Jen Russo
Jen Russo is a certified New York State art teacher and artist who has been teaching in public and after school settings since 1998. She has worked with those with developmental disabilities and young people at Heritage Centers, emphasizing inner peace, breath, health and meditative practices in her instruction.
As an artist, Ms. Russo has focused on figurative painting, murals and storyboard drawing. She has done extensive research and study into the practice of Yoga and has been instructing Yoga classes since 2004. Ms. Russo weaves the physical nature of Yoga with the visual arts to teach figure drawing and to inspire innovative approaches to self-portraiture. Ms. Russo offers a variety of visual arts programs for YAW-NY which include, but are not limited to, mandala designs and explorations in printmaking.
Programs
Explorations in Printmaking add to wish list
Students explore line patterns, visual textures, shapes, negative and positive shapes, landscapes or faces using the versatile medium of foam. The possibilities are endless!
Can be extended into a multi-session printmaking residency that covers stamping, foam printing, block, collograph and monoprinting. Contact office for details.
Supply fee may apply.
Exploring the Figure through Yoga add to wish list
This program combines visual expression with yoga as a tool for body awareness. Students learn and practice yoga poses that increase strength, flexibility, poise and calm. At the same time, they learn about body proportions, allowing them to draw or paint themselves in the pose they most enjoy. These paintings can be enhanced with text and symbols to represent themselves.
Can be extended into a multi-session residency. Supply fees may apply.
Sacred Art of Mandalas add to wish list
Creating radial designs called Mandalas, students explore visual rhythm and pattern. These special designs begin with a central image and are further developed with repetitive elements surrounding it. Possible themes can be found in nature, symbolism, places, experiences, etc. depending on curricular or classroom needs.
This workshop can be extended into a multi-session residency. Supply fee applies.
Save the Teacher! add to wish list
Experienced art educator and yoga teacher Jen Russo will lead teachers through a fun and physical process that will culminate with a Mandala Painting. We all know teaching can be an extremely demanding career, and in this professional development workshop teachers will learn a series of breathing techniques and yoga postures designed to clam, center and strengthen from the inside out! The second part of the workshop will include the creation of a personal Mandala using watercolor and incorporating imagery influenced by the first half of the class. All of these techniques and activities can be used with students.





Follow us on Twitter