More Paper Clay Workshops!

Another week of making art using Creative Paperclay®. Two days, 3 hours each day. We sculpt on the first day, and paint on the second day after it dries overnight. Each person's style is different and unique. Everyone has fun...especially me. No one ever finishes their work here...so what you see are unfinished...but you can see the potential!

Nothing is more fun than making art with others...really.

Finished! Artwork by Meg Mitchell

Workshop in Minature Pointallism Painting

In this workshop, participants learn the subtle, systematic process of painting with dots and dashes using gouache on neutral gray paper. Because it is a slow, methodical process, it gives you time to try things and make adjustments. Since it is a "slow build"...Pointillism is more forgiving than most other forms of painting. You learn to mix colors, render form with color, and really "see" what you are painting. The result is that people surprise themselves with what they can do. 

It is my favorite class to teach.

Happy Campers

Finished! Painting by Suzanne Jackson

Finished! Painting by Jeanne Maasch

Finished! Painting by Annie Vrijmoet

Wonderful Workshop

Unfinished work from May 4-5 Paper Clay Workshop

It seems like whenever people come together to make art, life just gets a little better. And so it was with this week's workshop in my studio. Everyone did a great job and created some wonderful work. As always, time went by too quickly and all went home with things to finish. I am hoping I get images of their final pieces to post here. I love how everyone's style is different.

See my Calendar to the right for more workshop dates.

Not Ready for Prime Time

Hiding Out     18 x 24    Paper Clay/Mixed Media

I have been working on new pieces lately. Most are animals and birds taking refuge in thickets of brambles. Hiding out. I feel like I am regrouping myself...taking all the parts of me and realigning them into some new order. It is a time of invention, experimentation and hopefully, discovery.

For once, I am allowing things to unfold on their own. Not feeling like I need to "get" anywhere or "do" anything. Just making art and stacking it along the walls of my studio...not planning a show or filling a gallery. Just making art for the pure sake of expressing the feelings that arise or following a creative idea down a new path. What a luxury. I am so grateful for every opportunity to create...without having a gun to my head.

I am blessed.

What is Paper Clay?

I use an amazing product called Creative Paperclay®. I discovered it while visiting an artist friend who made folk art figures in Michigan more than 12 years ago. I was so excited to try it, I searched it out at a craft store and started making my own folk art pieces.

While working on figurines...I kept wondering if I could apply it to a board and sculpt it. Then my mother passed away from Alzheimer's Disease and I wanted to make a tribute to her. So I tried out my idea.

It worked like a charm. I will forever believe that my mother gave me the gift of discovering this technique...which would only be possible with this amazing clay. I have been making paper clay pieces and teaching workshops using the technique ever since.

There is a Paper Clay that is a ceramic clay and needs to be fired. This is not that clay.

Creative Paperclay is an air-dried clay, meaning it does not require baking or firing. It comes ready to use right out of the package, sticks to just about anything, sculpts like porcelain clay, does not shrink, can be sanded and carved after it dries, can be reconstituted with water, and is archival if finished properly. It is largely made from paper pulp and pumice with special binders. It is non-toxic and stays moist a long time if stored properly.

I know there are other brands out there...but this is by far the best I have found:

Creative Paperclay®

Below is the first piece I ever made using my bah relief technique. It is a portrait of my mother as a little girl. Thanks mom for this wonderful gift.

Little Bruna      Mixed Media/Paper Clay on Board    12 x 16

Announcing Spring Workshops!

Background:

My art education includes everything from being self-taught, to studying at the University of Oregon, to taking dozens of workshops taught by professional artists. I have studied drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry making, pastel, colored pencil, assemblage, collage, print making, plus a myriad of other methods of art making, all the while working as an illustrator/graphic designer and heading my own international greeting card company. I have satiated myself with art making, and still I crave more. I try to make art everyday, in some way. Whether it is in my studio, in my garden, in my home or in my daily activities, art and creativity are central to my life.

As a teacher, I enjoy getting others into making art about as much as I like making art myself. I create workshops that help people experience success with their first attempts. I believe that when you have a positive experience, you feel confident and are encouraged to continue working at it. And when you work at it, you get better faster. So you keep making art and reaping the rewards that come from living within the joy of your own creativity. And in the process, I believe, you make the world a better place.

I was featured on Oregon Art Beat in 2011 for my unique style and mixed media methods: http://www.opb.org/programs/artbeat/segments/view/890

General Information:  

The workshops that I have developed are a composite of techniques that I have learned over my 45 years of art making. Through education, practice and experimentation, I have found my own ways of expressing myself. My classes are a mix of beginners wanting to learn the basics to intermediate artists looking to add new techniques to their tool boxes. I even have professional artists from time to time who are looking to try something new. We all learn from each other because every person makes art in their own special way.

All workshops are held at my studio in Eugene and have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 participants. I begin with a short demonstration and you begin working right away. So it is important to be on time. Each class includes a supply list that you will bring and a has a materials fee for items I provide.

• Workshop fees are based upon the number of hours of instruction at 15.00/hour
• Materials fee: $10 per student
• Participants: Adults and teens 14+, a minimum of 2 people and maximum of 5 per workshop
• Location: My studio near the U of O campus
• Parking: My neighborhood is restricted to 2 hour parking, so cars must be moved every 2 hours on weekdays. We will take a break during this time.
• To reserve your spot, please contact me at rogenem@phototidings.com and send a $25 non-refundable deposit to the address above (sorry, checks only at this time).
• Total fees are due the first day of class.
• Supply lists and exact address will be sent upon request, or when you sign up for a workshop.

Workshop Schedule

Paper Clay Workshop
Friday and Saturday,
May 3 and 4 --10 am–1 pm
2 Day Workshop: 6 hours
(3 hours each day)/90.00
+ materials fee 10.00

Creative Paper Clay® is an air-dried clay that adheres to many surfaces. It has a consistency similar to porcelain clay, but does not require firing. On the first day, you will learn to sculpt in bah-relief using paper clay on a cradled panel. On the second day, after the clay dries, we will carve, sand, and finish the pieces with acrylic paint. Inspirational images will be provided.

Miniature Pointillism Painting Workshop
 Friday, May 10 --10 am–2 pm
1 Day Workshop: 4 hours/60.00
+ materials fee 10.00

Learn to paint in a very easy, simple and forgiving manner. Working in an impressionistic style from photographs, we will transfer an image to paper, mix colors, add shading and paint using gouache. You will surprise yourself with how well you can paint the very first time and make an image you will want to frame. Inspirational images will be provided. This class is for those who have always wanted to paint but never got the hang of it.

Paper Clay Workshop
Thursday and Friday,
May 16 and 17 --10 am–1 pm
2 Day Workshop: 6 hours
(3 hours each day)/90.00
+ materials fee 10.00

Creative Paper Clay® is an air-dried clay that adheres to many surfaces. It has a consistency similar to porcelain clay, but does not require firing. On the first day, you will learn to sculpt in bah-relief using paper clay on a cradled panel. On the second day, after the clay dries, we will carve, sand, and finish the pieces with acrylic paint. Inspirational images will be provided.

Torn Paper Collage Workshop
Friday, May 24 –10 am-2 pm
1 Day Workshop: 4 hours/60.00
+ materials fee 10.00

Create a wonderful painting using bits of paper and a few stokes of paint. Using colored tissue paper, recycled papers, wrapping paper and other materials, we will make textural paintings with layers of color. With low cost materials, and a little creativity, you will make a piece to be proud of. Inspirational images provided.

Black and White

With paper clay, making hatch marks and adding strokes for texture are a lot like drawing shading in pen and ink. The strokes of my clay tool become the shading of the work when the paint is wiped away from the surface.

I have always been drawn to black and white images. Especially vintage lithographs, etchings and engravings. So I try to find vintage images to work from to keep the feel of what I love in my work. They often have a somewhat "iconic" look because they were done from sketches and memory, before photography took over the recording of wildlife. They are nostalgic to me. I am so glad to be able to use them as inspiration.

I see a lot of black and white in my future.

Private Life     Paper Clay on Wood Panel      6" x 6"

Resolute     Paper Clay on Wood Panel      6" x 6"

Demo at the Duck Store

I will be at the U of O Bookstore (now called The Duck Store) demonstrating Paper Clay and other mixed media techniques on Thursday, Feb. 28, from 10 am until 4 pm. If you are in the neighborhood, drop by and say hi.

Below is the piece I was working on at my last demo there in the fall. 

Ferns Unfurling  12 x 16  Paper Clay

Letting Go, Again

Letting Go   11 x 14  Acrylic on Canvas

I recently completed this small painting for Sara Nye, a young woman who lost her wonderful mother only a few months ago. This is my 4th rendition of this image. I have done two in paper clay and one in mixed media. Each one was done on behalf of a wonderful person who left this earth. While working on each one, I felt a connection with the soul I was honoring.

I used to paint from reality. But then I became compelled to paint from within. It is not easy to envision what you want to do and then capture it. I struggle and question myself all the time. Why not just go back to painting still life, landscape and figures? It would be so much easier. So much more simple. And so much more marketable. But then I do a piece that helps heal a broken heart and I realize why I stay in the struggle.

May we all find rebirth in the stillness of our grief.

For my sister, whom I lost when I was 13        Mixed Media

The original, for my dear friend Thomas Rubick   Paper Clay

For my friend Marcia Vickers who lost her beautiful daughter     Paper Clay

Cigar Boxes

I made some treasure boxes for my grand kids for Christmas using wooden cigar boxes and Paper Clay. Celia got the butterfly, Peter got the grasshopper and Arrow got...well the Arrow. It's hard to make art for kids that they will appreciate. But tape money in a box...and just maybe they will keep the box long after they spend the money.

Time to Simplify

I am certainly not an abstract artist. But sometimes, I want to simplify things and just do large fields of color and texture. Here are a couple of large mixed media paintings that allowed me to play out my desires to simplify. But darned if they did not become landscapes! I think I need more abstract therapy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is one of my favorite holidays. It's not about buying stuff or giving gifts...it's all about getting together with people you love and sharing a meal. Plus it is a time to reflect upon all that we can be grateful for. Making art has been such a joy in my life. In every stage of my life, it has been my passion and my best friend. It has afforded me a living, helping me raise 2 wonderful children and fuel a card business for more than 25 years. I have a lot to be thankful for. And art will always be at the center of it. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Paper Clay/Mixed Media Demonstration

Stop by the University of Oregon Bookstore on November 7 & 8 where i am doing demonstrations of my paper clay and other mixed media techniques. This is a great annual event. Several artists will be demonstrating their crafts and you get 25% off all art supplies. So come and say hi!

The Gift of Voice   Paper Clay on Canvas  12x16

Art & Soul Workshop October 1 & 2

Letting Go

Ever Growing

Still Young Inside

It will be my pleasure to be teaching a 2 day workshop at Art & Soul in Portland, Oregon, on October 1 & 2. This year's theme is Every Day Saints in Paper Clay.

Make your very own mixed media mantra. In the spirit of the Latin countries, you will be designing your own saint, goddess or icon dedicated to whatever needs or deserves more attention in your life. How about Our Lady of Creativity…or The Goddess of Family and Friends…or Saint of Simplification? Create an icon that represents your aspirations using paper clay and collage materials.

Sculpt relief forms onto boards with Paper Clay on the first day. The second day will be devoted to carving and sanding our air dried pieces, then finishing them using collage materials and acrylic paint. The result has a rich, wood-carved effect that will leave people wondering how you made it.

Focus your energy on yourself and lift your spirit with this fun exercise in dreaming out loud.

There are 4 space left at the time of this posting.
Register at: http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/retreat-Portland2012-2343-workshop.php

Supplies Needed for Class:
Each person needs:
--Acrylic paint-- Bring what you have. If you do not already own them, you will need a few like ivory black, titanium white, a cool red like magenta or Quinachrodone Rose, a warm yellow like cadmium medium, and a cyan or phthalo blue. You can mix most colors from these.
--Collage papers—A palate of papers in different patterns, solids, stripes, borders, pages from old books, brown wrapping paper, scrapbook papers, sheet music, whatever you like and are drawn to. But consider a color pallet so you are not bringing reams of paper.
--1 11x14 canvas (about)
--8 oz Paper Clay
--Gesso, small amount
--Paint brushes, one for detail plus at least 3-4 medium-small sizes. One should be cheap to use with glue.
--Xacto knife
--Pencil, eraser and black stylist marker of some kind
--Elmer's School Glue
--Acrylic Matte Medium
--Plastic containers for water and glue/water combo
--A palette for acrylic paint
--Rolling pin or something that will work as a roller
--Tape, masking or whatever
--Fine grain sand paper (small piece) or sanding sponge
--Letter stamps and other things to stamp into the clay (optional)
--Hair dryer to speed drying times (optional)
--Scissors
--Paper towels
Items I will provide:
--Carbon paper for transfer
--Tissue paper, variety of colors
--Tissue for sketching designs
--Plastic sheeting for clay work
--The loan of a wooden clay tool with a pointed end
--Denatured alcohol

Painting with Newspaper Tutorial

I felt like posting this little tutorial for those who have been asking about making a torn paper collage. There are many ways to do it. This is just one. And it uses only black, white and a bit of gray. If you Google "Painting with Paper" you will see some pretty amazing stuff. But this is my process for painting with paper. And I use a similar process to begin any painting.

I have always been a fan of using recycled materials to make art. In this tutorial, I am using shoe box tissue and newsprint to make a painting. You will need: a canvas coated with gesso (as small or as large as you like), a piece of vine charcoal, black acrylic paint, a small brush, liquid matte gel medium, brush rinsing cup and water, tissue paper in colors you choose (black and gray work well with news print) and pages from newspapers...especially the classifieds and financials (small, consistent type works best)

For this piece, I was inspired by a classical painting by Botticelli. When I paint on canvas prepared with gesso, I begin by drawing my image using VINE CHARCOAL. Vine charcoal is very soft and wipes off easily with a cloth (not to be confused with other charcoals that have an oily finish). This way I am free to sketch and change it without making a huge mess on my canvas.

I can sketch to my hearts content.

If I don't like it, I can wipe it off.

See? It wipes off without an eraser...and no mess.

I add shading using my finger to smooth edges.

This is the base sketch...so I keep it loose and simple. But I still throw in some shading so I can see where I am going.

Then, when I am happy with my sketch, I set the charcoal by painting over it with a wash of black acrylic paint. Thin paint...meaning watered down...so it is more gray than black.

I add gray tones so that I know where I want to fill in with gray paper.

After I have "set" my sketch with paint, I rub off all the vine charcoal with a cloth, leaving just the paint. If I do not remove the charcoal, it will get into my work and look dirty.

Now I tear lots of tiny bits of paper and start adding them to the piece using my base painting as a guide for tones. If I want it to be darker, I use smaller, darker print. For lighter tones, more open print. The lightest tones are the newsprint borders where there is no print at all. I use a liquid matte get medium for adhering the paper to the canvas. I paint areas of the canvas with it and just start sticking down the bits of paper. I use my brush, sticky with gel medium, to pick up and place the paper pieces.

For the hair, I have torn stringy strips of black and gray tissue paper. I use my brush to move it around because it will stick to my fingers if I get my hands in it.

I use a bit of tissue on the eyes as well. It is important to mix materials in all parts of the piece...not just use tissue in the hair and nowhere else.

Sometimes, I use Elmer's glue mixed with water (50/50) for this part. But then I will always coat it all with gel medium just to seal it no matter what I use while working on it. By the way, Elmer's School Glue works just as well, and if you don't like what you have done, you can soak it with a wet paper towel and remove what you don't like and do it over.

Working this way is a gentle approach to painting. I can easily change the shape of things by adding more paper bits. I feel more freedom when using paper instead of paint. I love the texture of the bits of paper. And the satisfaction of using something that costs nothing! The acrylic sealer in gel medium will protect the work and keep the paper from fading.

Here she is all finished. When I make art that is planned out (drawn first and then "filled-in") it is a very meditative experience. I can lose myself in the process more easily than I can when I am working on a more spontaneous piece. I can go slowly and think about what i am doing. I can stop and start without worrying that the paint will dry. I learn a lot by doing this kind of work. It is very forgiving which is good when you are trying to learn. And art making, for me, is always a learning process.

Images from Haystack Gallery Show

These three paintings are now on display at Haystack Gallery. Life brings challenges and I feel the need to express them for myself or for others who struggle with cards they are dealt.

Clearing Your Head  12 x 24   Acrylic on Canvas

You're Never Stuck with Anything   12 x 24 Mixed Media on Canvas

Lucky to be Alive     12 x 24  Mixed Media on Canvas

Spring Show in Cannon Beach

In Cannon Beach, Oregon, each year at this time the galleries have a Spring Unveiling. On May 4, 5 and 6, most of the galleries in town will be hosting local, national and international artists who will be unveiling their new work and demonstrating their techniques. During the evenings, the galleriies will hold artist's receptions with refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. 

I will be one of the artists demonstrating at Haystack Gallery in Cannon Beach. I am demonstrating from 12-4pm on Saturday, May 5, and the unveiling of my new work will be at 4:30pm.

This sounds like a really fun event in Cannon Beach, which is a really cute beach town. So if you are in the neighborhood, come and see me!

Link to more information about Spring Unveiling:

http://cbgallerygroup.com/spring-unveiling-2012-artists-2

Link to Haystack Gallery:

http://www.haystackgallery.com/

US Postal Service Update

Earlier in this blog I posted an image of 3 art pieces I send to my daughter in LA...and they were destroyed by the postal service. So here is the updated image. I cut the fronts of the canvases off of the shattered frames, taped all the holes on the backside and then reapplied paper bits to cover the holes...Now it is tacked to the wall like banners...still a bit crumpled...but I think it came out alright considering. Just goes to show the benefits of working with collage...you can't tell when things are patched ; )

after repair

before repair

before ruination

Table of Fun Stuff

For my out-of-town buddies...here is a peek at our show at Passionflower...lottsa fun stuff!

Third Annual Objects of Desire Show

This Friday and Saturday, I am in a show at Passionflower Design, along with my good friend and fellow artist, Beverly Soasey. This is our third annual Objects of Desire Show. 

What I love about this show is that it is very informal and eclectic. Jewel, the owner, lets us do whatever we want and so we create a variety of artworks, cards, doodads and what-nots. Some of the pieces are especially for Valentine's Day. Join us for a fun opening this Friday from 5-8pm.

A few new pieces from the show...