Workshops - Fall 2010

This Fall we have a star-studded workshop lineup with some of our old chestnuts (seasoned but shiny and bright) David Hu and Don Taylor, and Lorraine Pritchard. In the mix of other excellent instructors we introduce a new shiny and bright light, the multi-talented Alec Dempster. Some of you will have heard Alec’s musical skills on traditional Mexican instruments at the lasttwo Washi Art Sales, and if you come to it this year, you might just hear the vibrant memorable sounds of Alec and his Mexican wife again. Treat yourself or a friend to a day or evening with us this Fall and join us for some unabashed creative pleasure.

EXPRESSIVE PAPER CUTTING WITH WASHI

Tues. Sept. 28 6:30-9:30 with Alec Dempster
$60 + HST

The art of cutting paper to create decorative and striking designs and artwork is an ancient craft with decorative, ritual and conceptual applications. In this workshop I will share my unique approach to paper cutting, which has developed as an extension of my experience in print making. The medium has many applications which include illustration, design and stencilling. My craft is informed by Mexican paper cutting using bark paper but I also grew up looking at the colourful papercuts of Matisse, as well as Japanese folk art and contemporary works. I will cover different cutting techniques and will help the participants to think in terms of the positive and negative shapes that can be playfully combined to create engaging and dynamic art. We will experiment with a variety of colourful Japanese papers, which can be combined with other mediums such as drawing and painting.

Have a look at Alec’s website, www.alecdempster.com to gain inspiration for this cutting edge art form and join us for the inaugural workshop with Alec at the JPP.

WASHI STAR TALK WITH HIROKO KARUNO

Tues. October 5 7:00 – 9:00
Admission by PWYC Donation to the Ontario Crafts Council

Hiroko’s medium, as many will know, is shifu – cut, spun and woven kozo paper - and she is one of the few people in the world who have embraced and developed interest in this almost extinct art form. Tonight’s presentation will be a visual journey of a unique exhibition held this year in a historic private home in Nara, in which a single monumental piece of Hiroko’s shifu – with both warp and weft of kozo - was displayed. It will be followed by a short mezmerizing demonstration by the artist. Join us for this special Washi Star night, to end with refreshments and conversation.

JAPANESE BOX WORKSHOP

Saturday October 16 10-5 pm. with Don Taylor
$95.00 + HST

Slim and smart, this is a traditional Japanese box, built with a hinged lid which fastens with two bone clasps and is covered with Iwahada and Chiri papers. An elegant container for pencils, necklaces, chop sticks or your set of antique calligraphy brushes.

MOUNTING WASHI

Wednesday October 27 6:30-9:00 pm
with David Hu $50 + HST

A classic JPP workshop with a master at this Chinese technique, this short evening will equip you with valuable skills. If you work on washi, or want to but are worried about what to do with a lightweight paper once you are done, David will calm your fears. He’ll show you how to mount thin Japanese papers onto slightly heavier ones to give the final work some heft. This workshop has been the starting point for many artists who have used the technique of layering to expand their work in sculptural directions.
Please bring several pieces of work you would like to mount.

ABSTRACTED LANDSCAPE USING WATERMEDIA AND COLLAGE

Saturday November 13, 10 am ¬ 4pm with Jill Segal
$100 + HST

In this helpful, fun filled and productive workshop, you will learn how to create and develop abstracted landscape imagery, using fluid acrylics or watercolours, combined with stained papers and other collage materials. Personal creative expression and uniqueness will be encouraged.
Please bring in your own sketchbook/notebook and some personal landscape reference material ¬ photos, drawings and the like ¬ and your own watercolours or fluid acrylics and we'll provide a scrumptious array of textured and translucent papers to work with.
Jill’s gentle style and her own beautiful work in this genre make her a natural to be passing on what she has learned and developed.

ANNUAL WASHI ART SALE!

Sunday Nov. 21 11- 5:00 pm
Free admission

In lots of time for seasonal shopping, come and pick up the latest in prints, drawings, collage, papercuts, desk accessories, stitched works and so much more by our talented customers. A complete list of participating artists will be revealed well before the date, but mark it on your calendar now so you don’t forget!

MOKUHANGA, TRADITIONAL WATERBASED WOODBLOCK PRINTING

Sat. Nov. 20 and Sat. Nov. 27 10 am-4 pm. with Elizabeth Forrest
$200.00 + HST

Mokuhanga is the traditional woodblock medium of Japan which produced the splendid ukiyo-e prints of the 18th and 19th centuries. Although this print medium requires some practice to perfect, it is currently enjoying a vigorous creative revival amongst printmakers worldwide using both orthodox and unorthodox approaches.

Unique to mokuhanga is its sophisticated use of water colour pigments printed on washi. The pigments are thinly applied to a carefully cut block with thick flat brushes (marubake) and printed with a baren (hand pressure tool). In this workshop you will be guided through various processes including transferring a graphic image to the woodblock, and standard use of carving and printing tools and materials. All tools will be supplied by the instructor. To prepare for the workshop it’s advisable to bring a shape-oriented design idea using 2 colours.

Liz studied mokuhanga while living in Japan and has worked tirelessly to perfect the medium and to inspire others to take it up.

On October 23 she will be demonstrating her working methods in mokuhanga at Open Studio’s Printopolis event at the JPP, which will include an exhibition she co-curated of international mokuhanga printmakers.

PAINTING ON WASHI: the role of diversity in painting

Saturday December 4 10am-4pm with Lorraine Pritchard
$100.00 + HST

Because of its transparency, weight and flexibility, washi is not often considered by painters as a viable ground. However, these qualities can be valuable attributes for the medium of paint. This course is directed towards a wide range of experimentation with washi and its receptivity of acrylic, gouache and sumi ink. (We will touch on the use of encaustic as well.)

Whether one is inclined towards the representational or the abstract, the course emphasizes the important role of diversity in the making of art. “Diversity” is a vital universal principle in nature and society and this principle also applies to painting.

Washi and sumi ink will be provided. Please bring:

• acrylics (should be fluid acrylics)
• gouache
• brushes in a variety of sizes including something for small detail and larger strokes, and a 2” or slightly narrower brush for washes.

TO REGISTER FOR ALL THIS FUN:

• Unless noted, all materials supplied at no extra charge. For all workshops, we suggest you bring (if you have them) your own basic 'paper tool' kit: bone folder, scissors, exacto knife, pencil, metal ruler, notebook.
• Payment is required upon registration for all workshops to guarantee a space.
• Withdrawal allowed up to three days before the workshop, subject to a 15% administration fee.  NO REFUNDS AFTER THAT TIME.