Our First Year: Reflections on Cold Wax Academy

About this Episode

A year ago, Rebecca and her teaching partner and co-author, Jerry McLaughlin embarked on a new project to meet the needs of artists during the time of Covid. With in-person workshops canceled, they turned to online teaching as a way to continue to offer instruction to artists interested in using cold wax medium and oils. Faced with this challenge of offering deep learning in a new format, Rebecca and Jerry developed a structured curriculum of online sessions for a worldwide audience of artists. Cold Wax Academy has evolved to be the leading online resource for mastery of both technical and artistic skills required for painting with cold wax medium.

Online teaching offers its own rewards and challenges, and Jerry and Rebecca reflect on its many aspects in this episode. Content for online sessions is prepared ahead of time with very specific focus, allowing for an in-depth exploration of various topics. Learning takes place in concise pieces of information, with time in between to process. When combined with actual workshop experience the impact of both foms of learning is especially noticeable.

With so many artists involved in online teaching and learning as a result of the pandemic, the advantages of online learning are becoming increasingly evident and to be involved in this new format is exciting. Cold Wax Academy membership provides deep, structured learning from two experienced, professional artists in the context of a supportive online community. If this sounds right for you, please visit www.coldwaxacademy.com.

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Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin are excited to be launching year two of Cold Wax Academy's membership program, which began in October of 2020. In the coming year, live online learning sessions will feature an entirely new set of topics---beginning with a deep dive into technique and the steps involved in developing a painting. Other topics for year 2 include professional development, abstraction and realism, principles of design, and expanded uses for cold wax medium.

As always, members have access to recordings of all previous sessions including everything from the first year, so it's easy to join anytime. Fall Quarter begins October 6th. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for details about membership levels and to sign up for a year of exciting learning experiences.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

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