Workshop: Speaking to the Eyes: Writing as Image
Instructor: Suzanne Moore
This is a multi-session on-line workshop (9 sessions)
Schedule
Presentation session #1: Saturday, March 4, 10 am-noon, Pacific
Discussion #1: Wednesday, March 8, 5:30-7:30pm, Pacific
Presentation session #2: Sunday, March 12, 10am-noon, Pacific
Discussion #2: Wednesday, March 15, 5:30-7:30pm, Pacific
Presentation session #3: Saturday, March 18, 10am-noon, Pacific
Discussion #3: Wednesday, March 22, 5:30-7:30pm, Pacific
Note break with Presentation sessions the weekend of March 25/26
Discussion #4: Wednesday, Mar 29, 5:30-7:30pm, Pacific
Show and Share session #4, part 1: Sunday, April 2, 10am-noon, Pacific
Show and Share session #4, part 2:
Wednesday, April 5, 5:30-7:30pm, Pacific
Space is limited to 18 participants
Registration is required
All skill levels welcome
PSBA member fee: $225
Registration opens January 6, 2023
Non-member fee: $260
Registration opens January 15, 2023
Tuition assistance is available—see below for more information on how to apply on formstack.
"Whence did the wond-rous mystic art arise,
Of painting speech and speaking to the eyes?
That we by tracing magic lines are taught
How to embody and to colour thought?"
William Massey, from The Progress and Origin of Letters, First published before 1763
This 18th Century passage inspires an array of letter-based visions - legible and abstract. The possibilities of rendering verbal content as an image, in black and white or color, is underused and potentially powerful. In this class, you will use your handwriting as the vehicle for our journey to colorful and spirited expression of a word or phrase of your choosing.
Whether you love your handwriting or not, it is as unique to you as your DNA. Through a series of guided exercises and explorations, you will discover methods and techniques, based on handwriting (or your day-to-day "printing") to create expressive new work. Experimentation with color media will offer both subtle and dramatic options for your finished work - coloring thought. This exploration has the potential and was designed a inspiration for book artists, painters, printers/printmakers, and lettering artists, as a jumping off place to explore word-based image-making for book design, binding design, titling, painting and contemporary “illumination”, or in stand alone pieces in any medium.
This 9-session online class will consist of live Zoom sessions (recorded) offering demonstration and assignments. You may join the Zoom sessions, or play the Zoom recordings at your convenience, working as much as you wish between classes. Written content, PDF documents, and images will support each session. Assignments are open to broad interpretation, and all are encouraged to join the 4 live Zoom "Discussion" sessions, to ask questions and exchange ideas.
In this course you will:
- · Develop and morph your handwriting (or "hand-printing") to create a unique “voice” with which to render words as imagery.
- · Explore the concept of handwritten words becoming imagery for an array of creative work: painting, drawing, letterpress and various print techniques, for use in 2D and book work.
- · Experiment with various mark-making tools and color options.
- · Create a single work, or a series, applying the writing and color applications as needed.
Plan to work between classes, as much as your schedule allows. There is no right or wrong - just “make” and see where work takes you. Posting selectively is encouraged, and the online discussion gives Suzanne and students a chance to see and comment on the work. The final session will be a live 2-hour show-and-share session, which will also be recorded, if you cannot make the event. Each student will have time to speak to the class “live”, about a piece of work.
For suggested tools and materials for the workshop,
contact Debbi Commodore
Tuition Assistance is available for this workshop. If you would like to learn more or would like to apply, please click this link. Important—if you are applying for the tuition assistance, please DO NOT complete the workshop registration.
Questions? Contact Debbi Commodore at commodoredr@icloud.com