Exploring Composition with Collage

Back by popular demand! Unlock the secrets of powerful abstract compositions in this full-day workshop with Marlene Lowden. Using collage as our medium, we’ll explore how elements and principles of design such as shape, colour, dominance, and contrast create focal points to shape the meaning of our work. Along with hands-on exercises, we’ll dive into major compositional theories and discuss how they influence abstract art.

Drawing inspiration from both historical and contemporary artists, you will leave with a self-created guidebook of strategies to enhance your future artwork. By the end of the workshop, students will:

• Understand the key principles of composition in abstract art
• Learn how to use collage as a tool for experimenting
• Gain inspiration from the work of historical and contemporary artists
• Develop their own compositional "toolkit" in the form of a self-created guidebook for future reference
• Explore how compositional choices convey different meanings and messages in abstract work

All materials provided. However, feel free to bring your own magazines or whatever visual materials you'd like to work with.

About the artist

Marlene Lowden primarily works in oil and creates large expressive paintings on canvas. After several years in television broadcasting, she resumed her lifelong interest in painting, drawing, and photography. She draws from her experience in television and video production, applying to canvas similar principles of composition and storytelling. Marlene has studied with a range of instructors learning watercolour, acrylic, and oil painting techniques. She lives and works in her hometown of Gibsons, B.C.

Location

The Music Box (Upstairs Studio), 1564 Argyle Avenue, West Vancouver