New WorkShops! Starting Jan 24th 2012

Investigate Your Identity. Jan 24-Mar 13

In this program the primary focus will be content. You will set out with the objective of telling a story visually. Your completed oil painting will give viewers an insight into its creator. You will begin by creating a personal diorama using items that are meaningful to you. We will explore various aspects of the diorama using selective cropping and preliminary sketches and or digital photography. The successful selection will form the basis of the oil painting. This piece will have interesting relationships between perspective, scale and depth, and a strong sense of narrative.

Where: 1250 Judith Lane, Arroyo Grande
When: Each Tuesdays 9-11.30am
Cost: $400 per session (8 weeks), $100 discount for all three sessions

Studio space available!!

CorkStop Studios is now accepting applications for contemporary artists looking for studio space. Access to the etching press and opportunity to exhibit at the studio during the annual Arts Obispo Open Studios and work featured on CorkStop's webs site. Email resume and at least 5 images of recent work to

info@CorkStopStudios.com

Sculpture workshops!

The studio is well into the 6 week sculpture workshop session instructed by Kate Britton ( a practicing sculptor trained in London). Here's what some of the students have to say so far...

"Thanks so much for a wonderful evening! You made me feel as if I belonged in front of that wad of clay. Your teaching style is perfect: coming over when you feel it's necessary, answering questions, providing help when someone asks, always encouraging."
Mary Kay Harrington

This workshop is about finding the movement and abstraction within the human form.

A three day weekend workshop is coming up. 5/6/7/June. Check the website for full details.

Technique, form and content

I visited the Henry Moore retrospective at the Tate Britain today and have to say I was very disappointed. The curator seemed to have overlooked a most critical factor, that of the three dimensions. I became irritated as I tried to move around the pieces pinning myself against the wall to get a glimpse of what I suspect the curator assumed was the back and therefore was of little importance. Smaller pieces were fitted into glass boxes which shouted "hands off thieves". It was of course jammed with people as well as it was a rainy Saturday in London today which made it even more unpleasant. I was more inspired by his drawings which showed his gradual path to forms that need space. Need I say more . . . .

Years ago I had seen a superb show at Yale of Moore's work, carefully placed, neither encapsulated in boxes or pushed against the wall and of course perhaps the best way to see his work was how Henry had intended out in the open field with sheep running around. Try the Yorkshire Sculpture Gardens.

Carol Paquet at Linne Calodo

Problem Child and Slacker made for excellent company (as they often do) at my opening night at Linne Calodo Winery. These were just a couple of the delicious wines that were flowing while folks came out to celebrate and share in the viewing of my new work. Taking center stage was my polyptych piece titled Suburban Juncture 1 - detail, which worked incredibly well in the voluminous, minimalist, industrial feel of the tasting room. A number of my newer pieces are printed on handmade Japanese paper with torn organic edges and embalmed in wax. These pieces are small in size but speak volumes... I hope! See for yourselves.

4 off the wall

Four contemporary artists, originating from far flung corners of the globe but now residing on the Central Coast, California, present their work on 3/4/5 March between 6 - 9pm at Native Lounge. Choose one of these nights to get up close and personal with the artists and enjoy the sophistication of The Native Lounge as it morphs into a gallery. Carol Paquet and Anne Stahl have teamed up with Kate Britton and Sheryl Daane Chesnut for this brief exhibit in media spanning sculpture, encaustic, oil painting, photography and digital printing. Native Lounge is located at 1023 Chorro Street, San Luis Obispo. Enjoy a cocktail while chatting to these artists in this beautiful creekside setting.

Workshops for 2010

CorkStop Studios is planning new workshops for 2010. We are considering workshops in the following areas: Printing (digital, encaustic print, solar etching), Photography (how to take professional grade photos of your artwork), Encaustic, Abstract Collage.

If you have any suggestions, or would like to submit interest in a particular area of study, please contact us at info@corkstopstudios.com.

Once we have completed our planning, we will post the 2010 schedule here and on our website.