Strataliscious, Baby!!! A mixed media class with Mary Beth Shaw
May 4-5, 2024
2KatStudios, Prescott, AZ
Rocks and soil provide the foundation beneath our feet…..layer upon layer…..the geological strata of our earth. Join me in the creation of Claybord works of art that replicate a ‘cut away’ look at the land.
• We will study the ins and outs of Claybord itself, a unique surface that allows the artist to both carve into and layer upon the substrate. The surface is quite forgiving and I will teach you how to enjoy its correctible features.
• We will be inspired by nature and the surrounding landscape in a journey of mark making to develop collage components.
• We will explore an earthy palette and mix neutrals to increase highlights and shadows within our work.
• We will try several different texture products to mimic a variety of rock structures we see around us. Each texture will offer differences that we explore to its best advantage.
Expect to complete a couple pieces during this two day action packed class.
We meet from 9:30am to 4:30pm each day.
Supplies
Several Ampersand Claybord substrates - they are sold as flat pieces (1/8” depth) or cradled bords. I would suggest you buy the flat sizes*. Ampersand sells a package of 3-6x8s that would be nice, or a few 8x10s. If you want to go larger, that is ok, but I would keep it under 11x14 to be mindful of shared table space. Ampersand is the only company who makes Claybord with the qualities I will be teaching, so please be sure you purchase their Claybord product, which is sold in tons of art stores.
Claybord is a special surface manufactured by Ampersand that is similar to a scratchboard except that it is white. It feels like a wood surface with a very smooth coating on top, which is the clay. It comes ready-made, so we don't do anything except work on top of it. The Claybord surface is quite versatile from an artist's standpoint due to its forgiving qualities:
Any media may be used on a claybord surface, w/c, acrylic, oil, encaustic, etc.
The surface is porous and will accept layers of inks, both alcohol and acrylic
The surface can be built up with texture products
The surface can be erased/cleaned back to white
The artist can literally carve INTO the surface with scratching and engraving tools
Due to its unique flexibility, Claybord has become one of my favorite surfaces for painting and collage. If you want to read more about it, click here.
I will show you how to make an inexpensive Cradle to add to your completed piece.
Other supplies to bring:
Offset palette knife which will allow you to spread texture.
Small soft rubber brayer.
Stencils and/or rubber stamps you might want to use for creating texture.
Dense re-usable sponge to use with paint and stencils.
A couple brushes for painting, inexpensive chip brushes are ok. I will have some detail brushes you can borrow if necessary. A junk brush (to use with alcohol ink) is optional.
Bring your art journal if you want. I work on mine during drying time.
Disposable gloves for when we work with alcohol ink.
Apron to protect your clothes
Water container & Palette
Baby Wipes or rag
Two small spray bottles (one for water, one for alcohol). These can be Mini Mister size.
A couple of black tools to use for mark making (could be a regular graphite, a fat black crayon, a wide Sharpie or whatever you have on hand). Ideally, a variety of line widths.
If you have any paint colors you know that you *for sure* want to use, bring them. Although I typically use earthy colors, I welcome any array of color, strata can always be ‘imagined’ colors and I encourage you to use what resonates with YOU.
I will bring quite a few shared products such as the texture products, stencils and Golden Fluid Acrylic paints along with Alcohol and Alcohol Ink. I will also bring carving tools to use with the Claybord and papers & glues to use for collage.
Supply fee is $20, payable to me at the start of class.
Your Instructor
Mary Beth Shaw worked in the insurance industry for 18 years before she quit her job in 2000 to re-ignite a childhood love of art. Her creative process is a dance between spontaneity and intent; she welcomes mistakes because they so often provide a delightful detour into new territory. Mary Beth is an educator for Golden Artist Colors and Silver Brush, LTD. She is the founder of StencilGirl® Products, LLC and StencilGirl Studio.
Places to stay: Just look for hotels or Airbnbs in Prescott, AZ, and you will have lots of options. Email me for the exact address!
Cancellations and Refunds:
If you need to cancel your registration for any reason, please let Kat know as soon as possible by sending her an email to kat4clay@gmail.com. The workshop fee is non-refundable; however, if we have a wait list and can fill your space, or if you know someone who could take your place, you will receive a refund minus a $50.00 admin fee.
If the retreat has to be cancelled for reasons outside of our control, you will receive a full refund.
2KatStudios is not responsible for your expenses incurred in preparation for any cancelled retreat, such as airline tickets, loss of work, and/or other costs associated with preparing for your trip. For this reason, I highly recommend travel cancellation insurance.
I use Allianz: