Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Chinese Checkers


I had the pleasure of being able to take a one-day workshop with none other than Lynne Perrella this past weekend. It was a rare opportunity, as she does not often teach on the East coast. The class was called Chinese Checkers. The specs: East meets West, as we spend a full-day exploring the dual themes of Asian images and classic grid compositions. Sounds good, right? But what got me was the next line: Create a lavish, heavily-layered, elegant/edgy surface! She had me at layered!!

Class started with laying gesso and adding texture, texture, and more texture!



While the gesso dried, we all participated in a very revealing art exercise...



...that just got better and better.



Spent most of the day adding layers. Paint. Portfolio crayons. Water-soluble wax pastels. Fiber. Altered images. And more.

My piece before collage...



Ultimately we had the choice of keeping our piece as a large artwork or folding it into book form. Guess which I chose? Both actually. I cut off a strip to make an Asian scroll (in progress)...



And folded the rest into a book. Here are some close-up shots of the book pages in progress...






I ran out of time before I was able to add many collaged images. But I look forward to taking the techniques I learned from Lynne and finishing both projects. And when I do, you can be sure they will find their way into a post.

And I will end with a personal favorite shot from the workshop that sums up the fun and abandon that is art: Violet's Hands...

51 comments:

layers said...

How fortunate you are to get to take LP's workshop. I have her book on Art Making which I love. I love to look at the pictures of other artists' collections. Looks like you had a great time.

Mary Green said...

that class looks great, I am quite jealous

Lost Aussie said...

Your piece came out beautifully Seth.
I enjoyed her workshop tremendously too.

azirca said...

That art exercise with the objects on the wall looks intriguing.

Love the piece that you created, the vibrant teal paint is very eye catching.

bockel24 said...

Wow, I´ve loved to see how you incorporate new techniques and inspirations in your work to end up with an original Seth piece of artwork! That´s the way inspiration should work.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Brilliant stuff Seth and thanks for explaining it in such detail.

MrCachet said...

At least I enjoy looking at it. How you manage to allow yourself the freedom to just explore is beyond me. I've never indulged. I admire you for that.

Brian K said...

It was wonderful you had an opportuninty to take Lynn's class! I would love to take one of her classes in the future. Your work in the class is amazing! As we thought it would be... Are you going to do more to it or leave it as is? It is still so complex and wonderful! Question... are you going to Teesha Moore's JournalFest in Port Towndsend Washington coming up? It really looks to be an amazing experience! I wont be able to go this year but I am certainly planning for NEXT years event.

Caroline Gill said...

This is great, Seth. One of your images had a particular resonance for me. I will hope to get back to this later. Watch this space ...

Sharmon Davidson said...

wow, Lynne Perella, that's awesome! So is the piece you created!

~*~Magpie's Nest said...

Such rich colors and great textures Seth! Love the closeup views, thank you for taking thru the stages!!!

lyle baxter said...

seth, I love the asian scroll! and I know from experience you had a colorful time in lynne's class. she is a fine teacher! lyle

nancy said...

it looks fantastic!!!
don't you just love this technique!
can't wat to see the finished scroll

Unknown said...

Love the way you've laid down your layers and the colors you've chosen. And the grids..I am a big fan of those as texture and pattern! Looks like you got a lot out of the class. Can't wait to see how you finish both of these.

Caterina Giglio said...

The perfect class for you! layers and textures! awesome! beautiful work!

Gillian McMurray said...

Your work is, as always, beautiful. It looks like fun was had by all. The pictures are great but my favourite has to be the last on of Violet's hands too.

ELK said...

seth the colors/textures and ending hands open made this post so pleasing to see....you enjoyed the workshop I know!

Mary said...

You lucky you!! Seth your piece is wonderful. You do such great work!!

Bea said...

Love her, love her book,and hope that someday I'll be able to take her class. Thanks for sharing what you did in her class. That was fun to read about. :)Bea

Karin Bartimole said...

What a great experience that sounds like. Thanks for sharing the varied layers of it! Your resulting work is rich.

laurel said...

Beautiful piece and it looks like an awesome class.

Erin Perry said...

Isn't Lynne the best?! I've taken several workshops with her over the last 3 years and every one has been fantastic - my art always takes a big leap after working with Lynne.
Erin in Morro Bay

angryparsnip said...

I just found your blog through Eryl's.
The workshop looks exciting and your piece is fabulous and I too would have kept it long. .. your photos are very interesting, like I was there.

Mary S. Hunt said...

what a great opportunity to experience and then share!

layers and layers and textures and COLOR..oh my

all the ingredients to mix up the perfect scrumptious sumptuous finale...
and several projects from 1 even better!
what a feast!

Anonymous said...

Seth! You got some great shots in-progress. My hands were too full of gesso to touch my camera. Please come to my blog to see my posts about the workshop.
Eileen

Anonymous said...

oh maybe I should give you my blog address!
http://artsaveslives-paperqueen.blogspot.com/
Eileen

lynne h said...

seth, that is shocking that you chose the book... ; )

i love what you have so far -- deep and rich!

Lynn Cohen said...

Love all these pieces and pages, the scroll is lovely...
wondering what the back pieces on the wall are about...

Seth, did a package from me arrive?
Just wondering. lynnc66@comcast.net

deb said...

looks like you had a marvelous time! as always your work is splendidly textured, wish I could do that...

Priti Lisa said...

I REALLY ejoy your blog. Your collabrative book looks fantastic. I look forward to buying a copy...fingers crossed and eyes to heaven :) you're so inspiring!
xox, Lisa
p.s. I have to admit, I'm aliittle jealous of the workshop.

Marie-Aimée said...

beautiful piece !!!

Anonymous said...

Those are wonderful pieces you are leaving with and I cannot wait for the day when I can attend a class in person. Gina

Unknown said...

How fortunate you are to get to take LP's workshop. I have her book on Art Making which I love. I love to look at the pictures of other artists' collections.....
--
Venus
Home Security Systems no CREDIT CHECK everyone is approved

Kim Palmer said...

What a wonderful little collection of workshops you have been to lately. My jealousy is ever increasing you know, LOL! I am intrigued by the black cut outs on the wall. What was that all about?
Love where you are taking the pieces you have done so far and of course can't wait to see where they end up. But then I quite like them as they were in the early shots too LOL!

The Artful Eye said...

Seth, what a great opportunity. Your work in progress is beautiful and the color palette and texture are rich and well balanced. I can't wait to see what you make of these pieces.

I love the finale of Violet's hands.

Caroline Gill said...

Seth,

I loved this post (the hand photo is great).

Do you see any resemblance between my Dylan Thomas pic. here at Coastcard Land&Lit and your pic. 3 ... or am I imagining things?

Best wishes,

Caroline

Unknown said...

oh my, two great workshops in a row! Your brain must be whirling with ideas! Love what your result, but when don't I? Can't wait to see what you create next.

Joy and Kathryn said...

Lynne's class was great, just as you said.
I hope you will share the scroll when it is finished...wonderful colors!
Joy

Kelly Jeanette Swift said...

It looks like you had fun. I'm so jealous. No one ever comes out to my little rural corner.

The chinese scroll idea is interesting. Beautiful, bright colors.

judipatootie said...

how exciting,, so great to be able to do a workshop with such inspiration

great work
thanks for sharing..sigh!!

Mescrap said...

Seems that you are enjoy so much in this workshop.
I wish to have this kind of workshop in my country :)

mansuetude said...

love the way you saw your way to do both; vision and action in action... thanks for sharing the process here! Laughed about the texture , you are so perfect to be involved with texture! me too.

Gaby Bee said...

Looks like you had a great time. How fortunate you are to get to take this workshop. You lucky thing! I'm a bit jealous, I have never taken any class :-( I´ve enjoyed to see your work in progress. Your piece came out beautifully. The colors and textures are just fabulous...as usual.
Have a good one.
Gaby xo

Ro Bruhn said...

This looks wonderful Seth, my kind of work with all of those colours. Glad you managed to make a journal and a painting, it looks like a great class.

Heather said...

What an exciting workshop that must have been Seth. I love your scroll and the book will be stunning.

Anonymous said...

Heh Seth,
Great pictoral on the workshop - looks like loads of fun!

BT said...

What a fun day you had, and mentally and physically tiring I would think. I would love to do that sort of workshop. Can't wait for the finished articles.

Peggi Meyer Graminski said...

This sounds like an amazing class, Seth - and I love your finished pieces. What a treat for the eyes! Thanks for sharing your experience =)

Anonymous said...

what wonderful fun it looks like you had and a phenomenal piece as well, which of course is not a surprise. :)

Margaret said...

awesome Seth, now see this is why I should have carried on with art classes, big wall, big paper and loads of paint! might just have to book myself in again! M

Jason said...

What a nice course! Now that I'm back in Melbourne, I'll be able to do something similar.