Discovering Composition through Experimentation
Instructor: Christopher Shotola-Hardt
Week 1: July 30 - August 5, 2023

Abandon pre-conceived ideas of what you want to paint. Immerse yourself in process. Subject matter (be it representational or abstract) will reveal itself as you let go and let what happens on the substrate be your guide. Be welcoming to this dialogue with the unconscious! 

On various substrates, we will explore traditional and experimental, additive and subtractive techniques, as we build up layers to develop sumptuous, emotive, evocative surface effects. Light source, highlights and drop shadows will be added to reveal innate compositions, and to define surface depth relationships. Each day yields several studies and one more-developed piece.

Traditional acrylic techniques include (but not limited to): washes; salt-resist; wet-on- wet; dry brush; sgraffito; frottage; glazing; masking.

Experimental techniques in these paint media: acrylics; gouache & ink; paste paint (tempera & wallpaper paste); bas relief (with joint compound, with tissue & glue, with Celluclay); gold leaf; photo transfer; faux effects; stenciling.

Works created this week by beginning, intermediate, or advanced painters may be considered complete, or be employed as backgrounds for future work. The goal is to expand our technical and conceptual tool kits as we explore the possibilities of the paint.

Class Material Fee $25 (to be paid directly to the instructor)
Click here for required class supply list

About Christopher 

Christopher Shotola-Hardt received his MFA from Portland State University and his BA from Lewis & Clark College, with a year of study at Ludwig-Maximillians Universität in Munich, Germany.  He has exhibited throughout the Pacific Northwest and in New York.  His work is included in local, national, and international private collections and regional public collections, including the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, the Evergreen Air & Space Museum, Center for Research in Environmental Sciences & Technologies (CREST), South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART), and City of Wilsonville.  He has been one of the artist-owners of Blackfish Gallery in Portland’s Pearl District since 2004. Shotola-Hardt taught in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District for 32 years, and was named Oregon Secondary Art Educator of the Year (2005); Oregon Art Educator of the Year (2009); Pacific Region Secondary Art Educator of the Year (2018).

Learn more on his website:
www.christophershotola-hardt.com