Why take a weaving workshop?
Watercolor artists often experience two failings: tightness and fear of trying something new. My workshops help to overcome these problems. First, artists discover that, to make a weaving , one must develop a very simple image, avoiding detail. This permits the artist to paint freely. Second, one must cut up one's images entirely--that will cure anyone of the "fear" of painting! Best of all, many students come up with terrific weavings in a short period of time. Some become fully committed to the idea of weaving; others enjoy the liberating aspects of the technique.
"We thank you for inspiration, exhilaration and motivation to do something different in fine art."
"I enjoyed the workshops and I loved your way of abstracting a painting."
Teaching a weaving workshop in Delray Beach, Florida
QUICK HOW-TO FOR A WATERCOLOR WEAVING: For intermediate to advanced watercolorists:STEPS TO A RHYTHM-FILLED IMAGE
or, CREATING ORDER FROM CHAOS
1). Choose your subject and simplify. Strive for contrasts in color, value and shape.
2) Select your paper proportions for 2 similar but unequally-sized paintings.
Cut the first from 140 lb cold or hot press watercolor paper. This piece will be cut north=south or vertical, so that it can expand on its width when cut. The second should be shorter in height (by a few inches, depending on size of first) but wider in width, as it will be cut across or horizontally.
3). Paint first painting (future vertical cuts).
4) Cut first painting into vertical strips of varying size, Tape to your painting board so that small spaces or interstices exist between pieces.
5). Paint second painting while eyeballing the first one. (You may have to stretch your subject matter horizontally and shorten vertically).
6) When dry, cut second painting into horizontal strips. Interlace strips with verticals as you cut…intuiting cutting along the way.
7) See what you have. Readable? Edit: with paint, more cutting, eliminating or adding pieces, etc.
8) When you have a “rough draft” select a backing board of your choice
9) Glue to board and do final editing. Done.
CLICK HERE FOR MATERIALS LIST.
For a fuller introduction into the weaving method, see the SHORT VIDEO you can access on the home page (approximately four minutes long) and/or read "Expressing Energy with Woven Textures," WATERCOLOR, Summer 1996.
