A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.

Amanda Joy Calobrisi

Lecturer

Bio

Education: MFA, 2008, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Post-Bac, 2005, School of the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston, BA, 2002, University of Massachusetts, Boston. Exhibitions: Western Exhibitions, Chicago, IL: The Loo, Chicago, IL; Serious Topics, Inglewood, CA; Roots and Culture, Chicago, IL; Field Projects, New York, NY; Night Light Studios, Chicago,IL; MiM Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Co Prosperity Sphere, Chicago, Il, Whitdel Arts, Detroit, MI; Fundación del Centro Cultural del México Contemporáneo, Mexico City, Mexico; Onishi Civic Center Hall, Fujioka, Japan; Naomi Fine Arts, Chicago, IL; Unspeakable Projects, San Francisco, CA; and S & S project, Chicago.  Her work has been published in New American Paintings and Cheap and Plastique Magazine.

Personal Statement

Amanda Joy Calobrisi tells strange and sensuous tales of womanhood. The figures that inhabit her canvases ponder the theatrics of sex—and death—in worlds less dangerous and more revealing than our own. Rendered affectionately rather than objectively, the women fold, bend, lean, and stretch in painted spaces that hover between boudoir and landscape. Individualism and agency mold their realm where self-love and self-admiration are no longer private revolutions. ­­­

 

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

Unlock your creativity in our dynamic figure drawing course. Here, you'll have the opportunity to work from a live nude model, honing your skills by observing the human form. Expect an exciting mix of rapid sketches and longer poses paired with inspiration from photographs and your imagination. Explore the essential elements of life drawing¿like anatomy, proportion, composition, and expressive techniques¿focusing on using black and white media such as graphite, charcoal, and conte crayon to bring your visions to life. Challenge yourself with exercises like blind contour drawing and memory sketches that will push your artistic boundaries. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, presentations on inspiring historical and contemporary artists, and constructive critiques will help you grow. This course is perfect for newcomers eager to explore their creativity and those looking to enhance their artistic skills in a supportive and engaging environment. Note: Figure Drawing and Figure Painting use nude models hired by the School. Other painting and drawing classes may use them to a lesser degree.

Class Number

1169

Credits

1

Description

This course begins with an intensive study of the human form and anatomy. Working from direct observation of the nude model, students build oil painting skills with an emphasis on both traditional and non-traditional painting processes that may include water-based paint, collage, and mixed media. Students explore trends in contemporary figurative art and examine how and why artists continue to use the human form as a subject and vehicle for personal expression. With guidance from the instructor and feedback from peers, students investigate personal ideas and concepts while developing a series of portfolio-quality paintings. Field trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, artist presentations, and discussions focusing on the work of significant historic and contemporary artists such as Lucien Freud, Peter Doig, Francis Bacon, David Hockney, Cecily Brown, John Currin, Lisa Yuskavage, and others supplement the studio experience.
*NOTE* Previous painting experience required. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects.

Class Number

1050

Credits

2

Description

This course is perfect for students passionate about drawing but new to painting. Build your drawing skills as a solid foundation to explore exciting new painting techniques as you define your unique artistic vision with the guidance of your instructor. You will explore essential skills such as line, volume, space, materiality, form and function, and color. Various traditional and contemporary materials will be utilized, including graphite, charcoal, pastels, water-based paints, mixed media, and collage. Additionally, visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and discussions about contemporary artists will enhance the studio experience and inspire students to develop conceptual ideas in their artworks. By the end of this course, you'll have a deeper understanding of different art materials and the confidence to transition from drawing to painting. This course is beneficial for beginners as well as those looking to refine and enhance their skills. Note: Figure Drawing and Figure Painting use nude models hired by the School. Other painting and drawing classes may use them to a lesser degree.

Class Number

1175

Credits

1

Description

Working from the nude model, students learn how to draw the human form from direct observation. The essential elements of life drawing, including anatomy, proportion, volume, composition, gesture, and the accurate and expressive use of line and tone are addressed to provide a focus for increasing skill. With a shared emphasis on traditional and non-traditional drawing techniques, students experiment with a variety of wet and dry materials, which may include charcoal, conte crayon, pastels, ink, and water-based paints. The course is also designed to provide a forum for students to explore new conceptual directions related to contemporary figuration while developing a more mature artistic practice through individual attention from the instructor, feedback from peers, trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, critiques, and artist presentations.
*NOTE* Previous drawing experience required. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects.

Class Number

1030

Credits

2

Description

Students will focus on the proportional relationships of the human head and face to achieve naturalistic resemblance in their drawings. Instruction in the use of line, shape, light, and shadow will be explored to achieve believable volumetric form. Black and white as well as color materials will be investigated. A model will be present during each class session and a variety of drawing approaches will be demonstrated. Discussion and presentations on contemporary portraiture and group and individual reviews of work are also included.

Class Number

2342

Credits

1

Description

Painting Practice is an introductory painting course offering. The curriculum addresses basic skills as related to a painting studio practice. Topics and curricular goals include material, facility and technique, space and color, as well as concept. This course is a prerequisite for all Multi-level Painting, Figure Painting and Advanced Painting Studio classes.

Class Number

1922

Credits

3

Description

Students draw from the model as a means of understanding form, shape, and line using a variety of media. The course emphasizes shorter poses as training in immediate response to gesture and form. This course serves as a requirement and preparation for topic-based Figure Drawing B classes.

Class Number

1593

Credits

3

Description

This studio drawing course explores how narrative operates in the history and traditions of figure painting. The class incorporates a range of methods; visits to the museum and galleries; introduce written material into drawn images; and analyze forms of narrative, including short film, graphic novels, abstraction, and sculpture. Sessions will focus on how mood, color, light and the passing of time influence how we read and produce a narrative image.

Class Number

1930

Credits

3