Workshop Overload

Day 3 & 4 - Trees

I returned last week from 2 solid weeks of art workshops.  I spent last week unpacking supplies and recovering.  My first week was in Raleigh, N.C. at Jerry's Artarama.  I took a 5 day workshop with Carol Nelson (http://carolnelsonfineart.com/) titled "Experimental Acrylics and Mixed Media".  It was a fantastic workshop.  We learned so many techniques.  Each day we explored different mixed media techniques  we used in our paintings.  We used foam plates, tyvek, lutador, aluminum foil, paper, custom patch, stucco, crackle, lots of fluid acrylics and much more.  Although I was familiar with most of the items used, I did learn new ways/techniques for using them.  No matter how much you may already know - there is so much more to learn.  Here are a few of my paintings from this amazing workshop.

Day 1 6x6 gessoboard abstract

 

Day 2 - Abstract (7 layers)
We had to choose 1 out of 5 or 6 different abstract layouts

 

I returned from Raleigh to spend 2 days with Seth Apter at the Queen's Ink for a 2-day Workshop.  I always wanted to take a class from Seth and had no idea what to expect.  Class was titled "Mixed Media Memoir".  We created our own Artist Book using an old hardbound book.  We used the front and back cover along with the original spine.  Inside we attached pages in a unique way and decorated the pages based on our own theme.  Mine turned into an African Theme using several photos and papers from a safari I went on a few years ago.

Then I was packing supplies for a week at Art & Soul in Virginia Beach.  I was able to meet up with several of my fellow artist "tribe" members.  It is a week packed with classes day and evening, lots of laughter and just plain fun.  The first day was a workshop with Chad Alice Hagen where we felted wool (by hand) and then dyed it.  This was a quite an arm workout.  (My personal trainer would have been proud).  Two evenings I was introduced to needle felting and fell in love with my felting machine.  I see making many book covers using this felt in my future.  Another day was with Lisa Kaus for "Gridlocked".  Love, love this class.  I was disappointed when this class was cancelled  last year and did not want to miss it.  This is my piece.

The last 3 days was with Sandra Duran Wilson.  These were all techniques classes.  You may already be familiar with her books, "Image Transfer Workshop", "Mixed Media Revolution" and "Surface Treatment Workshop".  One of the coolest techniques we did was faux encaustic.  This was pretty amazing - once the piece was dry it felt and looked like encaustic.  She is fantastic and hopefully will be back next year.


Now I just need to start creating - using my new skills I added to my repertoire.

Until next time....  Have a great day!