In the first project Mary Todd Beam strives to achieve order out of the visual chaos of a garage sale. She uses a view finder to isolate her subject and proceeds to simplify the objects into more basic shapes.

Mary simplifies subjects in a line drawing, then builds a foundation of bold, transparent pigments. She caps the painting with opaque layers and textures enabled by her acrylic process. She introduces concepts like linkage, abstraction and simplification.

In the second painting, Mary encourages you to look inward for inspiration. In this abstract composition, she cuts masks from contact paper and prints personal symbols with sheets of plastic. She finishes the painting with a graphic flourish. Mary encourages spontaneity and exploration but takes time to critique her work at each stage. Catch her enthusiasm and discover your creative self in "An Acrylic Journey: From Trash to Treasure and An Inward Look with Mary Todd Beam."

Mary Todd Beam's light-hearted approach to acrylics breaks down barriers to creativity. In this workshop, Mary leads you through two complete paintings as you explore layering, line work and your artistic identity.

First she makes order out of chaos in a still life inspired by a yard sale. Mary simplifies subjects in a line drawing then builds a foundation of bold, transparent pigments. She caps the painting with opaque layers and textures enabled by her acrylic process.

VIDEO EXTRA: Decoration and Symbols in an Experimental Painting