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

Michael Barlow

Continuing Studies Instructor

Bio

Instructor, Continuing Studies (1988), Art Education (2007). BFA, 1985, Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Art, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; MFA 1987, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Exhibition: DuSable Museum of Africa American History, Chicago, IL; Noyes Cultural Art Center, Evanston, IL; Koehnline Museum of Art, Des Plaines, IL; Publications: Crow Woods Publication, “Living Artists”, AIMprint, New Relationships in the Arts and Learning, Center for Community Arts Partnerships, Columbia College Chicago; Collections: Indiana University Campus Art Collection, Bloomington, IN.

Experience at SAIC

Graduate School at SAIC in 1985 was very exciting! The opportunity to live in the city of Chicago and study at SAIC during the formative years of my professional career as a visual artist was challenging on my levels. The opportunity to engage in making and learning on multiple levels was unmatched and truly will be an experience and education that will last forever. The School of the Art Institute and the city of Chicago are iconic twins with similar looks and totally different personalities and has the ability to fool you or mislead you at the same time! These experiences and influences at SAIC formed the foundation of my teaching artist career. Being part of the SAIC community remains to be a vital component of my artistic imagination.

Personal Statement

As a creative person and Fine Arts Entrepreneur my praxis explores the intersection between arts advocacy, arts education, art consulting and making. My art work addresses multiple issues of concerning man’s inhumanity to man, spirituality, the Holy Bible, and the 4 persistent themes in the history of painting, i.e., the self, society, spirituality, and nature. My teaching philosophy addresses contemporary issues, arts integration, academic freedom, collaboration and community outreach. In the classroom/studio I strive to be a “game changer” in the lives of my students.

Current Interests

The Holy Bible, man’s inhumanity to man, fighting racism, the 4 persistent themes in the history of painting and answering the question: What do Paintings Want?

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

This course is for students that have a background in drawing, but little to no painting experience. Drawings serve as the foundation for acquiring new painting skills, and students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and goals with instructor guidance. Skills such as line, volume, space, materiality, form and function, and palette are explored through both drawing and painting. A variety of traditional and contemporary materials are used, and may include graphite, charcoal, pastels, water-based paints, mixed media, and/or collage. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago museum and discussions of practicing artists will supplement the studio experience and encourage inspiration and development of concepts in student artworks. By the end of the course, students will have a greater knowledge of material options and acquire the ability to transition from drawing to painting. Prerequisite(s): Introduction to Drawing or equivalent experience.

Class Number

1121

Credits

1

Description

Focus on the intimate relationship between drawing and painting as you experiment with a wide range of multi-disciplinary approaches that will help build a bridge between the two. Experiment with traditional and non-traditional drawing and painting materials to deepen your connection to contemporary studio practices and develop technical and conceptual skills to expand your personal visual language. This immersive experience is intended for students that want to advance an existing painting and drawing practice. Independent studio time is supplemented by lectures and demonstrations, as well as opportunities to engage with your instructor and peers through discussions and critique.

Class Number

1133

Credits

1