Five-day courses, 6-10 May 2024

Participants in our five-day workshops say how glad they were to have been part of a solid and thorough block of creative input - five days can cement a current creative practice, or give a deep insight into beginning one.

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701. Still Life painting: A feast for the eye / MAY 6-10

Tutor: charlotte thodey /  Fee: $550 + $20 materials

Workshop to be held in: Warkworth
Maximum number in class: 12
Level: All levels

In this workshop you will embark on a practical search for solutions in the still life genre, with an emphasis on composition, tone and colour. You’ll explore your individual style, ranging from a loose, open brush to finely detailed work; you’ll learn how to clear your mind and how to make big decisions about small things!

The course emphasis will be on the close-up observation of nature and light, the basics of drawing and the arranging of the objects on the canvas, the composition. You’ll learn how to set out out the painting according to the tonal values, then proceed to the careful building up and layering of colour to capture the light, revealing the fleshy essence of the hero – blemishes included.

You’ll use seasonal fruit, foliage, vegetables, china and linen as props. In a five-day workshop you can expect to produce two to five paintings.

charlotte’s background

Charlotte was born in New Zealand, and studied art in England and life in Paris. She has painted continually and exhibited her work for over 35 years throughout Australia, New Zealand and France. She regularly teaches drawing and painting at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the Sturt Summer School and in Berry, Cairns and Geelong.

Her sumptuous artworks have featured in print publications for the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Historic Houses Trust, as well as other books.

Charlotte paints her bigger works in her studio in Berry, New South Wales, surrounded by her huge garden. In her Sydney studio, she likes to sleep next to her cabbages, so on waking she can paint them in the early morning light.

Charlotte’s Instagram and website.

702: greenwood chairmaking / may 6-11 (6 days)

Tutor: richard hare / Fee: $875 + $125 materials

** SORRY – CLASS CANCELLED **

Maximum number in class: 6
Level: Any level – some carpentry experience helpful but not essential. This course is quite physically demanding.

You will be making a classic Windsor chair using only hand tools and pre-industrial revolution techniques from the 16th-18th centuries including an adze, draw-knife and side-axe and foot-operated pole lathe.

Starting with a freshly-felled green log, most of the chair parts are split, shaped and turned. The back bow will be steam bent to shape and the solid elm seat will be bored and shaped using traditional tools. Finally it will be all put together to become an enduring family heirloom.

While this is a physically demanding project, Richard has successfully taught people ranging in age from 16 to 82, from all sorts of backgrounds.

BRING: strong shoes or boots and a tape measure – you’ll measure mainly in inches. All else is supplied.

richard’s background

From a background and passion for building and furniture making Richard attended a greenwood chair-making workshop at Ironbridge, England in 1995. He became passionate about these chairs, the methods of making them and the tools used. In 1998 he established Traditional Greenwood Chairs – he has crafted over 700 chairs and taught more than 200 people at workshops throughout the South Island, and from 2002 to 2010 in Australia and Norfolk Island.

In 2016, Richard and his partner Annie moved onto a block of land in the Bay of Islands where they have built a house and re-established his chair-making business.

Read and listen to an interview with Richard on RNZ here.

703: indigo dyeing: the vat and beyond / 6-10 May

Tutor: jo kinross /  Fee: $550 + $90 materials

Workshop to be held in: Matakana
Maximum number in class: 10
Level: All levels

Indigo is one of the world’s oldest natural dyes. But as well as dyeing fabric, the dry pigment can be used to make a range of sustainable paints, printing pastes, chalks, pastels and fabric paints for use on fabric and paper. This workshop takes the mystique out of working with it and you’ll see how dyeing is just one way of working with indigo as you explore a range of techniques for creating your own designs on various surfaces. 

Initially you’ll make and use a fermentation vat, then explore additional ways you can work with the indigo pigment.

Over the five days you’ll learn to:
• make an easily replicated organic indigo vat
• care for and maintain a healthy vat for long term use, including troubleshooting
• make inks, stains and paints with indigo for cloth, paper and wood
• use a range of Shibori techniques - clamping, creasing, folding, stitching
• use binding and knotting to create beautiful and well-defined patterns
• make and use clay resists.

The workshop is designed to be a mix of formal tutorials, demonstrations and hands-on experience, supported by extensive written notes.

jo’s background

In 2003 Jo moved from Melbourne to Nelson with her partner, artist David Ryan. The move allowed her to establish herself as a contemporary fibre artist and educator. By 2009 her primary focus was on natural dyeing, working with environmentally responsible practices and ecologically sustainable materials. In 2014 she put her love of indigo into practice and now works almost exclusively with indigo. She creates works on fabric and paper and makes her own sustainable art materials.

Jo has exhibited her work in 15 solo or group shows within New Zealand and overseas and been featured in numerous publications.

For the past 10 years she has also been a selector for the annual national fibre arts awards in Nelson, Changing Threads.

Jo and David’s website here.

704. the writer’s tools / may 6-10

Tutor: stephanie johnson / $550

Workshop to be held in: Leigh
Maximum number in class: 15
Level: Any level, no experience necessary – but will be helpful!

This literary workshop will cover the tools writers use to write fiction, in either long or short form. You will begin by developing a character central to a new piece of fiction. From there you’ll go on to workshop story, tone and setting and examine the use of tense, point of view, structure and voice.

You are welcome to explore writing in any genre, e.g. historical, romantic, contemporary or science fiction. It may be that workshop participants join us with a work/works in progress. Time will be set aside to read, discuss and workshop these pieces. Through writing exercises, the sharing of work and discussion, participants will develop the necessary tools to create compelling fiction.

By the end of the workshop all participants should be well on the way to possessing the necessary tools to write a compelling short story or novel.

Stephanie’s background

Stephanie MNZM is the author of fifteen novels (there of her latest pictured above), three collections of short stories, two volumes of poetry and two works of nonfiction. She has also written for the stage, screen and radio, and is the recipient of various awards and fellowships, including the Deutz Medal for Fiction in the Montana Book Awards, the Bruce Mason Memorial Playwrights Award, the Auckland University Fellowship and the Katherine Mansfield Fellowship.  

Several of her books have been published in the United States, Britain and Australia. In 1999 Stephanie co-founded with Peter Wells the Auckland Writers Festival. In 2022 she was awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement (Fiction).

Stephanie has taught creative writing at the University of Auckland, the University of Waikato, Auckland University of Technology and Massey University.

More about Stephanie here.

705: painting: intuition & observation / 6-10 may

Tutor: david ryan / $550

Workshop to be held in: Leigh
Maximum number in class: 12
Level: Any level, no experience necessary

This workshop develops the principles behind our vision that are critical to our ability to paint and create our own unique observations of the world we live in.

Each day participants will deal with different, exciting hands-on techniques.
1. Exploring improvisational techniques – intuition and observation.
2. Impact and dynamics - explorations into subject, creating impact and dynamics.
3. An intuitive approach to colour mapping – the secrets and magic of colour relationships.
4. Contemporary landscape painting from plein air to the studio.

The mornings will be devoted to explorations and guided studio activities, including critiques, analysis, slide show and discussion. The afternoon is reserved for your independent work to gain greater insight into how to use the techniques presented in the morning in your work, with individual critique and group discussion in a serious, but fun and supportive atmosphere.

about david

David Ryan MA. BFA. Grad.Dip.Edu. is a traditionally-trained, full-time professional artist. He has undertaken undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Victorian College of the Arts and the University of Melbourne and completed a Masters degree at RMIT University, Melbourne.

David is a former senior lecturer in art at RMIT University, Melbourne, with over four decades of teaching experience. His work has appeared in over 25 solo exhibitions in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland and Nelson including and 34 curated group exhibitions including National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, the University Art Museum, Brisbane and Atelierhaus in Gissen, Germany.

David’s website

706: Metallic Fusion: Exploring Textile Alchemy / may 6-10

Tutor: Alysn Midgelow-Marsden / $550 + materials $50

** SORRY – CLASS CANCELLED **

Maximum number in class: 8
Level: Any level, no experience necessary – but will be helpful!

Uncover the magic of transforming ordinary materials into extraordinary works of textile art during this immersive workshop – elevate your skills, expand your creative boundaries, and leave with a unique masterpiece that reflects your artistic journey. 

Led by experienced freelance textile tutor Alysn Midgelow-Marsden, this workshop will take you on a journey through the mesmerising world of shim metals, woven metals, soluble fabric, sheer fabrics, Lutradur heat reactive fabric, burning techniques, machine appliqué, intricate wire and beadwork. Whether you're a seasoned sewing machine enthusiast or a skilled hand stitcher, or even if you are only starting on your textile and mixed media art journey, this workshop offers a supportive environment to expand your skills.

You will have the opportunity to develop a unique design concept inspired by patterns, water, bark, plants, or embroidery designs, learn hand and machine stitching techniques, creating captivating textures and visual depth.

Participants using sewing machines are encouraged to bring their own, preferably equipped with free motion stitching capabilities. Hand stitchers are also welcome, and alternative techniques will be explored to ensure a fulfilling creative experience.

Alysn’s background

Alysn has been described as an inspirer, facilitator and energiser. She is an experienced freelance artist in fine art textiles, an author of several books and numerous articles, a tutor and a gallery director. Her work includes materials such as copper, stainless steel and other metals and woven metal fabrics, wires, papers, fabrics, threads, paints and natural objects.

Alysn says, “I have an experimental and curious nature leading to continuously evolving and changing works and media, investigating new dimensions as they develop. It’s a pleasure to adapt my ideas into formats which can be used by other fibre artists and embroiderers for their own practice.”

Recent awards for selected exhibitions include: Mandurah Wearable Art (Australia) for ‘What Lies Beneath’; ‘Wall Brooches II’, (Australia) for ‘Taniwha’; ‘Changing Threads’ Nelson Arts ‘Bernina Award’ for ‘The Space Between VII’. (NZ)

Alysn’s website / Facebook / Instagram / Blogspot

707: extending cold wax art / may 6-10

tutor: CHERYL MCGANNON / $550 + $100 materials

Workshop to be held in: Matakana
Maximum number in class: 12
Level: Some experience in painting preferred although beginners welcome           

With Cheryl you will develop a series of small cold wax works on paper,  focusing on tonal contrast, using extended techniques including printmaking, charcoal powder and ink, collage, brushwork and oil sticks. Colour mixing using a limited palette and considering colour as tone will be emphasised. Cheryl is a highly experienced educator and artist and will help you to expand your arts practice taking it to a new level in an atmosphere of experimentation and play.

You will complete a minimum of six small cold wax paintings, one 50x50cm collage work using cold wax and oils/pigments, one large or four small ink, charcoal and cold wax paintings, and one completed cold wax mixed media painting.

cheryl’s background

Cheryl McGannon (MCA BEd BA) has a master's degree in creative arts and a background in teaching visual arts within the Australian TAFE system. Since participating in a workshop in Italy in 2015, her current arts practice explores the expressive possibilities of cold wax mixed media painting. 

Cheryl's art has been exhibited widely within Australia and internationally, including the Asia Contemporary Art Show in Hong Kong, where her work was selected as a cover image for 'Cup' Magazine. She continues to travel throughout the country to teach workshops and mentor other artists.

Cheryl's work has been published in several books on printmaking through Lyre Bird Press, including her own book, 'Ex Libris Bookplates,' which is held in the James Hardy collection of the Queensland State Library. Additionally, Cheryl was one of three Australian artists featured in Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin's book, 'Cold Wax Medium: Techniques Concepts and Conversations' (Squeegee Press, 2016).

She divides her time between her own gallery, Evoke Modern, and her studio and workshop spaces.

Cheryl’s website, Facebook page and Instagram.

708. photography: Seeing the light and Beyond / may 6-10

TUTOR: tim hawkins / $550

** SORRY – CLASS CANCELLED **

Workshop to be held in: Leigh
Maximum number in class: 12
Level: Intermediate

Tim’s aim as a photographer is to show the best of the world around us – its people and places – in a way that offers a unique perspective. This course aims to provide students with a clear and simple method to recognise the light that falls on the subject and how to use it to best effect. This means a full understanding of how the technical side of the camera can be used for effect in any given light situation.

Tim will also raise questions about motivation for photography, the why and how we do it. Using the work of master photographers to inspire and to question your own work, you’ll dig deeply into the images you take to understand your own point of view and learn from others in the group.

Tim will also teach the importance of editing your photography and presenting it with integrity and pride. Looking after your work upon completion will also be covered.

You’ll need to bring:
• Camera - DSLR or Mirrorless
• Lens or lenses
• Laptop with photo editing software
• USB pen drive
• Notebook, pens
• 10 of your favourite personal images
• Tripod*
• External hard drive*

*Not essential but preferable

Tim’s background

Tim has lived in Central Otago for 27 years, moving from Timaru where he had established a busy and successful photography studio. Born in the United Kingdom, he worked all over England and Scotland, finishing as a mountaineering instructor in the Scottish Highlands.

He and his wife Jan then moved to Australia, where his love of photography was fostered by many expeditions into the Outback.

Tim has an all-round approach to photography, having been published in NZ Gardener and North and South magazines and worked in small NZ towns as a wedding and commercial photographer. His work has won the George Chance Cup for landscape photography from the Photographic Society of NZ and awards from the NZ Institute of Professional Photographers.

Tim has tutored extensively in photography for Timaru Polytechnic, Timaru and Cromwell Camera Clubs.