All About Flax - Four day intensive

This 4-day intensive explores the many incredible properties of flax. Though the emphasis will be on the use of overbeaten flax and methods of controlling shrinkage to make sculptural works, we will also work with the 2-d qualities of flax paper. Fiber preparation, beating methods, sheet forming techniques, coloring, sculptural techniques, and drying will be covered in depth. Flax is the only fiber we shall use during this intensive.

Following is the schedule: Day 1: Flax fiber and pulp overview; use of beater; make paper samples of flax, showing various beating times, and drying methods. Day 2: Coloring of pulps; making more samples showing different beating times. Simple 3-d experiments demonstrating how to control shrinkage; coil making. Day 3 & 4: Armature building and methods of applying flax. Wet-binding techniques, and creating portfolios for the paper samples.

In addition, there will be one optional evening program, of studio/museum/gallery visits, followed by group dinner at a restaurant.