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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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