Monday, May 7, 2012

Circus Maximum

I just returned from a wonderful long weekend in Connecticut, learning new techniques and just being inspired by Lynne Perrella and Anne Bagby.  Our theme was the circus, the workshop was called Circus Maximum, and we just had the most fun with it.  Bright colors, great images, and background techniques galore.  I've taken many classes with Lynne, but this was my first experience with Ann, and she was just full of the best ideas.  And like Lynne, Anne is a proponent of the low tech, low cost approach to mixed media.....and there is nothing low about the results!

We stayed at the lovely Interlaken Inn, about 2 1/2 hours out of NYC, and worth the trip.  We had people coming from the west coast, the south, the midwest, so I guess Pat and I didn't have that long a trip. Although, hauling several tons of art supplies on Metro North is not my idea of a good time.

Some shots of the grounds:
Beautiful metal sculptures everywhere!









On Friday is was all about Ann.  We worked on backgrounds, and our substrate was......are you ready?......deli paper!  It was all about layers.  Acrylics, applied with brushes, brayers, scrapers, razors, etc.  Then stamps, stencils, hand lettering, more paint, portfolio pastels, figures and shapes, and on and on.

Here are some that Pat did.





And here are some of mine.










We did a lot of blotting between layers, and even the blotting paper would eventually become something usable.



On Saturday, Lynne took over, and we created pieces on wrapped canvas.  Here is my happy couple:





They were done on 11x14 canvases.  The images are very old (medieval? renaissance?), and have nothing to do with the circus.  The theme was created with the embellishments, color choices, and everything else done to alter them.  I'm not even sure I'm finished, but am very happy with them as is.

On Sunday we did some more work on Ann's backgrounds and then did what Lynne called "speed collage," a fun way to create a long narrow banner, working quickly and without letting too much thinking get in the way.  I haven't taken pictures of those pieces yet, so there may be a Circus Maximum, Part 2.

Some random shots of our large and well lit workspace (which was open to us 24/7), and some of the wonderful pieces my classmates worked on.











The tags we wore to help us remember everyone's names needed a little extra help to stay adhered.



21 comments:

Helen said...

What a fantastic weekend - you are so lucky! The art you created is amazing (as always). The sculptures in the grounds look great too.

Anonymous said...

All I can say is WOW!

Patzee said...

It was a luscious class. I really enjoyed all the creative energy that was freely flowing. My hope is that this is an annual event and I'm ready to sign up for next year!

Sue Young said...

Fun fun fun!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Alicia B said...

WOW is so right- what amazing projects you made Eileen!! True ART at its finest my friend! *Hugs*

Lori said...

Looks like an awesome time! Those canvases and pages are just the best! What a great opportunity, and no, hauling supplies on the train does not sound like fun. At all. lol.

Anonymous said...

Oh WOW Eileen.....the scenery is GORGEOUS and your pieces are so amazing....I absolutely LOVE all the color...each pieces is a work of ART all on it's own!!! Beautiful!!

Dorothy said...

Looks great...love the name tag!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a fun, creative time! All the work is beautiful.

Sarah W said...

What fun pages. And the grounds of the venue look just fab.

Love all the pages. Eileen, I am somewhat surprised that you don't already have your own name tag made just the way you like.

teri said...

I just adore Lynn and her classes. Your circus work looks amazing - makes me hanker to try that deli paper technique. Lynne's always got something new up her sleeve.

Socrates said...

Fabulous paintings. Beautiful work. I'm taking a workshop with them both in October, I can't wait.

Elena said...

DELI PAPER??? Really??? How about we invite HER to Keys 4 Art 2013???!!! Sounds like fun!

Tammy D said...

Looks like a great time!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Looks like a rocking awesome time!!! I'm jealous! Great projects...so full of life and color!

Kate Burroughs said...

Oh awesome work! Love the theme and what people did with it.
Aloha, Kate

Tami said...

AMAZING! I SO want to take a class with Lynne some day. I love ALL of your projects you have done with her. Thank you so much for sharing and keep up the GREAT work you do, hugs,
Tami

sara j said...

Looks lovely; the location and the work. Such vibrant colors - how could you not have a fabulous time? Would love to see the banner in Circus, part 2. lol.

inge said...

Hello Eileen,

I'm finally here ! I 'm still home with my back and I don't understand why I accomplish sometimes less then when I'm working...

As soon as I read you had a class with Lynn ànd Anne I was turning green : man, I'm jealous !!!
I fell in love with these artists when I discovered mixed media in " true colors".
Two of them in one class : that would be a creative heaven for me.

You can see you were in heaven too : all those beautiful layers and colors and so many nice projects you created.
I looked at all the photos in the photo-album so I could see them enlarged.
Still hard to figure out how you put all the layers together, but the results are stunning !

thanks for sharing and yes, show us more !
greetings from belgium
Inge

Marjie Kemper said...

Fabulous pictures! Thanks so much for sharing. Would love to one day take classes with Anne and Lynne.

Theresa Plas said...

Great visiting your blog Eileen! Was just reviewing ATC's from the class and was pleased to see you provided your blog info. Your pieces are amazing and ABUNDANT! I think I finished one piece. Wish the event had lasted longer. Take care!