Past-workshops – Page 7

Wednesday March 9, 2022

SAORI Weaving Adventures

In this workshop the students will be introduced to the SAORI Philosophy of Weaving:

1. Consider the differences between machines and people
2. Be bold and adventurous
3. Look out through eyes that shine
4. Inspire one another and everyone in the group

This beautiful philosophy from Japan opens new ways of exploring weaving, whether you have never woven before or have been weaving for many years.

SAORI looms will be provided and we will start with weaving and the exploration of colour and texture – like painting with yarn. During the workshop the students will be able to complete at least two weavings. We will also look at things like 3-dimensional woven creations, one-of-a-kind wearable art and clothing design.

As there are ‘no rules and no mistakes’ in this style of weaving, the possibilities of what we will do in the 5 days is endless. Each student will be encouraged to explore things that are of interest to them in this expressive style of weaving.

NOTE: If you have your own loom to bring to class, please contact the MISSA office.

Tuesday March 8, 2022

FLOW: Fluid Mixed Media Exploration

Delight in the fluidity of your creative spirit while exploring a multiplicity of liquid mixed media materials and techniques. In this five-day workshop, learn about the creative flow state by playing with fluid paints, inks, rust, Cyanotype, marbling, molten encaustic beeswax and more. You’ll be enchanted by the spontaneous and joyful collaboration between fluid media and your artistic voice, creating stunning paintings, fabric, and art books in this fun and supportive workshop. A delicious, mixed-media smorgasbord of materials and techniques suitable for both new and experienced artists alike.

Note: This class offers a “taste” of many techniques among a wide variety of mixed media approaches and materials. It is not an encaustic class, but offers wax as one technique among many.

Tuesday February 22, 2022

Forest To Sea In Soft Pastels

Are you inspired by the landscape of the West Coast with its lush forest and endless ocean? Learn to create colour saturated landscapes using soft (chalk) pastels in this class, through simple, step-by-step lessons, from a solid drawing to adding layers of sumptuous colour.

Begin by studying trees and the interior forest, culminating in soaring Douglas Firs. Working on a sanded paper, build a drawing in vine charcoal, then add colours from dark to light to achieve voluminous dimension in light and shadow. Further on, experiment with underpainting to achieve rich surfaces and happy accidents. Later, pastel the coast and beaches, creating rocky shores with beautiful driftwood forms and beautiful blue vistas of ocean.

Suitable for those interested in starting their pastel journey or curious about the medium, to those with moderate experience who want to further their vocabulary in this wonderful medium.

Friday February 11, 2022

Brush Dance

This workshop explores the dynamic tradition of the brush as a rewarding tool for experimentation and contemplation.

We will explore and develop a personal brush languages as we use the breath to support spontaneous mark making.
Combining mark-making within surfaces of layered fibre (cloth and paper) for use in artist books, banners, cards and paper installations, participants will have opportunities to reflect on insights gained through repetition of asemic scripts and mandala practice.

A series of experimental ink exercises will combine innovative brush making and apply altered tools on a variety of paper surfaces. We will focus on creating a unique lexicon, a vocabulary of gestural marks to inform new work and expand your current practice.

Time will be devoted to integrating mixed media techniques into finished projects on panels and canvas with attention to mounting. Each studio sessions includes a demonstration and participants will be offered an eclectic collection of materials.

All levels welcomed in the spirit of Shoshin, a Zen Buddhism word meaning ‘beginners mind’… openness, eagerness without preconceptions…being a beginner even at an advanced level.

This course is dedicated to the remarkable legacy of the Northwest Coast Calligraphic tradition.

Friday February 11, 2022

Clay is Your Canvas

Clay has the ultimate surface for decoration and embellishment. In this 2 day workshop we will investigate decorative techniques using underglazes and slips. With the consideration of surface, colour, balance, texture, pattern and design the student will construct a vocabulary of hand built forms and imagery that work with the individual’s aesthetics. Both greenware and bisque pieces will be explored. Slip trailing, stamping, sgraffito, inlay, mono-printing are a few on the menu. Functional hand-built forms will be constructed with the emphasis of interplay between surface and form.

NOTE: There will be NO firing in this workshop.

Friday February 11, 2022

Urban Sketching in Ink & Watercolour

The Urban Sketching movement is catching on, and for good reason! In this workshop you will learn to create quick and loose watercolour sketches that capture the mood and essence of a place. We will investigate and practice the choice of subject and composition while learning a systematic approach to sketch your environment. We will complete our works with a series of watercolour washes. Weather permitting, we will also work outdoors.

Have fun and join the movement!

Friday February 11, 2022

Sparking the “Good” Eye: Nature as Subject

Beginning with short guided meditations in this all-level, two- day workshop we prepare to experience our perceptual world in all of its splendor and vividness. By quieting the body and mind we cultivate the ‘good eye’, un-biased yet able to discern. Plants, flowers and the surrounding landscape form our natural impressions. Ignited by beauty, we investigate in pencil, chalk pastel and/ or water-colour pencils. Weather permitting, we will do short perceptual exercises out of doors and then inspired we return to the studio continuing our contemplative approaches. From these gathered sketches, students continue with the intimacy of the sketchbook or go bigger and bolder onto Japanese washi papers adding Japanese sumi ink, and either watercolour or acrylic.

Thursday February 3, 2022

Throw & Push the Limits!

An exciting opportunity to expand and increase the scale of ones pottery making skills. Peter will demonstrate the tools and techniques he uses to centre up to a hundred pounds of clay on the wheel and throw pieces a meter in diameter. For throwing, he uses various ribs, bats and trimming bats. Each will be demonstrated and discussed. As well, tools for improving repetitive smaller scale work will be demonstrated.

Peter’s course will cover all aspects of the process from start to finish, including trimming, slip application and attention to drying. His slip bottle pouring and trailing decoration at the wet, leather, and bisque stage will add a deeper dimension to the variety of techniques experienced by participants. His making of handles, lids, knobs and spouts will contribute to students’ understanding of finishing details. Glaze mixing, application and consistency, especially with attention to specific gravity will be addressed. Students will gain insight into pouring, dipping, and spraying glazes. Decorative techniques explored will include dynamic application of slip and geometric glaze trailing. Methods of making printing sponges for pattern on glaze will also be demonstrated.

Hands on immersion by participants will be an important aspect of the workshop. Discourse surrounding where ideas and designs originate and how we go about executing them will round out this program.

Monday May 4, 2020

COVID-19 Cancellation: Refund Form

Friday January 31, 2020

Self-Directed Residency

This Self-Directed Residency space is available for 2 days or 5 days and you have the choice of a double studio space (limited availability) or an open studio space (shared with a group).

This is the perfect opportunity to work on your own art project, at your own pace, and still soak up the creative atmosphere of MISSA! This cost includes your daily lunches and use of the space.

Options are: a Shared Studio space (double) or an Open Studio space (with multiple people).

If you have someone in mind, you can recommend a studio mate. Otherwise, we will try our best to match you with someone complimentary. The Open Studio Self-directed Residency is an opportunity to work alongside others, but in your own medium and at your own pace.

These studio spaces are most suited for artists whose medium of choice is: painting, pastels, drawing, collage or mixed media. Each space will have a work table and access to water.