ENCAUSTIC PAINTING WITH GRACEANN WARN
Gig Harbor, WA June 17-21, 2019
It is no surprise that we are big fans of Graceann Warn. After two workshops with her in Oaxaca and San Miguel we are offering a new encaustic workshop stateside in Gig Harbor, WA
What’s different in this workshop is that you will actually be learning how to make your own medium and paints as opposed to using just medium or white encaustic paint.
This is a comprehensive workshop designed to give students a working knowledge of the encaustic medium and method. It’s also an opportunity to learn from a master encaustic artist whose work is collected world wide.
Graceann will begin by introducing the traditional method of encaustic painting with emphasis on technique and substrate choice.
Pic by Doug Loates
Students will also learn how to make their own medium and paints.
Pic by Doug Loates
Later we will move into contemporary approaches with an emphasis on mark making and texture.
Grey Tile Set by Graceann Warn
As always, content will be emphasized and discussion of such is encouraged with prompts of poetry, music and prose throughout the duration of the workshop.
Morocco Painting by Graceann Warn
Small Landscapes by Graceann Warn
Schedule
June 17- Class starts at 9:30, break for lunch, ends at 4:30. Dinner
June 18-19 - Class starts at 9:30, break for lunch, ends at 4:30
June 20 - Class starts at 9:30, break for lunch, ends at 4:30. Dinner
June 21 - Class starts at 9:30, break for lunch, 3:00, clean up, Show ‘N Tell. Class over at 4:30
Pompeii - Encaustic, oil on wood by Graceann Warn
This Encaustic Workshop Includes
Five days of instruction with Graceann Warn
Two healthy, delicious dinners and five lunches by Kathie Vezzani
Encaustic medium
Hot Plates
Some Encaustic paint
Gloves
Gas for torches
Gel medium
The price for this workshop is $1,000 and does not include lodging or transportation.
The workshop is limited to 11
The picturesque town of Gig Harbor is the location for this workshop. Listed as one of the most desirable cities in the US to visit (or to live), it is located just across the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma, WA on the way to the Olympic Peninsula.
Gig Harbor with Mt. Rainier peeking out in the background
Gig Harbor is south of Seattle and the SEATAC airport. Transportation to Gig Harbor from the airport - Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter stops at two locations in Gig Harbor, the Inn at Gig Harbor or Purdy Park and Ride.
Accommodation: There are many Arbnbs and B&Bs in Gig Harbor. Here is a link for more options
Graceann also combines her encaustic painting with her love of assemblage. Here are some examples.
Student Supply List
a few favorite colors of encaustic wax
tins to hold new paint
your favorite encaustic brushes, preferably hake, at least 6 ranging from 1.5”-2.5”
your favorite mark making tools, ie, dental tools, old forks, etc.
Iwatani torch head
6-8 cradled boards, gessoed, no larger than 12x16”
Found or antique papers
2-3 sheets Kozo or medium weight Mulberry paper
1-2 sheets light weight Mulberry paper
If embedding images, print them onto a rice paper like kozo or medium weight mulberry (ink jet is ok)
metal ruler
exacto knife with extra blades
scissors
pencil
metal palette knives - choose a couple of sizes.
couple of your favorite R&F pigment sticks, and at least two neutrals like Paynes Gray and Titanium White (40 ml size)
Although Graceann Warn’s academic background is in urban design and classical archaeology, she decided to take a leap of faith in 1985 to become a full time artist. She started out as an oil painter but throughout the 1990s became best known for her assemblages. In 2,000, a 16-month long commission to design sets for a major opera production led to a shift in medium and scale in her studio work. Since that time, she has primarily been painting on wood panels using oils and encaustic. The present work reflects the structural logic of her architectural beginnings as well as her abiding interest in archaeology and science. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is in the collections of Yale University, Museum of Art and Design, New York, NY, US Embassies in Nairobi and Sarajevo, Pew Charitable Trusts and many others.
Kathie Vezzani, who is hosting the workshop at her home in Gig Harbor, also is an artist who paints, rusts and waxes. She organizes trips for other artists and in a former life was a caterer. She has over two decades of experience organizing trips for foodies and artists.