Holly Roberts

This workshop introduces students to expressive painting techniques, using abstraction as a foundation for collage. Emphasizing spontaneity, students will learn to relinquish preconceptions about paint application, allowing the medium to guide the creative process and reveal unexpected surfaces and textures. Once their abstract paintings are complete, students will explore various collage techniques, incorporating personal photographs, found materials, prints, drawings, and other adherable elements. The abstract paintings will serve as the foundation, influencing the composition and direction of the collages. Techniques covered in this workshop include polymer transfers, water-based paint applications, proper adhesion methods, contact paper transfers, the integration of joint compound, and strategies for composing and constructing layered images.   SPECIAL OFFER: Consider attending the From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Experimental Collage the week after this workshop and save 20%. (This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or scholarships.)

The excitement of creating often stems from the unexpected—those moments that arise when applying new techniques or materials in innovative ways. In this workshop, artists eager to elevate their practice are invited to explore the art of collage by experimenting with various materials on flat surfaces. Participants go beyond simply gluing paper onto substrates; they engage in building dynamic surfaces that reflect a spirit of experimentation and risk-taking. Utilizing a diverse range of materials including photographs, paint, text, contact paper, parchment paper, and joint compound, participants discover new methods of transferring elements from one surface to another. The resulting collages not only culminate in finished images but also serve as gateways to unlocking the unconscious creative process. Artists emerge with works that are distinctly unique, pushing the boundaries of their artistic expression and propelling their practice to the next level.   SPECIAL OFFER: Consider attending the Paint and Photography: the Perfect Marriage the week before this workshop and save 20%. (This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or scholarships.)