home calendar visiting artist workshops & classes gallery CV email
Calendar Mary Gillett, BAHons, ATC, PGDip. 07817 165856
I run printmaking courses specialising in etching from my studio, Tamar Print Workshop, situated on the edge of Dartmoor near Tavistock, where the Tamar Valley - now a World Heritage Site - and the Devon and Cornwall coastlines are within easy distance. Beginners, amateurs and professionals rub shoulders in a light hearted and friendly, atelier-like atmosphere and I teach in an informal and non-prescriptive manner with emphasis on guidance within the context of individual needs, abilities and ideas. There are no (or few) holds barred. Once you have grasped the basic principles – then have fun breaking the rules. (But only if you want to!) Numbers are limited and so personal attention is guaranteed. I use the introduction to etching as a starting point but other printmaking media feature too, such as monoprint, collagraph, drypoint, carborundum and linocut. "This is a workshop you can come to either as a complete beginner, an 'old hand', or anything in between and you will be welcomed by Mary with equal enthusiasm. Her warm and friendly approach belies a high standard of professionalism and allows students to develop at their own pace, whatever their skills level. In this atmosphere of support and companionship the small group of students also learn from, and inspire each other. They share not only equipment, but ideas - and jokes too, as there is often much laughter.This is much more than just a workshop - it is a Community and to work in such a group, even for a day, is to enjoy something all too rare these days - a deeply rewarding experience." Marcia Pirie - current student (For more information about the background to the workshop - please click on the 'Workshops and Classes' link at the very top of the page.) SPRING AND SUMMER 2010 We are half way through the first term of courses at the new workshop and everyone is settling down to the fresh routine. At first we found it hard to tear ourselves away from the memories of the old studio. But here, the space, the light, the atmosphere and the different but equally special surroundings, have quietened those memories. As Autumn turns we still catch moments to work in the sunlight by the huge south facing floor to ceiling window, watch the sunset shrink to a streak of fire behind the beech trees' charcoal screens, and on leaving the evening class, raise our eyes to the full moon as it ghosts the clouds that rush above the dark pines. Anyway…….I spent the Summer setting up the space and preparing risk assessments, health and safety instructions, COSHH sheets and so on. The working area is running well and is organised and safe. I have reminded people of the importance of controlling the fumes from the solvents, varnishes and etching solutions at all times. My instructions are being rigorously implemented and adhered to. (And my new name is "scary Mary"!) There is much more room for storage, in particular, for prints and paper (both dry and damp) during sessions, and students' individual materials can be stored at the workshop between sessions. With the luxury of more space, the inking up area is less crowded, and both main presses are in action all the time now, together with a small proofing press that can be used if need be. I have introduced a simple loyalty membership scheme. Members qualify for concessionary rates and are able to use the facilities, untutored but supervised, on a Monday throughout the year regardless of term-time dates. Most people will use these drop in sessions to supplement their tutored sessions, e.g. for printing, but some may come only because they have reached a stage where they rarely need my help. There is no membership fee but, to become a member, students are asked to attend classes until they feel confident about working on their own without help. In the Spring and Summer Terms I'm running the usual weekly evening and morning classes (Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings), the weekend workshops, one or two specialist courses and some longer courses. Here is a description of the specialist courses that I have included in the schedules:- I have had some requests for a course in colour printmaking specialising in etching where I will cover multiple plate techniques (including printing a combination of plates, e.g. collagraph/etching or monotype/etching), viscosity printing (a method developed by the experimental printmaker, S.W Hayter, involving printing from a single plate using both its relief and its intaglio properties and the different viscosities of the inks), and the à la poupée technique (simple colour printing from one plate). I have been asked to run a workshop in which we will explore the gum arabic transfer method, and I plan to run another collagraph and chine collé course, and a linocutting course specialising in the colour reduction method. I am also pleased to be able to run a few more 5 day workshops than usual and one 7 days long in August. These will work on the same basis as before. New students can pick and choose the technique they would like to specialise in and the workshops can be tailor made for each individual. (Current students can choose to continue with their own projects or use the time to focus on developing a particular interest.). So do come along and please spread the word to your friends who live further afield. Accommodation will be in local B & B and will need to be booked well in advance if you want to come to one of the Summer courses. Please send me an e.mail using the link above if you would like a booking form or need further information.
WEDNESDAY EVENING AND THURSDAY MORNING CLASSES SPRING TERM: Wednesday 6th or Thursday 7th January to Wednesday 31st or Thursday 1st April There will be no classes on Wednesday 13th /Thursday 14th January, and Wednesday 17th /Thursday 18th March. I will be running the classes during Devon County schools' half term. SUMMER TERM: Wednesday 14th or Thursday 15th April to Wednesday 4th or Thursday 5th August There will be no classes on Wednesday 12th/Thursday 13th May, Wednesday 2nd/Thursday 3rd June, and Wednesday 7th/Thursday 8th July. FEES: £150 (concessionary - £135) for 10 weeks, payable in advance in two instalments of £85.00 (£67.50), plus specialist materials. ___________________________________________________________________________ FRIDAY AND/OR SATURDAY WORKSHOPS JANUARY COLOUR PRINTING SPECIALISING IN ETCHING: 1 DAY WORKSHOP: FEBRUARY 1 DAY WORKSHOPS: APRIL 1 DAY WORKSHOP: JUNE 2 DAY WORKSHOPS: 1 DAY WORKSHOP: JULY 1 DAY WORKSHOPS:
FIVE DAY WORKSHOPS JANUARY 5 DAY WORKSHOP: Monday 11TH - Friday15TH. MARCH 5 DAY WORKSHOP: Monday 22nd - Friday 26th. MAY 5 DAY WORKSHOP: Monday 10th - Friday 14th. JULY 5 DAY WORKSHOP: Monday 5th - Friday 9th. AUGUST 7 DAY WORKSHOP: Monday 16th - Sunday 22nd
TWO DAY GUM ARABIC TRANSFER,COLLAGRAPH AND CHINE COLLÉ, and LINOCUT COLOUR REDUCTION METHOD
COURSES (Book both days if possible on these courses) FEBRUARY GUM ARABIC TRANSFER METHOD, COLLAGRAPH AND CHINE COLLÉ: APRIL REDUCTION METHOD LINO CUTTING:
ABOUT THE COURSES AT TAMAR PRINT WORKSHOP Course layout: The courses provide opportunities for beginners to discover the process, and for the more advanced to develop, by experimenting and exploring various elements of printmaking. Rather than formal instruction, the emphasis is on the exchange of ideas and feedback generated by informal discussion. Beginners are guided through some of the basic traditional etching processes, e.g. hard ground, soft ground, aquatint, open bite and sugar lift. The more advanced may arrive with a specific project or idea to work with. Based on initial discussions, each student is encouraged at their own pace and within their own context. There are opportunities to experiment with some acrylic resist techniques and with linocut, collagraph, monoprint and other techniques - either separately - or in conjunction with traditional etching. Workshop facilities: The workshop is efficiently equipped for various forms of printmaking, having the benefit of three printing presses. The large Rochat etching press (bed size 26" x 48") is partnered by a Littlejohn - a smaller bench press, and there is a small proofing press. In addition to etchings, monoprints and collagraphs can be printed on all presses. The smaller presses can be adapted to print lino and woodcuts. The space is divided into two sections, the main area for printing and working on plates, blocks etc; and a separate, smaller room for processing (mainly etching plates), which houses the acid tray, aquatint box and cleaning area and helps to maintain a safe working environment. Things to bring: Subject matter to work from, e.g. photos, sketches, sketchbooks, examples of finished work etc. etc. (This is very important to me - so that I can give the right kind of advice.) Photos or slides of your work (if you have any - but don't worry if not) to share with the other participants. Brushes for detailed work (not your best ones). Hand wipes. Old clothes and warm clothes if it's cold! Times: Each day will start at 10.00 a.m. and finish at 5.00 p.m.
Accommodation: A list of attractive local farmhouse bed and breakfast accommodation will be available. Meals: Tea and coffee will be provided but for all day courses please bring lunch to share. There are plenty of places to eat out in the evening - a list of suggestions will be available. Directions: Please contact me for specific directions nearer the time. E.mail or phone (07817 165856) for more information and booking form.
EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS in 2009 Printmaking Open Group show Cook the View - launch of a handmade book (recipes and prints) at the 21 group - exhibition at Harbour House, Kingsbridge, Devon 21 group - exhibition at Birdwood House, Totnes, Devon
|