I'm Dawn Bova owner artist @heartworkbydawn. I've just completed Better Than Art School Every single homework assignment in this course has helped me grow as an artist! Stretching me, pushing me to explore art through an entire entirely different lens. I've studied art and taken college courses but Learning about color and composition with Amira has been the most important discovery for my development as an artist. My composition and style is beginning to take shape! Before better than art school | needed a photo or reference to paint something. However, with Amira's course | now have the freedom to use my imagination and use photos as inspiration..but | don't need them! | would highly recommend this course to anyone who is not afraid to pick up a paintbrush, whether you consider yourself a novice or an expert artist you will not be disappointed.

— Dawn 8. 8/26/2021

I am so glad I took the Better than Art School course. It has made a huge difference in my confidence about my art as well as how well it's being received.

The homework assignments were challenging and taught me so much about what makes sophisticated, appealing abstract art. Amira goes in-depth on color and composition. Those two things sound so rudimentary, but it's amazing that this stuff really isn't taught anywhere. I have been taking art classes my whole life, and no one has taught me what I learned in her course.

I am in my final week of the program. Not only do I feel confident in my art, I also feel more confident in myself - like a true role model for my artistic friends. I know I am inspiring others, and that feels great.

When it comes to color, Amira clarified for me why I had been drawn to certain colors and how to use them - not sparingly, but liberally, and more effectively. A composition is a place I can continually up my game as I layer on a painting. The extra work pays off and is so gratifying when it reaches a good point.

Before this, I was painting mostly animals but craved doing more loose, abstract work. I wanted my work to be more impactful, and less cutesy. I also wanted to be able to have people see real value in it. The course has taught me how to do that. A friend recently acknowledged the work I put into a painting. She could see that.

I recommend this program to anyone who has an artistic inkling or longing or is already a hobbyist trying to break into the professional realm. Now I feel I can really sell my art.

Amira is such a ray of sunshine. I am so grateful to her!

— Mea C. 1/25/2021

This is exactly what transformed within me during my eight weeks in the course. I can't believe the internal changes that have taken place. Now I share my work confidently, knowing why I made certain marks, and chose my focal point and even my color palette. However what the world may see is as a confident artist began with a mental transformation before ever transforming my skills. They don't see the old beliefs that were broken down and transformed into self-love. They simply see brushstrokes and color. I see movement across the canvas that's heart-driven power or delicate strokes as my inner voice sings with joy. This is how I went from having hesitation and self-doubt to courage, confidence and even some moxie. Now I see me on the canvas and that's the best gift received from this course.

— Shannon S. 11/13/2020

The homework assignments were great to get are creative and mental juices flowing. I liked how The color assignments started from the very basic theories which were so necessary because a lot of us (myself especially) were not even aware of the difference between CYMK or RGB. I will watching the color lessons on repeat as I feel it is a valuable tool to go back to. The program definitely expanded my color palette and use colors I've never used before- reason being because I couldn't define before why some colors worked and some didn't. In the past, I thought I had to stick to the same colors to define my brand. But now I'm more open to using different color variations. I'm able to make clearer decisions about which shades work together and how to use neutrals. The assignment using 5 different emotions was also great because it pushed us to experiment with different styles. Lessons about Composition were also eye-opening, whereas before I never even knew what composition meant. Now I can look at any painting and be able to analyze it properly and why certain compositions are impactful and attractive. Now I feel more physically and mentally free when I paint. I past, I used to paint in a very structured and controlled manner while striving for perfection. There is a big weight lifted off my shoulders to paint without worrying about the outcome so much, feeling uninhibited, trusting my intuition while at the same knowing all the concepts and using them wisely. I used to get stuck on a painting and not know why. Then I would get frustrated and think maybe I can't do this. Although, i still have a way to go with my style, composition and color choices, at least now If I'm stuck, I can look at my own painting and know how to fix it. I'm not afraid to "ruin" the painting and now I can go into my "bag of tools" to figure out what the painting needs. I have more a process and now where and how to start a painting. And my style is getting there-not 100% yet, but its getting there! I would recommend this program to artists who feel stuck with their work and their business and especially if they feel they are not going anywhere. I feel empowered because I have more courage to share.

— Aimee H.

I am currently completing Week 8 of the program. I have found the homework assignments to be so beneficial. I took a lot of notes while watching the videos, but I really loved the fact that the homework was quite engaging. I learned more from the process by actually doing it.

You learn so much about colors; the rules for mixing, the importance of contrasting colors, use of neutrals, supplemental and complementary color hues. I have had some coursework on this when I was in college, but this course provided more detail and up to date information. Applying these color techniques has resulted in some beautiful paintings!

I have also had coursework in composition back in the college days. My degree was Home Economics (Fashion Merchandising and Interior Design), so it was necessary to learn about the relationship of composition to design. This again has been a serious refresher course in that aspect.

I am a self-made Artist. Not having a formal education in the Art world, made me feel inadequate. I felt that I had missed a lot of details necessary to become a successful Artist. However, these eight week have been amazingly productive. I have learned so much information; new and old (-i.e- mark-making, glazing, what it takes to meet the demands of an Art Business).

I was most empowered to change my own mindset; through the readings, the affirmations, surrounding myself with other Artists and knowledgeable Instruction. Changing my mindset has helped to change my belief about myself; that I can live my dream of being a successful Artist.

— Anna Marie H.

If you are tired of taking art classes where you recreate the teachers style.

If you are tired of having low confidence in your painting practice.

If you want to create your own abstract art that reflects your authentic style & paint in such a way as to capture your audience's attention at first glance, then this is the course for you!

I feel out empowered by all that I have learned in these 8 weeks & I can now state with 100% confidence....I AM AN ARTIST. :)

— Juliet H. 2/8/2021

You will come out of this program painting in a way that reflects you. I feel great about my style of painting. It reflects me. I love my use of color and the application of it on my canvas. I love the freedom to create art without boundaries and restrictions. I know that The new techniques I learned will be incorporated into my work in the future and greatly benefit me. I also feel that my work will be able to compete with the work that is out in the art world. I'm looking forward to becoming much more familiar with social media and marketing my work in that manner. Thank you to everyone and the Facebook group for your support.

— Laura J. 2/26/2021

This course checked so many boxes for me. I'm a semi-self-taught artist and had been painting in various media for about ten years. Then I ran across Amira's course. It has filled in so many gaps for me; some I didn't even know I had! This course gave me confidence and basically an artistic makeover. It has helped me "see" differently and somehow made abstract painting make more sense. It took me so long to admit I was an abstract painter, and I am lucky to have found this as a step toward claiming who I am as an artist and developing my style. I look forward to continuing to implement what I learned in these lessons. One of my favorite things that came out of this course for me was learning to mix color intuitively, as I go along. In the beginning that seemed impossible to me. Thank you, BTAS!!!

— Rachel N. 8/24/2021

I signed up for BTAS thinking that I only needed help with understanding composition but it was so much more than I thought. The homework assignments gave me the necessary tools to explore my painting process and where I needed to take risks. I discovered that I love to work with blues and green tones such as mint, turquoise, viridian, aqua blue, and Prussian blue. I also found a new love for different shades of purple and pink. My work was super saturated before I started this program but now I've found a nice balance between neutrals and saturated colors. I was never a fan of muted colors but now see them as the missing links for my paintings. My work is starting to look more mature and I don't have to wing it anymore. I have a better sense of composition and feel more confident starting and finishing a painting. This program was more than picking up new techniques. It helped shift my mindset and focus on the feeling behind my work. I learned to be vulnerable and take my raw emotions to the canvas. I took a break from posting my work on social media but I'm starting to feel ready to come out of hiding and share my work. Thank you Amira for sharing your knowledge and for what you do. I'm glad I signed up for BTAS!

— Tarra L. 9/8/2021

I have learned so much from this course! There are too many aspects to name because it is chalk full of content. Amira over delivers... from color theory to value to tips on composition, how to sign your work and more! I enjoyed the sections where she looked at other artists work and opened it up for opinions and critiques. I also loved her tips on color mixing, value and how to choose a color palette. Building value from the bottom floor up was really eye-opening to me and I will forever hear Amira in my head with that great analogy!

Thank you Amira for such a great and valuable course! I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about abstract painting or even to anyone just starting out! If you're on the fence on deciding... get the course! You won't be disappointed!

— Heather H. 6/9/2022