Archives for posts with tag: Natasha Henderson

your seat awaits you in the class

We are happy to announce the next fall felt-making workshop: Make your own felt wool scarf!

during a previous workshop

Felt is an amazing material. Real felt is made from wool or other animal fibres. It is compressed, agitated, boiled, and manipulated until it becomes a single piece of fabric. Felt was developed in every culture where herding animals were kept, and used not only for clothing but for housing and industrial purposes too.

In this workshop, students will learn about the technique of making felt fabric from loose wool roving. They will make their own beautiful scarf out of wool. All materials and instruction (and fun) will be provided!

mixed-media scarf by instructor Natasha Henderson

Instructor Natasha Henderson is a visual artist, painter, crafter of wool scarves, puppets, and cat-toys. She loves making things by hand and teaching others how to do so, too. She has years of experience teaching workshops in painting, felt-making, and other crafts. Her work (including felt scarves) is sold in galleries and shops across Canada.

Workshop is on Sunday October 14, 1-3:30pm $45, all inclusive. Fleurbain is at 460 St Catherine West, Suite #917, H3B 1A7, Montreal.

Registration by email or in person. Email for more info: Fleurbain@gmail.com

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Alice Zilberberg, Lauren Trimble, and Elissa Baltzer

At Fleurbain, we are proud to present our current exhibition Fairytales In The City. Seven artists have responded to this theme and idea: Where myth and fact interact, we form our fairytales within the city.

A successful opening night last night launched this exhibit of works by Elissa Baltzer, Anna Grigorian, Natasha Henderson, Françoise Issaly, David Merk, Lauren Trimble, and Alice Zilberberg. Fleurbain Treats were happily nibbled, a wonderful herbal iced tea was sipped, as were the requisite wine and cheese. An intelligent and lively crowd enjoyed the art, conversation, and chance to meet new people and see old friends.

vernissage fun

As for the art, several themes have surfaced in the show. What is an urban fairytale? Are these the fairytales of our youth, reimaginings of the Brothers Grimm, or newly crafted events in a contemporary setting? What are the subjects of fairytales in the city: memory, childhood, nature, transient moments, or a persistent visual luck that could only be described as “magic”? How specific are we with what defines a fairytale?

As the show progresses, I will be sharing a few essays with you about these subjects (and more.) We will soon announce artist talks and presentations over the next month. In the meantime, come see Fairytales In The City at Fleurbain until October 13.

Fairytales In The City at Fleurbain

460 St Catherine West, Unit 917. Montreal

Tues-Thurs 3-6pm and Sat-Sun 12-6pm until October 13, 2012

Natasha Henderson and Françoise Issaly

The other week, I went through the steps I took in making a painting with no source material. Using random marks and composition, I allowed my intuition and previous painting experience to guide whatever happened next. In a similar manner I have made another example to share with you here.

random brushmarks in black

I started with paper, two tubes of acrylic paint, and I think just one smallish brush. I hit the paper with some random marks in black.

I added some greys

I decided to go grisaille at this point. Grisaille is the method of painting in black and white… and greys. You can then glaze colours on top if you so choose. I will show this process next week.

subtlety added by painting in white

I lightened everything up again by brushing in a bit of white. This added some subtlety to the greys.

time for dark paint again

Then I took my black paint and worked in some darks again. I started to see something…

becoming flowers

Using some more watery-black, I painted in some stems, some shadows in petals. The painting was becoming flowers.

bit more detail and a background

I worked in another floral shape on the right, and then watered my paint down much more. I painted in a background. This added weight to the bottom of the composition, and complexity, as well as the suggestion of other things happening.

however, as part of the process…

However, as part of the process, I opted to white-out a lot of that background. More subtlety needed!

my next step was to re-introduce some greys

Once again, I mixed up a grey and added it in, bits and pieces.

again background!

Again, I worked in dark paint to suggest weight and some sort of background. By painting in the negative-space I also emphasized the objects. Note the fine edges of white here and there: those are not painted in, rather, those were left behind when I painted in the background.

finished! For now…

Finally, I painted in some more white/light grey. Again, note the dark edge I left here and there, that was the previous step’s background being left to show through.
I plan to glaze some colour into this composition, as I feel there is still something rough about it. Colour can help cure problems within a painting. So next week… see you then!
Natasha Henderson, Montreal

Happy birthday, Natasha!

Wishing you a beautiful and relaxing day.  🙂

Welcome back to the “How To Paint A…” series! After a long hiatus, I am making/documenting/writing short tutorials on how to paint different things.

random marks

This week, I offer an example of “How To” break through Painter’s Block.

I started with a random blobbing of black paint of varying thicknesses, then saw a floral shape. I painted it in loosely in white.

The best way to cure a fear of flying is to fly. The best way to break through Painter’s Block is to paint. If you just start with something, you can turn it into anything.

I didn’t like the strong black line anymore, so I scuzzled over it with white.

I enjoy painting random things, just patterns and flowers and stripes and stuff. There is nothing wrong with this: painting itself is steeped in concept. You don’t have to have a Big Grande Overriding IDEA to start. Don’t be afraid.

I used the white paint to dash in some vertical stripes. I had watered it down and used the brush lightly to obtain both transparency and texture.

If you do like to make Big Idea Art… you can think of these random little paintings as studies, or as imagination-sessions. This is a good exercise for your mind, heart, hands and eyes.

sorting out a bit more of the composition with some “doodles”. Even though I don’t particularly like these “doodles”, I know I can always paint them over afterwards…

As I mention in the photo above, it is important to feel free and empowered as you paint. If you do something you don’t like, just paint it over. The end result will be richer and more interesting anyhow.

Painting in some black over those goofy-doodles…

I like to work back-and-forth as I go. From one tone to the next, from one colour to the next… back and forth…

I finished up when I worked in a bit of white again. I decided to let this dry. I could paint in some more detail, or colour, or not. I think it is done as it is. Maybe I will just sign it now…

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

nothing says “opportunity” like the hope of a blank canvas

Have you always wanted to paint? Whether you have your own supplies or not, here is an opportunity to paint in a welcoming, open, and fresh space.

Your instructor, Natasha Henderson, is an equally fresh and funny artist with loads of experience in teaching painting to all levels of learner.

Natasha with a few of her own works-in-progress

This summer, we have set up a casual and fun schedule so that you can opt to “Drop-In” to paint, with a rotating schedule of different focuses for each class.

Perhaps due to our love of yoga, we are always flexible at Fleurbain.

To encourage you to paint more often, there is a discount on the purchase of six tickets, good for any six of the summertime classes that you choose. Tickets are entirely transferable, so if you want to treat a friend to a class, you can! Perfect for out-of-town guests to make their own souvenir of Montreal.

If you have your own paints, or want an excuse to buy them, there is an option to bring your own supplies. Enquire if this interests you… nhen@videotron.ca

Cost for one class with everything supplied is $35. Cost for six summertime classes, with everything supplied, is $180 (savings of $30). For a special-special-special trial offer, this Tuesday July 3, we are offering the drop-in class for only $25, all inclusive!

Click to see the schedules (and zoom on in) to see what’s happening:

July’s Schedule

August’s Schedule

About the painting experience, Natasha says: “I am here to facilitate, get you painting, and have fun! Learning skills and techniques are important facets to enjoying your craft… however…. Expression and simple joy in making are equally important.”

Fleurbain is located at 460 St Catherine Street West, Unit 917, in downtown Montreal.

Drop-In Painting is Tuesday and Wednesdays 7-9pm, Saturday 1-3pm and Sunday either 11am-1pm or 1-3pm.

Sun July 1: 11-1 glazing and thickness, 1-3 colour

Tues July 3: 7-9 open painting fun (discount day! $25)

Wed July 4: 7-9 abstraction

Sat July 7: 1-3 brushwork skills

Sun July 8: 11-1 chiaroscuro and form, 1-3 glazing and thickness

Sat July 28: 1-3 colour

Sun July 29: 11-1 open painting fun, 1-3 abstraction

Tues July 31: 7-9 brushwork skills

Wed August 1: 7-9 chiaroscuro and form

Sat August 4: 1-3 glazing and thickness

Sun August 5: 11-1 colour, 1-3 open painting fun

Wed August 8: 7-9 abstraction

Sat August 11: 1-3 brushwork skills

Sun August 12: 11-1 chiaroscuro and form, 1-3 glazing and thickness

Tues August 14: 7-9 colour

Wed August 15: 7-9 open painting fun (special deal… BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE!)

Sat August 18: 1-3 abstraction

Sun August 19: 11-1 brushwork skills, 1-3 chiaroscuro and form

Tues August 21: 7-9 glazing and thickness

Wed August 22: 7-9 colour

Sat August 25: 1-3 open painting fun

Sun August 26: 11-1 abstraction, 1-3 brushwork skills

Tues August 28: 7-9 chiaroscuro and form

Wed August 29: (last class!) 7-9 glazing and thickness

Lauren Trimble

We are proud to present an exciting event on Sunday June 3. Three artists who are in the current exhibition “Cross Pollination” will give a short public demonstration of their craft.

Lauren Trimble will show and tell how she makes ceramic tiles.

Heather Boyd will present the process behind her copper wire mixed media sculptures.

Heather Boyd

Natasha Henderson will show how to make wool felt (from “scratch”).

The event is free. We just want to share our love of our craft with you!

Natasha Henderson

All three artists teach their craft, and all actively display their work in various venues. Come out and join us for a lively chat.

Event is Sunday June 3 from 5pm to 7pm.

Fleurbain 460 St Catherine West, Unit #917.

A McGill student takes a study break… and Drops In to Paint!

Drop-In Painting classes are a fun way to explore and learn about painting without a huge commitment.

a student opts to work from a combination of memory and a photograph

Drop-In Painting is a way to express yourself while painting under the guidance of an experienced artist.

classes held in Fleurbain, at 460 St Catherine West. Unit 917. Fabulous view of St James United Church, and always an interesting art exhibit on!

Relax. Create. Enjoy a cup of tea.

painting is good for you

Drop-in painting is now being offered MORE often…

SUNDAY: 11am-1pm

SUNDAY: 1pm-3pm

TUESDAY: 7pm-9pm

WEDNESDAY: 7pm-9pm

SATURDAY: 1pm-3pm

All you need to bring to drop-in painting is your self!

*Classes are limited to eight people max, so if you are anticipating bringing a large group, please book ahead. Custom workshops and travelling art lessons are available. Just talk to me: fleurbain@gmail.com

*Drop-In Painting price, all-inclusive, is $35 per two hours session. (For a private, booked session, it is $70 per two-hour session.)

Natasha Henderson, Montreal

This last weekend was a busy and exciting one. Cross Pollination opened on Saturday, an exhibition featuring Jenny McMaster, myself (Natasha Henderson,) Heather Boyd, Keivan Khademi Shamami, and Lauren Trimble. Earth Day was on Sunday. Sunday also was when Jenny McMaster presented a talk about her work at Fleurbain. Hear what Jenny has to say about her work, corsets, and encaustic.

part two:

And here are some of Jenny’s favorite Corset Quotes:

Come and see Jenny’s work and much more at Fleurbain during Cross Pollination. The show runs until June 3, with gallery hours 3-6pm on Saturday and Sunday, or by appointment. 460 st Catherine West, unit 917.

On March 31, three artists from the current exhibition Art and Architecture graced our podium and ears with their insights into Architecture and Art, citing artistic inspiration as diverse as book gilding, Bauhaus textiles, dreams, and beyond.

Today (April 14) at 3pm the exhibition’s remaining three artists will inspire us with talks about their works. Please join us if you can! I will share videos from their talks here, too… but in person you can participate in lively discussions following the presentations.

Thank you Marc Chabot, Naomi Frangos, and Keivan Khademi Shamami for taking your time the other week in sharing your thoughts with us.

Today we will hear what Denise Buisman Pilger, Kimberley Mok, and Jennifer Himilton have to say!

Naomi Frangos:

Marc Chabot:

Keivan Khademi Shamami:

Natasha Henderson

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