|
THE WORKSHOPS
Intensive Painting Master Class - Hugh O'Donnell
In this workshop with Hugh O'Donnell participants are invited to work on individualized projects or areas of study. It is possible to work non-referentially, referentially, or directly from the landscape.
Support is given to defining, clarifying, and amplifying individual objectives, and in originating practical methods for achieving those objectives. The workshop program accommodates a wide range of approaches for both representational and abstract language.
Individuals who have specific projects or areas of study in mind should send in a brief statement describing their anticipated focus. For those who wish to experience a less defined week Hugh O'Donnell will assist you in determining your goals. Hugh O'Donnell will speak individually to attendees prior to commencement of the workshops.
Adobe Photoshop for Artists - Hugh O'Donnell
This is a three-day beginners through intermediate Adobe Photoshop workshop for artists. Participants will work on either a PC or Mac computer. In the workshop you will be introduced to Adobe Photoshop and how it can be used as a studio tool to prepare and examine artwork. You will learn how to use the software to sketch, create presentations, archive, print, and create images for publishing to the web. The workshop covers everything from scanning to the basic printing of images, simple color correction to complex photo retouching and manipulation. You will learn to create images for particular output; work with layers, masks, special filters, and collage. You will discover the many possibilities of virtual image building inherent in working with digital imagery. Participants are invited to bring digital images of their own artwork on disk, as well as printed images they can scan into the computer..
Critique Group - Hugh O'Donnell
The Critique Group is designed for artists who would like ongoing support in meeting artistic goals. In a climate of openess the program concentrates on exploring ways to find each participants path in painting, reinforcing that which is working so that individual growth is stimulated and sustained.
There is one program a year which starts in the Fall and continues through to the Spring of the following year. The group meets for five one-day sessions, about four - six weeks apart. There is a make-up class for those who have to miss a session.
While the program is conducted by Hugh O'Donnell the forum creates a powerful dynamic that allows the participants to interact and support each other, both inside and outside the classroom.
Introduction
Everyone participating in the critique program has artistic issues in common and some that are unique to each individual. The sessions will address both. In this forum we will look at methods and techniques of painting and how our individual practice of them can be developed and enhanced. In general the critiques will take three main areas of artistic practice into consideration.
Conceptual
We will look at the thinking behind the work, how one formulates personal content and establishes a critical review of ones own painting, and how one makes contemporary and historical comparisons with other works of art.
Perceptual
The observational quality of ones objective study from life: how does one perceive the visual world and how much freedom do we have in the way we use subject matter? How successful are we in communicating? How do we establish criteria of quality? We will look at questions of color, light, composition and the ways we can focus on, and bring emphasis to, the things that matter most to us.
Methodological
The methods we use to paint, how to best adapt a particular material to fit our needs. In addition to looking at the use of painting materials we will discuss how to create a good working practice: how to set long and short term goals, how to set standards that make it possible to reach those goals. We will also look at issues that impact on the communication and distribution of work. Studio Practice and Executive Practice are two sides of one coin. We will look at how the artist moves between private and public life and how organizational skills can be used in both areas.
Assignments
The Critique Program places a special emphasis on setting assignment goals and sharing achievements and difficulties. Most people have a busy life and it is essential to set particular targets to keep ones practice on track. The assignments will be two-fold. The first part is practical and the second part is conceptual.
The practical side involves making work while the conceptual side is about seeing art and developing a critical dialogue so that one can put ones own practice in perspective.
Growing Things Workshop - Hugh O'Donnell
This one, two or three day workshop is a complement to Hugh O'Donnell's The Body Echo Project which is a series of monumental works on paper that explore growth and regeneration. The workshop has been conducted across the country with participants 7-80 years old, from company presidents who have never made art to school children, graduate MFA students, art teachers and art professionals.
In the Growing Things Workshop participants are given fruit and vegetables and asked to take a closer look at that which is usually taken for granted, the dynamic structure and design at the heart of things. Students are then asked to see this structure as a nexus of pattern and are guided in the making of schematic drawings that isolate a procedure, not for representing but rather for regenerating and embodying an operating principal that they have seen in their subject. Participants then work from their schematics to make medium and large artworks. The final works produced become free-form expressions that playfully describe a participants own individual correspondence with the fruit.
Some Growing Things Workshops include a materials fee.
An art store is available on the premises. Most items are highly discounted so that we can introduce students to quality materials at an affordable price. Call if you have special art supply requests.
Choose an option from the above [MENU] to find out more about the workshop program schedule, fees, enrollment, accommodation, the on-site art store and how to contact us. | 
