Watercolor artists from around the Gold Beach area responded to the cooperating weather and Rene Eisenbart’s enthusiasm for marbling and collage by producing exciting, unusual materials, then applying those materials to collages. Some collage materials were used to give intrigue to our unfinished compositions and to penciled beginnings.
The workshop was held March 5 – 7, 2018, at the OSU Extension Service Center in Gold Beach.
Rene demonstrated the steps to successful marbling using the carload of supplies she transported from her home near the Columbia River; imagine negotiating Highway 101 to Gold Beach with trays, paints in containers, sticks, combs and rakes, papers, and various solutions! Then she set us loose.
Just in time for a rest, Rene showed a video about her process with illustrations of her dynamic work.
Being refreshed, we rushed outside to find our papers, previously dripping with an alum solution, almost ready to remove from the clothesline or defying the wind by being held down with rocks and cones. Oh, the joy of pulling papers imprinted with designs and bright colors from a tray of sizing solution. Some brave artists marbled paintings that had been stored in studios just waiting for inspiration by accident.
On the third day, Rene showed slides of fine works in collage. We began playing with our newly produced materials after she demonstrated her method of approach to collage.
Our workshop was partially sponsored by the WSO100Club Educational Fund, whose contribution was sincerely appreciated.
It’s a grand workshop when participants leave a bit tired but with minds filled with ideas and plans for future creations.
For more information about Rene and her work, see her website www.rene-art.
— By Pat Renner
