Exploring Mixed Media & Collage with Sue Casey

This Mixed Media Collage workshop will focus on creating art by combining various materials and techniques. Participants will explore the possibilities of collage, often incorporating mark-making, paint, and a variety of papers to construct unique, layered artworks. Throughout this workshop experimentation and creative expression will be emphasized, allowing individuals to discover new approaches to art-making and push the boundaries of a traditional collage. 

About the Instructor: Sue Casey

I don't think of “art” as being separate from myself - it is and always has been a part of who I am. I've been thinking about, looking at, making, and teaching art for as long as I can remember. 

My inspiration for my work comes from nature where I enjoy walking along the beach, hiking in the White Mountains and paddle-boarding and kayaking in the North River. Every day I am inspired by the beauty of nature and the light and color that surround me. 

I have always been drawn to mixed media due to the ability to experiment with layering materials and textures help me reset and work through ideas. I am particularly drawn to geometric shapes and how they appear in an organic setting. My goal is to simplify these shapes and be less deliberate over the arrangements of found and painted paper shapes and edges to create an overall cohesive composition.

Suggested Materials List:

Substrate:

• Mixed media paper or heavyweight paper (e.g. Canson XL Mix Media)
• Wood panels (8"x10" or larger)
• Canvas
• Heavyweight paper, cardboard, or old book covers

• Good quality glue sticks (e.g., UHU)
• Matte or gloss gel medium
• PVA glue (e.g., Elmer's, Sobo, or Jade 403)

• Scissors (one regular/large pair and one small pair for fussy cutting recommended)
• X-Acto knife with #11 blades
• Small cutting mat

• Pencils
• Pens (e.g., Micron Pens)
• Paint pens
• Markers
• Oil pastels or crayons
• Gouache

• Acrylic paints (various colors, including red, blue, yellow, white, black)
• Brushes:
• Assorted “cheap” paint brushes (various sizes and shapes, for applying paint and glue)
• Collage materials:
• Variety of papers: construction paper, newspaper, wallpaper, scrapbook paper, tissue paper, wrapping paper, magazine pages, book pages, sheet music, decorative papers, paint chip samples, junk mail, old letters, photographs, maps
• Stamps and stencils

• Palette knife (for mixing paint and tearing paper)
• Rubber brayer (for smoothing down collage materials)
• Water container for rinsing brushes
• Paper towels or cloth for cleaning
• Apron or smock
• Gelli plate for printmaking
• Q-tips
• Old phone book, magazine, or notebook for gluing surface
• Freezer paper and wax paper (for drying dyed papers and separating collages)
• Spray bottle for water or alcohol
• Toothbrush to spritz with
• Ruler
• Paper Towels
• Reference photos: still life, landscape (bring a few ideas to choose from)