Local Library Blooming with Charlotte's Waxy Book

Not only do our local branch libraries provide books, DVDs, computers etc. but our library system offers art classes! I was fortunate to teach a lively group of seven students today. They created an assemblage with a used book, a Frozen Charlotte doll, encaustic medium, encaustic paint, and a wild assortment of embellishments, dried plant matter, teabags, collage papers, and in one case, "Something I found on the floor that I knew would look good in my piece."

The students were all new to encaustic but took to it with gusto. I am so impressed by these creations which were made in 3 hours. A very fun afternoon for all of us!

This book is a transformed copy of Treasure Island. Charlotte's drape is a piece of dried teabag.

The maker of this piece had Venice in mind

An Asian look for this waxy book. Charlotte is surrounded by dried tea flakes.

We all got a kick out of this piece: Charlotte goes wild!

A  creepy and mysterious Goth piece

This piece has a strong East Indian feel. The copper and gold accents were done with large creamy oil pastels.

This book has some deliberately torn pages on the left. The bold swathes of purple and turquoise were the perfect finishing touches. 

Last Missive from Artiscape

"Waxing Literary with Charlotte" was the first class I taught at Artiscape, and the last but not least, that I'm sharing here. I want to share these lovely assemblages before I leave on Sunday for Art and Soul Retreat, just outside of Kansas City. (More on that below.)

The "Charlotte" class was really fun! All of the Artiscape classes were half day, so students had to jump in and create. This class rose to the challenge and made these great assemblages. Each person brought an unwanted book. We covered the books in encaustic medium and paint, collage, and a wide variety of embellishments. Each student received a genuine Frozen Charlotte doll. I love what they did! 

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I'll be teaching four classes in Excelsior Springs MO starting next Monday! Art and Soul Retreat will be held at the historic Elms Hotel and Spa--a lovely old lodge with lots of atmosphere. (And they say, a ghost...) I still have a few spots open in my classes, so if you are planning to attend or want to, check them out! 

Art and Soul Coming to Portland in April!

It's not too soon to be thinking of Art and Soul Retreat here in Portland OR, April 7-14! We have a great lineup of classes for you. Below is information about the classes I'll be teaching. Be sure to check out the Art and Soul Class List for more information and registration.

Wabi-Sabi Paper

 Monday, April 7, I'll be teaching an all day workshop called "Papers Wabi-Sabi." Below you'll find a video with examples of the kind of hand-decorated papers you can create in this fun and informal workshop.

 Introduction Video

 Monday evening we'll make a "Strange Little Book."

Strange Little Book

Create a quirky, unique little book using mostly recycled materials--no stitching involved! In this fun and informal class you'll use weird things like bizarre found photos, old teabags, coffee, old and odd book and magazine pages, old embellishments, and miscellaneous do-dads. You'll use cold connections to fasten the pages together in your own eccentric way. You'll love the lovely and unusual little book you leave with!

Introduction Video

Tuesday, April 8, I"ll teach an evening class called "Waxing Literary with Charlotte."

Literary Charlotte

I’m excited to share with you how you can make a rich and mysterious work of art by waxing an old book and incorporating a Frozen Charlotte doll. You’ll make a 3-D art piece with encaustic medium, oil paint, found objects, vintage papers, and embellishments. You’ll learn how to incise, carve niches into the waxed book, and color the wax. You’ll also learn how to add an aged or gothic touch to your work. You'll leave with a unique mixed media work of art!

 Introduction Video

Wednesday, April 9 will be an exciting all day encaustic class, "Mind Your Own Beeswax."

Encaustic Painting:  A Full Cup

 

The translucent qualities of the encaustic wax medium and paint create depth, mystery and complexity. Fall in love with the whole ball of wax! You’ll learn to make encaustic medium and encaustic paint, use collage and photo transfer with encaustic, and add 3-D embellishments in this fun and informal class. We'll incise, add oil paint, cheesecloth, specialty papers, and more. Whether you are new to encaustic or an old wax hand, you’ll discover something new while minding your own beeswax! You'll leave with several painting and/or collages and all the information you need to get started on your own!

  

 Introduction Video

 I hope to see you here in Portland in April for one of the most inspirational and friendly retreats around!

Join Me for a Workshop on the Oregon Coast

I'm pleased to let you know about my next workshop--it's at one of my favorite places! What better place to play with buried treasure than the Oregon Coast?

Wabi-Sabi Buried Treasure

 Mixed Media & 3-D Embellishments with Encaustic

Saturday, August 17  10-4

Held at Bloom Artscape in Yachats, Oregon

We'll use papers and layers of encaustic medium and paint to create thick and textured pieces with 3-D touches. We’ll be working on wood panels and transforming an old book. 

Making this work is exciting--a kind of archaeological excavation in reverse! I'll show you how to create primal and mysterious work that invites the viewer to imagine a story woven into the piece with each layer and element.

You'll learn how to add layers of wax and specialty papers and how to incise into the work to show what has come before. As you add and scrape back you'll become intimate with your materials and express your deepest self.

Register through Sandy and visit the Bloom site to see more about this unique workshop.

Classes Galore Coming Up!

I'm excited about the classes I have coming up at my studio. If you live around Portland OR, or will be visiting her soon, take a look--you might find what you've been looking for. You can register for classes on my website.



 I have a few spots open in the first class of the year:

 Landscape of Dreams.

Bursting      Acrylic on Wood Panel

 Saturday: January 19, 2013 1-5:30
90. Supplies Provided.

We'll use acrylic paint and painting knives to create loose, gorgeous landscapes. All levels welcome.

Coming Up Next Month:

Assemble Yourself!

Straw into Gold      Mixed Media Assemblage

Saturday: February 9, 2013
80. Most supplies included.

Join me for a fun, playful, and unusual class, to liven up the winter doldrums! We will meet at the SCRAP store (School/Community Reuse Action Center) at MLK and Stanton at noon. You will spend 15. or under for embellishments, papers, fabric, or whatever strikes your fancy. We'll then go to my studio where you will create an assemblage with your haul from SCRAP and from the

and from the materials I will provide. I'll provide cigar and other boxes for your assemblages. 

Coming in March:

Layers of Mystery with  Wax

Pauline's Gaze      Encaustic/Mixed Media on Wood Panel

Saturday: March 16th, 1-5:30
90. Supplies Provided. Optional: Bring toner (copy shop) reproductions of your favorite vintage photos in b/wh and/or color.

 Create mysterious and beautiful collages using images, specialty papers, beeswax, oil paint, embellishments and more, in this fun and informal class! All levels welcome.

Only two spots left!