2025: SHELLEY RHODES (FULL)

***FULLY BOOKED - WAITING LIST ONLY***

COURSE OVERVIEW

A week of exploration in mixed media, inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Studio Préniac. Whether you are drawn to the landscape, patterns in nature or tiny unnoticed details on buildings, you will explore many different approaches to recording and gathering, drawing, mark making and presentation, as you work in and out of sketchbooks, capturing the essence of the area.

Demonstrations and exercises will help you to develop exciting, layered images on mixed media grounds using handmade drawing tools, incorporating text and printmaking. These may be torn, fragmented, erased, drawn over, scratched or distressed before being repaired, stitched, rearranged and reassembled to create visually exciting, tactile work. ‘Pages’ may be flipped, rotated or folded and could incorporate fragments found on location to give a real sense of place. You will work on paper and cloth, combining these within different small book formats.

Beyond the sketchbook, techniques will include working large then chopping up or starting small before joining and expanding, using repetition and multiples, whilst embracing the Japanese concept of Mottainai [too good to waste]. If things go wrong, they can be reworked, altered, and transformed - that is when exciting things really start to happen! Moving back and forth, you will be guided towards individual outcomes and may opt to work towards one large piece, a series of smaller pieces, within boxes or frames found in the local brocante or continue working within books.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOKING FORM

(For pricing, please see below)

BIOGRAPHY

Shelley works from her studio on the border of Cumbria and Lancashire in the UK. She observes and records the everyday things she encounters. Through her daily art practice, she creates mixed-media ‘visual diaries’.

Much of her work involves fragmentation followed by reconstruction and repair. Techniques are inspired by Kantha making and Japanese Boro by layering scraps of worn, pre-used fabrics and paper to create a new whole. Small pieces are layered, patched, bundled or stacked before being ‘repaired’ using stitch, nails, pins, staples, fishing line or wire. She is interested in presentation and her training as a graphic designer often emerges in the form of order, layout and grids.

She teaches nationally and internationally through in-person and online courses and is a member of the Textile Study Group. She is the author of ‘Sketchbook Explorations’ and ‘Fragmentation and Repair’ published by Batsford.

Website: www.shelleyrhodes.co.uk

Daily Art Posts: www.instagram.com/shelleyrhodesartist

www.facebook.com/shelleyrhodesmixedmediaartist

PRICING

Prices per person for 2025 are as follows:

The cost of our creativity holidays is inclusive of the following:

• Course fees and basic materials
  (except for any course specific materials that the tutor requests you bring with you)
• Airport collection and drop-off
  (allotted airports and times only)
• Accommodation
  (price varies by type of accommodation selected - we assume single occupancy by default unless you specifically request to share with a friend/partner)
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  (one meal taken at a local restaurant - to be paid by guests at the time)
• Tea and coffee throughout your stay 
• Aperitif and wine/beer with evening meal
• Transport to and from any excursions
• Bed linen and towels
• Access to all amenities throughout your stay
• Local tourist taxes

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE BOOKING FORM