Michael deMeng

August 25 & 26, 2013
9:00 to 4:00
Workshop Price: $350/person
after July 15 - $400/person
San Juan Island Grange in Friday Harbor
Lunch Included

A vacation home is available for lodging during
this event.  Contact Jan at (360) 298-2195 for more information or to
reserve space."

Patron Saint of Discarded Things

As far I as know there is no such thing as a Saint or Deity of Discarded things, which is a pity because
there are many like me who wander the highways and byways looking for bits of detritus to incorporate into
artwork. Seems like an activity worthy of guidance or protections. In fact I recall one instant where I was
traveling Oaxaca Mexico in a large van with 10 or so students. On the side of the road we passed a large
dumpsite filled with oxidized goodies…all of a sudden everyone in the van starts oohing and ahhhing. The
driver looked a bit bewildered, and wondered what in the world a bunch of gringos would find so interesting
about an orange-ish/red heap of metal. Little did he know, that to us, it was as if we came across the holy
grail. The possibilities of creation were endless. In this class we are going to create a found object patron,
saint or deity that will aid in our artistic endeavors of finding and recreating from discarded things. Using
some sort of structure to build of (such as an iron, a shoe, a phone, a shadow box…just about anything) we
will create a place for our effigy to watch over our undertakings. This shrine will be filled with all sorts of
unusual elements as adornment but will also serve as a place to add future bits of randomness.

Supply List:
1. Something to build your shrine on. Could be a shadow box, a shoe, an iron, a boat oar….literally
anything. Probably don't want to go to crazy in size…we do have to share tables.
2. Variety of found objects that might be interesting additions Items like, dolls, watch parts,
gears, typewriter parts, milagros, bolts, pieces of old metal, straps of leather, dried out
spaghetti…anything.
3. A figure to act as your Saint, Lady, or Diety of Discarded Things. This can be something like a doll
you wish to alter or something you wish to leave as it is.
4. Collage elements
5. Masking tape –Tan colored
6. Paint Brushes (a couple small detail brushes, and some cheap brushes (1/2 inch to 1 inch in size)
7. String, twine and wire (a couple of different smaller gauges)
8. Matte Medium – fluid
9. Aves Apoxy Clay
10. Paint (acrylic…preferably Golden brand…either fluid or heavy body will work) small tubes will be
fine.
a. Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold
b. Black (Mars or Carbon)
c. Titanium White
d. Pthalo Green (blue shade)
e. Dioxazine Purple
f. Van Dyke Brown
g. Quinacridone Crimson
h. Pthalo Blue
i.
Micaceous Iron Oxide
11. A smattering of screws, bolts, nails (different sizes)
12. Adhesives.
a. Dap Kwik Seal Plus (white)- get this at the hardware store (you can also use molding or
modeling paste)
b. E6000
13. Optional:
a. Kroma Crackle (if you want a nice crackled texture)
b. Heat gun
c. Dremel
d. Basic tools – i.e. pliers, hammer, etc.

Tory Brokenshire

September 7 & 8, 2013
10:00 to 5:00
Workshop Price: $260/person
after July 20 - $310/person
San Juan Island Grange in Friday Harbor
Lunch Included both days

Story Tellers

Every time one of these new people come into my life a story of them emerges. Spend a fun filled weekend transforming an antique tin, croquet ball, or whatever you find into your own character and find their story. We will learn the easy way of facial sculpting, taking time to build a sculpture that reflects a personality you would like to convey. We will learn techniques to paint the face and arms in several styles, folk art to modern finding a technique that fits your sculpture. Experiment with micro fasteners, wire and assorted items to attach their arms and legs. You will have time to bake, paint and build several Story Tellers in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. If you like to write bring along a journal and I will share how I start their stories. Come join the fun.

Kit fee $5

Teacher will supply

Wire, micro fasteners, screws nuts and bolts, wood doweling, sand paper, clay tools to share, workshop packet with handouts

Student supply list

8 oz Sculpey Original (white polymer clay)

2 or 3 of the following items, antique tins (approx 4”x 2 ½”) ,croquet ball, a beautiful piece of old turned wood, anything we can drill into and that will serve as a body.

An optional hat for your piece, the head is about the size of a ping pong ball. Use your imagination almost anything will make a hat.

Assortment of acrylic paints to coordinate with your tin.

2oz Titan buff, 1oz Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold, 1oz Burnt Amber, 1oz Titanium White

½” and ¼” paint brush, a detail brush for the eyes and small areas. Assortment of your favorite brushes

Water container for brushes, clean up rags or paper towels

Small box of aluminum foil

Clay tools if you have them or dental tools, bone folder, orange stick any small tool that you can use to smooth around eyes and in tight areas. Don’t spend a lot of money I will bring tools to share.

Awl or sharp poking tool

Sas Colby

September 14 & 15, 2013
10:00 to 5:00
Workshop Price: $250/person
after July 20 - $300/person
San Juan Island Grange in Friday Harbor
Lunch Included both days

Art as Improvisation

This is a rare opportunity for artists to work with Sas, whose
workshops usually take place in far flung locales such as Mallorca,
Spain; France; and Taos,  New Mexico.  Her workshops are highly valued as breakthrough experiences by their participants.

This is a fast paced workshop that celebrates the joy of painting and the art of surprise, or vice versa! Your creativity will get a massive jump start by diving into Improvisational exercises led by Sas who will present a world of new methods for getting started in the studio.

This is a fast paced workshop that celebrates the joy of painting and the art of surprise, or vice versa! Your creativity will get a massive jump start by diving into Improvisational exercises led by Sas who will present a world of new methods for getting started in the studio. Techniques covered include drawing, painting, collage and composition, and the emphasis is on building confidence in your art-making future. We will work with ink, paint, gesso and graphite, and experiment with nontraditional approaches including a specially designed "Improv Kit." By the end of the workshop you'll have a small portfolio of works plus a better understanding of your personal mark-making style. No experience is needed besides an adventurous nature and desire to try new approaches. There is a $10 materials fee paid directly to the instructor.

Doreen Kassel

March 22 & 23, 2014
Workshop Price: $260/person
after January 1, 2014- $310/person
San Juan Island Grange in Friday Harbor
Lunch Included

Stories in Polymer Clay

Tile Stories (Day 1)

Tile stories are perfect canvases for quirky expression. Explore a fanciful narrative or create a design or image of your choice. We'll sculpt polymer in relief over ceramic tiles. Get lots of color and variation by manipulating the clay to be textural, etched, rippled, dimpled; the contrasts and effects are limitless. After the polymer is cured onto the tile we'll paint it using multiple coats of oil paints to achieve a subtle vintage look.

Whimsical Creatures & Beasts (Day 2)

Make a Mermaid, an Owl man, or any creature or beast your imagination can concoct. Using our bohemian brains we'll create creatures like no others! Sculpting polymer over glass with dowels or lollipop sticks for legs, offbeat and charming characters will emerge. They'll be finished with multiple coats of oil paints, using a special technique that gives the piece a soft painterly feeling.

Beryl Taylor

April 5 & 6, 2014
9:00 to 5:00
Workshop Price: $350/person
after Feb. 15, 2014 - $400\person
San Juan Island Grange in Friday Harbor
Lunch Included

The Lady Book

This is the ideal opportunity to use all those precious little bits and pieces thatyou have unearthed at flee markets and such, even old family heirlooms.

This is a small fabric book comprised of two pages which are then decorated with silk photo-transferred images, lace, beads, ribbons, rubber stamps, buttons andother favored embellishments.

Supplies Needed for Class:

The Student will provide the following :-

Assorted small pieces of vintage cotton-type fabric.

Ribbons.

Lace.

Rubber stamps.

Eyelets ( Small and large, large being just wide enough to thread ribbon

through ) and brads.

Beads and buttons.

DMC threads and needles.

Machine threads.

Sewing machine ( if you are coming with a friend, you could share ).

Glue ( "Aileene's" white glue ).

Pens, pencils, ruler, scissors, etc.

The Instructor will provide the following :-

Extra fabric.

Threads.

Water-color paper.

Acrylic paint.

Punches.

The Instructor will provide the following ( Continued ) :-

Flowers.

Felt.

Batting.

Silk photo-transfer images.

Dayle Deroshow

November 1 & 2, 2014
10:00 to 5:00
Workshop Price: $240/person
after Sept 15, 2014 - $290/person
Location TBD
Breakfast & Lunch Included

Timeless Treasures
- Exploring Polymer Clay

In this spirited hand-on workshop explore the versatile, exciting, and playful possibilities using polymer clay to create antique and twenty-first century wearable treasures and embellishments for your art. The clay can be carved, etched, printed on, painted, transferred onto, textured, and much more with stunning results. The only tools necessary are a few household items, your hands and your imagination.  We will cover a jambalaya of techniques including making imitative ivory and several ways to transfer images onto the clay.  The satisfying and surprisingly easy art of carving the clay and embossing, texturing and stamping designs into the clay will open up a world of ideas to incorporate into your work.  You will learn how to design sheets of clay that look like old ivory and beautiful fabrics- ikats, batik, tapestry, weavings and brocades.  Out of these “fabrics’ you will make buttons, beads, baubles, pendants, earrings and brooches. The mission of the workshop will be to brainstorm and support your designs and ideas.  Polymer clay techniques include working with metallic clays, patinas and paints and a cornucopia of other techniques. Our work will be inspired by the imagery and art work of ancient and far away cultures. Leave the workshop with fresh vision and boundless ideas!

Not sure which workshop to attend or do you know someone who might like to attend one of our workshops? Then why not give them a Gift Certificate?

Past Workshops

The Fine Print

We prefer PayPal, but also accept personal checks and money orders. Send to: Wild at Heart Studios, 518 Vine Street, Friday Harbor 98250

Cancellation Policy:  Cancellations must be received within fourteen days of workshops for a 75% refund