Views from Camp Mohican (2019)

Views from Camp Mohican (1966)

I am your guide and coach.
Here is how I do it.

Let my experience
be your guide...

• 44 years making/selling my enamel jewelry
• Workshops/presentations at The Enamelist  Society Conferences
• Workshops at craft schools across the USA
• Exhibitor at top craft shows: Smithsonian, Phil. Museum of Art, ACC
• Rio Grande and Youtube instructor
• Creator of the enamelchannel.com

read more about Ricky

Here is what I will do as your coach...

• explain/demonstrate the enamel science and skill relationships.
• help you ask more and different questions
• point out what you are not seeing
• celebrate your small successes
• nurture your creative mindset
• embrace your personal narratives
• challenge you to set more challenging goals while focusing on your mini-goals
• support you as you make the mistakes necessary to change and grow
• become your biggest cheerleader and help you become your biggest cheerleader.

After a class, you find yourself alone in your studio,
challenging yourself to learn, improve, & master your craft.
You enter into a RELATIONSHIP with your process.
You begin to have conversation with yourself.

Our students..

• practice the art of asking themselves questions
  
• practice the skills of observation & listening
• practice connecting to their process

Why did I design the Creative Enamel Color Class?

My Teaching Goals...

Help you understand the SCIENCE of enameling so you apply the principles, not the rules.
​Advance your enameling technical SKILLS to achieve control that is "good enough".
Enlarge your enamel vocabulary.
Improve your "Creative Mindset Skills" so that you can EXPRESS, DESIGN, and CREATE in enamel!
Challenge you to explore your WHY questions that will lead you to your artistic VISION & VOICE.
Help you create tutorials so that you can "TEACH YOURSELF" to answer your own questions.
Develop your process for moving from INSPIRATION to IMAGE.

He pushes you to figure out how to solve your own problems through careful examination of what you do and do not know, and all that can go wrong, or right.  He also breaks down a process into smaller steps, so that you can work towards a bigger goal with more precision. 
​ A lot of questions rather than answers.
-Sara P.

You will learn to ask more questions, new questions, and different questions.

Asking "technique" questions gives us "technique" answers.
If we change our questions into "artistic" questions, we begin to explore artistic answers.
The question "Why do I care" is a really important artistic question.
My wise wife says: "If you don't know why you care, why will anyone else care?"
If I know WHY I care, it's much easier to decide on the WHAT and the HOW
My WHY guides me. 

"As Simon Sinek covers in his book, Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Action, knowing your "why" is critically important in life. It is this focus that Ricky Frank employs to help artists/enamelists understand why they are doing something. He then guides students to build on their "why" as they execute their "what" (jewelry/vessel/wall piece) and "how" (enamel & metal techniques)."
​- Cullen Hackler, Enamelist Society Board Member

I have not yet figured out how to scale this learning experience to a large group of students.
The class will be small enough so that all students will benefit from the personalized approach and interaction within the group.
Each class size is limited to 15 students.
Summer Session and Fall Session
Two groups are available in each session.
Groups are divided into level of experience: Novice or Apprentice.
​Email me to see if you qualify or for help in choosing your group.

I call these the "8 Creative Mindset Skills"
Become more aware of what you are doing, so that you can be more intentional.

1. ​observe
2. ask questions
3. imagine
4. respond
5. plan
6. choose
7. act
8. evaluate/Record

I combine 3 online classrooms
​into one amazing online learning program.

Video Lessons

Watch Video Tutorials
Organized for quick reference.
​Watch what you want, when you want
Jump ahead, go back and review
Play at faster speeds to save time.
Explore technique, design, creativity, expression
​

The Virtual Live Classroom

Connect in our interactive Zoom meeting 
Weekly lessons
Office hours
Demos
Q & A
Discussion
Supportive Critiques
​For Mentoring Classes only.

Discussion

Post and Share Online
Ricky's Daily Blog to inspire and challenge you.
Add pics of your assignments
Discuss our WHY questions
Show your progress and growth
Stay focused: No Facebook! 
​

Our ​Curriculum

Skills, Techniques, Science

Enamel Foundations
Cloisonne´ Basics
​Enamel Principles

Enamel Color Layers

The Seven Enamel Layers
Transparent, Opaque, Opalescent Enamels
Design Elements & Enamel Design Elements
(lines, shapes, patterns, color, value, light)

Creativity, Expression, Design

Translate your visual ideas into enamel imagery
Begin to discover your enamel Vision and Voice
​Find your enamel Happy Dance

Learn to teach yourself
This class is about asking questions, making decisions, and learning from your results.

Alone, in my studio, I am a creator.
I ask myself questions and I search for inspiration. 
I discover the design elements that speak to me.
I challenge myself to imagine what it might look like "in enamel".
I create "tutorials" to help me answer my questions.
I start somewhere, anywhere, anyway.
​I figure out how to "fix" something that doesn't feel or look quite right.
I decide when it's done.

All artists are in a constant state of "teaching themselves".
Teaching oneself is a skill. 
Skills can be learned, practiced, and improved.
I want to help you learn to teach yourself to find your path and make your artwork.

What keeps me from finding my enamel Vision and Voice?

Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
—CARL JUNG

I take a different approach:

I encourage you to...

• explore many questions to help you discover possible answers
• explore your relationship with your tools
• play with your materials to see what they can do
• think about "what it depends on" so that you can solver problems on your own
• understand the science so you follow principles and not rules
• develop technical and creative skills to empower you to make YOUR artwork

When you return to your studio, you are not afraid to play and experiment to discover what is possible and what you like. You are engaged in a process of discovery.

My classes and programs are not for everyone. It depends what you want.

Many craft classes take a familiar approach:

The instructor...

• tries to answer all of your questions
• shows you how to use your tools
• shares what they know about the materials
• passes along their tips and tricks
• helps you find the "right way" to do it
• provides a range of projects for you to make
• helps you make something that you will like

When you return to your studio, you try to remember what you did so that you can
make something similar to what you made in the class.

The most challenging part of my 43 plus years of enameling.
I used to...

try be "perfect".
struggle to allow myself time to play.
 think that there was a "right answer".
want someone to show me the "right way".
 believe that I didn't have a meaningful "story" to tell.
collect more techniques so that I would "improve".
feel like I must always be making something that I "liked".
stay safely in my comfort zone.
be unaware of WHY I wanted to create.

Can you relate to any of this?

Teaching & Learning to Enamel
My Approach

Set Mini-Goals.
Take Baby Steps.
Achieve Mini-Success.

My goal is to help you give yourself permission...

• to ask questions and then just do it.
• to risk making something "bad".
•  to let go of the feeling that what you are doing is "precious".
• to accept that your results are simply "feedback" and are not "good or bad".

Ricky's Approach to Teaching Enameling

Your Artistic Conversations:
Practice the art of asking yourself questions
Practice the skills of observation & listening.

The "Creative Color" Class

What is "Creative Enamel Color"?

• As beginning enamel students, we learn the basic skills and techniques of applying our enamel color through sifting and painting. We ask questions about preparation, application, and firing our enamel colors onto metal.
• After some practice, we ask ourselves questions about developing our enamel color vocabulary: What does this enamel color look like when fired over different backgrounds? What colors do I love? How can I achieve consistent results with my color? Which colors look "good together"?
• And then we begin to ask more artistic enamel color questions: What can I do differently with my colors? How do I create a unique approach to my colors? How can I use color expressively to convey emotion?

Do you want to...

• get over your fear of color?
• express yourself creatively with enamel color?
• combine opaque, transparent, and opalescent enamels?
• create a "glow" of light within your enamel layers?
• use your enamel colors to make a statement?

This class is for you!
I designed this class for students who have a basic understanding of enameling skills and want to move beyond their same old color palettes. Let go of your fears, learn to play and experiment,  and create a new, different, and personal approach to enamel color!
A six week guided online class.
Introductory Price: $250

Creative Color

The  "Creative Cloisonne´" Class

What is "Creative Cloisonne´"?

• Beginning students learn the basics: bending and firing wires into place, building up color and flux layers, and different ways to finish the enamel surface.
• As our skills advance, we often challenge ourselves to make more complex images: more complex wire "drawings", color gradations and the use of opalescent, transparent, and opaque combinations, and perhaps a series based on a specific theme.
• And then we might begin to ask ourselves the more challenging "What if" and "Why" creative and artistic questions: Why do I care? How do I connect to the enamel story that I want to share? How can I use what know to tell my enamel story from a personal and unique point of view?
  

Do you want to...

• learn the basic "step by step" process of cloisonne´ from an artist who has made tens of thousands of pieces?
• refine your cloisonne´ skills and advance your techniques?
• move beyond sifting techniques and add more precision using a painterly approach to applying your enamel colors?
• make small scale enamels suitable for jewelry?

This is the class for you!
I've designed this class for both beginning and intermediate level enamel students. I used  my 43 plus years of experience to de-construct the cloisonne´ process into an easily understood system of steps and skills. I've taught this class in-person at craft/jewelry schools and guild across the U.S for 19 years. Now I've turned it into a 6 week online class that your can do from the comfort of your own home.

Cloisonne´

Discover, Explore, and Embrace
Your "Artistic Enamel Voice"
with Ricky Frank

Connect with your art
Connect with yourself!

I have traveled this lonely path. I've survived and thrived.
Let me help you on your Quest.

Do you want to find a deeper connection
to your enameling?

Enamel Quest
quest: : an act or instance of seeking

A small group mentoring program;
A journey of transformation
Join me in search of
your enamel vision and voice.

Focusing on techniques did not help me become the artist that I dreamed of becoming.
Learning more techniques did not help me make meaningful artwork.
Buying new colors and tools did not empower me to be more creative.
But...
Asking different questions and setting different goals changed my artistic life.
Looking inside enabled me to make changes.
My inner transformation changed my enamel artwork..
Do you have the courage to take this journey with me ?

Start Your Journey

Join me on a Creative Enamel Adventure!
It's not an online video class.
It's an interactive guided group to help you feel connected and inspired.

ricky's video welcome to the journey

What keeps me from finding my Artistic Enamel Voice?

Here is what I've learned as I've searched for
MY Artistic Enamel Vision and Voice:

• A connection with myself, to others, and to my world empowers me to know what I want to say.
  
• Creativity is the result of my questions, not someone else's answers.
  
• Asking technique questions does not often lead me to artistic answers.
  
• Becoming fluent (my skills and visual imagery) enables me to speak from my heart instead of my head.
  
• Developing fluency is a process that requires practice, focus, and commitment.
  
• Knowing WHY I care inspires me to persevere in hard times.
  
• I  must trust myself.
  
• This is a journey, not a destination. I am in a process of changing myself as I change what I create.

Do I...

• try be "perfect"?
• struggle to find the time to play and experiment?
  
•  think that there is a "right answer"?
• want someone to show me the "right way"?
  
•  believe that I don't have a meaningful "story" to tell?
  
• collect more techniques instead of considering how to apply what I know in original ways?
  
• feel like I must always be making something that I "like"?
  
• stay safely in my comfort zone?
  
• challenge myself to improve or master my skills?
  

Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
—CARL JUNG

The Enamel Quest Program
 an alternative way to
Learn to Enamel.
We combine technique, design, creativity, and expression
for students at all levels.

Do you want to be more creative and artistic?

Feel connected to the artwork that I make.
Believe that I can make enamel art that speaks from my heart.

Do you want to improve your enameling skills?

Understand how enamel "works" so that I can control it.
Develop enough skill to make what I imagine.

Improve your technique and make more personal artwork.
Your vision can lead you to your technique.
Your technique can lead you to your vision.
There is not a right way or a right process,

schedule
class size
price
what you will need

"I am not here to "teach you MY successes".
I am here to help you find a path towards YOUR process.”

I share what I know and what I have learned.
I have no secrets.
But the most important thing that I share is HOW I have learned.
Not the WHAT.

The process of learning comes from INSIDE.
This is where your creativity lies.
It is where you will find your artistic vision and voice.

I cannot give it to you.

Many craft classes take this approach:

The instructor...

• tries to answer all of your questions
• shows you how to use your tools
• shares what they know about the materials
• passes along their tips and tricks
• helps you find the "right way" to do it
• provides a range of projects for you to make
• shows you a better way
• helps you make something that you will like

When you return to your studio, you try to remember what you did so that you can
make something that you like once again.

I take a different approach:

I encourage you to...

• explore many questions to help you discover possible answers
• explore your relationship with your tools
• play with your materials to see what they can do
• think about "what it depends on" so that you can solver problems on your own
• understand the science so you follow principles and not rules
• develop technical and creative skills to empower you to make YOUR artwork

When you return to your studio, you are not afraid to play and experiment to discover what you like.
You don't feel afraid of failing because you understand how to teach yourself to create.

Should I study with Ricky Frank?
Yes or No?

Yes,
Ricky's classes are for you if....

• you want to explore your creative process
• you want to learn something about yourself
• your are open to change and re-invention
• you are willing to try to "play" and "experiment"
• you can allow yourself to risk failing
• you want to discover your inner child through enameling
• you can accept some chaos and uncertainty
  
• you want to make unique and personal enamel imagery

No,
Ricky's classes are NOT for you if....

• you want a teacher to give you all of the answers to your questions
• you believe that you need the right answers and right ways to do something
• you need to make something that you like in order to feel successful
• you are not willing to practice in order to improve your skills
• you need to feel that can get it "now"
• you just want the techniques
• you get too frustrated if you don't know where you are going
  
• you want to make enamel art that looks like the art of other enamel artists

There is not a right way.
But different approaches get you different results.
What do YOU want?

 Who?

Choose the Program that's right for you.

The "Novice" Program

• you have some experience with enamel
•  your skills and knowledge of enamel colors is limited
  
• you struggle to make anything that you like
  
• you are ready to take the next step in your enamel education
  
• you want some "how-to" guidance
• you want to discover your "inner artist"
• you are open to making changes
• you want more from your enameling, but don't know what that is

The "Apprentice" Program

• you have taken some workshops and have some experience and skills
• you have some skill muscle-memory and are familiar with your enamel colors
• you've made some pieces that you love
• you are ready to move to the next level but might feel stuck
• you are able to learn in workshops but when you are alone in your studio you don't know what to do
  
• you believe that you have something to say but don't know how to do this with enamel
  

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Ricky, although I had been enameling several years my work did not take direction and focus until I came to Atlanta and took a class from you.  The things  I learned in those three days were profound and was exactly what I needed to take my work to another level.  

Gina Eubanks

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\When I first started watching your videos, I kept thinking why is he asking "why" all the time?  Well, you have me hooked.  I'm finding myself thinking about "why and why not" all the time now, and all the possibilities that asking that leads to

Margaret Garza

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As Simon Sinek covers in his book, Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Action, knowing your "why" is critically important in life. It is this focus that Ricky Frank employs to help artists/enamelists understand why they are doing something. He then guides students to build on their "why" as they execute their "what" (jewelry/vessel/wall piece) and "how" (enamel & metal techniques).

Cullen Hackler

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I like that you have taken time before presenting the technical aspects of enameling, to discuss the mental/emotional landscape of the artistic process.  I have taken other art classes, and have never had another teacher walk me through this.  That, in itself, is just priceless to me.

Mary Caldwell

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He talks about the process of learning, the process of mastery, the process of letting the artist inside you "emerge."  He's a mentor of the best kind.  He teaches, but isn't pedantic about it.  His approach is  "Here's what I know, what I do and how I do it, but it was a process for me and it'll be a process for you."    He teaches you how to answer your own questions.  Every lesson isn't just instructional, it's inspiring, liberating and empowering.  I'm an engineer, not an artist, and, being me, I started out looking for answers, knowledge, details, details, how-to, how-to.  Ricky has given me mountains of that, but probably the most valuable thing I've gained is that now when I sit down at my bench I'm not worried about producing something "good," or the value of my time or the value of my materials or whether I'm meeting some goal.
I'm in the process of becoming an enamelist and Ricky brilliantly enables that process.

Trish Morman

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My students' enamels are unique, personal, and fun!
And they make lots of enamel "sketches" as they experiment and play.

Learn Online

My "Virtual Studio Classroom" takes advantage of modern technology
to help you feel like you are right in the studio with me.
I've combined...

• Interactive Zoom meetings
• Multiple camera angles
• A private online community for sharing and critique
• A weekly "Office Hours" meeting to help with your question

Yes, you can learn, see live demos, and feel engaged, challenged, and connected
from the comfort and safety of your own studio!

How?

Zoom Connections:
Engage and Connect with Questions, Demonstrations, and Exercises.
Make new friends and inspire each other.

Course Lessons: Technique and Artistic
A combination of  Video, Articles, and Exercises

Group Critiques & Discussion
Use our space to share, connect, challenge,
 inspire. and question.

Here's how it works.
Each Week...

We combine....
Zoom Meetings for live group interaction and demonstrations
Pre-recorded video tutorials for technical support
A dedicated Community Group Forum for Critique & Discussion
Everything is recorded.
Everything is available to replay.

1. Preview the weekly lesson
2. Weekly Zoom Meeting Lessons
3. Assignments and  Online Community
4. Zoom Office Hours
5. Finish the weekly assignments

Here's a "peek" into the virtual classroom.

Artistic Questions (video)

Technique Questions (video)

There is a relationship between your skills, your head, and your heart.
We explore your technical and artistic questions.

Enamel Technique

Cloisonne´ , Color Layers, Foils, and more...
Science
Tools
Materials
Steps
Applications
Skills
Experiments

Your Artistic Voice

Design
Expression
Creativity
Vocabulary
Play
Translation
Creative Mindset Skills
Meaning

Some of my enamel jewelry from over 43 years
What do you think my questions were?
What was I trying to explore?
Why did I care?
What did I need to "teach myself" in order to make these pieces?