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EMILY BALL AT SEAWHITE‍

CONTEMPORARY DRAWING AND PAINTING COURSES‍

A Not So Still Life

Objects, imperfection and embracing change

with Katie Sollohub

“Still life does not have to be still. Think about the objects that regularly move around the house, in the kitchen - the frying pan shifting from front to back hob, the salt cellar on and off the table, the napkin draped over the back of a chair; or the keys, unopened letters, and wallet that hang about at the top of the stairs willing themselves not to be forgotten.” ~Katie Sollohub‍

images: ‍ Katie teaching, 'Stuff on my Table' (Katie Sollohub), flowers and shadows

Dear  ‍ ‍

‍In her forthcoming course A Not So Still Life, Katie Sollohub invites you to work fast and intuitively from a still life set up in the studio that will not, in fact be still – objects will move and be moved! Working on a range of surfaces and sizes, Katie will guide and inspire you to approach this familiar subject in a playful and open way, giving you the chance to try new processes and reconsider the way you engage with still life and objects-as-subjects.

To help you better understand the wonderful character of this course, this newsletter contains a detailed course description along with contributions from artists who have enjoyed Katie’s approach during previous courses at the Seawhite Studio.  We’ve also asked Katie to share with us her thoughts on still-life – But be prepared: you may develop an irresistible urge to paint everything in your home!

Read on to find out more, or - If you are already inspired -  click on the button below to jump straight to the course page on our website.

A NOT SO STILL LIFE

With Katie Sollohub

16 – 18 October 2024 (Wednesday – Friday)

£300‍

Image:‍ Memory Shelves - the kitchen at Turner's House, Katie Sollohub

Rethink what you know about still life.  Rather than the staged set up of perfect flowers, an elegant bottle, a poised book, imagine a set up consisting of a collaborative collection of objects.  One in which you are invited to include your own objects and that you – and others - are encouraged to move and rearrange as you work from it.  Still life is no longer staged or staid, but animated and evolving!   And it’s not just about the objects: it’s also the ‘unstillness’ of the spaces in between;  the energy of things that touch or almost touch; the energy of an empty space.

In this course you will be working fast and freely from an changing still-life set up in the studio with both drawing and painting materials, and anything in between. You may work on canvas, but will be encouraged to work on various surfaces, including scraps of cardboard, paper, loose canvas, fabrics, table cloths etc that can be moved around themselves, pinned to the wall in various configurations as you work. You will be encouraged to cut, collage and rethink the composition at various intervals throughout the course.‍

Image:‍ examples of Katie working fast and freely

The Course, day by day:‍

 Day 1

· Familiarise yourself with the objects and space

· Experiment with a “moving” drawing: layering, constructing and  deconstructing the image Working on paper with drawing and mixed media, layering, constructing

· Experiment with materials and mark-making; finding a language that reflects the qualities and characters of the objects in the space

Day 2

· Grow paintings from the drawings of the previous day; add layers, using collage and mixed media

· Let the composition change as the work evolves.

Day 3

· Shake up the energy; move your own body, embrace the idea of movement and animation in the work

· Challenge the subject and make changes

· Drop expectations surrender to the process of impermanence‍

Images: Working from a changing subject can imbibe a work with an energy and looseness, as demonstrated by these flower paintings by Katie.‍

“Working in this free and flexible way enables you to work much more intuitively. The resulting paintings and drawings have a directness, playfulness and an animated energy. The process enables layers and imagery to evolve and grow, and keeps work fresh from the beginning to the resolution of the piece.” ~ Katie

To book your place, please click on the button below‍:

Image: ‍daily watercolour painting, Katie Sollohub

Katie loves still-life and has used the subject in one way or another in her work for a very long time. Her interest in has always been focused on the domestic space and life:

“I’m drawn to the washing up bowl, the discarded socks on the floor, the accidental shadow between the washing up liquid hand soap and a jam jar on the kitchen window sill. The dead flowers in a vase. The beauty of the everyday. The impermanence of it all.” ~ Katie

Her practise of using meditation within teaching ties in perfectly with her interest in the Japanese aesthetic of Wabi Sabi; noticing and celebrating the perfect imperfection of daily life. 

“My work is often autobiographical, often in series, often including the everyday objects of my life. As my studio accumulates objects and stories, pictures on the wall, so my paintings began to incorporate them. In 'Moomin' still life became visual diary, painting the objects on my table as well as the notes on my wall.” ~ Katie

Image: Moomin, Katie Sollohub‍

One of Katie’s most prolific – and ongoing bodies of work are her paintings of the ordinary objects that inhabit her home and daily life.  The potential for this subject is rich and endless, as is demonstrated by the film that Katie made,  showcasing a number of her daily watercolour paintings in situ with their subjects in her home. 

Click on the image below to the film:‍

Katie Sollohub

Inspirational tutor‍

Katie is a very popular tutor at the Seawhite Studio.  Artists respect and respond to her gentle encouragement to take risks and think differently about subjects; to  focus on process rather than finished pieces.  Her guided meditations provide artists with valuable ways in and her generosity to share her knowledge and expertise is seemingly endless.  But don’t take our word for it, have a read of some of the feedback we have received from artists attending previous courses with Katie.‍

Image: Katie in the studio‍ during 'Drawing & Dance' course

“Katie created an atmosphere of huge possibilities and potential. I loved all the options and approaches and the whole experience made me feel more able to achieve what I want from my work in the future. For me the balance of gentle challenge, specific exercises ‘ways in’ and free styling was just right.” ~ Debs Moran

“Katie created an environment where it was safe and supported enough to take risks and gave exercises that opened the way to new ways of thinking. Even the coffee and lunch times when there was time to talk and look at lots of the books was productive and stimulating. “ ~ Helen M

“Katie encouraged us to be expressive and be prepared to take risks. There is always that moment when your work is alright but not that interesting . Katie taught  me to take risks at such moments and then evaluate to where they lead to next. I was quite surprised to see the drawing results that I was capable of.”  ~ Veronica ‍

Image:‍ Katie teaching during 'Figure & Fabric' Course

Joining this course and working with Katie  will be a  wonderful experience  and a chance to work in a free and perfectly imperfect way! 

To book your place, click on the button below:‍

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