description

Build an inspired assemblage artwork much like the one seen on the cover of SomerSet Studio’s July ‘07 Issue. This piece will be an ode to Nature’s songbirds, and their beautiful abodes.  We will begin by weaving and sculpting our own nest using the same natural materials as birds, such as horse hair, dried grasses, found objects and mud. It will be the focal point from which you will construct the entire work of art.

We will also explore techniques for incorporating other natural elements into an assemblage, like twigs, leaves, flowers, and other botanicals.  As well as, discussing how to dry and preserve natural elements, and tint dried leaves to restore their vibrant colors.

Of Nested Visions

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bio

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kit fee: $15        supply list

• 2 - pieces of 8” x 10” white matte board (cut to size)
• 2 - pieces of 5” x 7” white matte board (cut to size)
• 5 - vintage, old, or worn book covers (NOTE: bring several sizes some need to be smaller than 5”x 7”)
• 1 - tube of E6000 adhesive
• 1 - pair of wire cutters for cutting small twigs (NOTE: I like using jewelry wire cutters)
• small pair sharp scissors
• Japanese Screw Punch
• Goldens Matte Heavy Gel and brush for applying Matte Gel
• 1 - package of misc sewing needles and unwaxed linen thread white or black
• A small bundle of twigs (NOTE: Please bring varying lengths)
• 1 - small round paint brush (NOTE: approximately the size of a #3 or #5)
• 1 - United States Postal Priority Box approx 9” x 12”  (NOTE: should be free if you go to your local post office)  
• 1 - gallon ziploc of ephmera (NOTE: items to consider are buttons - patina metals - copper sheets - charms with words - vintage pictures of flora, fauna, birds, nests, eggs - charms - dried leaves - dried flowers - small vintage photo pages - vintage paper - vintage keys - decorative bird eggs - an old garden book with interesting text or illustrations, book pages to cut words from and/or your favorite poem or verse)
  
  
• Class Fee of $15 - Students will receive:
• nest forms
• horse hair
• misc. dried grasses
• small handful of dried leaves
• mud
• acrylic paint, paint palette, water cup, and brush rag

printable version

Tracie Lyn Huskamp Bio:

Over five years ago, Tracie was offered the chance to perform the duties of her job from the comfort of her home studio. In a matter of weeks, changes in her daily routine began to occur because of this new work environment. Instead of rushing out at lunch to grab a fast food meal, she spent her noon hours soaking up the outdoors, and wandering through her neighborhood gathering treasures from Nature.

After several months of telecommuting, her personal art took an important pivotal turn. The subject of Nature became a reoccurring theme.  As a collage artist, mixing and blending natural components with paint, fabric, paper, thread, and metal was quite a fluid process. Nature had become a perfect medium to help her express all of the amorous feelings she has about a place where her heart abides.

Marylin Huskamp Bio:

Marylin has loved working with fibers from the moment she took her first Home Economics class at the tender age of eleven. Today, her focus has evolved into composing beautiful artworks using techniques such as fiber fusion, fiber dyeing and painting. She carefully blends various materials to capture the viewer with vibrant colors and interesting textures.

Several years ago, she received a professional botanist’s flower/plant press. This sparked her creativity to begin down a path of preserving many natural treasures to place within her current fiber works. Sharing a love of art, nature and creative expression, Marylin enjoys time with Tracie Lyn.  They love making art, sharing ideas and most importantly just having FUN!