RED CARPET CONCEPTS: The Bay Hotel

In my opinion this event is about stimulating the senses; seeing, smelling, eating, hearing, dancing and being pampered; (touch - massage and professional make-up). We are going to view and enjoy art, fashion, canapés, a dance performance and an after party! Oh yes and goodie bags (just for fun).

I must admit that I am not fond of television interviews and I often decline them, but I’ll wear my ‘public artist mask’ and give it another try.

For more information contact Red Carpet Concepts -https://www.facebook.com/redcarpetconcepts/

THE JOYS OF AN ARTIST AND PHOTOGRAPHER:

Thank you Les for photographing my load of work, you love your job as much as I do mine!

My vehicle/car (tiny VW) double up as a 'van' and that is why I chose my nifty little car.

At Les Hammond's studio, loving every minute of discovering what is needed to complete this work!

Les worked nonstop to photograph miniatures and massive work like this '10m-plus' work on paper.

Yes! I do love my job; it is a job like any other job or career. Professional artists conceptualize, plan, source, buy media, sometimes recycled media or mediums to work with and scavenge nature and second hand shops and my favourite, the hardware store. We do administration and paper work, (I must confess paperwork is not my best), pay our taxes, we promote ourselves and yes, marketing is of utmost importance nowadays, (in my opinion). Sometimes it feels like we are prostituting ourselves, by using social media; pinning, sharing, over-sharing, email, tweet, and using Instagram etc. Some of us do put our social masks on and visit gallery openings, because that is part of networking. We visit galleries all over the country/world when we can so that our galleries do not forget our faces or connect with the person behind the artwork. And then we make/create artwork, build up stock, have the work photographed, deliver work, have solo exhibitions and group exhibitions. We have families like most people and most of us have second jobs, I chose facilitating Workshops. Some families of artists do not understand what the passion, obsession and having to create is about and often urges them to go out and find a real job, which is so sad and discouraging. So we have to believe in ourselves and keep going because not many ‘normal’ people get what being creative is about. Such a pity because some artists do need encouragement and it would be wonderful to be appreciated, acknowledged and accepted for what we are doing beyond all odds. What would the history of the world look like without art right from the beginning of time?

SELF-EXPLORATION PORTRAIT PAINTING WORKSHOPS & MIXED-MEDIA ART WORKSHOPS PRESENTS:

MIXED-MEDIA ART WORKSHOP: Exploring basic art techniques through a variety of media, with the emphasis on developing art-making skills at your own pace. Acrylic and water-based paint and drawing materials, such as charcoal, pencil, ink, pastels, graphite and many other experimental and unconventional mixed media.

Aim of the workshop: We start by working with, and applying different media and doing a series of mixed-media exercises; then we create a mixed-media artwork, combining all or some of the media. In so doing, we learn, share and create together. Thus we push our own boundaries gently by exploring and awakening our inner creative world.

Date: Saturday 27 August 2016

Time: 10:00 - 15:00

Duration of Workshop: 5 hours.

Venue: Natasja de Wet’s studio/home: Kirstenhof, Cape Town, South Africa

Fee: R650 excluding materials

Refreshments: Two half an hour tea breaks - Tea and tart

Please be so kind to deposit the full amount two weeks before the workshop and email proof of payment with your name as reference a.s.a.p. Deposit non-refundable.

Contact Natasja de Wet via 'contact form' on this website or art@natasjadewet.com

LIST OF MATERIALS FOR MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOPS:

A series of mixed media exercises and the creating of a mixed media artwork by combining the media.

1 sheet or more artist quality paper - A2 or A1 (as thick as possible)

5 sheets or more A3 cartridge paper

Range of brushes (different sizes: thick thin flat round (old and new etc.)

Palette and or bowls

Palette knife

Spray bottle (for water)

Acrylics (black and white)

Apron

2 plastic containers for water

H, B1, B3 and B6 pencils

Eraser

Fixative spray

Quink (Parker) black ink (CNA or PNA)

Jik (bleach) decant in small bottle

Pen and Ink quill (dipping pen)

Graphite sticks B6 or B8

Charcoal

Tippex

Sharpener or Stanley knife

2 or 3 organic objects (not vegetables or fruit)

2 or 3 inorganic objects (potential subject matter is everywhere in the most ordinary objects)

-please take note that your objects of choice must have enough drawing potential and qualities for an interesting artwork – think of the art principles for instance line, form, texture, contrast, movement, shape etc.

Bostik

Masking Fluid

Zebo stove polish (Pick n’ Pay)

Dala: Glass liner or Art liner from Arts and Craft shop pick ‘n Pay Centre Gabriel Road

Black and white Photographs and old X-rays if you have.

Gauze, plastic, acetate etc. any fabric or paper for layered effect.

White pencil

Paper towel

Matches

WORK IN PROGRESS

I have been doing a lot of soul searching for a commission I received for a portrait. It has been challenging to work with a concept that my 'inner' Self has been longing for but have not explored yet and I have never had to delve so deeply to say the least. My 'abstract' evocative way of painting can't be tamed with a 'theme' and the expressionist colourist in my being has been throwing little teensy tantrums. But it has been truly rewarding to say the least.

Detail of the work in progress

Quote of the day:

In a general sense, all artists are shamans, insomuch as they are channeling images or concepts on behalf of the collective. – Vicki Noble