"Workshop Exploring Abstraction" with Lillie Morris

Workshop Description (from the instructor)

Let go of traditional visual references and subject matter and learn to create dynamic abstract paintings in this two-day workshop with award winning artist Lillie Morris. Schedule includes demonstrations and individual practices encouraging you to explore and grow your own visual language. This workshop is designed to improve your understanding of the principles of abstract painting through experimentation. To compliment this hands-on learning, Lillie will provide instruction through references to contemporary and historical examples of abstract art and abstract artists.

Topics Covered

Elements of Composition

Mark-making and intuitive drawing

Paint application/manipulation & color

Texture & layering

Reworking

This course is designed for painters wishing to experiment with themes of abstract art, although it would also be suitable for beginners eager to experiment with abstraction & expressionism.

About the Instructor

The study of art has been a lifelong pursuit for Lillie Morris. Born in Augusta, GA in 1954 Lillie was essentially self taught as a child and encouraged throughout her public school years by her family and teachers alike. Pursuing her art degree at Augusta College in the 1970’s her instructors included Freeman Schoolcraft, Nathan Bindler and Richard Frank. Other significant influences in her ongoing study have been Jim Lyle, Carrie Burns Brown and Bea Kuhlke. Best known for her acrylic, collage and mixed media paintings, Lillie also occasionally works in cold wax and encaustic. She specializes in abstract art, both representational and non-representational. Her paintings, whether collage, acrylic or a mixture of mediums reveal a love of texture, color and experimentation. Richly layered and with her own vocabulary of gestural marks and linear elements, Lillie strives to convey the emotional impact of her source of inspiration...be it the landscape, music, poetry or deep personal experiences. Lillie enjoys creating visually stimulating images that leave the subject open to the viewer’s interpretation. Lillie is inspired by the landscape, waterways and rich history of the Piedmont region of Georgia. Her studio is located in rural Columbia County, GA. and the short walk from her house to her studio is filled with the sights and sounds of nature, taking her alongside a creek, a pond and across a pasture where goats graze in the distance.   Lillie also has an intense interest in the music, literature and landscape of Ireland and her work has been deeply influenced by her many travels there. Lillie has visited Ireland annually since 2000 and has enjoyed five art residencies (2006, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2018) in Co. Kerry Ireland in the southwest of Ireland. Lillie’s artwork has been exhibited both nationally and internationally. Her work is included in many private and corporate collections such as The Augusta University Cancer Center, University Hospital Cardiovascular Center (Augusta, GA)  Fifth Third Bank, Columbia Co., GA. and the Séanchai Literary Center, Listowel, Co. Kerry Ireland. Her work has been accepted into numerous national invitational juried exhibitions. She is a member of the National Collage Society and a signature member of the South Carolina Watermedia Society. Lillie and her husband Bill currently reside near Augusta, GA on a farm located in rural Columbia County, GA.​

Link to her website here!

Workshop Supply List

Surface & workspace supplies: (we will be working on paper)

Canson Watercolor Paper Pad 12” x 18” (140 lb) (Do not get a spiral bound pad!)

Firm Surface to tape paper to

1” Painters Tape

Large disposable palette

Large water container

Paper Towels

Brushes

Don’t necessarily go out and purchase all of these listed but bring5-10 of your favorite go-to brushes. I suggest laying out all your favorite brushes and narrowing it down to the ones you most often use. Include some round brushes (used for line and detail) and filberts and flats (better for covering larger areas) …and, honestly, I use lots of ‘worn out’ brushes so bring them too!!

Here are my suggestions (sizes according to the ‘Winton’ brand):

Round- #1

Filbert- #2, #4, #6

Flat- #8, #10, #12

If you have any color ‘shaper’ tools bring them as well.

Mark Making Implements

Several Graphite Pencils - 6B and darker

Black & White Posca Pens (optional)

I will have a variety of water-soluble mark making implements for demonstrating and for class participants to experiment with.

Acrylic Paints

We will be using a limited palette. I use & recommend Golden Liquid Acrylic Paints.

If you don’t already have these colors, there is no need to purchase large quantities for this two-day workshop. I’ve listed the suggested size for each.

Liquitex White Gesso (16 oz bottle)

Paynes Grey (4oz)

Black (4oz)

White (you can use gesso as your white)

Titan Buff (4oz)

Quinacridone Nickle Azo Gold (4oz)

Sap Green (4oz)

Phthalo Turquoise (1oz)

I order most of my supplies from Dick Blick ( https://www.dickblick.com) or Cheap Joe’s ( https://www.cheapjoes.com ) Michaels also carries all of the supplies listed and frequently have the Canson Watercolor Pad on sale.

Registration

Registration is open to CCAL members for $275 ($50 minimum deposit required).

Registration is open to all artists for $300 ($50 minimum deposit required).

Lunch provided – Limited to 8 Participants Max