Tess Sinclair Studio Blog

CLASSES

2011-12-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

Beginning Collage

5 Thursday mornings

January 5-February 2

10am to 1pm

$175 + material fee $15

Do you like to make things? Do you love art? Do you think you don't know enough to start taking classes? This is the class for you!! In a supportive, fun environment, you will learn the basics of collage. You will learn about different glues, cutting instruments, brushes, papers, substrates (the surface on which you work), paper altering techniques and transfers. You will finish with a treasure chest of information and 2 finished pieces. You will leave your fear in the garbage pail in the studio as you walk confidently out the door!!!

Student Material List:

(The teacher will supply all the fun art materials)

Scissors

Exacto Knife and extra blades

Pencil

2 water containers

Several soft paintbrushes in different sizes

Wax paper

Encaustic Collage

Saturday January 28 10am – 4pm

$90 + $22 material fee

Join me for a relaxing day creating an Encaustic Collage, a restorative process using sweet smelling beeswax as the adhesive to adhere antique botanical prints and graphics to a canvas to create a beautiful piece worthy of hanging. In a supportive environment you will be provided with all the special materials necessary to complete a gorgeous piece.

Student Material List:

These materials can be purchased at the Artist's Edge.

Exacto knife and extra blades

Sharp Scissors

Self-healing Mat (if you have one)

Pencil or pen

One 3/4 –1 inch acrylic paintbrush

2 Water containers

Your favorite acrylic paints

Clean white plastic bag

Potluck item for lunch…think healthy!

1 or 2 pieces of your own artwork to share with the class during lunch, if you wish

(Rather than buying a lot of new materials and tools, you will be introduced to them in this class. Then you can purchase only those you really love.)

Teacher provides all botanical and other art sheets, beeswax, Thai silk, “secret ingredient” and use of all tools.

Student Material List:

Exacto knife and extra blades

Scissors

Self-healing Mat (if you have one)

Pencil or pen

One 3/4 –1 inch acrylic paintbrush

2 Water containers

Your favorite acrylic paints

Palette knife

Small hammer

Clean white plastic bag

2D Personal ephemera

Potluck item for lunch…think healthy!

1 or 2 pieces of your own artwork to share with the

class during lunch, if you wish

(Rather than buying a lot of new materials and tools, you will be introduced to them in this class. Then you can purchase only those you really love.)

Teacher provides all botanical and other art sheets, beeswax, Thai silk, “secret ingredient” and use of all tools, framing supplies, hardware and use of tools. $22 material fee payable to the teacher

Transfers

Saturday March 10 10:00am-4:00pm

$90 + $20 material fee

Transfers allow the moving of the ink from one surface onto another surface. Whatever the surface receiving the ink transfer will show through the transfer. Words and images can be transferred. You can make colored copy transfers. Transfers can be applied to papers, metal, fabric, even nonporous surfaces. We we even create replicas of antique tintypes. Transfer increase the depth and interest of your piece. In this comprehensive class you will create samples of each technique that can be attached to a description of the technique in a booklet written by the teacher.

Transfer Material List:

Pencil or pen

Scissors

Exacto knife

Ruler (metal if you have one)

1/2 to 3/4 inch acrylic paintbrushes

2 water containers

Favorite rubber stamp and ink (or use mine)

Self-healing cutting mat (only if you already have one)

Xryon machine (if you have one)

Old photographs you were going to throw out anyway, not digital

Potluck item for lunch…think healthy!

1 or 2 pieces of your own artwork to share with the class during lunch, if you wish

Tess will provide all the other fabulous materials!

$20 material fee payable to the teacher

Additional Workshop Offerings

in Bremerton

Please email Tess at hopilight@aol.com for

complete information and fees

Book with Drawers Saturday February 18 10 to 4

Pyramid Book Sunday February 26 10 to 4

Encaustic Collage Saturday March 24 10 to 4

Hiding in Plain Sight: Book with a Drawer

2011-12-27T07:24:00.000-08:00

New classes taught by Tess Sinclair at the Artists’ Edge 18723 Hwy 305 Poulsbo, WA 98370 (360) 779-2337

Class size is limited, so register early! By phone, on line at artistsedge.com or in the shop. For additional information please email Tess at hopilight@aol.com

Hiding in Plain Sight: Book with a Drawer

February 25 10am to 4pm

$90 Material Fee

In this exciting class you will transform a book into a work of art with a hidden treasure drawer. Armed with a few tricks and cool techniques, you will carve out spaces in the spine of an old book into which you will insert a tiny match box to create a drawer where you can hid wishes, prayers or tiny treasures. Using paints and glues and a few treats from the teacher, you will complete a piece worthy of display.

Student Material List:

You can get most of these supplies at the Artists Edge

(The teacher will supply all the fun art materials)

Scissors

Exacto Knife and extra blades or utility knife with sharp blades

Pencil

4-5 Large paper binders (the ones with black and silver metal)

Metal Ruler

2 water containers

Several soft paintbrushes in different sizes

Your favorite acrylic paints

An old book about 1 1/2 inches thick; you can get a free one from the library discard pile.

Wax paper

Self-healing mat

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2009-01-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

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Palo Alto Art Center Childrens' Fine Art

2008-09-09T12:59:00.001-07:00

Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 329-2366
www.enjoyonline.cityofpaloalto.org (click on"classes&activities) enter class #

Fine arts and design priniples can be learned while children have fun, increase their creativity, develop problem solving techniques, and create beautiful art that delights parent and child alike. Log on the above site for complete description and registration support. Hope to see you soon! Tess

A Fairyland Adventure in Sculpture
September 25 to November 20 (no class on October 9)
2:30 - 3:30

A Room of One's Own #58553
September 25 to November 20 (no class on October 9)
3:45 - 4:45

Wearable Art and Accessories #58624
September 25 to November 20 (no class on October 9)
5 - 6

Palo Alto Art Center Homeschool Classes

2008-09-09T12:22:00.000-07:00

Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650)329-2366
www.cityofpaloalto.org/enjoy (click on classes & activities and enter class number)

The Palo Alto Art Center Children's Fine Arts Program is special because:
Small class size means more individual time for each young artist
Professional artist teaches the classes
Provides a safe, nurturing and fun environment
Copliance with State Standards
....perhaps most important of all, the teacher really likes & enjoys kids

Please visit the above site for complete descriptions and registration support.

Sculpture/Mask Project #58715
September 22 to October 20 (no class 10/13)
12:15 - 2:15

Self Portraits # 58717
October 27 to November 17
12:15 - 2:15

RAFT

2008-09-08T16:40:00.000-07:00

RAFT
1355 Ridder Park Drive
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 451-1421
www.raft.net

Architectural Books
Saturday, September 13 9 - 1

Make reading more fun! Create 3-dimensional books that look like buildings, including pyramids and tents. You will learn about embellishing with drawers, lights and stands. Templates and lots of art supplies included!!

Guardian Dolls
Saturday, October 18 9 - 1

Guardian Dolls are traditional in a number of cultures around the world. Create a guardian that fits your personality. These dolls are created from "found" objects so bring items that have special meaning to you to combine with all the wonderful RAFT materials!

Pacific Art League Classes

2008-09-08T15:41:00.000-07:00

Pacific Art League
668 Ramona St..
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 321-3891
www.pacificartleague.org

Mixed Media and Art History
Classes start Thursday, September 25 930 - noon

We will take inspiration from famous and emerging artists and learn new techniques in each class. Students will learn to work with familiar materials in surprising ways to bring new life to their work. Students will become competent working with a variety of materials and will be given resource lists to facilitate acquisition of materials.

Session 1
Starting at the beginning. We’ll look Braque, Gris, Schwitters and Picasso’s work and do our own study on art paper using magazines, textured paper, sewing pattern paper and rice paper. Students will use a variety of glues to gain familiarity and to learn which works best with each paper. We will also learn a transfer technique. They will make art nametags in the first session.

Session 2 & 3
Fauvism and color. We will look at the work of Andre Derain, Raoul Dufy and Matisse then play with color to help us look at the world through refreshed eyes. A variety of coloring materials will be introduced such as watercolor, watercolor oil sticks, pencils and crayons, colored pencils and Sennelier oil sticks. Students will develop a color plan for the photograph or picture of their choice and will be encouraged to experiment with acrylics as well as different sources of color such as coated wire, balloons, fabric, gelatin capsules filled with chalk dust, rubber bands, dried plant material, small pieces of paper, etc.

Session 4 & 5
The Human Face. Grosz and Hausman will be our starting point. Students will learn substrate preparation on canvas board using acrylic paint and Vaseline. A brief overview of the properties of acrylics will be presented. Students will create their own “Dehumanized Man” or “Robot” or a face of their choice incorporating social commentary if desired.

Session 6 & 7
Tea Cups Oppenheim’s Breakfast in Fur or Eyeglasses by Jasper Johns and other artists, whose works were created primarily in the late 1990, will inspire students to work “outside the envelope” using common materials. Class will begin with students showing and discussing the pieces they have created to date.

Session 8 & 9
Shadow Boxes. After a brief exploration of the boxes of Delhaes, Sas Colb, Cornell, Carleen Jimenez and San Francisco artist Tom Marioni students will learn another substrate preparation and how to create faux metal patinas on cigar boxes. We will look at Raymond Saunders use of chalkboard paint and students will experiment with application. They will learn how to install shelves in the boxes. Students will then complete their own boxes using themes of nature shrine, mystery objects or one of their own choosing.

Session 10 &11
Putting it all together. Rauschenberg will be our starting point for a culmination of the techniques we have studied to date. Using metaphor themes for journey, journal or rebirth, each student will create a piece on canvas. A substrate preparation will be demonstrated as well as how to finish the canvas by creating a frame.

Session 12

Student show. Each student will present and discuss teacups/eyeglasses and boxes.

I will give a brief historical overview of the times of the art piece(s) we are reviewing as context is often important to fully appreciate a piece of art.

I will demonstrate techniques each class period and introduce new materials with which to work.

Materials: Optional: Class Fee:
Scissors Acrylic Paints $15 will cover costs
Brushes Watercolors for canvases, paint,
Pencil Old letters art paper, glues,
Ruler Old Maps ephemera, rice paper
Cigar box Old envelopes
Teacup or glasses Old photographs
Old sheet music
Magazine pictures Old stamps
Water containers Buttons
Exacto knife Needles and thread
Game pieces
Yarn & beads

Paper Altering
Saturday, October 18 9:30 – 3:30

Paper can be made to look like leather, rusted and precious metals, and every color of the rainbow! Learn techniques to use in collage, assemblage, and mixed media. Work with everyday materials, “secret formulas” and exciting products to make samples to attached to your very own Paper Altering Reference Book written by Tess. $20.00 material fee

Syllabus/Techniques Taught

Faux Pewter
Glass Beaded Paper
Acrylic with Baking Soda
Aging with alcohol
Faux Leather
Interference
Altering with Sandpaper
Masking Tape
Marbling with Nail Polish
Crystalline
Neocolor, 3 techniques
Aging Photographs
Watercolors
Scraffito
Shoe Polish
Walnut Ink
String Staining
Tea Staining
Textures

Tess will supply:
Resource list
All paper products
All glues
All tools, Working Samples of:
Burnt umber
Titan buff
Gold acrylic
Brush Cleaner
Neocolor
Pearlex
Epsom salt
Kosher salt
Alcohol
Interference paint
Walnut Ink
Colored Ink
Black water based ink
Muffler tape
Antique sewing pattern paper
Dictionary page
Sandpaper
Steel wool
Scrubby squares
Diamond Glaze
Glass Beads
Shoe polish: gold, cordovan, brown
Citrosolve
Garnet Gel
Chalkboard Paint
Magnetic Paint
Metallic Paint for paper rusting.
Shellac
Beeswax
Student Material List
Pencils/pen
Scissors
Exacto knife
Glue Stick
Old clothes
Wax Paper
2 water containers
2-3 Acrylic paintbrushes
Any Magazine
Old photos you want to throw out
Please bring lunch because our break will be 1/2 hour
Please bring any completed piece, or work in progress
to share with the class during lunch if you wish.

A Box for all Seasons
Saturday, November 1 9:30 - 3:30

You will get templates for every box you create in this exciting class. You will leave with a treasure trove of decorative boxes suitable for every season and occasion and the ability to create as many more as you wish. You will create your designs on your paper We’ll even emboss some. Material fee: $12

Gift boxes
Fun Bags
Traditional Box
Star Box
Straight-sided box
Curvy-Edged Box
Lidded Box
Gift Bag
One-piece gift Box
Locking Bag
Chocolate Box
Tiny Christmas Tree Box
Plua more!!!

Student Supply List:
Self-healing mat
Metal ruler
Scissors
Exacto knife and extra blades
Pencil
Eraser
Glue Stick (UHU is best)
Small box of paper clips
Art Papers you wish to use (or just use the ones Tess brings)
Rubber stamps and ink pads (or just use the ones Tess brings)
Bag Lunch

Palo Alto Adult Fall 2008 Classes

2008-09-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650)329-2366
www.cityofpaloalto.org/artcenter

ADULT CLASSES
Mixed Media #58390
with Tess Sinclair
Fall 2008

Class start Tuesday, September 16 10 to 1 and run for 10 weeks

Collections, Tree of Life, Weaving with Words, and Dark BoundariesÖ these projects are your invitation to join this cool class. You will be empowered by the techniques and products Tess demonstrates each week. You will love what you create in this dynamic class whether this is your 1st or your 50th class. Whether you work in 2D or 3D you will be delighted with where your heart leads you! A class field trip to Berkley and a student art sale round out 10 weeks of exploration, creativity, self-discovery and fun. Tess will collect a $20 material fee.

Collaborative Project: Calendar Girls

Week One:
Welcome, introduction and overview
Weaving and Writing and Wonderment!!
Working with watercolors, water-soluble oil pastels, and watercolor pencils on rich, cold press watercolor paper a beautiful splash of color and energy will be produced. While this dries, students will work with black art paper and gel pens. Tess will guide a free association writing exercise or artists may do their own thing. The word play and color splash pieces will be cut into strips and woven into a unified piece. The completed piece will be floated on art paper.

Week Two & Three:
Collections
We all collect things and now is the chance to gather these into a coherent piece of art worthy of display. Whether thimbles or theatre tickets, buttons or love letters, feathers or old bottles there is a multitude of options for housing things and youíll discover the one that is perfect for your personal treasures.

Week Four & Five:
Tree of Life
This beautiful image has different meaning for different people. Your tree image may be natural, spiritual, physical, metaphysical or something else. Follow your own vision and you will create a piece of special meaning and beauty.

Week Six & Seven:
Dark Boundaries
Boundaries can divide, separate, protect, limit. Fences separate property, neighbors; boundaries limit access to our secrets, ourselves, our country; whether dividing nations or protecting souls, boundaries are a fertile subject for artistic energy. Your exploration will lead you to your own interpretation and creative expression of boundaries.

Week Eight:
Finish Projects

Week Nine:
Berkeley Field Trip

Week Ten:
Art Opening and Party

Student Material List:
Teacher will provide acrylic paints, glues, gesso, art papers, magazines, ephemera and all special materials.

Self-healing mat
Scissors
Exacto and extra blades
Paint brushes 1/2-1 inch (1@ bristle bright, nylon flat, glue)
Water containers
Any art supplies you like
Personal Ephemera
Pen or pencil

ADULT WORKSHOPS

Mold Making and Resin Casting #58397
Saturday, November 8 10 to 4:30

Mold Making and Resin Casting

What do you love? Bees, angel wings, art deco artifacts, curious faces? The precious ephemera that you just can’t part with may be just perfect for mold making. Join me for a great day of creating our own collection of molds and resin castings. You will learn several techniques for creating molds. Resin is a clear, hard material that can be used to reproduce 3D objects or to seal objects within a bezel (a tiny cup). From the mundane to the finest jewelry making products, you will cast resins in a variety of casings. You can even use some of the molds you made yourself! You may use Tess’ objects or your own or both. You will love the interest a resin casting adds to your work and you will be delighted by how easy it is. You will receive a booklet written by Tess that explains all of the techniques you use in class and where to get all the materials. You don’t want to miss this class! Material fee $30

Student material list:
A box to carry home items that must dry over night
6 to 7 small objects suitable for making molds
(no bigger than 2” x 2”)
6 to 7 small items (no larger than 3/4 inch) to cast in resin
Pen or pencil
Exacto knife
Scissors
Small cutting mat if you have one
Bag lunch
Wear old clothes

Portable Muse #58398
Saturday, November 22 10-4:30

Portable Muse
Taking inspiration from one of the country’s foremost precious metal smiths, Bruce Metcalf, we will create a tiny shrine that can be worn as a necklace. An exterior with a rich patina and a resin bezel and an interior collage background will set the stage for your mini-shrine. With a few simple tricks you will create a mold and a casting of an object that compliments your collage background. You will learn how to attach a necklace with crimp beads. Gild your cast with gold or silver leaf and you will beguile all who see you! Material fee: $15

Student supply list:
“Altoid” box in any shape or size you like.
Self-healing mat (if you have one)
Scissors
Exacto knife with extra blades
Photo Images that will enhance the background collage
(think small)
Very small 3D image to replicate (one that is important to you)
or use one from the teacher..remember it must
fit inside the Altoid box
2 to 3 small (1/2 inch) soft acrylic paintbrushes
Small word or image (to fit into a 1/2 inch metal box)
Ephemera
Water container
Manual hand drill (only if you have one)
Wax paper
Lunch