Mahon Atelier Open for Workshops

Rory Mahon is offering another round of his sculpture classes (except for the Bronze casting which won't be offered until Spring, 2009). (Click here for link to original blog posting with class descriptions.) For details and dates for the fall sessions, contact Rory directly at rory98@hotmail.com. All classes are starting next week (week of September 20), so don't put it off!

Print! Print! Print!

The Fall 2009 line-up of workshops from the Printmaking Council of NJ is now available on-line. The Council is the only open print-making studio in the state, and they've been offering programming for 35 years! Annelies van Dommelen (image above) is offering a variable relief monotype workshop, and Melissa Pepin is holding a "Bigger Print" workshop. Students working in mixed media, collagraph, dry point and/or monotype in Pepin's workshop will have the chance to experiment on the Council's new 36" x 60" Charles Brand Press.

While you're up there, check out their exhibition space. Coming up in their gallery is BELOW THE SURFACE: a cooperative Book Arts fxhibition between The Book Arts Roundtable and The Printmaking Council of NJ. October 10 through December 5, 2009. Anyone want to drive up?

NJ Printmaking Council

440 River Rd
Branchburg, NJ 08876
(Get Directions)
Email: director@printnj.org
Phone: (908) 725-2110

More learning opportunities

Another local artist offering private and group instruction (painting and drawing) is John Murdoch. If you managed to catch last season's "Favorite Things" exhibition in The Gallery at MCCC, you'll remember the luminous, gold-touched works that John showed.

Those of you who had been studying with him at his old studio at the Art Station in Hightstown, know he's relocated to Pennsylvania, but he still offers workshops in the Princeton area on a fairly regular basis. If you're looking to work with someone new, or if you're interested in exploring an atelier-like approach to some classical drawing and painting methods, you may want to check John out.

Contact him directly, and ask to be put on his email list. His new contact information is:

John Murdoch info@murdochart.com
267-221-6046
5113 Anderson Road, PO Box 348, Holicong, PA 18928

Papermaking in the Garden

Judy Tobie, another talented artist who works primarily with handmade paper, is offering one-day workshops this summer in her Mercer County, NJ garden studio. Workshops are available in Papermaking, Basic Bookbinding, and Paste Paper. And there’s a light vegetarian luncheon included in the cost! For additional information about taking these sessions, location and fees (fees are reduced if you take more than one workshop), please email Judy directly at tobiej3@yahoo.com.

PAPERMAKING WORKSHOPS For beginner to experienced participants. Learn basics of papermaking using a variety of materials including plant fibers from the garden, recycled paper, and cotton and abaca fibers. Learn how you can make paper at home, where to order supplies and get invaluable reference information and materials. You'll go home with a stack of beautiful papers.

Papermaking workshops run from 10.00am - 3.00pm

JUNE Saturday June 27th (rain date Sunday 28th)

JULY Saturday July 18th (rain date Sunday 19th)
Wednesday July 22nd (rain date Thursday 23rd)

AUGUST Saturday August 8th (rain date Sunday 9th)
Wednesday August 12th (rain date Thursday 13th)

SIMPLE BOOKBINDING WORKSHOP Learn how to bind a beautiful, but simple, book with paper, needle and thread. All materials to make a number of small books will be provided, but you can also use some of your own handmade papers. Simple fold books, concertina, pamphlet, and one sheet books will be introduced. You will use Japanese Stab binding, an elegant easily-stitched binding, with many variations. All materials supplied.

1 Session 10.00 am -12.30 pm
Saturday August 15th

PASTE PAPER WORKSHOP Paste paper process is the art of making decorative papers by brushing the paper with a mixture of paint and paste and then dragging various tools across the surface creating beautiful designs. It's very easy and lots of fun.

1 session 10.00 am -12.30 pm
Saturday August 29th

Playing with Fire (and Concrete!)

Sculptor Rory Mahon is offering opportunities for artists looking to expand their skills in casting, concrete, and working with aluminum and bronze. For a copy of the full descriptions of the classes (synopsized below), along with class cost and material fees, email Rory directly at rory98@hotmail.com.

In addition to being a gifted artist, Rory's a generous and dedicated teacher with more than 25 years experience. He worked for me down at ARTWORKS, and students regularly commented on his knowledge, great teaching style, and generosity. All classes will be offered at his foundry studio in Pennington, NJ.

Cement Casting into Sand: This casting method allows Artists to create molds by carving or pressing objects into moist Mason Sand and Clay. Students should finish 2 to 4 projects that can be put outside and lasts a very long time. Two, 5-week classes on Tuesday afternoons, 1pm to 4pm, AND Tuesday evenings, 6:30 to 9:30. Starting June 23rd. Maximum of 6 Students.

Direct Modeling in Cement with Armatures: This method offers Artists a way of building larger sculptural pieces that are hollow and relatively light weight. You will make and use a simple armature and learn the proper ways of mixing and applying cements and additives. Six week class on Wednesday evenings, 6:30 to 9:30. Starting June 24th. Maximum of 6 Students.

Aluminum Casting in Green Sand: An age-old technique of creating Sand Molds in the negative and pouring molten Aluminum. Learn the basic ‘Cope and Drag’ technique (Google it!) with a minimum of ‘Cheeks’ to start off with. Great for any Artist who is thinking of starting his or her own backyard foundry. Two, 5-week classes on Thursday afternoons, 1pm to 4pm, AND Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 9:30. Starting June 25th. Maximum of 6 Students.

Bronze Casting with No-Bake Sand Molds: Learn the basics of making these kinds of molds, and see how you can, in time, push the limits to cast anything you want. This is an intermediate class for people who have a grasp on some Moldmaking techniques. Slightly higher materials fee. Six week class on Saturday afternoons, 12pm to 3pm. Starting June 27. Maximum of 6 Students.