Last week I had the pleasure of viewing the Ann Baldwin video workshop,
Text and Texture in Mixed Media Collage, which I rented from
ArtWorkshops.tv, which is part of
Creative Catalyst Productions. If you haven't visited their site yet, you're missing out. It's a GREAT way to catch up on workshops you missed or just can't get to and it's inexpensive!
Creating a collage is exciting. I'm fascinated by the process and have a couple of experimental pieces underway. There's always something new to learn and the video workshop is a great way to get a feel for possibilities. I'm hooked! (Next I'm watching
Carrie Burns Brown create collage papers.)
Here's the review I wrote about
Ann Baldwin's "Text & Texture" Video Workshop.(Connie Michael - August 20, 2009)
Are you spontaneous in creating your art? Are you brave enough to glue your favorite words onto a canvas, and then cover them up? Are you willing to make a mess?
If so, then Ann Baldwin’s Text & Texture is for you - the risk-taker! No drawing or painting skills required, just the desire for an adventurous art experience.
When you’re ready to take the chance, flip with Ann through the pages of a magazine to see how she selects the text that might - or might not! - be layered onto her painting. Whether you want your own painting to be lively, romantic or somber, learn to create the mood with fonts, color, placement and value, and to recognize what appeals to you and why.
In this workshop, Ann demonstrates techniques for creating textures with materials that may surprise you ... credit cards, embroidery grid, cardboard tubing, bubble wrap, combs, stencils, and almost anything else you can think of. She shows you how to create excitement and movement simply by your choice of materials, then she shows you how and why to use them. She tells you the important stuff about gel mediums (you’ll want to take notes) ... like which dry quickly, which dry clear, and which don’t! As Ann demonstrates the differences between transparent and translucent paint you’ll begin to understand their importance and see for yourself what each can do for your painting.
This workshop runs just over two hours and is full of practical information and useful tips.
In her charming and conversational, well organized way, Ann Baldwin explains every step of the process as she cuts, tears, pastes, stencils, and creates an entire painting. By the end of this workshop you’ll be itching to try everything yourself. When you do, take Ann’s advice and enjoy the process. After all, why should she have all the fun?
This video workshop is a keeper.
Caveat: Creating texture is an exhilarating, but messy business. If you are a "neat freak", it’s not for you!
Canvas by Canvas is featured in the September 2009 issue of American Art Collector. We painted the red truck, the fourth image from the left on the top line. Rusty old trucks seem to be a favorite, and this is one of our most popular paintings.
"Welcome Home" traveled this morning from Texas to Michigan as a surprise gift for a friend who collects angels. I hope she likes it.
For some time now I've been walking by a canvas which has been propped against our fireplace, and onto which I had randomly affixed cheesecloth. I've been waiting to "find" an image within the textured canvas, and work from there.
