Sunday, Jul. 4th 2010 9:33 PM
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be teaching at Valley Ridge Art Studio. I know first hand what a great creative experience Kathy offers at her studio, Not only is the studio and accommodations top-notch but the scenery and location make it truly an artistic paradise were one can relax and find there inner artist for the weekend.
I am an accomplished fine artist and jewelry designer. I have a BFA from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and have been showing and teaching nationally for the last 18 years. Not only do I love being an artist but also, my greatest creative gift is teaching and sharing my art. I get so much out of teaching others and seeing how they tackle or use a new medium that I, too, leave the workshop just as excited as my students.
I am honored to be teaching the upcoming workshop Encaustic Painting Rediscovered: Age Old Techniques Updated for the Contemporary Artist. Encaustic “wax” is one of those materials that everyone who tries falls in love with its unique qualities. Because there are so many ways wax can be used and incorporated into so many other mediums this workshop is also perfect for the mixed media, alter art, found object or paper artist. Artists love the tactical aspect and the unique properties of wax to create textures that can be smooth – enamel like, or extremely dimensional. Encaustics light from within…giving you a certain depth in your colors you can’t get with any other medium. I know you, too, will fall in love with this medium.”
Encaustic Painting Rediscovered: Age Old Techniques Updated for the Contemporary Artist
Come explore encaustic “wax” painting…during this two-day workshop attendees will develop an in-depth understanding of how wax, and its unique qualities can be used as a new medium or as a new player in other forms of work. Attendees will be able to create a finished grouping, incorporating new techniques, objects, and materials that emphasize their individual creativity.
No other medium can match the versatility of encaustic wax, both in technique and result. Some of the techniques that will be covered include making and using stencils and masks, incising lines into the wax, carving back into layers of wax to reveal the layers and color below, adding texture and dimension. Students will also learn how to use a variety of tools including hot incising tools or discover other great carving and texturing tools like wire brushes or metal cookie cutters. Advanced techniques will also be covered for making and casting molds to use in finished work, incorporating image transfers (work exceptionally well with wax. – if you ever had trouble with transfers you wont with this medium), rub-ons, collage and mixed media materials, found objects or adding such things as micro beads, sequins, spices, tinsel, flocking and mica paper. To finish students will learn how-to embellish with additional color like oil bars, paints, pigment, gold leaf and gilders paste.
As an added bonus, students will learn the basics of using two-part resin, how to mix to ensure success, cast with it and incorporate into your encaustic pieces.
Debbi Simon has worked with a variety of art mediums and subject matter over the years. Working creatively since 1993, her paintings have been exhibited in juried and invitational shows and group and solo regional exhibitions throughout the Midwest. She has won numerous awards for her paintings.
Her original jewelry designs have been featured in national and international magazines Bead&Button and BeadStyle Magazine and numerous Kalmbach Books. Kalmbach released her first book “Crystal Chic” in December 2008. An Ambassador for CRYSTALLIZED – Swarovski Elements she is currently teaching workshops and demos nationally showcasing her crystals designs and her resin techniques.
Debbi studied art and design at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). After spending a few years in the design field she decided that her passion was fine art and began painting seriously again. She continually experiments with different mediums.
Debbi Simon
