Summer Workshop Program 2024

Melissa Kay Wilkinson The Fragmented Figure in Watercolor July 28 to August 2, 2024 Time 9 am - 12 pm Discipline: Watercolor Model Fee: $40.00 Materials Fee: $25.00 Open To All On-site Housing NOT Available - Off-site Housing Options

This workshop blends abstraction and figurative art, capturing the essence of movement and the allure of the human form. Complementing the strong emphasis on color and formal aspects, participants will delve into the realm of watercolor painting with a primary focus on the human figure. An interdisciplinary approach is embraced, incorporating painted and photographic imagery, as well as the development of digital mockups and physical collages to prepare for the creation of dynamic and contemporary paintings. This workshop equips participants with a wide range of skills, both analog and digital, covering techniques such as cutting, folding, and source manipulation as well as use of photo editing software to create exciting effects from which to paint. The main studio setting is the watercolor painting studio, where participants have the unique opportunity to work alongside a professional model, dedicating the entire week to realizing their artistic visions. The workshop covers essential aspects including materials, color theory, technique, and contemporary approaches to watercolor, facilitating a deep dive into this exciting and responsive medium.

Biography

Melissa Wilkinson has been an academic for over two decades, having earned her BFA in painting from Western Illinois University in 2002 and her MFA from Southern Illinois University in 2006. Her artwork has been showcased in publications like New American Paintings and The Manifest Drawing Annual. She's exhibited her work nationally and internationally, including in South Korea, Canada, India, and Art Basel Miami, winning multiple awards, fellowships, and grants, such as the Arkansas Arts Council Fellowship in Painting in 2012. She's represented by OnCenter Gallery in Provincetown, and her art graces private collections worldwide. She currently teaches art at The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, splitting her time between Massachusetts and the Hudson Valley in New York. Besides her artistic endeavors, Wilkinson enjoys hiking, crafting homemade pasta, and perfecting her coffee-making skills.