Cooley Gallery offers classes with represented artist, Carmen Barros Howell

As an artist Carmen concentrates on shapes, volumes and light. Whereas some people see color, or hear sounds. Carmen observes nature in this manner, she looks at a tree and sees its shape, it having volume, occupying space and making voids.

Using human figures, insects, animals and many models and shapes stored in memory, she first draws from the model. Then she looks at the figurative drawing, new volumes emerge lines are connected and forms appear in different ways on paper. Carmen will draw until she is satisfied with the forms, and then merge them into a special piece of sculpture.

Carmen will tell you that her work is influenced by everything she sees and does. Experiences of having lived in different parts of the world, in both urban and rural settings, people she has talked to, books she has read and art shows all combine and emerge as a new language in her work. When she finishes a piece of sculpture, she has expressed her ideas, emotions and feelings, but still cannot find the exact words to explain what she has done with that particular piece. She is always surprised at what she does in creating a finished piece and has been known to say she feels drawing and sculpture are the media in which she can express herself best.

Drawing and Sculpting

Have you always wondered how to draw or sculpt? Did you know there is an artist in each and everyone of us, we all have it in there just waiting to be harnessed and ignited to share its existence. You can find that person by signing up for this class at the Cooley Gallery. (or perhaps another, we offer several different options)

This class will teach you composition, lights, shadows and perspective, how to look and see in different ways. Students start with simple still- life drawings, line definition, color value, forms and positive and negative spaces.  They will include drawing and sculpting instruction at the same time. Students of all levels—beginner, intermediate and advanced--are welcome. 

Hand building with terracotta clay, learn how to build sculptures using slabs or coils. The class will look at the work of several 20th Century sculptors and view their use of forms and space. 

Materials needed for sculpting is:

• Terracotta clay

Supplies are available at:

Pine Ridge 703-750-9437 or Manassas clay 703-330-1040

Materials needed are: 

• HB, 2B, 4B, 6B pencils
• charcoal
• kneaded eraser
• conte and large
• drawing pad

Supplies are available at The Hobby Lobby, Michael's or JoAnn Fabric



Classes begin April 8, 2014.  First class starts at 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and the second 6:00pm to 9:00 pm, to run consecutively for 6 weeks.  The cost is $199 per student. Parking is available in the parking garage http://www.leesburgva.gov/index.aspx?page=846

Click below to sign up for 10:00am to 1:00pm class:
http://thecooleygallery.mybigcommerce.com/carmen-barros-howell-instructor-session-1-am-class/

Click below to sign up for 6:00pm to 9:00pm class:
http://thecooleygallery.mybigcommerce.com/carmen-barros-howell-instructor-session-1-pm-class/

Please call the gallery 703-779-4639 or email thecooleygallery@gmail.com and Rachel will answer any question.

Classes with insufficient enrollment prior to the first class date will be cancelled. If a class is cancelled, students are entitled to a full refund, or students may transfer to another class during the same session, space permitting. Refunds will be issued within 2-3 weeks of cancellation. 

*All classes are non refundable