Donna Watson Wabi Sabi | Fibre Arts Take Two

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We are so excited to bring you a second online course with Donna Watson based on her signature Wabi Sabi Collage. To be notified when this course is open for enrolment add your name and email above. We can’t wait to share this incredible course with you!

What is Wabi Sabi?

Wabi Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic and way of life or a way of looking at things and seeing the world. Wabi means living with simplicity and nature, and Sabi refers to the passage of time. Wabi Sabi finds harmony and beauty in the transience and aging process… things that are worn, torn, weathered and rusty.

What can you expect with The Way of Wabi Sabi Collage with Donna Watson?

Donna Watson is a USA based award winning mixed media collage artist and teacher. Her process involves hand painted papers using acrylic paints and a Gel plate.

This course is the whole package, designed for you to find out more about wabi-sabi, papers and how to compose and get the content you want into your collages. All while finding your own voice and identity through your content and artwork.

You’ll learn about:

Wabi Sabi (of course!) and Boro
Washi papers
Hand made papers, hand painting papers, press flower prints, tea bag paper, fabric paper and momigami paper
Design elements and principles
Composition and placement
Finding content in your work
Working in a series

We also explore many artists and how they use design elements and principles to create their work.

You’ll be able to take risks and play around with outcomes so you can find balance and harmony in your artwork. You’ll also discover how to embrace mistakes.

This course is designed for those who want to delve deeper than surface-level art-making. "This course is not for those artists that just are looking for the easy way, the recipe," Donna says. Instead, it's crafted for those eager to explore, experiment, and express themselves authentically. "I provide as many techniques and tools as I can, so then you are ready to start creating your own collages in your voice," she adds.

Module 1: What is Wabi Sabi

Embark on a transformative journey into the captivating world of wabi-sabi philosophy and its profound connection to collage art.

This module offers an exploration of the beauty found in imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. Throughout the module, you will delve into the essence of wabi-sabi philosophy, celebrating its ability to elevate both artistic practice and life itself.

Discover the rich history of Boro, a traditional Japanese textile art form born out of necessity and rooted in the ethos of "mottainai" (waste nothing). Explore how the art of patching and repurposing clothing has inspired contemporary collage artists and sparked experimentation with hand-painted papers. Additionally, examine wabi-sabi aesthetics in natural and human-made objects, finding inspiration in weathered rocks, aged books, and everyday simplicity.

Module 2: Washi

Join us as we embark on a captivating exploration into the world of Japanese washi papers and their profound significance in the realm of collage art. Inspired by her Japanese heritage and journeys to Japan, Donna, an adept painter turned collage artist, ventured into an exploration of the beauty and versatility of washi papers.

Donna's artistic journey, spanning from watercolours to acrylic painting, led her to incorporate collage papers into her artwork. Initially utilizing found and purchased papers, she encountered challenges with fading due to light exposure. Delving deeper into her Japanese heritage and enamoured by the allure of Japanese culture, Donna turned her attention to Japanese washi papers, seeking to replicate the textures and aging effects of Boro fabric on these papers using acrylic paints.

In this module, you will embark on a captivating journey to explore the history of Japanese washi and the intricate process of crafting these papers. Discover the remarkable qualities of various types of washi papers and their unique textures, and learn how to source and experiment with them for your own artistic endeavours.

By the end of this module, you will:

Gain insights into the ancient art of making washi papers and explore different types of washi papers.
Learn how to hand-paint them to create captivating textures for your collage art.

Module 3: More Discoveries

Welcome to Module 3, where we further explore the art of hand-painting papers for collage. By now, you've likely amassed a collection of hand-painted washi papers, each imbued with your chosen colours, textures, and patterns. With a plethora of papers at your disposal, it's time to explore additional avenues for enhancing your collage creations.

In this module, we'll venture beyond traditional hand-painting techniques and introduce you to a myriad of new possibilities. From incorporating imagery and text to experimenting with fabric papers and pressed flowers, there's no limit to the creative exploration that awaits you. Embrace the beauty of nature with pressed botanicals, or infuse your collages with the charm of handwritten letters and vintage postcards.

By the end of this module, you will have:

Experimented with a variety of innovative techniques for hand-painting papers, including the traditional Japanese method of momigami using Konnyaku paste.
Expanded your collage material repertoire to include fabric papers, pressed flowers and leaves, tea bag papers, and stitched papers embellished with found objects.
Gained insights into the versatility of collage materials and discovered new ways to infuse your artwork with texture, colour, and personal expression.

Module 4: Elements and Principals of Design

In this module, we explore the fundamental elements and principles of design, essential tools for constructing visually compelling collages. Just like ingredients in a recipe, these elements are the building blocks of artistic expression, while the principles act as guiding recipes for combining them effectively.

As you explore the elements of design, including line, texture, shape, space, value, and colour, you'll uncover the diverse palette available for crafting your collages. Each element contributes its unique characteristics to convey emotions, direct attention, and establish the overall mood of your artwork.

By understanding the principles of design, such as unity, balance, contrast, dominance, pattern, rhythm, and movement, you'll gain insights into how to harmonize and organize your collage compositions effectively. These principles serve as the framework for creating cohesive and visually engaging artworks that resonate with your personal style and artistic vision.

By the end of this module, you will have learned:

How to utilize the elements of design, including line, texture, shape, space, value, and colour, to enrich your collage compositions.
How to apply the principles of design, such as unity, balance, contrast, dominance, pattern, rhythm, and movement, to create cohesive and visually compelling collages.
How to make informed choices about selecting elements and principles that align with your artistic preferences and convey your intended message effectively.

Module 5: Composition

Within this module, Donna will show you the art of arranging the elements of design to create visually compelling collages. Composition is like the blueprint of your artwork, guiding the placement of colours, shapes, textures, and more to convey your message effectively. Just as in Japanese gardens, where each stone placement impacts the entire landscape, every element in your collage plays a crucial role in shaping the overall composition.

As you embark on this module, you'll discover that composition is not just about arranging elements randomly but making intentional choices that reflect your personal style and artistic vision. Whether you're aiming for balance, contrast, or unity, understanding the principles of design will empower you to craft compositions that resonate with your audience.

Module 6: Content & Series

In the realm of collage art, the amalgamation of design elements and principles creates a language through which artists express their unique visions. But beneath this creative surface lies a deeper exploration of self—what you like, who you are, and what resonates with your inner world. This module delves into the heart of personal expression, guiding you to discover the content that speaks most profoundly to you.

You will be asked to consider the myriad elements and principles of design that reflect your personality and interests. From colours and shapes to textures and themes, each choice you make adds layers to your artistic identity. By honing in on what captivates you the most, you pave the way for more authentic, meaningful creations.

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Why Enrol in a Fibre Arts Take Two Signature Course?

Joining The Way of Wabi Sabi Collage includes:

Lifetime Access: Revisit the course content anytime to refresh your skills or find new inspiration. Learn at your own pace!
Student Community Group: Engage with like-minded artists and form connections that could last a lifetime.
Two Live Q&A Sessions: Get direct feedback and insights from Donna herself.
8 Weeks of Tutor Support: Donna will be there to guide you, answer your questions, and help you overcome any artistic hurdles.
Showcase your artwork: your enrolment includes an invitation to participate in an online exhibition.

Register now to be notified when this course becomes available.

Donna will step you through the following modules.

Module 1: What is Wabi Sabi

Module 2: Washi

Module 3: More Discoveries

Module 4: Elements and Principals of Design

Module 5: Composition

Module 6: Content & Series

Why Enrol in a Fibre Arts Take Two Signature Course?

The Way of Wabi Sabi Collage - Video Series

Register now to be notified when this course becomes available.