Encaustic and Abstraction : Workshop with Joanna Kidney

Gather, experiment, delve and unfold. In this workshop, students will expand their approach to abstraction and deepen their conversation with this magical paint medium. Over the week, there will be demos, presentations, plentiful painting time and one to one support. We will look outward and inward through tuning in to the senses and the body; experimental exercises; drawing; reflection and writing. Field trips to soak up the extraordinary North Mayo coast and landscape- it's light, history, archeology and folklore- to feedback into the work. There will be a focus on building paintings with optical depth and luminosity through layering, translucency, opacity and subtraction. Exercises and prompts will lead to a more experimental, playful and intuitive use of techniques and tools for adding/subtracting/manipulating layers. Colour exploration, composition and resolving a painting will be emphasized. We will also cover the elements and principles of art; working with precision, control and smooth surfaces and compatible media (including R&F pigment sticks, Pan Pastel, Caran D'ache Neo pastels; Saral and foil transfer papers). Also part of the experience are the communal meals, group discussions and studio visits to Ballinglen Fellows in Residence. All this in the welcoming, professional Ballinglen Arts Foundation environment. The course caters for a mixed level of experience through plenty of one to one attention. However, experience with the medium is necessary. Please email Joanna directly if you have any questions about this or the class in general: joanna@joannakidney.com