Abstract Mixed Media on Synthetic Paper

Just over a week ago I returned home from Summer Brushes, a week long artist retreat held at Longerenong Agricultural College near Horsham in northern Victoria. My class, Abstract Mixed Media on Synthetic Paper was taken by Gaye Nieiwenhof. Gaye is an exceptional tutor and I knew that if I signed up her class it would great. I was not disappointed. This was a fantastic event, there is something really special when you have some one hundred and fifty participants living together on site and undertaking an intensive program spread across fifteen classes. The grounds around the buildings were beautifully landscaped and shaded by big trees.

Despite some initial misgivings about heading to Horsham in the middle of an  hot Australian summer I was so pleased with the event. Great accomodation and food, air conditioned rooms and a fantastic class. 

We spent the week experimenting with selection of the synthetic papers, watercolours, inks, pens, pastels, paints and any mark making materials that we had. This is a taste of some of the papers that I made, we were encouraged to experiment with many different techniques and materials and often times to try colours that we might not usually work with.

 

As is often the case I tend to turn my sample pieces into books. A simple concertina fold book is a perfect way to showcase the work

Sometimes I convert the papers into simple vessels

The evolution of a sheet of paper with layering

Layers can be added and removed. The sheet was then cut up and made into smaller pieces which were made into a book.