Art and Folk Art Workshops - SOA 2008
The Art of Composition (A1)
with Susan Farmer-Tiefenthaler
Skill Level: Intermediate and advanced
8:30-11:30 am
Interesting composition is the heart of all artwork. Students will examine how other artists organize their subject matter by considering various aspects of expressive composition including focal point, leading lines, contrast, tonal arrangement, and color fields. Each session will include discussion, exercises, and observations on one or more of these aspects. Instruction will not cover basic painting technique. Therefore, select a medium that you know, such as colored pencil, pastels, watercolor, collage, acrylic, oil. Bring your own source material, including photos, still life objects and small lamp, sketches and supplies for on site landscape painting.
Instructor Bio:
Susan Farmer-Tiefenthaler, professor emeritus in the Dept. of Liberal Studies and the Arts at
UW-Madison, has many years’ experience teaching painting, drawing, and other studio courses. She currently teaches studio art through Waukesha Area Technical College, the community education program, and the UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies. Her translucent acrylic paintings and
watercolors have been exhibited throughout the Midwest. She is an active member of Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors.
Basic Relief Carving (D32)
With John Modjewski
Skill Level: Beginning and intermediate
1:30-4:30 pm
Relief carving is easy to learn and fun to do. This course will cover the safe use of various carving tools and techniques to create a variety of low relief projects. An assortment of patterns in many skill levels will be provided. These relief carvings will be carved in basswood flats measuring about 8" x 11" x 3/4" in size. The materials fee is $10 (payable to the instructor onsite). Materials Fee: $10
Instructor Bio:
John Modjewski, a member of the National Woodcarvers Association and past president of Northwoods Woodcarvers in the Eagle River area, has participated in many woodcarving workshops over the past 20 years. In addition to previous SOAs, he’s taught woodcarving to youth groups
and senior citizens.
Basic Drawing (D31)
with Barbara Erdman
Skill Level: All
1:30-4:30 pm
Build your artistic confidence by developing a good foundation in drawing. You will explore basic drawing tools and concepts and will be given the opportunity to practice in a supportive, relaxed environment. This class is for beginners-those with little or no prior drawing experience-or for those who want a refresher.
Instructor Bio:
Barbara Erdman has a fine arts degree from UW-Madison majoring in painting and drawing. She also attended the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC with an emphasis in portraiture. She has years of experience teaching drawing and painting.
Beginning Watercolor (A2) - Class is full
with Mary Ann Inman
Skill level: Beginning
8:30-11:30 am
Learn basic watercolor technique to help you create your own work of art. Step-by-step lecture and demonstration are followed by studio exercises designed to advance the development of your skills. Students will explore color mixing, application, and technique in a supportive environment that allows you to paint with confidence. You will paint something different each day including flowers, trees, and skies. Expect to have some light-hearted fun as we explore the beauty of watercolor. Materials fee: $5.
Instructor Bio:
Mary Ann Inman (BFA, UW-Whitewater) teaches a variety of art classes—including watercolor, mixed media, and drawing—through UW-Madison Dept. of Liberal Studies & the Arts and through her
own business, the School of Eclectic Art. You can view her work as well as student work
at www.schoolofeclecticart.com.
Broom Making - A Lost Art (D34)
with John Holzwart
Skill Level: Beginning
1:30-4:30 pm
Just because a broom is functional doesn’t mean it can’t be a work of art! Students will love this week long introduction to the lost art of broom making. We will enjoy the sweet aroma of broom corn, learn its origins and how it grows. Your instructor will have various brooms as examples to inspire you. Students will use the materials and methods of tying and weaving to create a unique expression including a pot scrubber, cake tester, several wisk brooms, a cob web broom, and/or a hearth broom. Materials Fee: $15
Instructor Bio:
John Holzwart of Sheboygan, WI is a broom maker, woodcarver and all around rustic artist. He has been interested in connecting with mother nature since he was a child andbrings his down to earth approach to his classes when teaching. He believes in just doing what he loves, and he loves making brooms. His work can be seen at various fairs, festivals, art shows, or online. Together with his partner Linda Conroy they run their business, Moonwise Herbs.
Dyeing and Surface Design on Fabric (A5) - only 3 spots left
with Amy Climer
Skill Level: Beginning and intermediate
8:30-11:30 am
This fun, messy, hands-on class is great for quilters, fiber artists, or anyone with an interest in designing on cotton or silk. Explore fabric dyeing, fabric painting, creating fabric stamps, and a unique type of screen-printing. There will be an emphasis on personal exploration and experimentation. By the end of the class you will have several yards of unique, vibrant, custom fabric as well as the knowledge and skills to do more at home. Materials Fee: $15
Instructor Bio:
Amy Climer, a fiber artist based in Madison, exhibits locally and nationally in art and quilt shows, art fairs, and galleries. She holds a master’s degree in experiential education and teaches and lectures on fiber art, fabric dyeing, and creativity. Learn more at her Web site, www.amyclimer.com.
Exploring Mandalas (A6)
with Diana Randolph
Skill Level: All
8:30-11:30 am
Come and discover the art of the mandala (the Sanskrit - ancient Hindu language of India - word for circle, representing an outward expression of your inner self) using various drawing and writing exercises. Each day will begin with guided imagery meditation leading into class activities that help you reflect on various aspects of your life including healing images that express joy, unleash creativity and maintain balance. The image of the labyrinth will also be examined, discussed and expressed. Creating within a circle is a means of accessing personal and universal symbology which provides mirrors for our lives. Mandalas have calming, relaxing effects on the mind and body thus focusing and strengthening the will to heal. The founder of Jungian psychology, Carl Jung, often used mandalas for personal transformation. He said, " The mandala corresponds to the microcosmic nature of the psyche..."
Instructor Bio:
Diana Randolph earned her BA from Northland College. A professional artist for 27 years, she has displayed her landscape paintings nationally. She also enjoys teaching art workshops and writing poetry and short stories. She has had many instructional articles published by the Daniel Smith Artist Materials company.
Fundamentals of Plein Air Painting (A7)
with Chuck Bauer
Skill Level: Beginning and intermediate
8:30-11:30 am
Painting outside offers special pleasures and special challenges. We will meet and work outside as much as possible. Learn to edit, organize, and control your materials, your approach, and your paint application. Students will learn palette management, value and temperature studies, color studies, and much more. Classes include jump-start exercises, technical assistance followed by individual help, and supportive critiques. Oil is recommended, but acrylic and watercolor are also acceptable.
Instructor Bio:
Chuck Bauer (BFA, Ohio Wesleyan University; MA, UW-Madison) has explored his love of painting all his life using oil, acrylic, and watercolor. His work is represented in several Midwestern galleries, and his work may be seen online at www.ctbauer.com.
Intermediate Drawing (A8)
with Barbara Erdman
Skill Level: Intermediate
8:30 – 11:30 am
This class is for those with some drawing experience (either through formal classes or from individual, self-study) who want to improve their skill or learn new techniques in a supportive, group environment. You will explore concepts of composition, perspective and technique and then work to solve specific problems with emphasis on drawing realistically.
Instructor Bio:
Barbara Erdman has a fine arts degree from UW-Madison majoring in painting and drawing. She also attended the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC with an emphasis in portraiture. She has years of experience teaching drawing and painting.
Introduction to Woodcarving (A9)
with John Modjewski
Skill Level: Beginning and intermediates
8:30-11:30 am
Learn the artful tradition of woodcarving. This workshop will focus on types of woodcarving, the safe use of various tools and sharpening methods, basic woodcarving cuts, qualities of woods and finishing techniques. The projects will include carving and finishing Old World human caricatures. These carvings are from six to eight inches tall and about three inches wide. They can be carved with a carving knife for pre-sawed blanks. Materials Fee: $10.
Instructor Bio:
John Modjewski, a member of the National Woodcarvers Association and past president of Northwoods Woodcarvers in the Eagle River area, has participated in many woodcarving workshops over the past 20 years. In addition to previous SOAs, he’s taught woodcarving to youth groups
and senior citizens.
Keeping A Visual Journal (C23) - Class is full
with Elizabeth Lewis
Skill Level: All
10:30-11:45 am
Adding color and form to a written journal can help integrate the analytical and creative parts of the brain, allowing for more spontaneous, creative and authentic writing and problem-solving to emerge. This class is for writers, artists and anyone looking to playfully nurture their expressive voice.
Instructor Bio:
Elizabeth Lewis is an artist, writer, arts educator, and certified stress-management consultant. Her fiber art works have been exhibited nationally. A motivational speaker, she travels widely presenting lectures and workshops on the healing power of art and writing.
Pastels: Lay Down Color Fast and Easy (A11) - only 2 spots left
with Betsy Popp
Skill Level: Beginning and intermediate
8:30-11:30 am
In this introduction to pastels we will make our own pastels paper and backgrounds, explore composition and design, learn various methods of application, and finish our work with proper framing techniques. Everyone will create a new work each day. Materials Fee: $8.
Instructor Bio:
Betsy Popp is an art instructor of many media who works with young and old, beginners to experienced art enthusiasts. She has been a Birds In Art artist and participated in Birds In Art 25th Anniversary; served as artist-in-residence at Sapelo Island, GA, and such national parks as the Badlands the Everglades, and the Grand Canyon; and taken part in many national and international pastel exhibitions.
Portraits of Homes, Churches, and Other Structures (D38)
with Pat Dobrinska
Skill Level: Intermediate and advanced
1:30-4:30 pm
The personality of a structure is as compelling as a portrait of a person. You may use either oil, acrylic, watercolor, pencil, or pastel in learning methods that will help you create a painting or drawing of a structure that is believable, interesting, and beautiful. We will be inside for at least two mornings and outside for at least two mornings. The other morning will be determined by the class. Besides the supply list, you must bring several photos of either your home, church, or other buildings you have seen on your travels. Materials Fee: $5 to cover cost of instructor handouts.
Instructor Bio:
Pat Dobrinska graduated from the University of Colorado with a BA and earned her teaching certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She has owned and operated several galleries through out the country, and continues to paint and show her own paintings.
Painting Portraits (A10)
with Pat Dobrinska
Skill Level: Intermediate and advanced
8:30-11:30 am
Learn to capture the likeness, believability, and personality in your portrait paintings. You will paint portraits from live models and from photographs. Using acrylics, oils, watercolors, or pastels you can sharpen your abilities to paint the portrait you see the way you want to paint it. List of required supplies/materials sent upon registration. Materials Fee: $5 to cover cost of instructor handouts
Instructor Bio:
Pat Dobrinska graduated from the University of Colorado with a BA and earned her teaching certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She has owned and operated several galleries through out the country, and continues to paint and show her own paintings.
Radical BookWorks (D39)
with Carol Chase Bjerke
Skill Level: Intermediate
1:30-4:30 pm
Discover a new realm of possibilities for storytelling and conveying information while challenging assumptions about what books are supposed to look like. While creating beautiful artists books, students will rethink structure, meaning, materials, and form. Examples, class exercises, and group projects will inspire and encourage your individual explorations. Bookmaking experience is helpful, but not necessary. Materials Fee: $15
Instructor Bio:
Carol Chase Bjerke is an award-winning artist
and teacher. Her handmade books are in numerous collections including Kohler Art Library at
the Chazen Museum of Art in Madison, Special Collections in the Golda Meir Library at UW-Milwaukee, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC.
Sand Carving (D40)
with Pat Guilday
Skill Level: All
1:30-4:30 pm
Discover the art of sand carving on rocks, glass, ceramic, tile, mirrors, mugs, wine glasses and much more. Learn how to use blast equipment, what equipment to buy and where to buy it. You can expect to complete a number of personal projects. Materials Fee: $15
Instructor Bio:
Patrick Guilday has been and carving glass and rocks for more than 22 years. His studio, "GlassWerks" creates awards for events and companies throughout the nation. Check his website, www.abbysplace.us, to see all the things you can learn to sand carve.
Studio for Painters (D41)
with Mary Diman
Skill Level: Intermediate and advanced
1:30-4:30 pm
For painters experienced in oil or acrylic this studio class will provide critique and technical guidance from a supportive instructor as you work on a current painting or start something new. Painters also benefit from observing other painter’s works in progress. There will be short lectures on composition and color theory.
Instructor Bio:
Mary Diman is an award-winning realist painter, and has taught studio art for 25 years. With BS and MFA degrees in painting from UW-Madison, she has shown her work in invitational and juried shows nationally, and has work in museum and university collections.
Watercolor & Beyond (D42) - only 2 spots left
with Mary Ann Inman
Skill level: Beginning and Intermediate
1:30-4:30 pm
Experiment and stretch your imagination to maximize your creativity. Students will learn to use impressions, stamps, and resists to make texture and pools of spontaneous color. Materials for stamps, impressions, and resists will be provided. Just bring your regular watercolor supplies, paper, photo references and the desire to have fun. Materials fee: $10.
Instructor Bio:
Mary Ann Inman (BFA, UW-Whitewater) teaches a variety of art classes—including watercolor, mixed media, and drawing—through UW-Madison Dept. of Liberal Studies & the Arts and through her
own business, the School of Eclectic Art. You can view her work as well as student work
at www.schoolofeclecticart.com.
Watercolor Techniques (A13)
with Amy Arntson
Skill Level: Intermediate and advanced
8:30-11:30 am
This watercolor workshop addresses technical development, design awareness and focus on concept. Slides, books and samples of historical and contemporary painting are included in lectures and demonstrations. Students will work on a variety of subjects such as landscape, still life and interiors. Advanced students will be encouraged to pursue a personal direction with individual assistance from the instructor. Students are asked to bring samples of previous artwork. Materials Fee: $2.50 to cover cost of instructor handouts.
Instructor Bio:
Amy Arntson was a professor of art at UW-Whitewater for 22 years. Her lectures and presentations span the globe. Her national and international exhibitions include the Florence Bienniale. Now a full-time artist and author, she specializes in watercolor. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel critic James Auer wrote: “Arntson in my eyes, is a phenomenon. Her watercolor paintings of wave patterns are at once expressionistic and photo-realistic.”