Mixed Media Artist Book workshop

 |  April 9, 2012

I have a workshop coming up real soon called Mixed Media Artist Book. It’s a 1 day immersion workshop that will be taking place at the La Grange Art League. There are still spots open, so if you’re in the Chicagoland area, be sure to sign up as I think it will be a great day of sharing techniques.


as_it_is_in_earth_covers
As it is on Earth
mixed media

This is the sample book I made for the class. We will be making accordion books. The focus of the workshop is mixed media techniques and because I use wax in my books at times, I am going to introduce the use of encaustic on the covers. This is not an “encaustic” workshop, but as I said I will share ways to introduce some encaustic in book art and in mixed media work.


source_open
accordion book open

I love accordion books because the book can be opened and closed as a regular book. You can flip the pages, as you normally would. But you can also open it up, and have the whole book read as one fluid image.


earth_pods-tree
left side: encaustic, inkjet print, oil stick, alcohol ink
right side: acrylic gel transfer, acrylic paint

Since I started my creative journey in 2002 I have been creating mixed media collages to incorporate with my paintings or as journal covers. I will be sharing my bag of tricks and techniques that I have gathered through the years.


earth-frond
collage, acrylic gel transfer, acrylic paint, india ink, copper tape


earth-seed
left side: stitched lace, molding paste, gel medium transfer
right side: black gesso, white ink, secondary gel medium transfer, acrylic paint

I often incorporate words and writings into my mixed media work, especially when it is in book form. We will go over different ways on incorporating text into your paintings. The words I wrote above the dandelion is from a poem by Joan Halifax:

There is a way to see inside
By looking directly through
to seed or marrow

Within the bone vessel
a world is made
Red and milkweed
it flows between us like
wind

Within the seed’s case
a secret is held
Its fertile whisper
shapes a song


earth-trees
left side: gel medium transfer, inkjet print dipped in encaustic medium, oil stick
right side: gel medium transfer onto book page, encaustic medium and paint, oil stick

I am really looking forward to this workshop, I hope you can join us! I made a set of images of the pages in this book over at flickr if you want to see more detail shots.


earth-pods
encaustic mixed media page

13 Comments

  1. by Judy Shreve on April 9, 2012  2:26 pm Reply

    Wishing Chicago wasn't so far away . . .

  2. by Michelle O'Connor on April 9, 2012  2:58 pm Reply

    I love the organic, rustic nature of your work. It's very beautiful! Thank you for sharing and inspiring!

    http://dinneranddrawing.blogspot.com/

  3. by Kathryn Dyche Dechairo on April 9, 2012  3:13 pm Reply

    I love your work, so wish I lived in Chicago so I could make the workshop. Have fun. :0)

  4. by windrock studio on April 9, 2012  4:03 pm Reply

    Yes, me, too! I can't tell you how much I wish for the chance to meet and learn from you ~ Gorgeous stuff!

  5. by bridgette on April 9, 2012  10:51 pm Reply

    Thank you all! You all are so kind. Wish we could all gather one day and create together, in real life. I often feel like my blog pals are all in a virtual workspace, visiting each other's studios during breaks in the day.

  6. by Carole on April 10, 2012  2:39 pm Reply

    Oh how I wish Chicago was closer to Vancouver Island! I hope your workshop is filled with eager learners and creators. Have a wonderful time!

  7. by Sue on April 11, 2012  5:01 am Reply

    These pages are so exquisite and inspiring, and I wished I could fly over to Chicago...

  8. by Michelle O'Connor on April 12, 2012  10:41 am Reply

    I live in the Chicago area and felt compelled to plug your blog and workshop on my blog (http://dinneranddrawing.blogspot.com/)
    I hope you don't mind. I think your work is beautiful!

  9. by Marian on April 19, 2012  1:49 pm Reply

    I'm excited because I'm going to be there! Can't wait!

  10. by rivergardenstudio on April 24, 2012  3:19 pm Reply

    This looks like a beautiful workshop! I love accordian books too, especially yours! happy April to you!
    roxanne

  11. by fairmuse on August 3, 2012  9:51 am Reply

    really inspirational work - delicate and beautifully nuanced. Thank you

  12. by Anonymous on November 20, 2012  9:46 pm Reply

    yes i agree with all above, exquisite and thanks for inspiration im bored with my graphic design course and wish i was back at art school!

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.