In this all day workshop you will utilize your creativity and imagination to fashion a rather odd art doll- a “Pod Head”, infusing the theme of Nature into your unique design.  You will start by making a very simple torso from inexpensive, easy to obtain materials and use additional mixed-media goodies such as beeswax, paint, alcohol inks, rusted paper and more to create a surface design for your doll. The head will be made from polymer clay, choosing from a variety of molds for the face.  In keeping with the nature theme, your doll will sport a seed pod, (included in your kit), for the most unusual of head-wear. 
(For your reading pleasure, please see my article on Pod Heads in the Fall 2011 issue of Art Doll Quarterly.)

For a complete class description, visit the ADAA website at www.alldollart.com

Create a curious art doll whose wire-supported body is designed to bobble and sway with just a touch! In this all day workshop you will use polymer clay and simple geometric templates to guide you when forming the pillow-shaped body for you doll.  Magic happens when you use tools and other implements on the clay to make impressions and abstract patterns.  There will be options for surface design techniques:  Go for a minimalist’s approach, or over the top… you choose!  Fabricate a polymer clay head starting with a choice of face molds, then complete the look with outlandish head décor!

For a complete class description visit the ADAA website at www.alldollart.com

Double your pleasure….In France!  In the sun-dappled unspoiled village of Durfort, two leading mixed-media artists will guide you through boundless ideas for creating elegant layered surfaces, as well as low-tech methods for working with dimensional objects and assemblage.  Lisa and Lynne will share unique and distinctive concepts that will easily translate into your future work in collage, assemblage, altered books, doll-making and mixed media of all kinds.  

Inspired by the posters and paintings of Toulouse-Lautrec, and his infamous depictions of dazzling colorful cabarets and equally-theatrical performers, we will explore ideas that are fresh and dramatic.  Your workshop will include Lynne’s direction as you create a shadowbox structure incorporating gorgeous papers with mysterious faux textures you make utilizing various mixed media materials and techniques; and Lisa’s guidance as you make a theatrical puppet-like figure, styled as a scepter of sorts, replete with colorful fibers as a textural ruff for its costume. 
Lautrec was the master of expressive color, bold composition; with a love of text and typography…..All of these touchstones provide perfect inspiration as we work with stitching, polymer or paper clay, paints, fibers and more all in the well-equipped studio of La Cascade.   As a bonus, we will spend a day exploring the recently-renovated Musee du Toulouse-Lautrec in nearby Albi, as we immerse ourselves in the ideas and homeland of this quintessentially-French artist. Plus there will be time for venturing into the nearby countryside for the lively outdoor market at Revel, as well as the antique book village, Montolieu, spilling over with books, collage material and ephemera. 
We’ve cooked up some fascinating ideas to fill an entire week with lavish bold colors, complex surfaces, and surprisingly-easy ways of creating in your own voice.   Are you ready for a one of-a-kind travel and learning experience? – Join us at La Cascade! 
For further details, contact Lynne Perrella at LKPerrella@AOL.com  
For more information and inspiration about our artwork, visit www.LisaRenner.com and www.LKPerrella.com.

La Cascade, Durfort, France
For inspiring information and views of France, please visit Gwen Gibson's website and blog: www.gwengibson.com