Cheerful and Colorful Paintings

Cheerful and Colorful Paintings in Oil, Acrylic, Mixed Media and Collage
nancystandlee@sbcglobal.net

Monday, May 25, 2009

Gerald Brommer Workshop ~ Week One ~ Collage


Collage Figure
7" x 11"
Gerald Brommer has presented 2 weeks of workshops at the Artists' Showplace Gallery. I enjoyed the first week so much, Stained Papers and Collage, when an opportunity to take the second week came, Designing with Watercolor or Acrylics and Collage, I jumped at the chance. The above figure was not one of the assignments but by the end of the week I did a figure when we were on our own.
For the first few days we were working with pure collage with our stained watercolor washi papers and later we began adding more paint. We were cautioned against turning these into paintings but let some of the collage show.
We could add anything that would stick to the support, 300 pound watercolor paper, with acrylic mat medium.
Jerry said, "Don't talk to a collage artist about archival. Who cares if it lasts forever and if it starts to fall apart?
Good. It will make it more interesting. Kurt Schwitters (20th century master of collage) used wine labels and newsprint."
We purchased a packet of 20 various
washi papers about letter size and one of the samples had fragments of the Bangkok Daily News in it (certainly not archival). How wonderful and freeing is that. He also stated, "Paint to please yourselves and hope that others like it" and "Don't over think this. There are no mistakes with collage - just add another piece of paper until it gets so heavy you can't lift it."
Radial Design
11" x 11"
Radiating from a central core. One of about 12 designs we studied. I supplemented some of the painted washi papers with some acrylic painted pieces from the Anne Bagby workshop and from the Carrie Burns Brown workshop.
Jerry Brommer
Collage artist, story teller (the Hittite story was memorable) author of books, books, books, 35 plus art books and some are used in high schools and colleges, educator, juror and scholar and a very enthusiastic master of watercolor and collage painting methods. I guess it would be correct to say he wrote the book on it. Check back later for future posts on the workshop. There is great hope in collage that when your children put you in the "home" and you're not allowed to have scissors you can still enjoy collage, just tearing up and gluing it down again.

6 comments:

Myrna Wacknov said...

Nancy, I am so jealous of these fabulous masters you are working with. Gerald Brommer, Carrie Burns Brown and Ann Bagby!!!! You should be about ready to start teaching yourself. I love how you encorporate the lessons but come up with your own style in your work.

Nancy Standlee said...

Hi, Myrna After Jerry would mention one of his books, there would be a scramble on who could find it first online used. Congrats on finding Transparent Watercolor in a used book store. I saw one on Amazon for $180. I did most of the class projects but I had to put one of my adaptations on first. I really enjoy the process and loved watching him work.

Connie Michael said...

This sounds like a great workshop, Nancy. Collage = freedom.

Myrna's now mentioned it, too ... I wish you'd talk to JT about teaching a journaling class. You'd be great!

Peggy Montano & Paintings said...

Wonderful creations. I have enjoyed doing collage a lot in my painting experiences and love doing it.
I have saved articles by and about Gerald Brommer.

Nancy Standlee said...

Connie, I appreciate your confidence and I do love to journal.

Thanks, Peggy. I have a new respect for watercolor and collage after the workshop. There is a new article that Jerry has written in the June American Artist.

HeartFire said...

What a fun class that must have been! I have one of his books and have watched a video... love the collage methods.