Panels in the Making

The weeklong workshop with Martha Cole flew by. We did our artwork on the third floor of the Signal Hill Art Centre in Weyburn, a wonderful five story building, built in 1905 as a hospital. 

On day one we sketched out the being we wanted to put on our banner. I chose DNA, Helen chose trees regenerating after a forest fire, and Beth chose cattails. Others in the group focused on viruses, peacocks, hummingbirds, bees, jellyfish, and the forest floor. 

Day two we began painting. For many of us it took two or more days to complete the painting portion of the banner. For others the process of sewing sheers onto their banner was the main focus. 

The next few days were spent deciding on the proper embellishment techniques to make the banners transform into the essence of the being that was depicted. I spent a lot of time adding ribbon and satin stitching on the DNA and building a reflective lightning bolt. Helen added sheer flames to her banner. Beth focused on adding texture to her cat tail heads and dimension to the reeds.