness to ‘adapt’ their projects to their own taste is very freeing. My only regret is that she lives/teaches so far away :-\ That won’t stop me from learning more from this wonderful woman, but it will mean I can’t do so as often as I would like… Already looking forward to ‘next time!’
I attended two of Jill’s classes at RAEvN’S NEST Art Retreat this fall and can say without hesitation that her courses are very well organized, very entertaining, enlightening and more than just a little bit of fun…
I signed up for two classes that were totally out of my realm of art and found that they opened new doors for me. I left the class with a new feeling of inspiration, a new way of looking at the world around me, and a few new friends, Jill included! If you have a chance to take a course from her, “Just say YES!” You’ll be glad you did!
I’ve never been to an Art and Soul Retreat before, so I’m very excited about attending Hampton. When I was choosing my classes, I saw Jill’s Magical Midnight Stories class, and was immediately captivated. I haven’t worked on a dark background in years, not since I used to do the technique of drawing in reverse, by coloring and coating cards, then scratching off the black ink to see the color below. Now I’m looking forward to exploring the new and various methods of working on dark backgrounds. The comments I’ve been reading here make me look forward to taking the class from Jill even more.