Alteration, Changes and Transformations
An exploration in differing techniques (including transfers) in an altered book. A transformative journey of discovery through mixing media and pushing boundaries.

Art-Writing (aka calligraphy) for the Calligraphically-Challenged
Work on developing and designing a personal “hand” (the starting point is Italic-like) to personalize and write in all those journals, pamphlets and books you have made throughout the years that are still “blank.”

Dream Collage
In the manner and style of the Surrealists (Magritte, Dali, Kahlo, Rousseau), create your collage painting of a dream (that you already had), fantasy, or a dream you want to have! We will use magazine cut-outs, tissue paper, drawn or cut out images to construct this piece. Skills: gluing, cutting, tearing. Concepts covered: building a composition, glue and image manipulation and layering.

Fun With Tie-Dye Paper
This is not a “60s invention”, but a time honored classic Asian method of decorating paper. The Japanese have covered books, made wrapping paper, bags and even lamps from their projects. We will create a variety of dyed papers using several methods, and time permitting, will create a collage card or a simple pamphlet using our new treasures.

God/Goddess Shrine: Exploring Your Personal Archetype
Participants are exposed to archetype theory (pre-workshop exercise is to create a “design file” of images and colors of various samples from magazine cutouts. These images form the basis of the work). On the wood base, participants will construct a foam core “architectural” structure. This is then decorated, or collaged, or painted, in a variety of ways. It’s not only an artistic journey, but a metaphysical one, as each participant will discover an archetypal aspect of himself/herself to honor in this shrine. This workshop combines many skills: from learning how to construct from foam core (building up surfaces, creating shelves, niches; collage work and inner metaphysical work as each person consciously explores him/herself.

Introduction to Gel Transfer
This is my favorite way of getting images quickly into a “collage painting”. Not only do you get the benefit of the use of a variety of images, but the added benefit of “translucency.” This always makes for greater illusion of depth. Subject matter is open, but we can structure this around a number of themes: “my house”, a self-portrait, an experience, or an interpretation of a master work.

The Joy of Pointed Pen
Nadia mixes Spencerian, copperplate, Italic and Roman capitals into a mix of “modern writing.” Demystify and explore the wonderful world of the flexible pen. Rules are optional; good taste and proportion prevail!

Medieval Manuscript Illumination
This workshop concentrates on teaching techniques of gouache painting in the style of those beautiful manuscript illustrations of the 12th-16th centuries. Work through 4 styles: borders, vine decorations, a smidge of Celtic knotting and then a full-blown illustrated initial (with emphasis on the illustration). Not to worry about drawing skills, we will be working from tracings and existing images. (Small gilding project if participants are ready and willing.) More of a painting class than a calligraphy class.

Mixing It Up: A Mixed Media Gel Transfer Journey
This is Nadia’s classic workshop using dry and water media with collage techniques, collage and assemblage ideas (2 and 3D). Image transfer techniques are shown: solvent and acrylic.

Rapture vs. Rupture
What is rapture? (having all your ideas coming together in a wonderful mix without effort.) What is rupture? (Ouch!) How to avoid that “stuck-on, scattered” feeling in collage – pasting as “cover-up”-Oh, banish this element from your design vocabulary! This workshop is about creating seamless collage--disparate elements living together harmoniously no matter how distant their origins. We will concentrate on EDGES and what they do (or don’t do).

Revealing the Art God/Goddess Within (or “How to be your own muse”)
An esoteric art journey facilitated by Nadia. Exercises in writing, journaling, symbolism, painting, removing blocks, and more transformational kinds of “stuff.” When done, you will have a handmade book of techniques and examples of a very personal nature. A very different kind of workshop-are you game?