AMPHITRITE

Andrea Matus deMeng
Saturday August 29, 2020

In Greek mythology, Amphitrite is the goddess of the sea and the wife of Poseidon. Truth is Poseidon had a few wives and Amphitrite was one of a hundred daughters. Now I don’t know about you, but when I imagine her, I think she would have to be quite the force of nature to deal with all of that and that brings to a quote that I came across years ago… “Well behaved women seldom make history.” Now while I’m not completely sold on the validity of that statement I can’t say it’s completely without merit. Though those terms are often associated with seemingly seedy and sorted lifestyles, in truth, perhaps, there’s much to learn from these rule-breaking archetypes.

 So using that quote as our inspiration and Amphitrite as our guide, we are going to create our own personas: an “interesting” mythological or fictitious character, and explore the ways we can depict the more “colorful” aspects of her (or his) personality. We’ll bring our characters to life our way through the use of paint, collage, sculpture, and found objects. We’ll explore ways of layering imagery, texture, and objects to weave a sumptuous tale that just might make a new mythology.

 Some of the specific skills we’ll tackle in this workshop:

  • collage tips for wood surfaces
  • paint techniques with an emphasis on cohesive color combinations
  • appropriating and recontextualizing collage elements to create a new visual narrative
  • how and where to apply textural elements
  • layering mixed-media into a cohesive composition

Teacher will bring:  

  • Nails, screws, bolts, etc.
  • Tools for attaching found objects
  • Portfolio Pastels
  • Various Mark Making tools

Kit contains:

  • Collage paper & ephemera
  • Use of specialty adhesives & mediums
  • Use of Aves Epoxy Clay
  • Use of Specialty Paints and Fineliners

Supply List:  

Birch plywood panel cut down (hardware store) or a cradled wood panel can be purchased at art stores or online (a cradled panel will make it easier to attach certain dimensional items) –the size is up to you, but I recommend 7”X14” or 8”X16” (nothing larger than 11”X18”)

Paper, ephemera and collage items, think textures and symbols to support your story telling, consider scale

Photocopies of faces (find faces in magazines, Internet, vintage photos) faces should be large enough to be a focal point -bring a few to choose from and have them copied onto glossy paper if possible (It’s a good idea to make a two copies of your favorite face)

Paint: Acrylic paint, preferably Golden, fluid or heavy body (white, black, and any blue, red, and yellow, plus a couple more of your favorites) Some of my paint favorites: Titan Buff, Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, and Quinacridone Crimson, Pthalo Blue, Van Dyke Brown, Green Gold, Pyrrole Red

Paintbrushes – bring just a few in different sizes

Palette (paper plates will work)

Water Container

Paper Towel

Golden Matte Medium – about 12 oz.

Scissors

A small assortment of found object-things. Things like chains, old jewelry pieces, brass findings, keys, wings, lace, gears, fabric just about anything (don’t go crazy, you don’t need everything you own)

Optional:

Aves Epoxy Clay – I’ll have some to share with you but you’re probably going to want your own when you see how amazing this stuff is.