Wild Forms & Painted Petals Workshop: Abstracting Nature in Mixed Media

Step into a day of creative exploration where nature’s beauty meets artistic abstraction! Join Clade exhibition artist Dar James in a full-day, hands-on, mixed media workshop. Through guided techniques in composition and distillation, you’ll learn how to translate botanical forms into fresh, dynamic motifs that are uniquely yours and have foundational understanding of working in a series, basic color mixing and paper collage with wet mediums. The day will start with sketching in the gardens and woodlands of the Garden to gather shapes, textures, and organic rhythms straight from nature’s own design. After an inspirational slide show, we will dive into playful exercises to develop bold motifs, experiment with mark-making, and craft our own stash of gorgeous collage papers. By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with a collection of original mixed media pieces and a renewed connection to both nature and your creative voice. Registration fee includes a delicious, healthy lunch created by Canopy Café chef Slade Mankins.

No matter your skill level, this session is designed for joy, discovery, and artistic growth. Dar was trained by Golden Acrylics and all basic materials are included. Please wear studio clothing (or an apron/smock) for painting with acrylics, comfortable shoes for walking outdoors, bring scissors and an umbrella (to ensure it does not rain)!

Optionally, please bring:

• Your own sketchbook (we will be making one if you don’t have one)
• Favorite mark-making tools (pens, pencils, etc.)
• Collage paper from your personal stash
• Your preferred paint brushes