Over our 2-day weekend workshop, I’ll introduce you to the many materials I use in my home studio to create abstract art. I’ll teach you how and when to use these tools as your art pieces develop. We’ll pair materials, tools, and processes with a focus on your individual vision, exploring and experimenting as we go.

As you arrive you’ll receive your free starter kit for you to use and take home with you. During our time together you’ll watch “quick” instructional videos and instructor demos.

We’ll start with mark-making tools - charcoal, specialty pens and pencils, inks, oil pastels, crayons, and more. Mark-making is so important for detail, texture, interest, and composition. We’ll create some collage papers — drawn, painted, and printed with and without the gel plate using new techniques and unusual papers. For those who are interested, I will teach you (hands on) how to create your own linocut stamps. Add to your toolbox my own linocut stamps plus commercial and handmade stencils. As we progress and begin using water-based paints, I’ll show you how to apply and manipulate paint in interesting and unexpected ways. You’ll apply oil pastels beyond their typical uses for surprising effects. Both transparent and opaque collage papers will be provided and can elevate your compositions - I provide boxes and boxes of collage papers for your use. And finally, you will learn to create and weave asemic writing into your work as another expressive layer. Throughout our time together, I’ll be right there beside you, helping you find exciting and often unexpected solutions.