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

1042

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

1029

Credits

2

Description

In this course students will focus interests and refine their skills to create strong, portfolio-quality work. This advanced course is intended for students with previous drawing and/or painting experience who are ready to experiment, take risks, and push their skills to the next level. The organization of ideas and development of self-directed work is emphasized with instructor guidance and peer support. Students explore contemporary artistic practices through interdisciplinary approaches that cultivate material exploration, image making strategies, and traditional and non-traditional drawing and painting techniques. Lead by their individual projects and goals, students may choose to work in a variety of media, such as water-based paint, oil paint, ink, pencil, charcoal, collage, or a combination of media. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, contemporary artist presentations, group critiques, daily writing exercises, and class discussions supplement the studio experience.

*NOTE* Painting and/or drawing experience and ability to work independent of specific assignments required. Students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects. Note: Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, Painting, and Drawing courses may use nude models hired by the School. Other classes may use them to a lesser degree.

Class Number

1126

Credits

2 - 4

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

This course introduces the materials, methods, and tools of oil painting while students develop observational skills. Demonstrations on stretching canvas, laying out a palette, working with various paint application techniques, and color mixing provide students with the fundamentals of the medium and a strong foundation for future work.

Class Number

1101

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

1689

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

1697

Credits

3