Drawing workshops at VISA over the summer

Vancouver Island School of Art

MAKING A MARK - June 25, 26, 27 2012 taught by Danielle Hogan.

This workshop focuses on the most basic element of drawing: the linear mark. It explores the variety of ways a mark can be used as a form of expression with a focus on developing a personal mark in drawing. Artists include: Jasper Johns, Brice Marden, Terry Winters, Sol Lewitt, Raymond Pettibone and Dominic McGill. Fionna Banner, Robert Smithson, Louise Bourgeois, Brice Marden, Sol Lewitt .

NATURE & SCIENCE - August 30, 31, September 1 2012 taught by Wendy Welch

Nature has long been a subject of drawing from scientific diagrams to a range of purely observational sketches. Focus in this workshop is on integrating the scientific with the expressive approach towards a natural phenomenon or object. Workshop is comprised of hands-on exercises, critiques and visual presentations of artists doing related work. Artists discussed include: Russell Crotty, Vija Celmins, Ellen Gallagher, Sandra Cinto and Robyn O’Neil.

Inventing a fantastical flower using magazine collage, combining mechanical parts and organic. 

Fantastical Botanical Collage - Jill Ehlert

Fantastical Botanical Watercolour  based on the collage - Jill Ehlert

Reinveneting & Rearranging the Landscape

Fragmented Landscape Drawing - Jill Ehlert

 DIAGRAMS

Invented Nature Cycle Diagram

Invented Life Cycle Diagram

Invented Process Diagram

Spattering tea on the paper, create a process.

On the drawing board today

I started these two drawings in the summer in the "Pattern and Ornamentation" workshop at the Vancouver Island School of Art. I have been working on it over the past couple of days.

Drawing classes at the Vancouver Island School of Art

I was very lucky to participate in 3 different 5-day drawing classes July/August at the Vancouver Island School of Art (VISA) with Wendy Welch. Wendy is the director of the school as well as a gifted teacher who gives so much. She has the most creative ideas for the classes that she teaches.

Ornament and Decoration:

"Often more associated with design and craft, ornament and decoration is increasingly part of the vocabulary used by many contemporary artists and illustrators. This workshop focuses on how the decorative can be both surface and content. A range of imaginative approaches to creating designs from doodles, making patterns based on geometry as well as free-form organic designs are covered. Materials used include pencils, ink, watercolours and gouache". (VISA)

These are the artists work we looked at during the slideshow.

William Morris, Gustav Klimt, Terence LaNoue, Dijanne Cevaal, Dtienne Zack, Gene Davis, Joyce Kozloff, Judy Pfaff, Robert Kushner, Robert Zakanitch, Dan Bennett, Sandra Cinto, Laura Ownes, Sigmar Polke, Lecia Dole-Recio, Valerie Jaudon, Agnes Martin, Eva Hesse, Jennifer Bartlett, Terry Winters, Random graph paper art, Lorenzo Duran.

In progress

More progress - detail - Jill Ehlert

Jill Ehlert

Language of Mapping:

"Maps are a visual representation of specific places. Early maps were made by artists who often had no hands-on experience with the location depicted in the map; they were made through the testimonials of others and the imagination of the artists. This workshop uses the language of mapmaking to explore other terrains such as the imagination, memory and space". (VISA)

Artists work we looked at:

Landon McKenzie, Nancy Graves. Hirokazu Kosaya, Jeff Woodbury, John Hurrell, Kristin Bly, Adolf Wolfi, Clodagh Emoe, Dannielle Tegeder, tilbor kalman, Howard Horowitz, Irwin Morgan, Mark Bradford, Simon Evans, Susan Hiller, Susan STock well, val Britton, Jasper Johns, Guillermo Kuitca, Sara Fanelli, Nina Katchadourian, Kelvin Wilson, Harry Allen, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Paula Scher, Kim Dingle, William Wegman, Chris Kenny, Joyce Kozloff, Julia Ricketts, Quentin Blake, Mark Bennett, Julie Mehretu

Jill Ehlert

Jill Ehlert

Jill Ehlert

Jill Ehlert

Jill Ehlert

Jill Ehlert ©

In progress

Abstract Drawing

Abstract Painting - Jill Ehlert

This is an abstract painting that I painted in the recent Steven Aimone workshop that was titled:

"The Spiritual Language of Art"

Mary Stewart of "Vancouver Island Workshops" organized this painting workshop and brought Steven all the way from North Carolina. For information on future classes with Steven in Nanaimo you can reach Mary at: marystewart@telus.net  Click here for workshop pictures

This is how Steven described our workshop:

Non objective Composition and Processes of Abstracting From a Reference

The first focus is on the language of non-objective composition. Explore what art can say IN ADDITION TO OR APART FROM its traditional purposes of describing external appearances, telling literary narratives, and expressing specific and pre-determined emotions.  Develop your understanding of what nonobjective compositions mean, and how and why they work. Shared challenges will guide you on your way.

The second focus explores a variety of ways of abstracting from a visual reference. Whenever you work from the visible, you inevitably select, distill, arrange, and alter the visual forces you find at your disposal. Here, you'll look at a broad range of possibilities taken from art history and contemporary art. Then, a series of shared challenges will guide you on your exploration and enable you to find approaches that are satisfying to you.

While the majority of hands-on challenges are executed in painting and drawing media, this workshop is neither media not technique specific, and no technical expertise is required. Features regular interactive discussion and critique.

This workshop was held in Nanaimo, BC Canada May 10-14, 2010. There were 20 participants in the class.

We all worked really big 48" X 48", on paper clipped to our huge back boards on our easels. We were all so excited at the prospect of working this large and I think we were all a little bit hesitant going in wondering how this was going to work out. Each of us had tons of room to work and paint; the room was set up so that we each had our own work station. 

MAGIC PALETTE ™ Color Mixing Guide

The Colour Wheel Company™

Studio Mixing Guide - 841 Colors

The Color Wheel Company describes the  Magic Palette™ Color Mixing Guide as follows:

"A color mixing guide for artists that takes the guesswork out of mixing colors!"

"An indispensable tool for artists and color designers at every experience level. Shows artists how to mix beautiful, luminous colors." they also describe the guide as:

• 841 colors created from 29 tube paint colors
• Broader palette and color spectrum
• Ideal for studio, classroom and art workshops
• Detailed instructions included
• UV coated for durability
• Finest quality printing for color accuracy
• 24” x 24”

On Monday I received this wonderful mixing guide as a present from my good friend Mary Stewart.                  Thank you Mary!

Mixed Media Workshop with Donna Baspaly

Donna is a Master of mixed media. The unique depth of each piece is achieved by applying many layers of stamping, collage papers, underlying texture, glazing, line work and a lot more. Veils, Translucency, and opaques are tinted or toned gesso creating transparent gossamer veils right up to blocking an area with total opacity to quiet passages of the painting to give the eye a chance to rest.

Donna's work can be seen in Vancouver, BC, Canada at "The Kurbatoff Gallery" or their online gallery: http://www.kurbatoffgallery.com/artists.htm

Donna's upcoming workshop will be held at"TOSH" (The Old School House) in Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada. Dates are: July 23 -27. On Sunday evening July 22, a wine and cheese welcome kick-starts the week. To register and for details email Donna donnbas@shaw.ca