Altered Art Workshops with Betty McCullough
June 23rd, 2010
Ever picked up a paint brush before? Even dabbled just a little bit? Well, wait to see what you can create on a canvas with some paint, a palette knife, a few different brushes, tossed in with some somewhat secret materials after spending two days spent with edVentures instructor Betty McCullough.
Betty has taught classes for over 25 years. She first studied in oils and then moved to acrylics. In order to hone her craft and learn many ‘tricks of the trade’, she has participated in various courses throughout Canada and the United States including travelling as far as White Rock and Kelowna, BC and Nashville. She has taught in various locations in the Maritimes. Inspired by an instructor from out west, Betty enjoys teaching altered art projects.
Betty will be teaching two Altered Art offerings; Irises (July 24 & 25) and My Favourite Things (August 7 & 8). McCullough explains, “I teach using a unique medium where the student builds up a canvas using sculpture and then builds a frame around it.” In addition to painting, participants learn to alter their art with a texturizing technique to truly make their projects one-of-a-kind.
Irises, a 24” x 36”piece, is popular with many painters who have a love of flowers. With tips from Betty participants are taken step by step through the unique process. By the end of the two days, participants will be thrilled with how the work progresses complete with tips to make your painting look like the fresh dew is clinging to the flowers and leaves!
For anyone looking for the perfect way to incorporate special meaningful items into one place, My Favourite Things is special way to showcase them. For this workshop, participants bring along some of their favorite items, such as a photographs of children or grandchildren, or small even mementoes. These are treated and ‘tucked” into the 18” x 26” painting. A process is used to ‘age’ the canvas so that the picture looks antique. Throughout the workshop Betty will provide ideas of how the photos or items themselves may be subtly incorporated into the finished three-dimensional artwork. She will even demonstrate a process whereby participants can incorporate items into the piece after the workshop is completed so that it may be a living creation. It will most likely become the most meaningful work of art in your home. And you won’t have to travel out west to learn how to do it!
