The Way of Wabi Sabi Collage with Donna Watson

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What is wabi-sabi?

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophy, aesthetic, and way of seeing the world. Wabi speaks to a life of quiet simplicity and connection to the natural world, while Sabi reflects the passage of time and the way things become more meaningful as they age. Together, these two yin and yang forces embody the art of finding harmony in the worn, the weathered, and the beautifully broken.

Turn your collage practice into a mindful act of self-inquiry and self-expression.

Guided by award-winning mixed media collage artist and teacher Donna Watson, The Way of Wabi Sabi Collage takes you on a visual journey from Donna’s artist’s studio in the United States, to the heart of Japan. Drawing on her Japanese heritage, Donna teaches wabi-sabi philosophy, poetic composition, and the art of paper selection. You'll learn to curate, layer, and distress materials with intention and create collages that feel meaningful and deeply connected to who you are.

You’ll learn about:

Wabi-sabi (of course!), washi papers, and boro.
Handmade papers, hand-painting papers, press flower prints, tea bag paper, fabric paper and momigami paper.
Design elements and principles for collage artwork.
Composition, placement and creating balance and harmony in your collages.
Working in a series and building a cohesive body of work.

You’ll be able to take risks and play with outcomes so you can find balance and harmony in your artwork. You’ll also discover how to embrace mistakes and free yourself from the pressure of perfection.

This course is designed for those who want to delve deeper than surface-level art-making.

"This course is not for those artists that just are looking for the easy way, the recipe. I provide as many techniques and tools as I can, so then you are ready to start creating your own collages in your voice." - Donna Watson

Module 1: What is Wabi Sabi

Embark on a transformative journey into the captivating world of wabi-sabi philosophy and its profound connection to collage art.

This module offers an exploration of the beauty found in imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. Throughout the module, you will delve into the essence of wabi-sabi philosophy, celebrating its ability to elevate both artistic practice and life itself.

Discover the rich history of Boro, a traditional Japanese textile art form born out of necessity and rooted in the ethos of "mottainai" (waste nothing). Explore how the art of patching and repurposing clothing has inspired contemporary collage artists and sparked experimentation with hand-painted papers. Additionally, examine wabi-sabi aesthetics in natural and human-made objects, finding inspiration in weathered rocks, aged books, and everyday simplicity.

Module 2: Washi

Join us as we embark on a captivating exploration into the world of Japanese washi papers and their profound significance in the realm of collage art. Inspired by her Japanese heritage and journeys to Japan, Donna, an adept painter turned collage artist, ventured into an exploration of the beauty and versatility of washi papers.

Donna's artistic journey, spanning from watercolours to acrylic painting, led her to incorporate collage papers into her artwork. Initially utilizing found and purchased papers, she encountered challenges with fading due to light exposure. Delving deeper into her Japanese heritage and enamoured by the allure of Japanese culture, Donna turned her attention to Japanese washi papers, seeking to replicate the textures and aging effects of Boro fabric on these papers using acrylic paints.

In this module, you will embark on a captivating journey to explore the history of Japanese washi and the intricate process of crafting these papers. Discover the remarkable qualities of various types of washi papers and their unique textures, and learn how to source and experiment with them for your own artistic endeavours.

By the end of this module, you will:

Gain insights into the ancient art of making washi papers and explore different types of washi papers.
Learn how to hand-paint them to create captivating textures for your collage art.

Module 3: More Discoveries

Welcome to Module 3, where we further explore the art of hand-painting papers for collage. By now, you've likely amassed a collection of hand-painted washi papers, each imbued with your chosen colours, textures, and patterns. With a plethora of papers at your disposal, it's time to explore additional avenues for enhancing your collage creations.

In this module, we'll venture beyond traditional hand-painting techniques and introduce you to a myriad of new possibilities. From incorporating imagery and text to experimenting with fabric papers and pressed flowers, there's no limit to the creative exploration that awaits you. Embrace the beauty of nature with pressed botanicals, or infuse your collages with the charm of handwritten letters and vintage postcards.

By the end of this module, you will have:

Experimented with a variety of innovative techniques for hand-painting papers, including the traditional Japanese method of momigami using Konnyaku paste.
Expanded your collage material repertoire to include fabric papers, pressed flowers and leaves, tea bag papers, and stitched papers embellished with found objects.
Gained insights into the versatility of collage materials and discovered new ways to infuse your artwork with texture, colour, and personal expression.

Module 4: Elements and Principals of Design

In this module, we explore the fundamental elements and principles of design, essential tools for constructing visually compelling collages. Just like ingredients in a recipe, these elements are the building blocks of artistic expression, while the principles act as guiding recipes for combining them effectively.

As you explore the elements of design, including line, texture, shape, space, value, and colour, you'll uncover the diverse palette available for crafting your collages. Each element contributes its unique characteristics to convey emotions, direct attention, and establish the overall mood of your artwork.

By understanding the principles of design, such as unity, balance, contrast, dominance, pattern, rhythm, and movement, you'll gain insights into how to harmonize and organize your collage compositions effectively. These principles serve as the framework for creating cohesive and visually engaging artworks that resonate with your personal style and artistic vision.

By the end of this module, you will have learned:

How to utilize the elements of design, including line, texture, shape, space, value, and colour, to enrich your collage compositions.
How to apply the principles of design, such as unity, balance, contrast, dominance, pattern, rhythm, and movement, to create cohesive and visually compelling collages.
How to make informed choices about selecting elements and principles that align with your artistic preferences and convey your intended message effectively.

Module 5: Composition

Within this module, Donna will show you the art of arranging the elements of design to create visually compelling collages. Composition is like the blueprint of your artwork, guiding the placement of colours, shapes, textures, and more to convey your message effectively. Just as in Japanese gardens, where each stone placement impacts the entire landscape, every element in your collage plays a crucial role in shaping the overall composition.

As you embark on this module, you'll discover that composition is not just about arranging elements randomly but making intentional choices that reflect your personal style and artistic vision. Whether you're aiming for balance, contrast, or unity, understanding the principles of design will empower you to craft compositions that resonate with your audience.

Module 6: Content & Series

In the realm of collage art, the amalgamation of design elements and principles creates a language through which artists express their unique visions. But beneath this creative surface lies a deeper exploration of self—what you like, who you are, and what resonates with your inner world. This module delves into the heart of personal expression, guiding you to discover the content that speaks most profoundly to you.

You will be asked to consider the myriad elements and principles of design that reflect your personality and interests. From colours and shapes to textures and themes, each choice you make adds layers to your artistic identity. By honing in on what captivates you the most, you pave the way for more authentic, meaningful creations.