WORKSHOP “Steampunk Sally” by Clarissa Callesen
Friday May 23, 2014
Steampunk is a sub genre of science fiction based on proposed future that used steam as a primary energy source as opposed to electricity. The idea of Steampunk is really fun conceptually, but the best part is the FASHION: Goggles, leather, watch gears and parts, Victorian clothing, and stripes are just the beginning! By recycling an already constructed doll, you can skip right to the fun part. No sewing, no stuffing, no patterns, just decorating, dressing and embellishing. Using gesso and texturing we will create a unique “antique” texture as a base for a hand painted artistic face. I will demonstrate how to make a mini Steampunk essential, goggles out of empty watch faces and inner tube rubber or thin leather. I believe in embracing the grunge and cherishing the haphazard which will help create a space for each of us to follow our muses. This is both a project and technique based class which you will leave with a unique piece of art as well as skills useful not just for art dolls but for assemblage work in general.
BIO: Clarissa is the creator of Strange and Wonderful Things, which is truly the best description of her work. She is the rescuer of tacky dolls and forgotten trash, with lots of laughter, hard work, and magic those items are reborn. Through her eclectic, mysterious, and surreal work she tells stories about the joy and tribulations that is the human experience. Clarissa teaching style is down to earth and fun, believing there is always more than one solution to a problem. Embracing the grunge and cherishing the mistakes are two of her primary philosophies. Clarissa brings her diverse experiences as a tattoo artist, functional potter, and gallery owner to teaching and sharing her true love the world of Mixed Media art. She exhibits throughout the Pacific Northwest at art festivals and selective galleries. She has been published in Linda and Opie O’Brien’s book, Who’s Your DADA? Written several feature articles for Art Doll Quarterly, and has been published multiple times in Somerset Studio. For more information, check out her blog at http://clarissacallesen.blogspot.com/
Supply List:
- A found doll preferably cloth bodied with a porcelain head and hands. (Don’t get caught up in original looks. It will all be transformed: the uglier the doll the better. Sources: thrift stores, yard sales, discount stores, attics)
- Fabric glue, small container (I strongly recommend Beacon Adhesives Fabri-tac Permanent Fabric Adhesive)
- A small bag of fabric scraps. Tulle, stripes, lace, etc
- Material for hair- yarns, ribbon, chain, string, etc
- Small pieces of thin leather or rubber (inner tubes work well)
- Material for hair- yarns, ribbon, chain, string, etc
- An assortment of watch gears and parts
- Two empty watch cases to make goggles
- Buttons, charms, old jewelry, misc found objects for embellishing your doll
- An assortment of acrylic paint for face painting make sure to include a white and a black
- Paint brushes: a medium, a small, and a TINY detail brush
- A palette for paints and a water container
- A long embroidery needle and a curved needle
- Embroidery floss in both a dark and light color
- Scissors
- Heat gun and extension cord
Optional: Tiny brads for embellishing and thin copper for making hats
Materials fee of $5 to cover use of: Gesso, Walnut ink, Construction adhesive, E6000, Aluminum foil, Wire, Grinding stones, Tools to share
Student registration BEGINS Sept 21, 2013
Retreat PACKAGE pricing to be advised this SATURDAY!