Nourishing the Creative Heart:
Personal Expressions in Mixed-Media
Katie Kendrick
Now is the time for courage, for daring, for honesty, both in our lives and in our art. My personal intention is to become more self-aware as a human being, to widen my capacity to hold thoughts and feelings with compassion—to live a joyful life. I bring these intentions to my art and my teaching, focusing not only on instruction, but also on facilitating an environment where you will feel cared for and safe, whether you’re new to mixed media or a veteran artist. Together we will create a space where we’re free to explore method and madness without fear or judgment.
We’ll discover what in us is authentic, and what obscures our ability to tap into that.
For three days we’ll mindfully explore personal expression through painting, collage, drawing, journaling, poetry writing and collaboration—storytelling in words and art. This workshop focuses on the connection between our body, mind, and emotions as we explore the creative process in an authentic and meaningful way. I will share and demonstrate a variety of mixed-media techniques along with exercises*, music, writing prompts, and themes for exploration, to help guide you beneath the surface of your materials and methods.
You’ll have the opportunity to work on substrates of your choice, creating several pieces over the course of the 3 days. Think of these works as ‘studies’ in self-expression, which may or may not end up as individual wall pieces, or beginnings of other personal art projects. What you take home with you is completely up to you, as you’ll decide what it is you want to focus on during this time together.
I’ll be sharing a number of techniques and possibilities for further exploration: painting and collaging stories or dreams; layering and building texture; aging surfaces; crackling; glazing; imprinting; combining personal photos with paint; using line and wash; contour drawing; using a variety of resists; transfers; stencils; stamp carving, deconstructing layers; glazing…and many more.
I hope you’ll join me for this rare opportunity to create from our hearts, forming a community of spirit and collaboration in this sacred space in the redwoods.
*Some of the exercises originate from my book, "Layered Impressions: A Mixed-Media Approach to Painting and Poetry", due out in January 2012. Although not required for class, the book will be available at a discounted rate to students.
"We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own and other people’s models, learn to be ourselves and allow our natural channel to open."
—Shakti Gawain
Supply List
Click here for a printable supply list.
- paint apron
- 2 medium canvases, canvas panels, or wood panels (11"x14" to 12"x16")
- 140# hot press watercolor paper; my favorite is Fabriano, which you can purchase in block form here: http://www.dickblick.com/products/fabriano-artistico-traditional-white-watercolor-block/ A block contains 20 sheets, which will be plenty for you to explore as many techniques as you wish.
- assorted brushes for acrylic painting
- a few printed personal photographs of faces (I’ll have some available if you don’t want to bring your own)
Optional:
- brayer and palette knives (I’ll have a few to share but if you have them, please bring them)
- watercolor crayons (Caron’dAche are my favorites; you can purchase them individually online here: http://www.dickblick.com/products/caran-dache-neocolor-ii-artists-crayons/
- collage images
Supply fee of $25 (payable directly to instructor) includes:
All acrylic paints; gesso; soft gel matte; palette; water containers; rags; drawing paper; newsprint; tape; gold leaf; foam; rubbing alcohol; Brasso; Nevr-Dull; colored walnut inks; sumi ink; Stabilo pencils; drawing pencils; charcoal; latex gloves; variety of resists; use of my stencils, stamps, scrapers and all other tools and supplies.
