Why are workshops good for you?

workshop 19/1/14

Today was my first workshop for 2014 - a stick art dolls workshop ... This was a repeat of a workshop offered quite a few times recently , so I started thinking why do creative people love workshops and why they are good for you. Here are 10 reasons I've thought of ... I am sure you may have others?

1. An inspiring workshop tutor can motivate to improve your work, change the direction of your work or try something new and different.
2. A workshop offers a supportive and encouraging environment where you can learn a new skill (s) and/or experience different approach ( either from the tutor or fellow participants)

workshop 19/1/14

3. Being with other artists assists you in finding solutions to problems as well as making new contacts and friends.

workshop 19/1/14

4. A workshop allows you to experiment and try new/ different genres, media, products and equipment. .

workshop 19/1/14

5. During a workshop, you have the time to "think" about your own art and the "what, where, how and why" of your creative processes as well as how to apply new skills.

6. You will, in most workshops, have a completed creation/product to take home and admire.
7 . A workshop is fun!
8. In a workshop, you discover that you are able to offer advice as well as receive it.
9. A workshop nurtures the "inner child" - appeals to curiosity, creative play and expression.

10 . The best reason for investing the time and money to a creative workshop is that you will feel great - positive, inspired and motivated, having spent some time with like minded people.

workshop creations 19/1/14

Today's workshop , I hope, fulfilled what each artist had hoped for. Congratulations to all - beautiful original textile art works created! If you couldn't attend this workshop, here is a 3 minute video of the workshop samples to compensate

and here are some links to some more amazing workshops /creative retreats to be held in 2014.
1. Timeless Textiles
2. Contemporary Craft Retreat
3. Sydney Jewellery School
4. Anne's Glory Box

Comments

A Jaunty Josie from JOY - How did that happen?

No new year’s resolutions , but I like the idea of words shaping a year …. I did not choose JOY - I chose PLAY and CHALLENGE, which I think also fits the upcoming Chinese Year of the Horse…. “ The year 2026 signifies a fresh start, embodying the dynamic Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac, representing energy, freedom, and innovation, coupled with a Universal Year 1 in numerology, signalling new beginnings and pioneering action “ How did JOY become the focus of this story? Where better to start than with the weekly colour prompts #coloricombo by EsteMacleod …these are published each Monday night ( Australian Eastern Summer Time) , so I’ve had a week to work on these . Added to the colour prompts Este has also intensified the challenge by including a different shape or form each week. This week, she chose the word/letters J O Y Between workshops, travelling and other projects, I spent a few hours cutting and pa...

Fish and Sticks : Art Dolls

This week I've been working on fish and sticks .... The sticks are the message stick art dolls which were very popular, attracting some attention and a few orders at the Wise Women exhibition. Each of the message stick dolls are from the Wise Women series, each with her own personality and message of wisdom, handwritten on a handmade timber tag. I gather the sticks during my walks around my neighbourhood and the tags are made from special bits of timber, some collected by me or my husband or from off cuts gifted to us from another doll making friend whose husband makes bagpipes. These dolls start off very simply with a wrap around a stick, in the general shape of a body. 'Naked" message stick dolls - strips of wadding wrapped around found sticks. Then I usually wrap other layers of fabric, wool, and/or fibres, over which I do some simple embroidery. I sculpt or mould small face masks for these dolls. I really like using "sari ribbon" as w...

"Temari Or Not Temari?" Tutorial

Background Information: Temari (literally translated “hand ball”) is a Japanese folk craft that is alleged to have originated in China and was introduced to Japan five or six hundred years ago. Traditionally, the balls were constructed from wrapped kimono fabric remnants and silk threads. They were made by mothers and grandmothers for children to play with. Nowadays, decorative embroidered temari represent a highly valued and cherished gift symbolizing friendship and loyalty. Recently I've wondered if your don't use traditional techniques whether you should call what you create "temari". That is an ongoing debate but today I share what I do to make a "non-traditional temari".... 1.I start with a polystrene ball ( traditionally the balls were wound silk scraps or other organic materials) and begin to wrap with approx 4 ply wool, turning the ball as I wrap. 2. I then wrap another layer of wool in a similar fashion , this time a 3 or 2 ...

Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

Search This Blog