Artist Bio: Gina Fera
My art serves as a visual journal in which I express myself. I use symbolism in my artwork often to portray stories that are deeply meaningful to me. Characters interacting, whimsical settings, and simple formal qualities such as color and texture, all represent aspects of my life’s journey. My favorite themes I explore in my art are the ocean and forest environments as they capture the beauty, mystery, and uncertainty of life in ways that words cannot.
As a teen I began my art journey with pen and ink as well as colored pencil, carrying these first loves with me still today. As a college student I discovered the joys of clay. My years of working in clay have led me to my current work as a high school ceramics and sculpture teacher. Teaching a wide spectrum of art media has led me to experiment with mixed media in my work as well. I find that layering paint, pastels, collage and found objects enhances the whimsical nature of my work and gives it more of a depth of meaning.
Sculptural Relief Painting with Paper Clay
Have you ever wanted to add a sculptural dimension to your painting? Are you interested in working with clay?
In this workshop we will be using an air dry clay called paper clay to sculpt elements of a painting that can be painted when dry. Artists will learn the process and techniques of sculpting clay forms and adding texture to their art board or canvas before the work is painted. We will work in relief, which is a sculptural technique where the sculpted elements are attached to a background, creating a raised image.
Participants will start with a few “test tiles” to experiment with the new medium. For the final piece, artists can use a traditional canvas or a gesso piece of wood as the foundation. For your first piece, I suggest starting out with a large, simple focal point (like a flower, bird , fish, etc.). I will provide a simple drawing of a bird if you would like to work along with the demo. But feel free to create your own design! Painting techniques will be reviewed.
Supply list to bring for sculpting:
A 5x7 canvas or wood substrate (primed with gesso)
A 5x7 drawing with a large, simple focal point (or use the one I provide)
Plastic sheeting (trash bag works well)
Small ziplock for your clay
Masking tape (I will have some to share)
Rolling pin (I will have a few)
Clay tools: a clay stick tool cut at an angle with a point is preferable (I will have some to share)
Cup for water.
A small towel to wipe hands and tools (paper towels can work)
Exacto knife (this one is critical to have)
A piece of cardboard to protect table (about a 5x7 piece)
Tracing paper
Carbon transfer paper ( I have some to share if needed)
Optional: interesting stamps or textural items you may want to stamp with
Items you will need for $4 fee or purchase on your own:
Creative paper clay (can be found at Michaels or on amazon. We will only use about a quarter of the package unless you are going very large.
Small wood pieces for test tiles ( put chipboard ornaments in search. Mini canvases could work well too)
Fine tooth sandpaper
For painting (It is unlikely we will have time to paint, but if we do here's what you need):
A variety of acrylic paints (for optional underpainting have black or a dark color)
Paint brushes
Gesso (essential)
Acrylic gloss medium(essential)
Rubbing alcohol (if you choose to do underpainting)
Paper towels
We could use a few hair dryers to speed up drying process of anyone has one to share that day.
Cost of Workshop: Members $39.00 (includes the $4 Supply fee) and Non-Members $49.00 (includes the $4 fee)
Step 1: Register to sign up on the Club’s Team Up calendar:
https://teamup.com/ksvnyvdcdyfmo34pv4.
Step 2: To pay for this workshop use one of the following three methods: (Must Note in Comments your Name and the Name of the Workshop!)
PayPal.me/SykesvillePainting (if asked use last 4 digits 7267)
or
Check made payable to The Sykesville Painting Club, P.O. Box 73, Sykesville, MD 21784
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