Ask yourself the question "Who am I?"-- this will be your point of departure, as we embark on personal journeys of self-discovery, made tangible through our mixed media self-portraits. Pieces will be rendered on substrates of your choice (ie: canvas, wood, vintage book cover, found object, etc.).

We will explore what I call 'The Hierarchy of Personal Definition" and alter a personal photo that will be incorporated into our mixed media portrait (photo-altering technique using clear gesso, acrylic paints, water-soluble oil pastels, and more). We will focus on four key elements as we create our pieces: 1. color, 2. texture, 3. text, and 4. personal embellishments, not necessarily in that order.

If time permits, we will extend elements of our self-portrait through the creation of (or beginnings of) a reflective visual journal, made by altering a vintage picture book. I will share some of the techniques I used to create my own altered vintage picture book journal, including preparation of surfaces, exploration of design elements, and ways to incorporate existing visual elements of the books into your own work.

The workshop objective is for each student to create a mixed media self-portrait with an altered photograph as its centerpiece. The elements of color, texture, text, and personal embellishments will be incorporated. If time permits, students will extend elements of their self-portraits through the creation of a reflective visual journal (students will begin the journal, as there will not be enough time to complete it).

Student Materials List( please bring with you to class):

*personal photograph (3-4 copies of the same photo)--either 4x6 or 5x7 or a size that is in proportion to the substrate of your choice

*two substrates of your choice: canvas, wood, vintage book cover, found object, etc.

*children's picture book (vintage is always nice)--bring either a board book or hard cover book with paper pages

*white gesso

*assortment of acrylic and craft paints (your favorite colors--please also include white and/or cream and brown)

*water-soluble oil pastels

*gel medium (I prefer Golden brand, in either regular or soft strength, in matte finish) or ModPodge in matte finish

*clear gesso or matte medium

*fine-tip pens (please include a black, permanent fine-tip pen), also bring gel pens if you have them

*graphite pencil(s)

*charcoal pencils and/or chalks

*writing utensil

*any other favorite pens or markers (paint pens and metallic pens are fun)

*ink pads

*any favorite medium that you like to use when making paper/mixed media projects (ie: perhaps you have a favorite set of watercolor paints, crackle medium, or favorite paint pen...whatever it may be)

*2-4 foam brushes

*assortment of bristle brushes

*container for water (to place your brushes in)

*a few sheets of waxed paper and pieces of bubble wrap (for mono-printing texture)

*2-3 favorite rubber stamps (for adding texture)

*sheet or two of white tissue paper (for adding texture)

*several sheets of paper (a mix of scrapbook/art paper and vintage book paper or sheet music would be ideal)

*a handful of paper scraps

*a handful of your favorite personal ephemera--personal imagery for your reflective journal (copies of originals are best), ribbon, buttons, lace, antique jewelry etc.--just be sure that they are relatively flat

*scissors

*palette (disposable, plastic picnic plate works well)

*brayer or spare credit card

*old dishtowel for drying your brushes

*handful of paper towels for blending/blotting/rubbing paint

*baby wipes for easy hand clean up (small travel pack works well)

*fine grit sandpaper (you may wish to bring some heavier grit sandpaper as well, if you like a very rough, worn look)

*heat gun if you have it (for quick drying)

*handheld small mirror