Workshops

Photo: Keith Jardine

I'm an experienced arts-based facilitator and teacher with a Masters of Education in Arts for Social Change from Simon Fraser University. I love exploring a wide variety of art materials and processes, sharing what I've learned through 20 years of working as a professional artist.

Below are descriptions of sample workshops I've led in multiple contexts, including conferences, community centres, schools and private studios. Most are designed to connect participants more deeply to nature through observation, reflection and hands-on art making in an atmosphere of collective exploration. My process values learning and engagement through active making and doing.

I'm always happy to discuss possibilities and look forward to working with new groups. Contact me with your questions and ideas!

Workshops

Drawing

  • Nature sketching – This workshop introduces participants to drawing materials and techniques, including how to closely observe nature in order to record what we see on paper. Curiosity and a willingness to try new things is much more important than prior drawing experience or skill. The workshop includes a quiet walk in nature and discussion of considerations when choosing what to draw and how. If the weather is amenable, we draw outside. If it's wet or cold, participants may take photos to work from and we gather materials to arrange into a still life to draw in the studio. The end of the workshop includes an opportunity to share our observations, experiences and drawings.

Mapping

  • Stories of interconnection: mind mapping nature – Explores the use of collaborative mind maps to visualize connections between species and the human and non-human world.
  • Drawing meaning from nature: observation, symbols and stories – Combines focused observation and meaning-making through drawing, collaborative mind-mapping and storytelling. The workshop can also include a nature walk to collect materials.
  • Bird Habitat Mapping – Experiential workshop for all ages to see and understand a neighbourhood through a bird’s eye view. Participants create individual and group maps that reflect bird-based landmarks, including habitat, food sources, nesting options, sightings and more.

Printmaking

  • Nature printmaking – Teaches printmaking techniques using natural materials such as leaves and feathers. The workshop includes a nature walk to gather materials, pressing leaves and flowers, and lots of practice printing onto a variety of different papers.

Birds

  • Birds! Birds! Birds! This workshop introduces children to local birds through artmaking: storytelling, movement exercises, drawing, feather printmaking, quill writing, and bird puppet-making.
  • Bird puppet making - Learn about local birds while making a simple bird puppet on a stick using newspaper, masking tape, tissue paper and glue.

Lanterns and illuminated sculptures

  • Lanterns and illuminated sculptures – Learn how to use simple materials to build illuminated sculptures and lanterns in a variety of shapes and sizes. Depending on the form, materials include chicken wire, bamboo, glass jars, tissue paper, cloth and glue. Lanterns may be lit with tea light candles or LED lights. Individual workshops focus on techniques to create glass jar lanterns, globe lanterns, box or tower lanterns, stars, and animals or other shapes. Lanterns can incorporate meaningful imagery and text and be combined to tell stories, such as the lifecycle of salmon or interconnections between species.

Mixed media

  • Mixed media collage – Explore how collage materials and techniques can investigate thematic concepts or topics of concern. Collage allows us to work with seemingly disparate or conflicting ideas in a tangible and visual way, revealing patterns and possibilities without requiring resolution or simplification. Longer workshops give an inspiring overview of the history of collage-making as an art form.