April Artist-in-Residence
Micki High
Fridays & Saturdays, April 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 12-4 pm
Micki’s work is a response to things that are more often felt than named. Tapping into sensory memories, a halfway world, leads to abstract shape, textures, colors, and marks in her work; this evokes the impressions of named and unnamed things: the internal and external landscapes we have travelled to be here. Her art is surface driven. Texture, color, layering, excavation, visual and physical depth play a role in her storytelling and support her deeper narrative of awe, celebration, and wonder in both light and dark. Creative work that transports the viewer into other felt places is deeply satisfying. Her work is mysterious but somehow familiar or remembered, like archaeology. By the time the painting is complete, much of her energy has been transformed into the painting’s layers and marks, whether revealed or obscured: they have stories to tell.
In Person: Oil and Cold Wax Painting with Micki High
Friday, April 23: 9 am-1pm
Saturday, April 24: 9 am-12 pm
Sunday, April 25: 9 am- 12 pm
In this class for beginners, students will receive a thorough introduction to this exciting medium, which allows for techniques and long work times that no other medium can offer. Once oil paint is mixed with the cold wax, the combination is that of frosting and it spreads like butter! We will paint in an impressionist and abstract manner. Students are encouraged to bring photo references of either gardens, landscapes, or flowers. You will be working on Arches Oil paper and, if you wish, Encausticbord panels (optional). We will discuss harmonious palettes, gray scale, activating your substrate, working in black and white, monotones, triads and use of various tools to develop your paintings. Students will complete one to two paintings suitable for matting and framing.
Past students have expressed positive feedback on the energy of this fun class, the pleasure of discovering a new medium, and the fun they had creating.
Some supplies are provided; supply list for remaining items is available online.
In-Person Fee: $158 CCC Members / $190 Non-Members REGISTER>>>
April Artist-in-Residence
Beth Ratledge
Beth Ratledge grew up in Cedarburg, exposed to many different types of visual and performing arts. Her mother was a formally trained artist and oil painter who experimented with all types of mediums and materials. Beth’s father, an engineering professor, was an accomplished watercolorist and charcoal artist. In addition to painting and drawing, Beth and her siblings regularly attended live theater and learned basic techniques of various art forms, including stained glass, copper enameling, weaving, and silk screening. Beth’s love of creative arts continued through college, where she earned her degree in technical theater and art. While her professional career eventually led her to the travel industry, her interest in art remained. She has enjoyed making jewelry for the past 10 years. Recently she dusted off her mother’s 1970’s kiln and revived her fascination with copper enameling. Beth teaches both jewelry and miniature landscape enameling classes at the Cedarburg Cultural Center and her jewelry is represented there as well as Oniomania in West Allis.
