Monday, February 7, 2011

Three Day Workshop

I felt so fortunate to get the chance to teach a 3-day watercolor workshop on creating dynamic abstract shapes, with paint and collage. It was touch and go for awhile to see if enough artists would sign up for the workshop to take place. (I think the holidays were a factor.) But as the time limit approached, a few more people signed up and it was a go. We even had two folks from out-of-state.

The Emerald Art Center is a lovely venue for a workshop. Not only is it a great space, it is also a gallery, so you are surrounded by art as you create your own. I had two facilitators helping out. They painted when possible, but also made sure the workshop participants had coffee, snacks and lunch. Judy and Lou were also very ready to help out participants throughout the day.

The Watercolor Society of Oregon will be holding the Betsy Dillard Stroud workshop at the EAC in April, so I have another event to look forward to there. It is a great facility.

As always, I have quite a few photos I took during the workshop. Here are Mary and Judy getting started.

 
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Judy gets started creating a nonobjective abstract shape.

 
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Bev is having a good time!

 
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Most of my photos show how deep in thought people are as they create. Here's Bobbie totally absorbed.

 
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Mas contemplates his next step.

 
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Tali begins her painting.

 
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Taken from the upstairs, you see color, color everywhere!

 
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Lou concentrating on her work.

 
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Mas was so into it that he completed two paintings during the workshop.

 
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And here are Bobbie, Nancy, and Bev working on the finishing touches.

 
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For me it was a great three days. I learned a lot about teaching this particular type of painting. We probably could have used a fourth day, but I think the people in the workshop enjoyed the process. The time certainly flew by. It was inspiring to be amongst so much creativity and openness to try new things. I hope I have many workshops in my future.

Here's the piece I created as I demonstrated various techniques throughout the workshop.

 
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