Society of Wildflowers Conference

A printed sketch of a female head and shoulders, or female body form are provided to each participant. Pressed or paper flowers and leaves are offered in a variety of colors and styles. Each flower is related to a unique message to the self. This can be a thought, memory, intention, hope or idea. The list is written and placed in an envelope, which is mounted to the back of the art piece for later reference. Each artist will create a collage, representing their "Mind Garden", overlaid and permanently adhered to the image. Finished designs are filled with personal meaning, and can be framed or mounted for display. 

While string, nails and scrap wood may not appear to be useful art supplies, these humble elements can combine to create a masterpiece. The origin of string art is in geometry, and this art form has calming, anxiety reducing benefits, due in part to its simplicity. In this project, participants will create a dandelion or thistle pattern on a wood background with a prepared pattern of a dandelion or thistle flower. Phrases of empowerment will be added with stamps or hand lettered with paint pens creating a unique and healing art piece.

Pressed or paper flowers and leaves are offered in a variety of colors and styles to create a montage of your own design over a female silhouette. Each flower is related to a unique message to the self. This can be a thought, memory, intention, hope or idea. The list is written and placed in an envelope, which is mounted to the back of the art piece for later reference. Each artist will create a collage, representing their "Mind Garden", overlaid and permanently adhered to the image. Finished designs are filled with personal meaning, and can be framed or mounted for display.

This project assumes that many women are able to relate to the concept of having worn masks, or revealed only certain aspects of themselves, throughout life. For many reasons, they have worn masks, even with themselves, possibly to avoid reflecting on uncomfortable feelings. This workshop encourages each artist to pause, look within, and explore their own identities to gain perspective, access the deeper aspects of themselves. Participants will use art to enhance paper-mache masks. On the outside of the mask, each artist will depict how they believe the outside world perceives her. The inside of the mask is then decorated to represent how the artist views herself. A reflective writing exercise is also offered to increase insight and awareness, and determine what each artist learned about herself.

Items collected during Curation Walks will be brought back and combined with provided seashells, sea glass, driftwood scraps and other elements to assemble a custom collage on pre-cut shapes cut from thick chipboard, such as a seahorse or mermaid silhouette. The finished collage may be hung or mounted on a wood slice or canvas. A lovely visual testament to a memorable summer vacation in Laguna Beach.