level two oil and wax workshop

I'm really enjoying the workshop I'm teaching this weekend at Shake Rag Alley (in Mineral Point Wisconsin) --a Level Two class, for those who have had prior experience working with cold wax medium and oils. My intention for this class is to place special focus on ideas--to help the artists who are here in their search for unique expression with this medium.

As much as I love the "ah ha!" moments in my introductory classes when people realize the versatility and potential of cold wax, there's a special, satisfying pleasure in seeing the growth in technical achievement and personal direction of these more experienced students--most of whom have have been working on their own for about a year since their last class.

For an abstract artist to create--and continue to develop-- a vocabulary of marks, textures, colors and shapes that can be combined and manipulated in a dynamic dialog with the paint is a compelling challenge. Meaning, symbolism and personal connection grow alongside proficiency with the materials, but there are certainly difficult and frustrating times on this journey. One of my students remarked that what he has really learned in the past year is patience. Working with artists who have accepted these challenges, stuck with this process and trusted that their work would grow and develop is exciting...and it means a lot to me to know I've played a part in setting them on this path. It's been a wonderfully satisfying reunion.

  ¶ 6:13 PM