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2009 Workshop Schedule
Experience Donna’s friendly, informative teaching style.
Click on links below for more information on individual workshops.
THE
ART of the ABSTRACT
Saturday
1/31 |
9 AM – 3:30 PM
Sunday 2/1
| 1
PM - 4 PM |
2 SESSIONS
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
Birmingham, MI
bbartcenter.org
Painting
in a non-representational manner requires an expertise in the use of color and
shape. To obtain this knowledge, there will be discussion about color
properties, as well as various composition and design elements.
Students will work on three to five pieces at a time.
Instruction includes how to layer transparent colors, create visual
texture, and use marks to make unique layered paintings.
Although this is a process oriented class, students may complete one or
two finished paintings.

WILD WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday
3/28 |
9 AM – 3:30 PM
Sunday 3/29
| 1
PM - 4 PM |
2 SESSIONS
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
Birmingham, MI
bbartcenter.org
This
class is all about encouraging the student to listen to their inner creative
voice.
The instructor will share a variety of painting techniques, how to
successfully choose color to strengthen artistic vision, and the value of
working quickly to silence that inner critic. The class will talk about design
and composition using images, color and shape. Students will be encouraged to
explore their personal artistic view and color preferences. Then the frenzy
begins to incorporate it all into a unified mixed media piece that celebrates
the student's unique, creative self.
The canvas will evolve into a figurative piece showcasing an inner diva.
MIXED MEDIA EXPLORATIONS
March 7-8 (Saturday and Sunday)
10:00am to 4:00pm
Hollanders
Ann Arbor, MI
Hollanders
During this two day workshop, you will immerse
yourself in a variety of techniques in mixed media including background
treatments, texturing ideas, collage, image transfers, metal etching, creating
your own unique language using symbols, carving your own stamps, various
painting technique, and color theory. Make sue to bring all those art supplies
still sitting in their original packaging! Designed for beginning or continuing
students.
ALTERED BOOK ADVENTURE
March 11 & 18 (Wednesdays)
10:30am-4:30pm
Hollanders
Ann Arbor, MI
Hollanders
Break the boundaries of the
traditional definition of a book! By tearing, ripping, painting, collaging, and
otherwise altering an original book, you will recycle an old hard bound book
into a one-of-a-kind, personal expression. Create a unique journal, illustrate a
favorite poem or quote, focus on family, an event, etc. Class will cover various
background treatments for your book pages, pockets, and folds, page layout,
niches, drawers, and 3D embellishments.

ART DOLLS
April 4-5 (Saturday-Sunday)
11:00am-5:00pm
Hollanders
Ann Arbor, MI
Hollanders
The human form has been celebrated
and idolized in the form of dolls for centuries. Whether making a primitive or
more elaborate shape; whether using sticks, fabric, or found objects; this class
is about looking at dolls in a new way. Wire, nuts, bolts, fiber, paper,
embroidery thread, beads, wood, clay, metal - almost any material imaginable can
come into play in this class. Donna will discuss the creative process, color
choices, design and assembly ideas, and even give you permission to play with
your finished doll!
Photos of student's dolls from
last Art Doll Workshop
TEXTURE, TEXTURE
EVERYWHERE!
June 12-13
10:00am to 4:00pm
Society for Contemporary Craft
Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.contemporarycraft.org/The_Store/Splash.html
Experience the potential of
acrylic gels to create interesting surface textures and paints to create visual
textures on paper (your own and/or the paper provided). You will use all
manner of simple objects like plastic forks, plastic canvas, gutter screening,
etc. to produce a myriad of designs. Once dry, Donna will demonstrate a
variety of painting techniques using acrylics and metallics - so you’ll get a
bit of color theory to boot! Each project will be done on a separate sheet
so you will end up with a stack of technique sheets that could be used as
collage, made into a booklet or even a wall hanging.

HAND
BOUND CANVAS JOURNAL
June 14
9:00am to 4:00pm
Society for Contemporary Craft
Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.contemporarycraft.org/The_Store/Splash.html
Use primed unstretched canvas to create unique, textured journal covers. The
pliability of the canvas gives the journal a soft feel, almost like worn
leather. Students learn luscious painting and texture techniques that make each
cover distinctive. A variety of simple binding techniques will also be offered.
Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.
PERSONAL EXPRESSION USING ANCIENT ALPHABETS
6/29, 6/30, 7/1 | 3 SESSIONS
9 AM – 3:30 PM
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
Birmingham, MI
bbartcenter.org
While teaching art to her middle school students over the past two years, Donna
studied Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, Australia, and the Americas. Each of these
cultures is rich with ancient art, artifacts, and alphabets. In actual fact, some are really
not alphabets at all but a system of glyphs or picture words. Incredibly interesting shapes and meanings are perfect
for the creative person to observe, assimilate, and use as inspiration for his
or her work. Explore these powerful symbols and use them to start a new series
of work. Students should bring supplies that they normally use for painting.



TEXTURE COLLAGE PAINTING
July 6,7,8 | 3 SESSIONS
9:00am to 3:30pm
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
Birmingham, MI
bbartcenter.org
Experiment with texture gels to design a surface and create a focal point.
.Learn to use fabric and paper to create unusual
surface textures. During this relaxed class, students learn to incorporate the Principle and Elements of Design to strengthen their
collage work. This is a process oriented class, but students could end up with a finished piece or two. All levels welcome.

BOOKMAKING (For the Bookmaking Challenged)
7/9, 7/10, 7/11 | 3 SESSIONS
9 AM – 3:30 PM
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
Birmingham, MI
bbartcenter.org
The instructor admits that she is not a bookmaker in the traditional sense. She does not like the precise measuring
and fussy attention to detail to create that “perfect” look. She will instruct on how to use unstretched artist canvas
to create unique, textured journal covers. The pliability of the canvas gives the journal a soft feel, like worn leather.
Instruction also includes luscious texture and painting techniques and various simple binding techniques.
To work on a number of journals, students should bring a variety of paper for
pages. Suggestions include envelopes (manila, junk mail, and the like), cardstock, decorative papers, rice
paper (strong enough to hold up as a page), fabric, old maps, cereal and snack
box cardboard, old paintings, and grocery sacks. This is a process and project oriented class. Students may have
two or more finished journals by the end of class.
ALL LEVELS.



ALTERED BOOK
ADVENTURE
8/22 | 1 SESSION
10 AM – 4 PM
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
Birmingham, MI
bbartcenter.org
Using an old child’s board book, learn how to prepare the book for painting,
background painting techniques, design ideas, as well as cutting openings and
adding 3-dimensional embellishments. Students learn how to cut, tear, sew, and make the book into a unique work of art.
It’s helpful to work from something inspirational – whether it’s a
quote, photo, or objects. Students should bring along all those little found object treasures they have been
collecting; they might be just what is needed to finish the book.
ALL LEVELS.



CULINARY
COLLAGE with Donna Engstrom
Bring a colorful food magazine and your imagination to this creative collage
class!
Learn elements of design, composition, and a little about painting technique.
You will end up with a small culinary collage art piece. Free.
Sunday,
September 13
1:00 to 2:30
BookFest
Mini Workshop: Culinary Collage
Hollander's
THE BOOK OF
DAYS
Sept 18-19 | 2 SESSIONS
9:00am to 3:30pm
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
Birmingham, MI
bbartcenter.org
You draw to you what you focus on. Powerful words. Could it be that
easy?
In this class, I’ll share with you the fruits of my exploration
into the area of the Law of Attraction. Each day of the week has a particular focus, color, and
even a god or goddess.
Together we will create a unique little journal where you can pull together your thoughts and dreams.
I’ll show you how to use manila file folders to create tabs and pockets for
each day. I’ll provide a plethora (I love using that word) of ideas on
how to design, paint, collage, sew, and embellish your signatures and book
covers. Each book will be a totally unique expression, full of personal
prompts that will help move you along the path you’ve chosen for yourself.
MIXED MEDIA ABCs
9/26-27 | 2 SESSIONS
11AM – 5:00 PM
Hollander's
Ann Arbor, MI
http://www.hollanders.com/workshops/
The origin of the modern alphabet was a system of glyphs or picture words and
are the perfect starting point to use as nspiration. In this two day workshop,
students will learn a variety of mixed media techniques including collage and
texture ideas, background treatments, paint applications, design pointers, as
well as color theory. Explore these powerful symbols and use them to start
a fresh series of work. Designed for beginning or continuing mixed media
students.

WILD WOMAN WORKSHOP
11/6-7 | 2 SESSIONS
9 AM – 3:30 PM
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
Birmingham, MI
bbartcenter.org
This class is all about encouraging the student to listen to their inner
creative voice. The instructor will share a variety of painting
techniques, how to successfully choose color to strengthen artistic vision, and
the value of working quickly to silence that inner critic. The class will talk
about design and composition using images, color and shape. Students will be
encouraged to explore their personal artistic view and color preferences. Then
the frenzy begins to incorporate it all into a unified mixed media piece that
celebrates the student's unique, creative self. The canvas will evolve
into a figurative piece showcasing an inner diva.

Student Work
More art classes will be added as dates are confirmed

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