i’ve received a few questions about the art of transference online class… so here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Q: how much will the supplies cost for the class?

A: tough to say. it really depends on what you already have in your home studio. pricing for the class supplies should be in the neighbourhood of around $50 depending on what you already have and what you have to purchase. here is an outline of what you will need to have on hand for the course curriculum:

• 8oz Golden Soft Gel Medium - runs between $8-11
• 8oz Golden Heavy Gel - Matte or Gloss - runs between $8-11
• 8oz Golden Acrylic Gesso - $8-11
• small tube of light coloured acrylic paint - $2-10 depending on colour
• EDITED: JetPrintPhoto paper - 60 sheets for $25: http://www.instawares.com/jet-print-multi-project.ham170360.0.7.htm
• Apollo Inkjet Transparencies Non-Fast Drying - 50 sheets for $22-28: http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-CG7031S-Inkjet-Printer-Transparency/dp/B0008GM20C
• 1-2″ cheap chip/bristle brushes - i get mine at home depot for $5 per bag of 5 brushes
• small bottle of rubbing alcohol - available at any pharmacy for $1-2
• 1 or 2 smallish atomizer/mister bottles - $1-2 dollars each
• packing tape: dollar store $1
• Chartpak Blender Pen: Colorless Blender $1.95 - OPTIONAL Item if you are sensitive to smells
• Nail polish remover $1-2
• receiving surfaces will vary and i encourage you to use what you already have… but suggestions for surfaces will include watercolour paper, fabric, unpolished stone tiles, metal flashing, plexiglass etc. there should be minimal addition cost with this aspect of the class since I’m teaching you how to transfer on what you likely already have around your art/craft room.
• printable image transfer sheets will be provided and available for download from the private blog. you can download and print the transfer sheets yourself and everyone will have access to the same images.

Dick Blick has really good pricing and they deliver to your door! I get alot of my gesso, paint and mediums from DB or locally from a manufacturer of acrylic mediums in vancouver called Kroma.

Q: when printing my images for the transferring class, what kind of printer should I be using?

A: for printing inkjet prints, I recommend that you use a pigment based ink system like that of the Epson Durabrite system. you will also need to have access to a laserprinter/copier for colour and b/w prints. If you don’t have your own, you can use any Kinkos, Office Depot, copy shop to print your laser/toner images.

Q: is the polaroid stuff still available?

A: the polaroid stuff is still available in limited supply and the DayLab Copy System is what I use to ‘print’ the photo before transferring.

polaroid film is now being looked at by Ilford and Fuji film for continued production, so it may become more readily available in the longterm.

this component of the curriculum does not dictate that you HAVE to do polaroid transfers… its mainly a demo and information session for people who are interested in this older transferring process as opposed to newer medium/h20 and alcohol based transfers. i discuss the pros and cons of the polaroid, do multiple video demos and art samples, etc.

there is NO EXPECTATION that you as students must run out and buy an expensive polaroid system or film… however those who are interested in polaroid transfer will probably find that this part of the curriculum will help them to decide whether they want to pursue it artistically or not. it’s a pricey process, but the rewards are pretty amazing!

Q: i sometimes work slowly, is this going to be a problem? what if i can’t keep up?

A: the course is designed as a self-paced program load. the main thing is to get you doing transfers successfully, repeatedly and with confidence.

if you only do a few transfers using the techniques I’ve taught you and your good with that, then that is cool with me. however… there will be encouragement to try specifically designed art projects with image transfer and opportunity to share those projects created with your transfers. it’s totally up to you how much, or how little you do.

Q: what happens if i miss a class or two?

A: the content on the private site will remain active and available for up to 30 days following the last class. everything will be downloadable, so you can always save and review the lesson plans at a later date.

I hope that clarifies a few of your questions. feel free to email or contact me with any additional questions not covered in the above q & a

hey gang…

just wanna say thanks for the words of encouragement regarding the surgery. i’m getting over the fear-factor and know it will all be fine. your kind words of encouragement and support are really appreciated and i just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all who have emailed their well-wishes for a quick recovery.

love you all…
C

hello!

i have some exciting educational news to share with you… since our store and rubydog’s art house is closing in the next 3-4 weeks, i’m going to have limited opportunities to teach classes directly to my students and customers. so, with that in mind, i have decided to offer my locally taught, consistently sold-out, Art of Transference class ONLINE!

yes! you better believe it! this class, up until now, has only been available to local vancouver area residents and to a few lucky people in toronto. however, with the internet and my vastly enhanced video capabilities [my flip camera lol!] i can now offer my art of transference class to anyone interested in taking it, from anywhere in the world. technology is cool.

Art of Transference Online Class:

Image transfer is a much used technique in mixed media, collage, paper and memory arts today. Through my image transfer teaching experience, I have learned that image transfer techniques need to be learned VISUALLY to ensure success. In this ‘all you ever wanted to know about image transfer’ class you will learn how to make your own image transfers using 10 DIFFERENT techniques covered over 6 weeks. Throughout the series you will be transferring provided vintage images and stock photography onto a variety of surfaces including watercolour paper, vintage paper, tile, fabric and metal using different mediums and techniques.

This workshop includes lots of video demos of techniques and encourages hands-on time for student to experiment with new techniques or perfect ones you may already know. And as a group, we will discuss ways to incorporate image transfer into your artwork, memory projects, ideas for gift giving and more.

NOTE: this is a technique/process-based class where you will create a large number of samples. Also please note that one method of transfer produces STRONG fumes. If you are sensitive or allergic to chemical smells, please consider this carefully before signing up for the workshop.

Class fee: $65 CAD (6 weeks)

here are the details…

• registration for the Art of Transference ONLINE class begins june 14 june 6 and will remain open until june 22, or until the maximum ‘classroom’ capacity is reached.
• please click on the ‘pay now’ button in the right column to complete your payment and registration before june 22 to be included in this first session of the Art of Transference ONLINE class.
• the first class will begin on june 30 with the first technique workshop and will include:
  • a downloadable PDF handout with supply list, step by step instructions and photo-support
  • BONUS downloadable PDF image transfer sheets with vintage images and stock photography. new sheets will be provided each week.
  • a comprehensive, high quality quicktime video tutorial for each technique covered plus supplementary videos where appropriate
  • an online chat to discuss problems/successes and project ideas for weekly technique(s).
    date and time to be determined based on student poll
  • access to private flickr student gallery and discussion board where students can submit their class examples and the projects
• classes will be held through an online, password-secured blog.
  after completing and payment for your registration is received, you will be given access to the blog with a provided login id and password.
• payment: all online class payment is through paypal. paypal now accepts credit card payments in addition to paypal account payments, so if you do not currently have a paypal account don’t worry. the transaction process is easy and relatively painless =)
• refunds: refunds will only be processed up to 24 hours before the first class is launched on june 30. all refunds requested after 12:00am, june 29th, 2008 will be denied.

planned course curriculum outline [this may be subject to minor schedule changes]:

• week 1: b/w and colour toner based transfers part i - 2 techniques
• week 2: b/w and colour toner based transfers part ii - 2 techniques
• week 3: inkjet transfers using acrylics part i - 2 techniques
• week 4: inkjet transfers using acrylics part ii - 2 techniques
• week 5: inkjet transfers using alternate solutions - 2 techniques
• week 6: polaroid image transfers - 2 techniques

IMPORTANT NOTE: This class will not be repeated until october 2008. please register today if you wish to take part in this first session.

so that is the scoop my friends. i hope that by offering this workshop series online, that i am giving more artists an opportunity to acquire new skills and empowering them with techniques that can bring new excitement to their artwork.

see you in class!

diagnostic results came back. gall stones. lots of them. too many to pulverise successfully and guarantee they’ll pass. so… this means surgery.

and too many stones means not just a de-gravelling of my gallbladder…they’re going to take out the whole kit and kaboodle. yay! not!

to tell the truth i’m a little freaked out. but it’ll be ok. <breathe deeply> it’s going to be ok… but i’ve never had surgery before. i’ve never even been unconscious. this is the main reason i’m freaking a little bit. the fear of the unknown and fear of what will happen. so… for the next 6-8 weeks until i have surgery i will be doing the following:

1. maintaining my bland, sucka$$ diet
2. learning breathing technique to regulate my stress and post-op recovery anxiety
3. trying to relax and not freak out about stuff i really can’t control

in the end this is a good thing. my gallbadder being taken out means no more painful attacks at 3am. no more back and side pain for days on end. no more nasty a$$ indigestion at the most inopportune times.

whew! it’s gonna be a long, uncomfortable summer…