4 Day workshop: Reinventing Collage with Mixed Media; June 12-15, 2014

It’s that time again, I will be teaching a wonderful 4-day intensive mixed media collage workshop at the Mendocino Art Center. Have you always wanted to know how to work with acrylic paints & mediums, assemblage, gluing, tearing, layering, cutting, drawing, scratching and who knows what else to create unique, layered paintings or 3-D assemblages? Here’s your chance!

 

Whether it be a spontaneous collage or a carefully planned assemblage, from a memorial altar to a mixed-media collage, you’ll learn countless techniques & exercise to get your engine running and to bring you into the flow…..Register online at  http://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/Spring14/Gross.html Toll-free 800-653-3328, ext.10

 

September 2013: The Ancient Art of Paste Papers

http://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/Fall13/Gross.html

September 20–22, 2013 (Friday–Sunday, 9:30 am–4:30 pm)
at the Mendocino Art Center

As many of you know, Paste Paper is one of my favorite things to create & teach, as it is a process one can get lost in, that connects the artist to a deeper place. Why? How? Well you’ll just have to sign up to find out! Not only will this open you up to the world of color, texture and painting, you will also leave with a large collection of unusual & beautiful papers, and an accordion book as well.

I hope to see you.

Susan

 

P.S. Here’s some Student Testimonials from prior workshops:  “Susan is delightful!”…….”one of the most encouraging and inspiring instructors I’ve ever had”……”Susan’s combination of rigor and playfulness was absolutely perfect for me”….”lots of experimentation”….”Playful spirit”……..”Great workshop!!!”….”Susan is fantastic. I enjoy her knowledge, skills & beautiful energy!”

Spring 2014 Reinventing Collage through Mixed-Media

Mendocino Art Center, June 12-14, 2013

Mixed-media collage, a way to re-contextualize everyday objects to create new works of art, is one of the most expressive ways to explore and expand your creative practice. Adding acrylic paints, 3-dimensional objects and working in layers provides the freedom to work in the moment and be open to discovery. In this workshop, you will be guided through techniques and processes to enhance spontaneity and help you to transform your way of working…or playing! All levels welcome.

2012 Collage Workshops at the Mendocino Art Center

It’s that time again, I am gearing up for 2 wonderful collage extravaganzas!

A 2 day workshop:

REINVENTION AND PLAY THROUGH COLLAGE
May 26–27, 2012 (Saturday–Sunday, 9:30 am–4:30 pm)

Collage, a way to re-contextualize everyday objects to create new works of art, is one of the most forgiving and expressive ways to explore and expand your creative practice. In this workshop we will start both with a blank slate and bring previously created “broken” artwork for reinvention. Susan will guide you through techniques and processes to enhance spontaneity and help you to transform something old or discarded into something new and fresh. Students are encouraged to bring things they wish to transform: old artwork, objects or mementos such as letters, photos, eyeglasses, baby shoes – anything they are holding onto and would like to honor through the reinvention that is collage. All levels of students welcome.

and

a 4 day intensive workshop:

PASTE PAPER COLLAGE ON WOOD
June 18–21, 2012 (Monday–Thursday, 9:30 am–4:30 pm)
Paste paper, an age-old method of mixing paste and pigment, layering it, and then using tools to scrape, scratch and draw through the layers not only renders beautiful results on paper but also opens the artist to new creative experiences. Using this technique, we will create a stockpile of original, personalized papers. We will also texture paste on wood and using our papers create unique collages. Learn a new and addicting skill! All levels of students are welcome.

I am so excited! Let’s get MESSY!!!!

www.mendocinoartcenter.org

Or call 707 937-5818, ext. 10
Toll-free 800 653-3328, ext. 10

2010: I am Teaching Three Spring Workshops!

Two at the Mendocino Art Center:

April 24 – 26    The Ancient Art of Paste Papers

Paste paper, an age-old method of mixing paste and pigment, layering it, and then using tools to scrape, scratch and draw through the layers not only renders beautiful results on paper but also opens the artist to new creative experiences. Using this technique and others, we will create a stockpile of unique, personalized papers for your book and collage projects. We will also learn a basic book form to use with our new stash of decorated papers. All levels of students welcome. Class Fee: $150 Member $175 NonMember

May 22 – 23   Reinvention and Play Through Collage

Collage, a way to re-contextualize everyday objects to create new works of art, is one of the most forgiving and expressive ways to explore and expand your creative practice. Susan will guide you through techniques and processes to enhance spontaneity and help you to transform something old or discarded into something new and fresh. Bring objects you wish to transform: old artwork, objects, mementos—anything you would like to honor through the reinvention that is collage.  All levels welcome. Class Fee: $150 Member $175 NonMember

and One at the Gualala Arts Center:

June 19 – 2o    Paste Papers, Books and Beyond

(See the class description for “The Ancient Art of Paper Papers” at the Mendocino Art Center above.)

Class Fee: $95 Member $115 NonMember, materials fee: $20

SOCK ANIMALS Sox-n-Animals GIMMEE more, more, MORE! Yet another addiction.

Jessie made Capra the goat, who looks an awful lot like the real Capra the goat that Jessie milks on the farm.

Spot and tush (toosh), who is sibling to Fatush who lives in Geyserville.

even closer! Yummy!

tush (“toosh”) looks a lot like his sibling Fatush but had a freak ear accident. Please don’t stare, he’s a little self-conscious.

Ever seen a cute butt? Well here’s TWO!

the ever-growing menagerie

Yes, If I had more time I’d have a lot more critters. We have been so busy this summer with our Poetry and Book Arts Kid’s Camp which was incredible, if I do say so myself, and the Beeswax Collage workshop. I love, love, LOVE to make these, and you can see by Jessie’s magnificent goat that the sock critter fever is contagious, indeed! despite a great amount of interest, there’s still some room in the Boonville Art Barn’s Sock Animal workshop so sign up soon!

More Ink on Paste Drawings

Here are a few more of my ink on paste drawings. Or are they paintings? I had some extra paste paper wheat paste mixed with paint, and then topped it with ink. I am making digital prints of these. Be sure to try to come to the Art Barn for the Anderson Valley Open Studios Art Tour!

Mini-Book Pendants

OK, so I am obsessed. Is this anything new? I have made some teeny-tiny books that one can wear around ones’ neck. They are great for love poems, mantras, inspiring words or pictures you like to keep close to your heart at all times. I love picking the teeniest pieces of beautiful paste paper for the covers. These are just the beginning, I have so many more ideas, I just wish I had some time! As I write, I am making more to sell in our Art barn at the upcoming Anderson Valley Art Tour over this Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy!

Paste Paper (altered) Gameboards

My student and friend Diane Paget created this amazing paste paper Backgammon game. She even made fimo game pieces and a matching red and green marbled pouch for them to go into. I altered an old gameboard into a paste paper checkerboard. The obsession continues…

Collages with Family Photographs

Today is my Grandmothers’ birthday. These collages are of her and my Grandpa. I love how sweet the photo of the two of them is.