Classes & Workshops February-March

Floor-cloth Workshop is now closed
The Floor-cloth/ Table Runner Workshop
Saturday and Sunday, March 24th and 25th

 

For those of you who wanted to take this class but didn't get signed up in time, you can e-mail me and I will put your name on a waiting list.

This is a first come first serve basis in the event there is a cancellation.

If there are a group of friends that want to put another floor-cloth class together, I will teach it with a minimum of 5 people.

 

Thank you,
Cathy Dorris

 

Milagros, Artifacts, Ethnic Charms, & TrinketsMilagros are Latin folk charms and votive offerings. I used to buy these outside the churches in Mexico and use them in my artwork. I began to start hoarding them as I didn't get to Mexico as much as I was using them up. That's when I came up with the idea of making them. After much research, I found that they are not only used in Latin America, but throughout the world in different styles. Alas, I am now a happy person because I can have them anytime I want, whether I put several together in a shadow box or within the reliquaries and nichosI make. So now you can stop buying them from me---come learn how to make them for yourself. This is a two part class, one for sculpting and drying and the other class for finishing. And if you are loving this process (which trust me you will), I have a class two days lateron Saturday, making a wonderful little piece called a nicho to use these in.Part ONE: Tuesday Evening, Feb. 7th, 6:00-9:00 pm
Part TWO: Thursday Evening, Feb, 9th, 6:00-9:00 pm
Class Fees:
Tuesday: $25 taken as a single class
Thursday: $25 taken as a single class
Both Classes: $40 taken togetherSupply fee: $10

 

The Winged Heart ReliquaryThis is a cool three dimensional wall hanging that is an absolute ball to construct, and just in time for Valentine’s Day (isn't that sweet?) Approximate size 12"x12”. You will not only learn about nichos and how to make them but you will learn a variety of surface treatments that will surprise you. Oh, and look at that inside the alcove...why, it is a milagro. Now where would you find one of those?
Day Workshop
Saturday, Feb. 11th, 9:00-5:00 pm
Class Fee: $45
Supply Fee: $10

 

Stella!

This figurative abstract mixed media sculpture is a no stress, no rules free form creation. First, students will learn how to construct a simple and easy wire armature where there is "no fighting with wire." The form is then taken into a paper mache style piece and finished with several types of fun surface treatments and embellishments. You can sit back in this class, relax, play and let your art figure take its first breath and do its own thing.
Day Workshop
Sunday, February 19th, 9:00- 5:00
Class Fee: $45
Supply Fee: $10

Earrings and PendantsI have a thing for artful style earrings, especially the sterling silver style from galleries. The trouble is, they can be heavy and irritate your ears. I even went through a period of not wearing them at all because of this. After working with paper clay for years and loving its durability and lightness, I began to wonder if I could simulate sterling silver with it. And being the lucky person to live in these days of surface treatment heaven, I was able to pull off a faux style sterling silver earring. It was light and comfortable and had the artful style I was looking for. It worked so well, in fact, that it has now become an addiction and I will never buy another pair of earrings again. I have also addicted many others and am proud of it. These are not just fun to wear; making them will open up a whole new world in ornament, from pendants to bracelets and more. This is normally a one day workshop but I am doing a two part evening class this time for those who can't get away during the day.
Part ONE: Tuesday evening, February 28th, 6:00-9:00 pm
Part TWO: Thursday evening, March 1st, 6:00-9:00 pm
Class Fee: $45 for both

 

Surface Treatment Class #1
We will begin with paper on our first classes on surface treatment. Paper is everywhere and comes in all forms. The most unique paper you will find for your artwork is the kind you make yourself.
There is nothing like going through piles of beautiful and colorful handmade paper. It's like money in the bank.
Evening class
Tuesday, March 6th, 6:00-9:00 pm
Cost: $25

Scrap Assemblage on Canvas This is the class of ENDLESS possibilities. You will be surprised at how little it takes to make a great piece of art. Save those paper scraps, wrappers and cardboard pieces. With a little surface treatment we will turn them into unique pieces for art. How to put color combinations together is a big part of this class and will hopefully alleviate some of your fears of working with color. It is called "Color Theory" but I'm not telling you that because you will yawn and fall asleep. You will also learn balance, perspective and placement. If you like creating great things from nothing, this is your class. I happen to like it because I like digging through piles of wonderful scraps and turning them into gallery pieces. I will provide boxes of scraps for you to go through and you are also welcome to bring your own. I'm not just talking paper; I'm talking little bits of everything else whether it is plastic, metal, or fiber. When I say little, I mean little, like will fit inside the palm of your hand. I have had people bring 2-3 pound "pieces" and I will tell you now that a canvas has a hard time with that. I will also be starting a series of classes on "Surface Treatment." The first class is the Tuesday evening (March 6th) before this Scrap Assemblage Class. A lot of what we will be doing in the first Surface Treatment class is what can be used in the Scrap Assemblage Class, so you might want to think about that one.

One Day Workshop
Saturday, March 10th, 9:00-5:00Class Fee: $45
Supply List Fee: $15 Includes deep canvas, paints, and embellishments

Floor-cloths and Table RunnersOkay, here it is people!! I have finally set a date. For those of you who don't know about Floor-cloths, they are a piece of canvas art that goes on the floor like a rug or as a runner on a table. They are painted in different styles to your taste and sealed for durability.
To say the least, they are downright amazing. I have them throughout my house in Central Asian Kilim style. People always want to step around them because they are beautiful. I have had mine for years and just repaint them if I need a change of decor. We will be making the smaller table runner or small rug size in this class. If you take this class you might want to Google some ideas for your piece, print them out and bring them with you. If not I have plenty of patterns to look at. You DO NOT have to be an accomplished artist/painter to do this class. I have had people throw paint on like Jackson Pollock or do a contemporary piece with one red stripe on black. All of them looked fantastic. I made this a two day workshop so you all will have plenty of time to finish. If you're interested in this class, book quickly, it fills fast.
Two Day Workshop:
Part ONE: Saturday, March 24th, 10:00-5:00
PART TWO: Sunday, March 25th, 10:00-4:00
Class Fee: $50
Supplies Fee: $20





***Online class sign up form available at top of this page.***

Class Schedule

December


Compartment Houses
Sunday December 4th, 9:30 am - Fee $40/Prepay Fee: $35* Kit Fee: $15
Earrings and Pendants
Tuesday December 6th, 10 am - Fee $40/Prepay Fee: $35*
Sculptured Paper Vessels
Sunday December 11th, 9:30 am - Fee $40/Prepay Fee $35*
Sumi-E
Tuesday December 13th, 10 am - Fee $40/Prepay $35*

* There is a $5-10.00 prepay discount for class fees when received at least one week before class. All class fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

** Classes are held at Cathy Dorris Studios: 130 A Street, #4D Ashland, Oregon 97520. Class fees may be mailed to this address. Please give your name and specify the names and dates of the class or classes you wish to take.  Please email questions and comments to cathy@cathydorrisstudios.com