Monotype workshop encourages experimentation

Gail

We experimented with the "anything goes" free-style of monotype printing yesterday. Using the sensitive gelatin plate enabled the production of prints without need of a printing press....easily done at home. All attendees were first time printmakers. We used a variety of papers and noted the differences in how each paper received the ink. We also had a variety of inks and textures to play with...and enjoyed printing as the gelatin plates became marred, with some actually splitting into interesting shaped pieces. Samples show the wide variety of effects. Thanks to all for sharing the day.

Nancy L

Nancy T

Gail's print (top) illustrates a texture (dried lemon cross section in black) that made a permanent mark in the plate because the dried lemon slice was kind of sharp. So that image/texture was on every print afterward. This print was the result of adding other impressed textures and painting directly on the plate.

Wayne's plate had actually split into 4 pieces by the time he made this print. The lines made by the broken sections are key in making this an interesting in successful print.

Everyone went home with at least a couple dozen nice prints!

Wayne

Painting with Abandon at the Tao Workshop

 The Tao of Painting Workshop yesterday was such fun. Lots of energy with everyone looking to work with the natural flow of creating art works. The morning was spent working in group exercises designed to relieve all painters of the potential for judgment and comparison, the fear of the blank canvas, and rules. For the paintings shown here, each participant was given a sheet of multi-media board that had random painted marks (each board different). They were instructed to focus, react and respond to the marks presented with their own addition of color, line, or texture in any medium. A variety of painting tools and media were available and had been experimented with in an earlier exercise.  After  +/- 5 minutes of work, the boards were passed to the painter to the right, and this "round" continued until each board had been worked on by each painter.  We all liked the results of this particular exercise so much that we decided to donate the set of 5 to the Bangor School Department fundraiser for Japan relief. Kal Elmore, a workshop participant and art teacher at Bangor High is facilitating this donation. Participating painters in addition to Kal: Christine Swersey, Deb Jellison, Linda Miller, and Darlene Smith.

The afternoon was spent applying the experiences from the morning exercises...painting intuitively...to a still life, and finally to a work from memory or imagination.

Tao of Painting Workshop, Saturday April 9

DreamWork  24" x 18"   oil on panel

I've developed this workshop to share with painters the joy I find in working more intuitively; in developing a dialog with the painting so that it seems to paint itself. It's a process that I strive to accomplish every time I paint, but it takes practice, and I am not always able to achieve the level of mindfulness and focus that is necessary. I've found there are three factors that subconsciously get in the way and always lead me to "safe painting":  fear of failure, criticism/judgement (by self or others), and rules of art.

We will explore ways for the painter to work past these barriers toward a more natural, responsive, expressive process, and find the balance between playfulness and skill. When it works, painting becomes a vibrant and powerful experience.

Tao:  the art or skill of doing something in harmony with the essential nature of the thing; the process of nature by which all things change and which is to be followed for a life of harmony.

This workshop is for painters of any level and in any medium, however I recommend quick drying media such as watercolor, acrylic, gouache and pastel. Mixing media will be encouraged. Bring drawing supplies too such as charcoal and colored pencils. We will not be focusing on technique here. Focus will be on freeing oneself to let go of safe painting.

For more information, or to register Click Here

Alla Prima Oil Workshop Successes

LeeAnne Mallonee                                           

Kris Whitney                                                    

The first of my five workshops - Alla Prima Oil Painting - was such fun.  A great group of painters ranging in experience from one total newbie to oils ....to one third-time attendee to this class, and three in between, renewing oil interest and learning this wet-on-wet process. Everybody went home happy with at least two paintings, some with three. All these pieces are 6 x 6" oil on panel using walnut oil as a medium.

Gail Hipsky                                                     

From top to bottom: LeeAnne Mallonee, an abstract painter accomplished in encaustic and caran d'ache, applied her vibrant, sensuous style to the alla prima process beautifully. Kris Whitney, known for her beautiful seascapes and highly expressive abstracts, typically works in acrylic. She painted a luminous, atmospheric Monhegan.  Gail Hipsky, a pastel painter, worked in oil for the first time ever! Gail's work always has fabulous color, energy, and composition, but this is great paint handling for her first time with the medium.

Terri Sanzenbacher                                             

Terri Sanzenbacher attended this workshop for the third time. The day just wouldn't be the same without her. This still life is so delicious with her rich color and bold brush. Francine Frank used generous amounts of walnut oil medium to obtain these lush colors bleeding together in places and the unplanned, but much-loved drips. Such a lovely dreamy quality.

Francine Frank                                          

I'm so happy to be able post a sampling for each workshop attendee. It was a great way to spend a cold Maine day.

Contact info for the artists is as follows:

LeeAnne Mallonee:   inkstonestudio.net

Kris Whitney:  kristborg@aol.com

Gail Hipsky:  hipskygail76@gmail.com

Terry Sanzenbacher: evergreenhealing@myfairpoint.net

Francine Frank: www.francine-frank.artistwebsites.com

Next up:  Pastel Painting, February 26 which is now full.

Click here for complete workshop schedule