Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Contemporary Craft Retreat, Canberra

Just back from a weekend teaching in Canberra at the Contemporary Craft Retreat. So well organised by Lex Sorrentino, it just is getting bigger and better. Students had a range of workshops to choose from and from top Australian instructors. Workshops included sculpture, nuno felted scarf, sterling silver and copper clays.  I gave two workshops ” Doodling on Polymer Clay ”and “ Metal Etched jewellery and Book ”. I took these photos from the plane.

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Swan River & Perth                        Adelaide                                                    Snow

My first class was on the Saturday morning. I had the students drawing the patterns or zentangles on paper before going onto the polymer clay. I had spent several days before the retreat making polymer clay blanks so the students had items to draw on straight away. I have been studying the patterns for about 18months and find the drawing relaxing. There are numerous websites displaying the patterns which all have names. Artists have shared their methods of drawing with everyone.

You might be familiar with doodling, drawing patterns or scribbling whilst on the phone for example. However, what you might ask is a Zentangle®?

This is the description from the official Zentangle® website in the US. The Zentangle art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas who say Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being. The Zentangle® method is enjoyed all over this world across a wide range of skills, interests and ages.

I would like to attended the Zentangle seminars in the US and become a Certified Zentangle Teacher.

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