New Workshops

I just got back from Art and Soul's Kansas City retreat a few days ago, where I had FABULOUS students and also got to see my fellow teachers.  I took Liz Kettle's class on creating papers and fabrics using a gelatin plate (real jello, not the gelliarts plate).  Jill K. Berry was there.  I've known her from The Sketchbook Challenge, and from her book, Personal Geographies, but had not actually met her in person.  It was great to spend some time with her.  The venue was VERY comfortable and accommodating, so if you are looking for a retreat for next spring, consider Art and Soul Kansas City.

Now, back to the present.  I'm brainstorming new workshop ideas for 2014.  Yes, it's time, as applications and proposals are due in the next few months. Here are my ideas, and I would LOVE to hear yours!

I thought I might change Fabric-Paper Collage into a project-based workshop on making prayer flags:

These involve fabric, paper, painting, collage, stitch, and beading.

 In October I'm teaching at Art and Soul in Portland, OR, offering a new workshop on Layering with Transparencies.  If this interests you for 2014 let me know.

In this piece I've used my hand-made transparent collage materials, which include drawing, painting, and printing on deli paper, tissue paper, and other substrates.

I would like to do something on Working In Series in a one-day format.  Maybe it is also Teeny Tiny Art, working in a small format, like my 4"x4"x400 series.  Or maybe not.  Your thoughts?

Postcard Art anyone?  This could be a one-day workshop or an evening. 

And finally, I've been teaching Unlocking the Secrets of Color and Keys to Dynamic Composition as six-week online classes.  What do you think about Intro to Composition, and/or Color as one-day workshops at 2014 retreats?

So here are the new workshop ideas:

1. Prayer Flags
2. Layering with Transparencies
3. Working in Series (teeny tiny or not)
4. Intro to Composition
5. Intro to Color (with a better title)

Thanks for any feedback or suggestions you can offer!

Prayer Flags

Back to some fabric and stitch. I was inspired to do a couple of Prayer Flags by Jane LaFazio, who told me and the other Sketchbook Challenge bloggers about a Prayer Flag Project initiated by Vivika DeNegre, a fabulous fiber artist. I love the idea of prayer flags as a format for artistic expression, as well as their original purpose - to spread blessings on the wind.

Here are my two prayer flags hanging over the brook that flows just behind my studio:


And here they are separately:




I used acrylic paint on muslin, and employed the "resist and water" techniques demonstrated here. I collage on the fabric with painted/textured deli paper, as demonstrated here. And, of course, used some of my scribble painted papers. I did some simple machine stitching, and sewed beads on by hand. Each flag is only 5"x8". Check out the Prayer Flag Project, and create your own!