Aya Fiber Studio

Learn to reinterpret nature’s deep imagery and essence employing matter from nature itself, within a limited earthy palette. To begin, students will make their own paint, ink and gesso from inorganic and organic sources including pine soot, tree resin, insect, shells and earth minerals. Judith will cover a variety of painting and collage techniques using these materials and guide students as they cultivate their individualized expression in mixed media. Metallic leafing and alchemic oxidation techniques will be introduced for adding warmth and depth to compositions. These arcane processes have been employed for thousands of years on cave walls, Asian scrolls, and aboriginal works. Students will work on a variety of Eastern and Western papers as well as wood panels. Eastern paper sizing, backing and mounting techniques will be covered. This meaningful, process-driven, ecological (non-toxic, water-based) work nurtures the heart and spirit. Abstractionists and realists alike will find a place here. All levels welcome.

In this abstract painting course, students will reinterpret nature’s deep imagery and essence, employing matter from nature itself. Paint, ink, and home-made gessoes will be made from a limited palette of inorganic and organic sources, including tree soot (sumi), gofun (shells), earth minerals, and plant matter. Metallic leafing and alchemic oxidation techniques will be covered. A variety of painting, drawing, and collage techniques will be covered to cultivate individualized expression in mixed-media abstraction. We will work on a variety of Eastern and Western papers as well as wood panels ( and textiles) . Asian paper sizing, backing, and mounting techniques will be covered. This meaningful, process-driven, ecological (non-toxic, water-based) work truly nurtures the heart and spirit. Traditional and abstract artists at all levels are welcome.