Join Clare for a hands-on, experimental two day workshop exploring the meeting point of painting, textiles and collage. Inspired by the warm colours and weathered surfaces of the Mediterranean, as well as Clare's collection of photos and objects gathered in the South of France, you’ll explore colour, texture and abstract collage.

Day One

You’ll begin by exploring the Mediterranean palette. Clare will share techniques to help you make considered colour choices and develop your own palette to work with throughout the workshop. 

The first day is all about creating your own collection of coloured and textured fabric to use in your collages. Working with a range of materials from simple calico to coloured fabric scraps, you’ll experiment with acrylic paint, mark-making tools, stitching and gelli printing to build up layers of colour and texture. You’ll learn how to transform surfaces and create a rich collection to work with. 

Day Two 

On the second day you’ll begin by experimenting with gelli printing on a variety of papers and cards to complement the fabric you made on day one. With your exciting range of collage materials completed, Clare will show you different ways to bring these together using both the sewing machine and glue. You’ll discover how your work can move between textiles, collage and painting, from layered paper and fabric collages to more dimensional constructed pieces. 

Taking inspiration from Clare’s own work, you’ll experiment with the process of cutting, combining and joining, discovering how different colours, surfaces and shapes interact as you construct your own abstract collage. There will be plenty of opportunity to follow your own ideas, creating a collection of original pieces inspired by the colours of the Mediterranean. 

All materials will be provided but feel free to bring your own Mediterranean photos and old scraps of fabric if you have any. 

Please note: this workshop will require a sewing machine. If you do not have a sewing machine to bring, not to worry! Emma has a few available to borrow for the workshop. Please email ahead of booking to confirm availability.

About:

Clare is a mixed media artist whose work explores the connection between colour and place. Her work sits at the intersection of collage, painting and textiles and, whatever materials she is working with, the process of cutting, combining and joining is always at the heart of her practice. She loves the freedom of collage and the discovery of unpredictable combinations. 

Clare uses colour as a way of understanding and recording her experience of place and especially time spent in the South of France where she feels a deep connection to the warmth of the earthy ochre colours. Through her abstract paintings and assemblages, she hopes that the viewer will feel a quiet energy from the surface and colours, and make connections with their own experiences of the world around them.

She has been teaching art to both adults and children for over twenty-five years and highly values the importance of sharing her practice and creating in a community. Her in-person workshops offer an open and supportive space for exploration and play and help people to wake up their creativity, make with freedom and connect more deeply. 

To see more of Clare's work, head to her website here. Or head to Clare's Instagram here.

BOOKING THIS WORKSHOP:

Bookings are now open! Once you've paid, please hang fire for a confirmation, which are all sent out manually by Emma, so it may not arrive immediately, but hang tight, it will arrive! You can also keep up to date with new courses and info by following us on Instagram @hopeandelvis or subscribing to our mailing list at the bottom of our homepage.