Workshop Descriptions
I offer the following workshops in both one-day and two-day formats. For half-day workshops, click here. I also offer a five-day Collage Journeys workshop in my own Vermont studio, and it is available for other venues as well.
Scribble Collage
In this workshop we will create our own collage materials by making “paint playgrounds” and scribble drawings using acrylic, watercolor, crayons, pastel, ink, and other materials. If you are “not artistic” or “can’t draw”, try drawing and painting with the intention of tearing up the results for collage! It is definitely in the category of dance-like-nobody-is-watching, and a great way to engage your creative spirit. We will experiment with various approaches to collage using these paintings-drawings as our foundation, make a huge mess, and have a whole lot of fun in the process!
The Keys to Dynamic Composition
Composition means the arrangements of visual elements, and their relationships to one another within the frame of your painting or collage (or quilt, assemblage, etc.). You can have all the drawing or painting skill in the world, great subject matter and a fantastic sense of color, but a piece lacking in compositional integrity falls short of its full potential. In this one-day intensive we will explore the elements of composition, such as shape, line, color, symmetry, repetition, focal point, etc., and identify them in the many examples of collage and painting I will bring. Then we will do some fun compositional exercises in paint, collage, and sketching to discover how we can understand these elements in our own work.
Unlocking the Secrets of Color
(Color Theory and Practice)
Color is one of the most immediate and emotionally affecting elements in visual art, packed with symbolic and cultural associations, personal meaning, and expressive potential. Your choice of colors can make or break a collage, painting, or mixed media piece; even a small change in color can be the key to transforming an otherwise so-so piece into a stunning work of art. In this workshop we will explore color through hands on exercises, learning how to mix them, and how they interact and relate to one another, and how they work in composition. After taking this workshop you will be on your way to making confident color choices and developing your personal color style.
Monoprint Collage
Discover a whole new world of artistic possibility when you combine collage with monoprinting techniques! Layer colors, patterns, and images to create richly textured works of art in paper and paint. We will use two of the most versatile types of printing plates – gel plates and scratch foam – and ink them up with ordinary acrylic paints to create extraordinary art!
Plaster and Wax: Encaustic and Mixed Media
Plaster and encaustic are two of the most ancient art media. In this workshop we bring them together to create works of art rich with layering, depth, and texture. The absorbency of plaster makes it possible to use vibrant acrylic paints as well as watercolor to achieve intense hues, while the subtle sheen of resin and beeswax gives luminosity and depth to the surface. Working on birch plywood panels, we will also explore a variety of media including oil pastels, graphite, foil, and alcohol inks using techniques both familiar and experimental. Come join the adventure in this exciting combination of plaster and wax!
Paper and Wax: Encaustic Collage
If you have a passion for paper, or a crush on collage, why not add the wiles of WAX?
The combination of paper and wax opens up possibilities for collage and encaustic, combining paper’s infinite range of color and pattern with the luminosity of wax. In this workshop we will begin with a basic introduction to encaustic materials, safety, and techniques, by making encaustic collages on wood panel. Then we will explore many ways to create your own collage papers, and make paper-on-paper encaustic collages, incorporating transfer techniques, drawing, painting directly with ink, oil paint, encaustic paint, and other materials. Whatever your level of experience with paper and collage, come discover the world of wax in this exciting workshop!
Collage-Painting
Find Your Creative Edge
Come join me for a fresh, playful approach to art making. While learning a multitude of creative techniques for combining paint and collage, our focus will be on the back-and-forth play of spontaneity and intention that characterizes the creative process. Learn to trust your intuition while exploring color and composition; free your artistic voice by facing your inner critic; and find your creative edge by pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone. This weekend of collage-painting will give you
- Greater confidence in your expressive capabilities
- New skills and techniques for creating art that is your own
- The courage to break through creative blocks
- A set of practices for keeping your creative skills honed
While experienced artists will benefit from this workshop, beginners are very welcome. The techniques involved are accessible, and everyone can work at his or her own level.
Abstract Landscape
In this workshop we will discover the tremendous versatility and power of the abstract landscape to evoke mood, memory, and emotion. Through its simplicity we can explore the use of color and principles of composition while mining our own personal and emotional landscapes. We will begin with sketches, and proceed to small studies in collage and paint. In the afternoon we will work on several larger pieces, on paper or canvas (your choice), and plan to finish one, while leaving the others open-ended. Working on a several pieces at once allows you the flexibility to try out different approaches while giving your ideas some breathing room. Come and immerse yourself in color and form, collage and paint, exploration and discovery!
Unbinding the Visual Journal
Like many creative mixed-media enthusiasts, I LOVE the idea of visual journaling. But when it comes to actually using one of my handmade books, or even a store bought art journal, I get The Blank Page syndrome. After years of wrestling with my seeming inability to find a satisfying approach, I came up with a way to make a visual journal that solves the Blank Page Problem. You begin by applying paint, drawing, and collage to unbound folios, and then you will assemble them into a book. Each page spread offers something that you can respond to. Collage, write, paint, sew, cut, tear, or draw. There are no mistakes and no blank pages! This workshop takes you through the process of unbinding your visual journaling, resulting in a beautiful handmade collage book. Students will learn basic book binding techniques as well as a new approach to visual journaling.
Fabric-Paper
Fabric-paper, as its name suggests, is a hybrid of fabric and paper, having the versatility of paper and the strength of fabric. In this workshop we will first paint our own tissue papers to use in the process, and then explore two different approaches to fabric-paper: first, creating unique all-over patterns; and second, building imagery. In addition to our hand painted papers, we’ll incorporate colored and printed tissues, lace papers, fabrics, and more, building multiple layers to create rich surfaces for your mixed media and art quilting projects.
Fusion Fabric
Layering bits of fabrics, paper, fibers, threads, and other goodies between sheets of fusible web on a background fabric is the process I call “Fusion fabric”. There is no end to the possibilities of texture, depth, imagery, color, and complexity that you can achieve in these rich surfaces. We will make several small sheets of fusion fabric, experimenting with various approaches and materials. Then we will create a three- or four-part fan, which will introduce a basic fusion fabric construction method. If time allows, we will also make a beaded or other hand-made tassel to embellish the fan.
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