Class Descriptions
Creating Texture
At this workshop Mary Lou will be demonstrating and explaining procedures for creating textural effects using the following items: gauze, plastic wrap, wax paper, coffee filters, tissue paper, twine, salt, sponges and acrylic gesso. You will be practicing the same procedures using your own paper, paints and brushes. Informational handout and samples of the above items will be provided for you to practice with.
Creating an Abstract Painting
During this workshop Mary Lou will demonstrate how to take any realistic sketch of your choosing (landscape, portrait, still life or other) and turn it into an abstract painting. You need not have anything prepared, but should bring paper, pencil, eraser, paints, and brushes. Any of the items from the Creating Texture class can be introduced into the painting – informational handout will be provided. (For examples of Mary Lou’s abstracts go to the Original Paintings/Prints page of this web site - the paintings are "Fracturalily," "Regal Rooster" and others.)
NonRepresentational Painting
A NonRepresentational Painting is one that is not based on anything in nature. It is not drawn from anything other than the artist’s mind. Mary Lou will instruct on how to begin the procedure and how to progress through the “discovery” of the painting within the confines of the paper being used. Any of the items from the Creating Texture class can be introduced into the painting – informational handout will be provided. (For examples of Mary Lou’s nonrepresentational work go to the Original Paintings/Prints page of this web site – the paintings are "In the Flow," "Really Cool" and others.)
Designing a "Quilt" Painting
Mary Lou will be demonstrating how to set up the quilt pattern on your paper, how to create a cropper template from mat board to match your chosen quilt pattern (she will have sample patterns available). Techniques for painting the individual rectangles will be demonstrated and you will be shown how to merge each painted area with the bordering images on your painting. You will need to bring paper, pencil, eraser, paints and brushes. In addition you need to bring a few photographs to use for the painting. (For an example of Mary Lou’s quilt painting go to the Commissioned Artwork page of this web site - the painting is titled "Vacation Quilt.")
Painting on the Mat
For this class you will need to bring one completed matted painting with you to class along with your paints and brushes. Mary Lou will demonstrate how to extend your painting out on to the mat, how to match colors, techniques for applying pigment to mat as opposed to watercolor paper. Sample pieces of mat will be available for practice before completing your painting. Students will need to bring paper, pencil, eraser, paints and brushes. (For examples of Mary Lou’s painting on the mat go to the Original Paintings/Prints page of this web site - the paintings are "Personal Power Surge," "Partial Containment" and others.)
