We have all been through the last two years....what more can one say? I didn't blog much because it may have not even made sense. Nothing made sense.
I am an introvert and I did discover that I had been doing way too much running, doing, and ignoring....with the down time and isolation I was able to sit with self. Discovering I was typically never home; being home physically and mentally 24/7 was wonderful. There were so many things to do at home, some neglected organization, letter writing, cleaning, gardening, and some time to take some online classes.
I was thankful that many of the artists I had wanted to see in person for workshops began offering online classes, reasonably priced at that. I was overjoyed to take several courses and learn so many new techniques and wonderful fellow artists.
I went back into the classroom and have been working full time with a few accommodations which kept so many of us healthy. I am fortunate to be in a school setting that values its teachers. For that I am blessed. I didn't say it hasn't been a struggle, because it has. I do feel for the students and empathize with how there world has changed. It is truly different and much patience and empathy is needed to guide them in a positive direction. We are on break now and I know they are glad.
I have begun going back out onto the world to teach again as well! My latest venture was in Asheville at 310 Art where I taught a Wabi-Sabi Bookmaking workshop. It was a wonderful class and it was great to actually meet new artists and to create in-person! That said, I wanted to list my upcoming classes and workshops here in case you are up for creating in person too!
Location: The Studio School, Roanoke, VA
Teen and Adult Classes Offered
Upper Level Towers Mall
Adult Classes:
Printmaking- Geli Print with Gina Louthian-Stanley 2 classes Mondays , October 17th and 21st, 2022 5:30PM-7:30PM Come learn the basics of Geli Printmaking! Enjoy demos, use the Elements and Principles of Art to create prints, and explore making your own inspiring, colorfully designed monoprints, patterned papers, and more using the various paper samples and classroom tools. Gina will show several Geli Printing techniques and discuss how to use the completed papers as a standalone print or decorative collage paper. Gina will have card stock, printmaking, and deli paper, cards and envelopes, 5" x 7" Geli plates and brayers to borrow during the class.Bring your stamps, stencils, etc. for creating images, acrylic paints, extra papers, and your imagination. All levels welcome! *Email Gina with questions and to confirm registration. Lougael@cox.net
Mixed Media Collage 'Wabi-Sabi' Landscapes with Gina Louthian-Stanley 1 Saturday, November 5th, 2022 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM This is a great way to create enchanting, mystical mixed media pieces! The Wabi-Sabi aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete". Embrace the flow of something beautiful during the class and learn a new way to approach surface design. We will also do a few image transfers. Excellent class for beginners or learn a new way to break that creative funk! Collage papers, permanent pens, various inks and will be available as well as six 5” x 5” sheets of watercolor paper. You’ll need to bring a few sheets of 140lb watercolor paper (if you want to create more pieces), scissors, and one small-medium sized bottle of Liquatex or Golden, gel medium matt and four to six 1/2 inch foam brushes. (It’s suggested that you also bring acrylics, natural fiber decorative papers, vintage papers, ephemera, patterned paper, handwritten paper, laser copies of a few small images... your choice! You can never have enough paper!) A lunch break will be included. *Email Gina with questions and to confirm registration. Lougael@cox.net
Teen Classes:
Basic Drawing for Teens-Gina Louthian-Stanley
4 Mondays, November 14th, 21st, December 5th, 12th, 2022 5:30-7PM
(Teens 13 and up)
In this 4-week class, we will explore exercises and very basic fundamentals and techniques of drawing, encouraging us how to ‘see’. We will begin with contour and gesture drawings, value studies, form, negative and positive space, and perspective (if time allows). Some time outside of class will be needed.
Students will need to bring an 11” x 14” drawing sketchbook. The Canson or Strathmore 300 to 400 series is preferred, a set of drawing pencils (H, B, 2B, 4B, 2H, 4H), a white hard rubber or kneaded eraser, paper stumps (tortillions), a ruler, and a pencil sharpener that holds shavings. Gina will supply other items as needed and a folio of notes.
*Email Gina with questions and to confirm registration. Lougael@cox.net Needs 4 to make, limit 10.
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Location: Art On First at 300 First Street, SW, Roanoke, Va.
Inquire: email Gina lougael@cox.net
Cold Wax Alchemy and Open Studio Workshop
2 days, Contact Gina to get on the class list.
Explore the endless possibilities of painting with cold wax and oil! Take an intuitive approach into the many uses of luminous cold wax with oil paint, pastel, mark-making tools, brushes, scrapers and more. Composition, color and contrast will be addressed, along with an exploration of visual elements such as line, shape, pattern, texture, form and depth. We will create original pieces and explore effects possible with the oil and cold wax medium by using it as a surface treatment to create completed paintings, collages (including copied photos), and incorporate mixed media by adding oil and cold wax with various ‘found’ tools. All skill levels would benefit from this class, especially beginners. For previous cold wax participants, Gina will offer critiques, and be there to assist in developing your visual journey. *Bring your oil paints, Arches oil paper, Multimedia board, or recommended 8” x 8” birch boards, gesso boards, or clayboard panels, an old used gift card, palette paper, wax paper, paper towels, blue painters tape, Wet Ones, and a 12” palette knife or icing spreader. Gina will bring tools to share and furnish one
4 oz.jar of cold wax. There is a materials list with other items that will enhance your experience. Lunch breaks included. (Needs 4 to make)
All levels welcome! Contact Gina at lougael@cox.net for questions.
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Location: 310 Art Gallery, Asheville, N.C.
TBA:
Inquire:
https://310art.com/2020-workshops-in-fine-art-for-adults
Soul Totem and Shield Making: Taking Encaustic 3D - July 6 and 7th, 2022 (10AM to 4PM ET Pricing includes materials, tools and equipment. Beginners welcome. And if you have prior experience with Encaustic you can enhance your skills and go to a new level with your work!. Gina will cover safety and basics of Encaustics as needed. for all participants.A totem is considered something (such as an animal or plant) that is the symbol for a family, tribe, etc., especially among Native Americans or a carved or painted form, or a person or thing that represents an idea.In this workshop we will dive right in exploring the sculptural possibilities of plaster cloth, wax and encaustic making a totem and shield which best represents your personal idea or creative desire. Rigid and absorbent when dry, plaster cloth makes a wonderful support for dimensional encaustic work. Once the form is created, we will apply Encaustic medium and fuse it to the sculptural composition using a variety of techniques. In the class, we will have a 12” disc and 12” rectangular shape to use as a base for the plaster cloth. As the structures near completion, you will learn how to add found or small personal objects into the sculptures to create your ‘totem’ and discuss ways to finish and display your totem. As we create, we will contemplate our forms and their meanings to us personally - you can even to go abstract. Gina will bring the two forms, plaster cloth, decorative papers, Encaustic Medium and pigments, oil sticks, oil pastels, and tools.
Optional - Bring your own decorative papers, ephemera, small nails, thin fabrics, found objects, dried organic matter such as seed pods small twigs and leaves, buttons, etc. Bring paper towels, Wet Ones, and Scissors.
Wabi-Sabi Mixed Media and Collage Books
Wabi-Sabi Mixed Media Accordion and Bound Books with Gina Louthian-Stanley 2023
10-4 pm March 28 and March 29, 2023 (tentative)
This is a great way to create enchanting, mystical mixed media works and fold and bind them into small books or journals!
The Wabi-Sabi aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete”.
Learn a new way to approach mixed media collage! We will also learn three ways to create image transfers.
Each participant will have access to sponge brushes, a variety of patterned, and fibrous papers, and two large base sheets of watercolor paper
to collage onto, gel medium, permanent waterproof pens, various inks, acrylics, and stains will be shared with the class.
The bookbinding materials will also be provided.
The first day, we will make pages and covers, the second day you will make one bound book and one accordion book.
Please bring scissors, paper towels, and wet ones. If you have these on hand: vintage papers, ephemera, feathers, beads, charms, handwritten paper, laser copies with small images
(3” or less to fit the base papers) You can never have enough paper!
