Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I'm Baaaaaack!







Hi! Are you still there?



My, my, my....what a long strange trip it's been!



Two weeks ago my old computer died and I came face to face with the realization that I have become massively dependent on my computer for connection to the world via email and Internet and editing photos and images in photoshop for art and blog entries. So I ordered a new computer and have been immersed in the often painful learning process of trying to find my way around a new operating system. I found out that windows 7 has irreconcilable differences with the 7.0 version of photoshop that I have and that I can't access the files from my old email, so there is still more wandering in the darkness that will have to be done...but eventually I will emerge stronger and mo' better from this tech nightmare.



One of my most pleasant diversions from the world of technological breakdown happened last week when I gave an assemblage workshop to my wonderful and enormously talented pals Caroline Douglas, Maria Neary, and Mary Scrimgeour. I have discovered how much I love teaching and over the years of my adventures in assemblage art I have learned so much that I am more than happy to pass on to anyone who wants to take the journey into this particularly gratifying art form. What fascinated me was what different avenues my fabulous artist pals took in their approach to assemblage.
Caroline brought several of her ceramic people and critters and altered them with objects. Maria brought bailing wire to construct nest forms that she could use with bits and pieces of natural and man made materials to construct nests. And Mary brought a selection of objects she had saved from her Catholic upbringing and started work on a shrine in a lovely vintage box that had belonged to her grandmother. It was the perfect combination of laughter and learning. It was suggested by my dear friends that I establish "Patricia Chapman's International School of Assemblage" and we were all enormously excited by that possibility. Of course the first step for me is to offer assemblage workshops in my studio...and THEN I'll take over the world.

6 comments:

caroline douglas said...

Great memories of a very FUN day! Thank you Pat for your generosity and kindness. Hope all goes well with your computer ... xo

Patricia Chapman said...

Ms Lion! You are so, so welcome! Thank YOU for making the day so fun.

Katherine said...

It's amazing how many forms & functions assemblage can take on. Sounds like fun use of your un-tech time.

Look forward to hearing more about your "International School"! :) Would love a workshop with you.

Katherine

Katherine said...

And PS: I really appreciate the "tips" you do share here on the blog. I find them very helpful & informative, so thank you for being generous with your knowledge!!!

Katherine

rebecca said...

i'm in!

Anonymous said...

I have become more and more dependent on my computer and have had the same frustrating difficulties with Windows 7 compatibility issues. I think these days or art and computers are linked forever!;-)