Portland Art and Soul Workshops
Registration is now closed

Thomas Ashman
9-4:30
Thursday

1209 - Relics & Ruins

[back to quicklinks]
$ 135  

Ancient things are inherently fascinating. Objects that have withstood the test of time naturally inspire memory, provoke emotion, and ignite the imagination. Where did it come from? Where has it been? Who did it belong to? What secrets could it tell? All over the world and throughout history, people have created various kinds of vessels to contain their most treasured objects. Using this idea of a treasured object as our jumping off point, this course, which is different than my usual classes, is a much more process oriented course. Each student will bring one of their most treasured objects; a grandfather’s watch, a childhood toy, a baby shoe, a piece of jewelry, or whatever, and make an elaborate container, worthy of the treasured object, and make it look like an ancient relic. Instruction will be given in several shop techniques for “aging” various art supplies. Students will sculpt their mixed media pieces by torching, applying patinas, drilling metal and wood, cutting, gluing, bending, carving, punching metal , sanding, glass mosaics, grinding, polishing, decorating, use and safety of power tools, special Dremel tool applications, various cold connection techniques, some crazy painting techniques, and more, all designed to make your reliquary look as if it has been around for generations.

Please bring the following from home:
--1 relic – can be any treasured object you may have
--1 box – large enough to contain relic, it can be metal, wood, old, or new. Check craft stores, hobby shops, antique stores, garage sales, etc.
--Basic Art kit – pencil, scissors, acrylic paints, paintbrush, ruler
--Basic hand tools - snips, screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters, etc.
--Dremel kit – or other rotary tool with attachments

Other Supplies – We are not going to be making a specific project design this time. Students need to bring what supplies they can from home. We will have different workstations set up with all kinds of tools and a few supplies available such as paint, patina, hardware, glue, clay, and more, but if all students bring a few of their extra supplies to trade around, we can really let the projects evolve from what’s available as they are being made (one of my favorite ways to work). Suggestions: scrapbooking and collage supplies, fabric and ribbon, string, twine , wire, sheet metal, wood shapes, toys, doll parts, stamps & ink, various found objects, glass cobbles, glitter, gold or silver leaf, embossing foil, fittings, findings, and whatever else you have on hand.