Off the Wall — Asymmetrical Faces with Joan Schwartz
2-Day Session!
Tuesday, June 28, 2022, 8:00am – 5:00pm AND Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 8:00am – 5:00pm
Hands-on
Beginner/Intermediate
Price: $460 (Included $50 Materials Fee)
(Registration opens Apr 9, 2022 at 12 noon EST)
In this abstract workshop I will share my methods of developing a 10”x12” 2-D relief face by letting the chosen materials speak for themselves. I gather a mixture of different sizes and types of materials, such as stained and Smalti glass, metal and glass beads, buttons, ceramic, wood and any other accessories that speak to me. By the process of elimination and rearranging these tessera like puzzle pieces, these tricks aide in my development of a color palette and some of the design elements from which to assemble a ‘one of kind face.’
Material Participants are to bring
Sketch pad, pens, Sharpies, pencils (colored if wanted), small plastic bag for work space trash, small & large zip lock baggies, ruler, nippers*, wire cutters*, small long nosed pliers*, running pliers*, scissors, tweezers,*glass cutter*, small wire brush*, any special personal glass, jewelry, ceramics, china tessera, large towel to throw away after class, apron, packing tape and wrapping materials for a 10” x 12” piece.
Materials Instructor to Provide
- Pre-cut substrate, prepared and ready to hang or be framed.
- Pre-stuffed folders with hand outs of instructions to begin and complete the relief and source list for purchasing products.
- 3-5 different patterns for choice of face shapes, eyes, noses and mouths, to help expedite time constraints if needed.
- A multitude of tessera for project.
- To share* : trays for sorting materials, gloves, adhesives, tools* and grout.
About Joan Schwartz
For as long as I can remember I have defined myself as an artist – as a young child at home, throughout high school and even while working as a pediatric nurse later on. Though I have experimented with various art media over the years, it is mosaics which ultimately captured my heart, becoming my full time passion for the last 16 years. My works are stimulated by the patterns, colors and objects that surround me. Materials seem to speak to me wherever I go. All types of glass, ceramics, beads, handmade pieces, wood, metal, and other repurposed materials have found their way into my art. Quite often, it’s my ‘stash’ to which I go for inspiration, it will in turn energize my imagination. I often work unconventionally, rarely drawing, and not necessarily in a linear path. Sometimes my pieces evolve into something far unlike what I originally imagined. Frequently I work backwards, developing a finished piece from a single tessera or item that plants the initial seed of an idea. Each work showcases my attention to detail in the design elements, color choices and selection of materials. My works can be found in many private collections and are permanently displayed in public buildings locally as well as around the US and abroad.
I am currently on the Board of Directors of SAMA, a member of both CMA2 and the Mosaic Artists of Michigan and also affiliated with other art associations in my area. I have taught beginner and intermediate mosaic classes for several years, and recently filmed my first teaching video, “Orbs on Parade”, available through Mosaic Arts Online. Constantly searching for more found objects and eager to meet and exchange ideas with fellow artists feeds my never-ending craving to learn, improve and create. I’m proud that my long time goal to develop my own contemporary, sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical – but always recognizable style – has been achieved. jsmosaicdesigns.com