September 08, 2014

Printmaking Fun with Artist Colette Lisoway!

Over the August long weekend, ArtStarts was very excited to present a unique printmaking workshop with community artist Colette Lisoway.

To get creative ideas flowing, Colette introduced the workshop''s theme: Celebrating Seasonal Birds. Participants learned that some migratory birds can fly up to 600 miles a day, and that there are more than 9,000 different kinds of birds in the world. Participants also learned that the Black Capped Chickadee was voted Vancouver's number 1 bird!

Sharing her enthusiasm for nature, Colette encouraged each person to think about a bird's habitat, food and the seasons in which we can spot birds such as the chickadee, snow goose, sandpiper and hummingbird. These birds provided an endless source of inspiration for some hands-on printmaking!

Art lovers of all ages were ready to start mixing and matching shapes and stamps, and pairing them with different bird names and coloured fabrics corresponding to the seasons. Choosing thin pieces of foam, participants etched their own designs and were ready to select a coloured piece of cloth to creating their own exciting works of art!

Applying their choice of paint to the foam, they carefully rolled out the cloth on top using a brayer—a tool used in printmaking to spread ink—and in the process they revealed some gorgeous prints on fabric!

Continuing this process, participants also tried some block printing and applied layers upon layers of imprints using beautiful linocut blocks. Next, participants were ready to explore another exciting technique: screenprinting. Explaining screenprinting techniques and materials, Colette assisted participants with screenprinting a bird of their choice to add the finishing touches on their playful designs.

Colette's introduction to printmaking was beautifully framed by seasonal birds — highlighting their uniqueness and endless inspiration. Big thanks to Colette for sharing her printmaking talents!

Here's what some participants had to say about the workshop:

"Expert advice and well organized stations made this experience a treat for all three of us. We can now do this at home, for the rest of our lives. FANTASTIC!"

"We really liked the workshop. Our kids always learn new things coming to your workshops. Thank you very much."

"Another indredible class! For kids and adults!"

"Such good information for creative learning."

Check out lots more photos on Facebook from ArtStarts on Saturdays and from ArtStarts at River Market.

We hope to see you at our next workshops with inventive musicians Dumpsta Dragons. Join us at ArtStarts on Saturdays in Vancouver on Saturday, September 27 and at ArtStarts at River Market in New Westminster on Sunday, September 28.

While at the ArtStarts Gallery, also be sure to check out the current exhibitions of young people''s artwork: Timescapes: Local Connections and Natural Indicators of Time and This is Our Arctic. Saturday, September 27 will be the last day these exhibitions are open!

Thanks to Boeing for their generous support of the ArtStarts on Saturdays series.

Thanks to Westminster Savings and River Market for their generous support of the ArtStarts at River Market series.

Social Sharing