Mixed Media Assemblage Junk Bird Class

Had a great group of people out to the studio to build bird out of junk. I love to see the great diversity of creations that happen.  Same instructions and same basic materials and such a creative variety of art.

Winter Classes at Strange and Wonderful Studio

You know how to beat the cold dreary wish it was spring feeling? Come make art and learn new crazy fun techniques with me, Clarissa Callesen

The New Year class schedule for 2014

All classes held at my studio at 1920 Main st. Suite #8 Ferndale, WA. A lunch break of 30mins is included in the schedule. A sack lunch is recommended but there are fast food options located close. Full payment is required to register. 48hr cancellation policy for full refund. Some supplies provide. Call 360-305-9058

Art Journaling Weekend Jan 25 and 26th

Immerse yourself in the fun and gratifying world of Art Journaling. Take both classes for $120

Sat Jan 25, Chaos Journaling 10am- 4:30pm $70

Working quickly, using unusual materials, and nontraditional techniques we will breakthrough into the raw, beautiful world of chaos journaling and art making. It is so easy to get trapped in the art world of pretty, tidy, and nice. We will be shattering that mold with tearing, squishing, scribbling, dripping, sanding, and so much more. We will honor and celebrating mistakes as a foundation for original expression.

Sun Jan 26, Painted Images in Art Journaling 10am- 4:30pm $70

Take your Art journaling to a new level by adding original painted images. Painting can be very intimidating! But come and let me guide you gently through the process of creating your own original images to add to your Art Journal or other art.

Sat Feb 8, Junk Birds 10am-4:30pm $70

        

Join me in turning a tacky decorative bird into a wacky original work of art. We will be engaging in some deconstruction and transformation of a mass produced object by combining it with fabric scraps, string, wire, and other treasures we will create a whimsical sculpture. You can either do two smaller birds or 1  larger crow 

Sat and Sun Feb 15 and 16, Gutsy Doll 10am-4:30 pm $160

Come and explore a completely unique and versatile art medium! It is flexible yet strong. . It is an ancient medium with a rich history It can be translucent or opaque. It can be used as a primary sculptural material or as a textural accent.. It can be dyed or painted. Can you guess? Give up? Sausage casings or Gut as an art supply. We will be creating a one of a kind Art Doll utilizing this most unusual medium.

Sat March 1, Bricologe (Abstract Assemblage) 10am- 4:30pm $80

      

Bricologe : construction (as of a sculpture or a structure of ideas) achieved by using whatever comes to hand.

What do artists have at hand usually in excess on or around our work tables?

Fabulous scraps and bits of amazing stuff!

This class will take those bits and pieces and turn them into a rich textural Bricologe. Through loose paint and collage exercises we will create a palette of objects rich in texture and color. Then using those pieces as color and shape elements we will delve into composition. I like to look at this technique as creating a three dimensional abstract painting.

The Finished Pieces

I want to share the good “official” photos of the big pieces I built this spring for the “Odd Birds” show.   This piece is affectionately called

Junk in her Trunk

 

Junk was created from an underwear mannequin that I bought at a junk sale in a dark funky barn along side the road.  I probably paid too much for it $15 but I just knew it had good potential.  The doll came from the Goodwill Outlet bins which deserve a post all to themselves. Her horns are made from a broken candelabra accessorized with fabric, wire, and pieces of a shattered chair.  Her hat was the top of our porch light that blew off in a wind storm 5yrs ago. Her junk is just that all kinds of small bits and pieces that have been collected over the years. I wanted to create a tapestry of sorts for her lower body.  A tapestry of toys, game pieces, junk, and precious jewels. A cloth constructed of things to symbolize the objects and experiences that we carry with us in life, both the precious and the painful. All of those things make her beautiful and interesting just like our scars, wrinkles, and stories make us beautiful.  She is held together and unified as one with lots of paint, plaster, and magic.

  

Her humble beginnings   aka “Before”

     

To her regal “After”

This piece is still available for purchase just contact me at clarissacallesen@gmail.com

Happy Harpies!!!

Happy Harpy assemblage class at the home studio of Clarissa Callesen, creator of Strange and Wonderful Things.

On a fabulous Sunday in Jan, Ben, Kelly, Shannon, Kim, and Jennifer joined me for a day of laughter and of fabulous creations. Everyone had a great sense of humor and made some really amazing works of art.

In Progress

Kelly’s Harpy in the process of getting mummified with beautiful ribbons and fibers.

Jennifer’s tail feathers almost done. She used wired ribbon to add spiral texture to her tail along with all the other plumage.

Mostly Finished

alot people add finishing touches when home

(would love final pictures if any of you have them, please)

Shannon’s Harpy

check out her blog about her art work

Kim’s fancy girl Harpy

Dang I am not sure who belongs to this

dark and mysterious lady bird. Kim? Jennifer?

and the answer is Kim, she made a sweet harpy and a dark harpy.

Jennifer’s fabulous display of plumage and color

Kelly’s sweet girl dressed in ribbons and beads

Benn Mann’s dark and beautiful pair of Harpies

Benn is a local artist (check his work out if your not familiar)who is know for his very bright and cheerful work. So it was extra fun to get to watch him explore some darker work.

Benn and I have joked about doing a collaborative show called “Perpetually Perky meets Dark and Twisty”.

So that wraps up Happy Harpies. I will be teaching this class again later in the year. Let me know if your interested?