Explorations of the
Wandering Mind
June 22-25, 2023
9am-4pm Thu-Sun
Andrea Matus deMeng
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Today begins a new art adventure as Denice and I are both taking a class called Explorations of the Wandering Mind led by our friend from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Andrea Matus deMeng. We drove from Milwaukee to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport to meet Andrea at 5:00 p.m. when her flight arrived.
Our trip to Mineral Point is about two and one-half hours but we made two stops. First, we had a family dinner at one of America’s roadside staples, Cracker Barrel. Then it was a stop for groceries at the Dodgeville Wal-Mart. We got to Mineral Point around 10:00 and got Andrea settled into her lodgings. Denice and I are staying in the Mineral Point Hotel on Commerce.
Mineral Point is still under construction but Commerce Street where the hotel is located is mostly done. High Street, the main drag, has now got curbs but still no road surface. However, the locals claim the construction is six weeks ahead of schedule so that is great news for the rest of the summer here.
Denice and I took off for Dubuque, Iowa, which is about a 40 minute ride from Mineral Point. Our pick for the day was the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium which we both found to be much bigger than we thought and very entertaining. The photos from this visit will be on a different blog post.
Tonight there is a class on leaf printing in the Lind so I am unable to work in there as planned. Instead, Denice and I both got on our computers and went our separate Internet ways.
Thursday, June 22, 2023
It was down to the Lind Pavilion to begin the class Explorations of the Wandering Mind. Here is the course description: “Not all who wander are lost.” Embodying this quote we will follow the threads of dreams, projections, and thoughts to create an inspired series of artworks. Guided by abstract concepts, forms, and high-impact design patterns we’ll transform our thoughts to their existence on our canvases incorporating mixed media techniques. With a strong emphasis on form, composition, and palette we’ll discuss how to make multiple artworks that connect in a series. I’ll walk you through the process of creating your own collagraph using unexpected and exciting materials. We’ll create geometric functional forms and I’ll share the tools and methodology I use to simplify the process that results in mesmerizing collage constructs. You’ll create rich layered backgrounds, mix colors, make transparent glazes, and add the perfect accents with an assortment of mixed media materials.”
The emphasis today was to make paper using the form of collagraphy, a printing process Andrea modified so that we could print without a press.
Friday, June 23, 2023
Today’s class was about building our central characters and developing our backgrounds for our substrates.
Saturday, June 24, 2023
Today’s class focused on getting our central image glued down on a painted backdrop.
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Class today is all about getting as far as you can, if not crossing the finish line. The day had a deadline: at 3:30 pm Andrea did a presentation and critique of each of our works.
Here are the photos from the critique.
Monday, June 26, 2023
We all hit the Shake Rag Alley office at 8:30 am to turn in
keys and say goodbye. Denice and I drove Andrea over to the O'Hare Airport in Chicago by 11:30 am. We got home at 1:00 pm, got the van unpacked and settled in to our next adventure.
When I finish my triptych I will create a blog that will walk through the process and show the final results.
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