Many of the influences that effect my artwork are stories from childhood. These are often filled with magic and wonder along with a cast fantastical creatures and improbable characters. As of late I've been particularly intrigued by the human animal hybrids of storyland. Characters like the White Rabbit and the Caterpillar of Alice in Wonderland, or the Three Little Pigs and Big Bad Wolf all reside in a strange world where the beasties act, talk and dress like humans. In this workshop we are going to create mixed-up beasts and magical menageries. Students will gather up a variety of human and and animal figurines and toys and we will reimagine them in weird and preposterous ways. These unusual critters will, of course, need a place to dwell, so the next step be to create a shrine from various found objects for your wild things to dwell. When your done they will be, as Tony the Tiger says: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!

Some of the techniques you will learn include: sculpting, assemblage, painting, creating patinas, junking tips…and of course, potty training your beasties.

Student supply list:

·       A small box, frame, piece of wood or plaque. This could be literally anything you want to mount your critters onto.

·       Animal toys or figurines (no larger than your frame or plaque)

·       Human toys and or figurines (chess pieces, wedding cake toppers, action figures, Barbies etc).  The human toys should roughly match the animal toys.

·       Small bits of paper, photos and ephemera. This could be images or scenes that could be used in the background of your characters.

·       Random tiny doodads. Interesting buttons or gears or typewriter parts etc.. Decorative elements that might adorn the frame or box.

·       Bits of ribbon, fabric and or twine.

·       Aves Clay 1 lbs or more

·       Optional- Easy Mold (two part Silicone Putty)

·       Brushes

o   detail or liner brushes 

o   flat bristle brushes in a few different sizes 

·       Paints (acrylic – Kroma Paint is offering a 10% discount for attendees)

o   Titanium White

o   Carbon Black

o   Transparent Red Oxide

o   Quinacridone Red

o   Dioxazine Purple

o   Nickel Azo Yellow

o   Pthalo Blue

o   Sap Green

o   Gesso (black,white or clear)  or Modge Podge

·       Optional Paints: Pthalo Turquoise, Paynes Grey, Quin Magenta, Cadmium Chartreuse, and any other color you want to play with

·       Glues 

o   E6000 or Weldbond or both

·       Tools that will come in handy

o   Drill (hand or power)

o   Dremel – with cut off wheel and sanding drum

o   Heat gun

Other Questions You Might Have:

• How much does it cost? $119.99

• What will happen after I sign up? I will send you all the links and codes to get you started

• What is the FaceBook Group? You can asks questions, share images and share ideas.

• How long can I access the videos? Forever and ever. You will have to ability to download the videos right to your computer.

• How does it differ from a live class? There isn't the one-on-one component and the possibility for immediate feedback that you have in a live class, but you have the advantage of being able to get into much more in-depth explanations of technique. Also, the advantage of being to replay any section that you need a refresher on.

• Will there be video? Yes. There will be roughly about 180 minutes of protected video that only students will be able to access.

• How many videos will there be? I'm expecting there to be 17 chapters.

• Is the class segmented or do I get everything at once? I have designed the class so you will have access the information at once and can play with it as you like, at your own speed.

• Is there anyway to connect and share with other students enrolled? Yes. A Facebook Group will be set up specifically for this workshop. Students will be able to share experiments, projects and ask questions for the Q and A videos.

• What kind of site is being used to host this class? I am using a protected website as well as a protected video host.

• How will I access the website? When class begins I will send out passwords to all the students.

• Is this for Beginners or Advanced students? It's for everyone. I've made it so it is information that can be used by all levels.

• Will it be entertaining? Geez, I hope so. I have done my best to make it very un-dry and fun.

• What will I need to be able to watch the videos? If you can read this the information on this website and have the ability to watch videos on vimeo.com then you've got everything you need to be able to watch the videos.