ABSTRACTION BY DESIGN WITH MICHAEL SHEMCHUK
June 14-16, 2024 Port Orchard, WA
Join Michael Shemchuk, or Shem in this 3-day abstract painting AbD workshop in Port Orchard, WA.
The Abstract by Design method is the process of exploring collage and painting technologies by multi layering the mediums of paper and paint on panels. The layering of paper and paint enables you to sand, scrape, wet, peel, paint, collage and repeat to create controlled and incidental textured surfaces. We use acrylic polyurethane as a glue to attach papers, as a resist coat, and as a top coat as well.
Collaging involves color selection, paper choices, placement, gluing, mark making, composition and surface extraction. Painting involves panel prep, trowel application, brushing, sanding, surface manipulations, paint mixing and texturing.
The goal is to create individual panels that stand on their own and, work in concert as well. This parameter allows you to focus on your design and composition skills, while creating a visual dialog between your panels.
You decide in class the series format you want to work in with your 12 panels: Linear (6 over 6), Stacked (3 over 4), Diptych’s or Triptychs.
The principals Action, Reaction, Repeat (A.R.R.) begins by processing with an action by applying paint or collage to your panels. Pause, and review the action, then repeat another action. This requires taking time to observe your work, measure your response to both the controlled (deliberate) and spontaneous (happy accidents!). We will follow these A.R.R. principles as we create your work.
Bellissima Art Studio
This workshop is full. A waitlist has started.
This Art Escape includes
Three days instruction from Shem
beautiful studio to create in
3 lunches, 1 dinner
some supplies
new tribe
The cost for this Escape is $800. A $500 nonrefundable deposit is due upon registering. The remaining $300 dollars is due April 14, 2024.
Port Orchard is the site for the workshop. The location is 9 miles north of Gig Harbor, WA which is listed as one of the most desirable cities in the US to visit (or live). It is located south of Seattle, across the Narrows Bridge on Hwy 16.
The Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter stops in Gig Harbor and in Port Orchard.
There are many Arbnbs and B&Bs in the area. A list of accommodations will be provided if requested
We will Provide
scrubber sponge
80 grit sandpaper and sanding block
chip brushes
gallon buckets
paint rags/stir sticks
Student Supply List*
12- 12”x12” x 7/8” cradled panels. (See Blick item 07044-1212)
1-qt white latex house paint. (Flat or satin sheen)
1-qt black latex house paint. (Flat or satin sheen)
2-qts. Acrylic urethane/varnish clear medium.(gloss or semigloss)
18+ sheets black tissue. Resource: https://www.papermart.com
12+ sheets 18”x22” newsprint.
Variety of personal collage papers and color tissue (color, pattern, graphics, craft paper and re-purposed).
Color paint. 3-6 colors of latex house or acrylic artist paints or liquid pigments
One 6”wide flexible broad knife and
One 1” putty knife.
8+ pint/quart plastic mixing containers w/lids
Scissors
Utility knife
Spray bottle (atomizer)
wiping rags
artist brushes
hair dryer or heat gun
Pre-class assignment:
Cradle prep
Apply 2 coats acrylic clear urethane (gloss or semi gloss) to all cradle sides and let dry between coats. Tape all cradle (sides) with low stick (blue) tape
*There is a Lowes 4.5 miles from the studio where you can purchase paint.
Michael Shemchuk is an abstract artist living and working in Northern California. Largely self-taught, Shem did not emerge on the art scene in a conventional fashion.
Shem’s work has evolved over the last two decades, shaped directly by a close engagement with material and process. From the onset, Shem’s focus has been on abstraction and design. Influenced by his earlier faux finish work, Shem’s Meridian series, begun in the late nineties, used paint and plaster as primary media. In 2014, Shem became interested in the changes in art-making stemming from shifts in technology. His response was to re-evaluate traditional materials such as paper and paint, thus simplifying his approach to abstraction with the Tags series. In 2017, Shem was inspired to further his pursuit of abstraction and design by streamlining his materials and employing process as integral to his work. The result is his Surface Tension series, which is based on an organic process involving water, paper, pressure, friction, and time. In addition to his art-making, Shem teaches the principles of Abstraction by Design (AbD) to students and fellow artists via workshops and private mentoring.
Kathie Vezzani is a mixed media artist who loves anything rusty. She rusts, paints and uses encaustic and cold wax in her practice. She also creates mixed media sculptures. In her spare time, she organizes workshops for other artists. She will be hosting this workshop in her new studio.