workshops
When my schedule allows, I teach workshops that are generally a week or two in length. Some are purely encaustic painting
and some are found object assemblage. When long enough, I have combined both.
I take teaching very seriously and impart as much information as I can while keeping the workshop atmosphere fun (and frequently funny).
This is a typical Encaustic Painting Workshop description:
This is a comprehensive workshop designed to give students a working knowledge of the encaustic medium and method.
I begin by introducing the traditional method of encaustic painting with emphasis on technique and substrate choice.
Students will also learn how to make their own medium and paints.
Later we move into contemporary approaches with an emphasis on mark making and texture. As always, content will be emphasized
and discussion of such is encouraged with prompts of poetry, music and prose throughout the duration of the workshop.
This is a typical Assemblage Workshop description:
In our Assemblage workshop, we will explore ways to take materials including wax, paper, wood and paint
and turn them into succinct and strong stories. Along with technical instruction that will cover manipulating images,
using wax, cold connection of objects and various mark-making techniques,
we will discuss the very important aspects of art making: intent and content.
The following are comments from my students in the Snow Farm class taught in 2022:
Very personable, friendly and patient...very generous with her time as well.
Graceann is a FABULOUS teacher. She is warm, patient, experienced, and a brilliant artist. I am grateful to have been able to take her class. The pace was perfect, and she was able to customize the class so that each one of us got our specific questions answered and needs met.
Graceann was a passionate teacher who clearly enjoyed teaching her skills and sharing her abundant knowledge of the craft of Assemblage. I would gladly take another class if she was teaching.
A great experience with just the right number of students (6)...this could actually be a 5-day workshop because there are so many techniques and materials involved.
We did SO MUCH in a few short days. I completed a few pieces but better yet I learned techniques that I can expand upon in the future.
and some are found object assemblage. When long enough, I have combined both.
I take teaching very seriously and impart as much information as I can while keeping the workshop atmosphere fun (and frequently funny).
This is a typical Encaustic Painting Workshop description:
This is a comprehensive workshop designed to give students a working knowledge of the encaustic medium and method.
I begin by introducing the traditional method of encaustic painting with emphasis on technique and substrate choice.
Students will also learn how to make their own medium and paints.
Later we move into contemporary approaches with an emphasis on mark making and texture. As always, content will be emphasized
and discussion of such is encouraged with prompts of poetry, music and prose throughout the duration of the workshop.
This is a typical Assemblage Workshop description:
In our Assemblage workshop, we will explore ways to take materials including wax, paper, wood and paint
and turn them into succinct and strong stories. Along with technical instruction that will cover manipulating images,
using wax, cold connection of objects and various mark-making techniques,
we will discuss the very important aspects of art making: intent and content.
The following are comments from my students in the Snow Farm class taught in 2022:
Very personable, friendly and patient...very generous with her time as well.
Graceann is a FABULOUS teacher. She is warm, patient, experienced, and a brilliant artist. I am grateful to have been able to take her class. The pace was perfect, and she was able to customize the class so that each one of us got our specific questions answered and needs met.
Graceann was a passionate teacher who clearly enjoyed teaching her skills and sharing her abundant knowledge of the craft of Assemblage. I would gladly take another class if she was teaching.
A great experience with just the right number of students (6)...this could actually be a 5-day workshop because there are so many techniques and materials involved.
We did SO MUCH in a few short days. I completed a few pieces but better yet I learned techniques that I can expand upon in the future.
Teaching a workshop at Haystack
Why teach?
Someone recently asked me why I teach. Seems like a simple question and I think I answered it pretty simply
but then I realized that I have been editing my answer in my head for days.
Teaching comes naturally to me in the way that playing tennis does.
It takes hours and hours of preparation and focus for me to do it well and to make it appear effortless.
It is not easy until it is.
Teaching is more difficult as a skill than staying in my studio making art.
Maybe the challenge is what drew me to it initially. Teaching is like performing.
I always feel butterflies that first morning or two.
I tell my students everything I can. I enjoy seeing someone “get it” and my time is thoroughly made
when a student has a breakthrough- when he or she moves into a new level of work after some difficulty and frustration.
Art making is problem solving and translation. At its best it is poetry.
I try to impart that understanding to my students as we move beyond technique to intent and content.
So why do I teach?
I teach because I know that making art is one of the highest privileges in my life and I want to share that with others who are interested.
It is like a great secret that we all share in the classroom and then later, after we depart.
A workshop is sacred time and space and it’s always my great pleasure to be a part of it.
Someone recently asked me why I teach. Seems like a simple question and I think I answered it pretty simply
but then I realized that I have been editing my answer in my head for days.
Teaching comes naturally to me in the way that playing tennis does.
It takes hours and hours of preparation and focus for me to do it well and to make it appear effortless.
It is not easy until it is.
Teaching is more difficult as a skill than staying in my studio making art.
Maybe the challenge is what drew me to it initially. Teaching is like performing.
I always feel butterflies that first morning or two.
I tell my students everything I can. I enjoy seeing someone “get it” and my time is thoroughly made
when a student has a breakthrough- when he or she moves into a new level of work after some difficulty and frustration.
Art making is problem solving and translation. At its best it is poetry.
I try to impart that understanding to my students as we move beyond technique to intent and content.
So why do I teach?
I teach because I know that making art is one of the highest privileges in my life and I want to share that with others who are interested.
It is like a great secret that we all share in the classroom and then later, after we depart.
A workshop is sacred time and space and it’s always my great pleasure to be a part of it.
WORKSHOPS COMING UP IN 2025
June 17-24, 2025
County Mayo, Ireland
This will be an assemblage workshop
https://www.essenceofmulranny.com