CARVE AND CREATE: PATTERN DESIGN AND LINO BLOCK PRINTING WITH DIANE KAPPA
May 2-4, 2025, Port Orchard, WA
Join Seattle Artist Diane Kappa for a 3-day pattern design and lino block printing workshop in the Bellissima Art Studio in Port Orchard, WA May 2-4. Diane has 25 years of experience designing patterns for a wide range of products from fabric to home and garden decor.
“My inspiration comes from my travels and the quiet moments spent away from the everyday hustle. I’ve attended retreats and workshops in various parts of the world, each one helping me to focus and reconnect with my creativity. I bring that same energy and passion into my teaching, inspiring my students to explore their own creative potential. ”
If you have a passion for pattern and block printing, this class is for you! We start with essentials as Diane guides you step by step through an immersive process of block printing, ensuring you feel confident and inspired at every turn.
As you gain hands-on experience carving your own blocks, we explore the art of pattern layout—showing how a few simple motifs can come together to create a wide variety of dynamic designs
In the second part of the class, you bring your carved blocks to life by combining pattern to craft a one-of-a-kind design on a large rectangular scarf or fabric piece. By the end of the workshop, you have a beautiful, personalized textile creation to take home and the skills to continue exploring block printing and pattern making on your own.
Schedule
Day 1, May 2: Introduction to Block Printing
We will meet in the studio at 9:30 a.m. where we will begin our 3-day workshop with Diane.
We will dive into the world of block printing with an overview of the essential tools and techniques. From there, you will carve your own blocks. This day is all about getting creative—brainstorming ideas and sketching out designs for your blocks, setting the stage for your unique patterns.
We will break for lunch around 12:30 and class will be over at 4:30.
Day 2, May 3: Printing and Pattern Design
It’s a full day in the studio beginning at 9:30. We will continue crafting our blocks and being the exciting process of printing.
Once your blocks are ready, we dive into pattern design—learning how to create various layouts using your carved motifs. Through hands-on experimentation, you create several test prints, explore different compositions, and refine your skills to achieve a finished design.
Lunch and dinner will be provided today.
This Art Escape includes
Three days instruction by Diane
Three lunches, one dinner
Some Art Supplies
Private Facebook Page
New art tribe
The cost of this workshop is $800. A non-refundable $400 deposit is due upon registering. The remaining $400 is due March 11.
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
Block printing ink
Palette Knives
Four to five sheets of 4” x 6” easy cut lino
Pencils
Thin sharpies
Tissue paper
Rubber cement
Scissors
1 scarf per student
Artist Supply List
Cutting mat
Lino cutting tools
Rubber brayer
Prewashed and ironed fabric for practicing different layouts
Two 12”x12” sheets of 2mm plexiglass
Disappearing fabric markers
Box cutter
Ruler
Apron
Sketchbook
Old toothbrush for cleaning blocks
Bellissima Art Studio
Day 3, May 4: Final Touches and Shown ‘N Tell
We meet at 9:30 to put the finish touches on your projects. After lunch and completing any last details, we clean up the studio wrapping up with a fun and inspiring Shown ‘N Tell where you share your completed pieces and reflect on the creative journey. Class will be over at 4:30.
Some of the products and designs created by Diane for Sundance, Studio M, etúHOME, Michael Miller, and Creative Co-op.
With over 25 years of experience designing patterns for a wide range of products from fabric to home and garden decor, Diane Kappa has found a perfect blend of her licensing work and fine art through block printing and pattern design. Over the past year, she has been teaching block printing from her West Seattle studio where she takes great joy in guiding others as they discover their own creative voices.
Kathie Vezzani who is hosting the workshop, also is an artist who paints, rusts and waxes. She organizes trips for other artists and in a former life was a caterer. She has over three decades of experience organizing trips for foodies and artists.