Simple Bookmaking Workshop
Children aged 4-12 years
I have been teaching her simple bookmaking technique for making concertina books (from her own hand dyed papers and mostly recycled materials) at Arts Festivals and in community spaces for several years. This workshop is suitable for children aged 4-12 (younger children will require adult supervision) and an easy process to repeat at home. Once completed, participants will be invited to fill their books with poems, stories, drawings and dream symbols, or their books can be used to hold memories of their day.
Images taken at with permissions Montsalvat Arts Festival 2018 and various Renaissance Festivals 2014-2021
Collage Lab Workshop
Suitable for all ages. Child, Teen and Adult.
I have been working with collage as an art medium for over 25 years. In this workshop, participants are introduced to a portfolio of my work and work by other artists while I discuss various ideas and approaches to collage making. Participants will then be provided with resources and guided through the process of making their on collaged artwork which they can take home.
Images taken with permissions at Renaissance Summer Festival 2019-2020.
Expressive Self Portraiture
For Adults
Expressive Self Portraits focus on creating a portrait that draws on the inner spirit of the individual rather than producing an exact representation of their physical being. Think Frida Kahlo.
It can be a particularly cathartic activity to undertake at times of transformation, spiritual growth or major upheaval, to help reconnect with that deep sense of spirit and self.
In this workshop participants will learn how to bring a reflective element to their portraiture work, we'll discuss the use of symbol work as a form of self exploration, colour choice and clothing. Participants will work with both mirrors and photos and be asked to bring along an array of objects and images that hold personal significance to incorporate in their work.
Workshop attendees are invited to bring sketchbooks and journals, inspirational images, special papers and also provided with a selection of my own scraps, papers and collage materials; journals will also be provided if they do not have one.
Surrealist Dream Drawings
Suitable for all ages. Child, Teen and Adult.
A workshop inspired by the automation techniques and games of the Surrealists and divination tools that were employed by the Symbolists and which are common to both contemporary spiritual healers and visionary artists, I conceived this workshop to aid participants engagement with the unconscious or subconscious parts of their psyche. Beginning by exploring colour and mark-making, particpants are then led through a visual meditation, brought back to the worktable and encouraged to work with the fantastical visions or personal symbols that came to them during the guided visualisation process.
Images taken with permissions at Renaissance Autumn Festival 2017.
Creative Awakening: 2 part
For Adults
In this two part workshop we take a little journey through the creative process, talk about explorations of media and technique, personal symbolism and visual language, use of narrative, dream imagery, colour and composition, experimentation, conceptualisation of ideas and the process that informs finished works through the intuitive lens, exploring art as an act of divination and as soul work. I am hoping it will bring those who are struggling into deeper connection with their creative selves, by learning to trust the process.
The first part of this two part workshop series focusses on Creative Journaling while the second focuses on Intuitive Art Making.
Workshop attendees are invited to bring sketchbooks and journals, inspirational images, special papers and also provided with a selection of my own scraps, papers and collage materials; journals will also be provided if they do not have one.
Inspired by The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and informed by my own 30 year practice as an artist.
Images taken with permissions at Renaissance Summer Festival 2019.
Heart in Hand Valentine Day Workshop (based on a free online workshop designed by artcampla.com)
Suitable for all ages. Child, Teen and Adult.
This collaborative workshop and project was inspired by a free workshop created by artcampla to reproduce 19th century valentines known as “Heart in Hand” papercuts. The hands were taken to the fire-affected community in East Gippsland as a tribute of solidarity from the inner city community.
Images taken with permission at Heartwood Bushfire Benefit. February 2020.