Thursday was the first day of classes. After breakfast (really good food!) everyone scattered in different directions...classes were held all over the Fort Worden complex. My first class was called "Of Nested Visions" and was taught by Marilin and Tracie Lyn Huskamp. Tracie Lyn is Marilyn's daughter-in-law. They're a wonderful team...sweet, funny and talented. The focus of the first half of the class was building birds' nests using horse hair and other natural elements. Tracie Lyn demonstrated the technique for us then we all went to work. She also showed us how to tint dried leaves to restore their bright colors. The second half of the day was spent assembling collages using our nests, other natural elements, vintage book covers and other ephemera. The assemblages are sized to fit into either 5x7 or 8x10 shadow boxes.
Thursday evening there was an artist panel discussion held in the Pavilion moderated by Lynne Parrella. Three groups of six artists answered and discussed questions on all sorts of art related topics. It was an interesting evening and fun to actually see and hear artists whose work I've admired. After this, it was back to the dorm where we spent several more hours congregated in the common area working on our projects from the morning, talking and trading. Nancy even showed us how to paint backgrounds on a bed sheet (no, we didn't use one off our beds...it came from the Goodwill) with acrylics and shaving cream!
