How did Dr. Suess get his ideas? I’m not sure, but I can tell you how I get some of mine!
If you like the whimsical, the odd, the nonsensical and fun — and would like to begin incorporating these characteristics into your mixed media work — then this is the class for you!
We’ll spend the first hour or so doodling and playing drawing and word games designed to loosen your hand and get your ideas flowing… Then you’ll construct several irregular-shaped books (complete with windows and other surprises), and I’ll set you to work filling the pages with drawings, paintings, words, collage…. Each book will end up having it’s own “story” or theme… (Which comes first, the story or the art?)
You will begin adding imagery on one spread, with the goal of having each spread connect to and work with the images from other spreads, like a puzzle. (In other words, since the pages are bound irregularly, drawings from one spread will show up when you turn the page…. You will then create the next image based on what is already “started.”)
I will demo my own watercolor, collage, ink and charcoal techniques, but you are free to add any of your favorite media to create your very personal and interactive books.
One student recently said, “[Being in your class is] like being a child again, but you get to do it as an adult.” So join me, and unleash your inner Suess!