Whiskey Spring Studio-Charles Pearce's Calligraphy Workshops in the Arkansas Ozarks

CALLIGRAPHY AS ART
The painterly side to the scribal arts

Over the past several years I have been experimenting more and more with doing calligraphy on canvas, mainly because I like the challenge of working large, but also I like to be able to create three-dimensional textures which I can incorporate into a piece of calligraphy. When I decided to teach this workshop in Connecticut, I was unsure about whether the students who took part would "get it". Needless to say, they were magnificent and rose to the challenge wonderfully. So. Let's do it again!

This will be a workshop aimed at the advanced student who wishes to take her/his skills to a higher, more interpretative level. We shall be using all sorts of mixed media and trying different techniques to achieve certain “looks”. Students should come armed with several quotes, or their own words, based on a single subject that involves them emotionally. He/she may even decide that one word used in a multiplicity of styles and colors would work. The subject might be something they love, or something they hate. Two things that come to mind immediately are abortion and gun control, although it doesn’t necessarily have to be that controversial. However, as artists we are in a unique position to be social commentators, because we can state our views unequivocally.

We shall explore how to portray our emotional response to words with color and texture using a variety of techniques and media. As I did in the previous workshop, I shall also work on a piece with the students in the class. This workshop is aimed at the more advanced students who are prepared to throw themselves into things wholeheartedly. It should be a blast!!

You will need: a selection of pens (1/2” and smaller) and flat brushes of differing sizes; water pots and plastic cups to mix paint in (if they have tops, so much the better); I shall supply canvas and acrylic paints for a nominal sum (the last time the cost was $25). I shall also bring a selection of tools that will be available for class use in case people don't have everything they need.

To the organizers: I shall need a large studio where we can make a mess, preferably with access to the outside. Paint and water are thrown around with (dare I say it?) gay abandon during this workshop.

We shall work on raw cotton duck canvas and then the sky is the limit. I would like the theme of the work in this workshop to be about "Seasons". Here in the Ozarks, the Fall colors can be quite spectacular and you might wish to take your inspiration from that, but don't feel limited by it. Whichever season you choose will probably dictate the color palette you will wish to use. Come with plenty of ideas and some quotes that are of singular importance to you, and relate to the subject in hand. I also intend to do a canvas during the class so that people can see some of the techniques that I employ in my own work. I may also work on something which I already have going. I'm currently working on a set of canvases based on Psalms.

I shall have canvas for everyone as well as all of the acrylic paints we shall need. There will be a maximum $50 (if I can make it less I certainly will) charge to cover everything. I won’t be supplying oils; that will be the responsibility of each individual if he/she wishes to use them. You should bring a range of flat brushes (1/8”, 1/4”, 1/2” and 1”) of the nylon type (i.e. NOT bristle), a 2-3” house painting brush, charcoal, a palette (or piece of plywood for mixing colors on), a water pot.