GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Open Studio Sales Gallery, 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 104, Toronto ON M5V 3A8
(416) 504-8238
Latitude 44 Gallery, 2900 Dundas St. W., Toronto ON M6P1Y8
(416) 769-2900
Ethel Curry Gallery, 94 Maple Street, Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0
(705) 457-9687
Gore Bay Museum, 12 Dawson Street, Gore Bay, ON P0P 1H0
(705) 282-2040
COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
STUDIO Q
These workshops in downtown Toronto are geared to individuals within a small group, usually including both returning and new members. We have space and equipment for several techniques. Collagraph is a good place to start if you are drawn to textured surfaces. If you enjoy line work, etching may appeal to you. Those who want to work in a painterly manner often begin with monotypes. And relief (lino and/or woodblock) attracts those who like to work with shapes. Most continuing participants try their hand at all the techniques either singly or in combination. If you are new to printmaking, chose one as a departure point. Relief works best on the thin strong Japanese papers, while both Western papers and Japanese washi are often combined in the other methods. All techniques are non-toxic and require no solvents.
WEEK-DAY PRINT-MAKING STUDIO—8 Wednesdays,10:00 am to 3:00 pm, 26 September through 14 November
8 Wednesdays,10:30 am to 3:30 pm
$520 + $20 materials fee (inks, cleaning supplies, occasional materials and tools)
WEEK-END PRINT-MAKING STUDIO—6 Sundays, 11 am to 5 pm, 23 September, 14 October, 4 November, 25 November, 9 December
$490 + materials fee of $20 (inks, cleaning supplies, occasional materials and tools)
WATCH FOR DETAILS - COMING IN THE FALL
COLLAGE WORKSHOP
“The principle of collage is the central principle of all art in the 20th century.” Donald Barthelme
Based on the French word for ‘glue,’ collage at its simplest is a paper-based, cut-and-paste process. We can start with only the most basic materials and methods to achieve satisfying results. As ideas are sparked by what is happening under our hands, variations and additional media and practices can be incorporated. This is a playful, anything-goes workshop designed to introduce the excitement of collage to artists who bring some experience to the table and welcome the opportunity to add to their ‘tool kit’ of techniques. Light textiles, Western papers and especially Japanese washi are all used, along with whatever embellishments you can dream up.
To reserve a spot in any Studio Q class, phone (647) 340-3800 or email vcowan@gmail.com
STATION GALLERY, WHITBY, ON
NON-TOXIC ETCHING— Saturday, May 12 & Sunday, May 13, 2012, 10:00am - 4:00pm
$130 members, $150 non-members
Contemporary etching practices emphasize non-toxic and economical methods. Create images by drawing through a thin coating on light-weight aluminum plates. Once exposed to a mild chemical, the plate is ready for inking. This uncomplicated start can lead to works of simple directness or layered variation. Many options will be open to you, with an emphasis on playful experimentation.
To register phone (905) 668-4185 or email art@whitbystationgallery.com
THE BUTTON FACTORY, WATERLOO, ON
PAINTERLY MONOTYPES—May 19, 2012 10 am - 4 pm
Painterly Monotypes are a creative playground, a spontaneous approach to image-making where a new work can be derived from the previous one in an exploration of variations, or new works can be created from scratch every time. Inks are applied to a plexi surface and transferred to paper with a press. Layering these transparent colours, masking areas, removing and adding colour, are just a few of the ways to explore. No previous experience is necessary, just a playful spirit.
Slow-drying, water-based inks allow for experimentation without time pressure and without the use of solvents. Clean-up is done simply, with soap & water.
To register––www.buttonfactoryarts.ca
HALIBURTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
PRINTMAKING WITHOUT A PRESS—July 2-6, 9 am to 4:30 pm, $299.74
Daily life is very demanding, you don’t have much space at home or perhaps you feel you haven’t developed drawing skills. Still, you want to find a way to make beautiful images, simply, at home - images that could grace a hand-made card, as well as bring you personal pleasure. Printmaking without a press is economical and easy. Learn skills that can be developed on your own, with inexpensive and non toxic materials.
COLLAGRAPH— July 9-13, 9 am - 4:30 pm, $299.74
Collagraph prints are known for their richness and great range of colour, texture and line. Because the plate is built up by gluing materials to a support, no previous drawing skill is required, just a sense of play and lots of interesting scraps. The course will begin with a brief overview of printmaking, as well as an examination of actual prints and examples from books. After making the plates, you will print your images and explore how adding elements with Japanese paper and/or hand colouring, and layering images all contribute to unique and exciting work. You will be able to work at your own pace and scale, to experiment with a large variety of textures and colour, and make work to suit your specific needs, all in a supportive environment geared to enjoyment.
To register—www.flemingcollege.ca/school/haliburton-school-of-the-arts
QUEST ART SCHOOL & GALLERY, MIDLAND, ON
NON-TOXIC ETCHING— October 20 & 21, 2012
This course will take advantage of recent developments in non-toxic, water-washable inks. To make an etching, aluminum plates are coated with a wax resist which is then drawn through to expose the metal areas to be 'bitten.' This can be done in stages to create varying tones. Ink is wiped into the plate and the image is transferred to damp paper using a press. The deep rich lines and tones of an etching, can be complimented with variations in colour,use of Japanese paper for chine collé, and/or layering of plates all allow for playful experimentation. No previous experience is necessary.
To register for a Quest workshop—www.questart.ca
PRESENTATIONS
If your group offers lectures to members, consider the following. Both include imagery, take about 40 minutes plus a question period, and include samples of work for members to examine. Contact me if you have questions or would like to schedule an event—vcowan@gmail.com, 647-340-3800
ROAD TRIP: A CREATIVE CARTOGRAPHY—This presentation explores the road trip as a metaphor for the creative journey. For four weeks, Victoria travelled around the USA looking at art and absorbing the changing landscape. As with most such experiences, the process was different from what was expected. So it is also with the evolution of a creative series. Photos, notes and sketches from the trip became the source of a body of work that evokes the journey through the land and also through the creative psyche. As with the car trip, in the end, the series was a combination of the known and the new. In both cases, it was a journey of discovery.
CREATIVITY AND AGING: THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE— There is a parallel between life stages and creative stages. We progress from childhood through youth, adulthood and maturity every time we start a new piece of work. This discussion will look at the twists and turns of the evolution of an artist’s book using hand-print on Japanese paper, with a focus on the creative experience in later life.
