description
Stepping up where we left off last year with Shadow Boxing, here’s an opportunity to create a free standing box that either captures a memory of place or time OR is something, someone or someplace that you yourself want to honor that has both two and three dimensional visual candy. We will start by creating the two dimensional side and working the photo (that you bring with you) until it looks more like you’ve painted or drawn it. Then choosing a quote we will work the words right into the wood. Finally, we will fill the cradle on the back and capture the three dimensional pieces that you have collected.
Think of this in many different ways….your new home, your parent that has passed, a milestone in your life or the life of a loved one or a favorite place. The executions are endless.
It is important to understand that there are TWO important material components to the success of this piece; the substrate (the cradled painting board) and the photo. You must use what I have specified and I can assure that you have what you need if you let me know that you need it.
Don’t worry if you can’t draw a straight line or you’ve never painted. This technique is easier than it looks and it will be an enjoyable and stress free workshop!
Please see my blog www.beeshay.typepad.com for more details or email me with specific questions at bee.shay@hotmail.com
Bee Shay 52 years
Bee has been a folk artist and oil painter for almost 30 years and a mixed media artist for a little over 12 years.
She has taught American Folk Arts nationally since 1986 and mixed media workshops since 1996.
Trained in art at Flagler College as well as being awarded The Barnes Museum School Scholarship for two years during her
secondary schooling in the suburbs of Philadelphia. As an adult she has apprenticed under members of the HSEAD (Historical Society of Early American Decoration).
For nearly 10 years she was actively involved in SALI, which is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to
teaching and furthering of traditional American Folk Arts. Working on both the local level; she served
on her local Philadelphia board at all levels and traveling instructor, as well as on the national level, where she
served on the national board as National Education Chairman for 3 years and National Convention Chairman for 2 years.
Bee is the mother of 3 grown children and is currently residing on Nantucket with her husband and two yellow labs although she maintains her teaching studio (Heart To Hand) in Pennsylvania. She is currently teaching nationally and selling her work locally as well as at national shows. Bee was the recipient of Best of Show during the summer of 2006 at the Cleveland Center for Book Arts in Ohio. Her work has been published in Somerset Studio and appears in several Rockport books.
Bee’s workshop philosophy is to create a safe and nurturing environment, free of judgment where, using the “See it, Do it, Keep it” method participants can learn new techniques and complete a project that will let them practice what they’ve just learned. “I’ve learned a long time ago that techniques are often lost if the participant leaves with just samples…they are not as encouraged to work again as they are when they leave with a finish “product” On that note however, I let everyone know from the very beginning that they are not in my workshop to make a cookie cutter piece of art, to the contrary, if there are 20 people in the room with the same materials I expect 20 different results.” The phrase “Give yourself over to the process and don’t allow yourself to anticipate the product” is commonly heard in her workshops.
Participants are encouraged to create a sense of community from the moment they step through the door, no matter how temporary, it helps to make a warmer environment to work in if people feel connected and have a common goal. Competition is never encouraged.
Remaining open hearted and open minded always while teaching, the goal is to learn something every time for everyone, including herself.
