June 29, 2008: Mind Your Own Beeswax!
This is your chance to fall in love with the aromatic, luminous, and versatile properties of beeswax in the form of encaustic painting! We’ll cover basic techniques such as building up layers, fusing the wax layers, adding color, including collage elements, and incising. We’ll explore various heat tools and many design elements.
No previous art experience needed—just lively curiosity and a willingness to risk addiction to painting with wax!
1-5 PM
Tuition: 75. All materials provided.
Instructor: Serena Barton (Member of International Encaustic Artists)
NOTE: This workshop will be held at The Troy Studios,
221 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR
Call 971-404-7664 or e-mail for more information or registration.
July 27, 2008: Not Just a Pretty Face
What Leonardo and Van Gogh knew: Learning to paint faces is all about learning to see! You can paint fascinating and expressive portraits by learning from the masters. You’ll choose faces painted by great artists to work from, discovering your own style as you go. You’ll get to know your subjects and use the magic of paint to bring them to life! We’ll use acrylic paints and acrylic mediums on canvas. We’ll cover ways to get thick, juicy paint, as well as how to create smooth surfaces. We’ll play with mixing colors and trying different styles. You’ll leave with several “studies” and at least one finished painting that you’ll be thrilled to hang on the wall!
12-6 PM
Tuition: 90. Most materials and light snacks provided.
Bring: Two or more canvases or canvas boards in a size you’d like to work in.
Call 971-404-7664 or e-mail for more information or registration.
August 9, 2008: Mini Monets
Give your budding artist an afternoon of painting! Children ages 8-11 will learn how to use acrylic paint and mediums to work from famous paintings of their choice. They’ll practice using brushwork and
1-5 PM
Tuition: 60. Light snacks and all materials provided.
Call or e-mail for more information or registration.
August 24, 2008: Layers of Memory/Imagination: Women in My Family
Create original collages in an exciting and productive workshop! Bring several laser and/or inkjet copies of images of women in your family, past and/or present. You’ll learn many techniques to inspire you to create collages honoring your legacies from your foremothers and expressing your unique vision. We’ll have lots of materials on hand. You’ll leave with two or more magical collage creations.
10-4 PM
Tuition: 90. Includes all supplies except your photocopies. Light snacks provided.
Bring: Brown bag lunch and photocopies
Call 971-404-7664 or e-mail for more information or registration.
September 21, 2008: Tear it Up!
Create fantastic flower collages from torn paper—magazine pages, colored paper, tissue paper, collage papers, letters, handmade papers, and more. You’ll learn how to use various papers to create depth, shadows, and highlights. We’ll play with color and composition. We’ll explore adding paint, ink, stamped images and text to your work. You can remove or add elements of your collages anywhere during the process. This is a fun, no-worry way to express yourself while creating art for your home or as gifts. You’ll leave with a pair of collages or maybe a trio!
10-4 PM
Tuition: 90. Includes supplies. Light snacks provided.
Bring: Brown bag lunch
Call 971-404-7664 or e-mail for more information or registration.
October 19, 2008: Wabi-Sabi Wonder
Fall is the perfect time to explore Wabi-sabi, the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature; of accepting natural cycles. It's simple, slow, and uncluttered and reveres authenticity above all. We’ll honor ourselves and go with the flow as we create a set of simple, eloquent, and, yes, gorgeous abstract pieces. The word “abstract” doesn’t have to scare you! I’ll show you how to let delightful accidents and mistakes lead you to create with a playful spirit. We’ll cover some basic shapes and designs to start you on your journey. Using pen and ink, acrylic medium, and acrylic paint, you’ll discover relaxing ways of interacting with your materials and your inner self. You’ll leave with four small paintings and with inspiration to continue the Wabi-Sabi way.
10-4 PM
Tuition: 90. Includes supplies. Light snacks provided.
Bring: Brown bag lunch
Call 971-404-7664 or e-mail for more information or registration.
November 16, 2008: Altered Alchemy
An altered book is a work of art created from an existing book that has been transformed through painting, collage, rubber stamping, tearing, cutting, or any creative means. Join us for this mind and book altering workshop! Bring an older book, preferably with a sewn binding. All other materials provided! We’ll explore using collage, painting, and embellishments, practice creating windows and niches, and discover many more fun ways you can create a stunning art work, journal, or special gift.
11-5 PM
Tuition: 90. Includes supplies. Light snacks provided.
Bring: Brown bag lunch and old book to alter
Call 971-404-7664 or e-mail for more information or registration.
January 11, 2009: The Forgiving Medium
No, I’m not talking about a compassionate clairvoyant. I’m referring to acrylic paint and a fun and supportive workshop for beginners! Acrylics dry quickly, have brilliant colors, and can be painted over as many times as you want. We’ll cover ways to use acrylics from transparent washes to thick texture. We’ll experiment with mixing colors and explore various acrylic mediums and how they enhance acrylic paintings. Bring your desire to experiment and leave with two paintings.
11-5 PM
Tuition: Tuition: 90. Includes most supplies. Light snacks provided.
Bring: Brown bag lunch and two canvases, canvas boards or painting boards in sizes you’d like to work on.
Call 971-404-7664 or e-mail for more information or registration.
February 8, 2009: Assemble Yourself
We’ll meet at SCRAP (School & Community Reuse Action Project) as it opens at noon. Your goal is to spend no more than 10.00 collecting all kinds of found objects, paper, fabric, and valuable junk for your assemblage.
When we go to the studio, you’ll create a 3-D collage that expresses your history and your dreams, using the supplies you found at SCRAP. Additional supplies will be available in the studio. You'll leave with a unique finished assemblage, perfect for a special valentine or a cherished keepsake.
12-6 PM
Tuition: 75. Boxes for assemblage and many supplies provided. Light snacks provided.
Bring: Brown bag lunch.
Call 971-404-7664 or e-mail for more information or registration.
Meet Your Muse
Have fun exploring with creative exercises designed to unleash your inspiration! Create your Secret Book. Design your own plan for keeping regular dates with your Muse.
TBA.
Call or e-mail for more information or registration.
Ongoing Groups & Coaching
The Art of Life
A women's creativity group
An group for women who want to experiment with art, move through blocks, and share the joys and challenges of the creative process. Each group includes playful activities designed to bypass the inner critic and loosen up inspiration. Spirited art-making produces fun and surprising results!
Call or e-mail for upcoming group dates.
Coloring Outside the Lines
Individual art coaching for beginners
Learning to make art involves learning to see, moving
past the inner critic, and accepting what you produce at a given moment. I
provide gentle and inspiring coaching and guidance with both the technical
and emotional aspects of creating. Media used are: acrylic paint, water
based oils, collage, assemblage, and gouache. We go at your pace and free
you to find your own style.
To view students' artwork, click here.
Call or e-mail for more information.
Creative License
A Creativity and Replenishment Group For women therapists and health/social service professionals
When we give to others all day or all week, we also need to find ways to
give to ourselves. This group provides renewal, support, and
creative inspiration. For two hours each week we experiment with playful art
making, with fun and surprising results. The group is designed to inspire
you to find your own artistic voice and beginners are welcome. The focus is
on self-expression and sharing the joys and challenges of our own creative
processes. Tuition is 35. for each weekly group, including supplies.
Call or e-mail for more information.
Group requests
If you have a group of 4-8 people who would like to schedule one of the above workshops at another time, call 971-404-7664 or e-mail to discuss scheduling options.