Workshops with Catherine Nash in our Studio

Photography & Encaustic Co-taught by Robert and Catherine! SPECIAL CLASS
Two Fri Mornings 9:30-12:30 Jan 13 & 20th, 2012
Get inspired by the depth and space that encaustic offers your photography! We will be collaging photographic imagery printed on varied papers, layering for depth and light and translucency, and experimenting with photographic transfer techniques. Enhance your work with a painterly hand using tinted wax pours and expressive brushstrokes of color. Build up texture as contrast, enrich with metallic leafing and heighten the image with markmaking.
Level: Beginners/Intermediates to Encaustic welcome
Fee: $95 (add materials fee $12...includes Wax & Paint)


Encaustic and the Artist Book: Hands On!
Two Saturday Mornings 9:30-12:30 : Jan 14th & 21st
Consider the concept that the book is a container of ideas, of knowledge, of human imagination: the artist book becomes a unique way to voice content. Wax/encaustic based collage, assemblage, monoprint, painting and drawing are all fair game: participants will learn varied ways to incorporate words, the use of stencils for repeated imagery, as well as a simple Japanese stab binding. From the specific exploration of a single image, color, or word, or the sequencing of many, in this workshop we will look for a playfully synthesized connection between structure, message and visual presentation. Opening a book is a ritual act imbued with anticipation and curiosity.
Level: Not for beginners, a beginning course required....such as Photography & Encaustic 1/13 or equivalent!
Fee: $95 (add materials fee $12)
Take the full Encaustic 2 Fri/Sat Sessions for a discounted rate of $180 (plus materials fees)


Finding Your Authentic Voice: Making Art with a Personal Vision
Five Thursday afternoons 2-5 Mar 1, 8, 15, 22 ...and April 12th, 2012
only offered once a year~
So, you have been taking lots of technique classes and have a grasp of how-tos under your belt. Now it is time to start working on your own....what is it you truly want to express? Through a series of journaling, drawing and writing, find your authentic voice and vision so that you can make work that expresses your deepest self. It can be done through still life, landscape, the figure, abstraction or any combination... can become a point of departure for personal expression. Develop an expressive personal body of work that is thematically focused and aesthetically consistent in presentation. Lots of individual attention and assignments. Our fifth critique session is after a short break so as to give participants the opportunity to build up a body of work.
Fee: $175 Limited to 6 participants

Catherine's Authentic Voice Participants' Feedback from Spring 2010 & 2011:

"You are a terrific teacher and artist. The" Finding Your Authentic Voice "class was fabulous beyond the most descriptive of words. We had such a great group of people and your ideas and suggestions will be useful for years to come!"

"Thanks so much Catherine for your vote of confidence in the process which is what I really needed to hear...Friday was a pivotal moment for me...I took some time to just ponder what's going on as the earth shifts under my feet and made a huge leap of faith by deciding to rent an art studio."

"Thanks again for being such a wonderful mentor, teacher, leader, planner, orchestrator, slave driver, etc. "

"Thank you so much for your thoughtful assignments. I will take them seriously.....know that your class and your approach to creating has set me on a path of intense exploration/assessment. The sketchbook has been a great stimulus, as have your assignments. I find they uncannily zero in on the target."

"Catherine, I loved this class! Your goal for us in this class was that "when we leave, we will have a body of [consistent] work that comes from the heart!" And I think I actually do. Not only that, I have some new 'art friends', a priceless acquisition at any time. When all is said and done, however, your enthusiasm, energy and open heart is really what made this class work for me. Thank you."

"Right now I have so much inspiration that, finding a balance, and enough time and energy to manifest all the ideas that are coming are the issues....but I'm okay with it because I know that I'm learning about technique at every step of the way, and I'm very happy with the progress that's happening. "

"...thank you for an excellent journey to discovery of the authentic voice. Your class ranks with one of the very best I've taken. You had thought long and hard about the subject and your tact and skill in directing andcritiquing our work will be long appreciated. The sketchbook I kept during your class has already proved itself to be a source to return to for direction"

Inspired by Nature: Beginning Drawing - Outdoors!
Taught in our studio & on Location for The Learning Curve
Four Wednesday Afternoons, Feb 29, Mar 7, 14, 21 2012 2-5pm
With two preparatory sessions in the studio, we'll begin to develop drawing skills by learning techniques that enable us to draw what we see: translating elements from nature onto paper with line, shape and value. Have fun experimenting with a wide range of drawing tools and media both dry and wet. With two drawing sessions outside, we'll then learn to draw en plein aire (French for "in the open air"), getting inspired by the dramatic light and color of our desert landscape. Learn how wonderful the experience of working outdoors can be as we learn to capture quick dynamic studies of nature with fresh and brilliant results.
Register online thru the Learning Curve at http://www.thelearningcurvetucson.com
or Call (520) 777-5817 for more info and to register.


Capturing Light: A Drawing Intensive
One Monday Mar 12th, 2011 10am - 4pm
Light! Being able to capture brilliant light and shadow in its true contrast lends a dynamic energy to your art! Using a variety of media (black and white opening a discussion of color), we will explore still life and the landscape: through a directed series of drawing and painting exercises, participants will gain skills into seeing and rendering varied qualities of light, from direct sunlight to more subtle contrasts of light and shadow.
Register online thru the Learning Curve at http://www.thelearningcurvetucson.

Mixed Media Plein Air in the Desert: Taught at the Desert Museum
Sat & Sun, Mar 3rd & 4th, 2012, 10am - 4pm
Easy and rewarding! Enjoy a "no fear" approach to creating your artistic vision of the desert. Mark making is drawing mindset that is simple and fun. And it will loosen you up to draw nature in a class that honors expression. Try a variety of art media with guidance from an expert and enjoy new ways to create art. Catherine will also help you put together a versatile and transportable art kit to carry for working out-of-doors or when you travel. See how easy it is to layer watercolors along with wax based colored pencils, conté crayons and more in a variety of ways. Experiment with an exciting and rich array of media as you draw on the extraordinary desert landscape.
Register online thru the Desert Museum Art Institute: http://www.desertmuseum.org/arts/ai_newshowclass.php?id=1568
or call (520) 883-3024 for more info

Animal Sketching from Life at the Desert Museum: Taught at the Desert Museum
Fri, Sat. & Sun., Apr 13th - 15th, 2012, 10am - 4pm
Learn to draw desert animals and birds from life! No, they won't sit still! But the introductory study of animal skeletal and muscular structures will start the exciting journey of drawing from life. Become familiar with the basic shapes that will lead to a greater understanding of animal form. Create a more informed drawing and enhance the drawing process along the way. Participants will learn to note behaviors and observe gestures and attitudes of movement, while learning to interpret the subject with a fluidity of mark making
Register online thru the Desert Museum Art Institute: http://www.desertmuseum.org/arts/ai_newshowclass.php?id=1573
or call (520) 883-3024 for more info Course ID: 1424 (DDSS11)

The World of Encaustics
with Catherine Nash, faculty for R&F Paints
Thurs-Sun, Apr 26-29, 2012
(Class meets 10 - 5 on the first day, 9 - 4 on subsequent days with a one hour lunch.)
This comprehensive encaustic workshop gives participants a thorough introduction to painting with hot pigmented wax. Artists with backgrounds in almost any medium will find these workshops are an exciting way to expand their visual vocabulary.

Some who attend have little familiarity with encaustic, others have experience working in the medium, but seek to refine their skill. The dynamic created by this mix of artists adds to the learning experience and to the discovery of new techniques and applications. A wonderful diversity of learning is covered in this workshop, including the basic materials and techniques, safety issues and discussion of supports and grounds. Encaustic can submerge through layering, reveal through scraping back and offer surfaces from glassy smooth to heavily textured. We will practice hands-on techniques that include the art of fusing, transparencies and glazes of color, collage and assemblage, image transfer, color inlay and the use of encaustic in combination with oil and other media.
The use of all paints and equipment is included in the cost of the workshop. Previous participants are welcome. Some supplies provided by students.
Register at http://www.sedonaartscenter.com/ Workshops > Studio Art >scroll down to April
Direct Link

Digital Photography for Newbies
Two Tuesdays: Jan 17th and Jan 24th, 9:30am - 12:30pm
This informative class will give you a solid understanding of how your digital camera works as well as provide an overview of digital processes and equipment. You will learn how to use the different settings built into todays digital cameras, find out what all those dials, buttons and menus are for and make sense out of the users manual. Learn to use the cameras light metering system, control Depth of Field, work with lenses, photograph under difficult lighting conditions, shoot with camera raw or jpeg, set the correct resolution and more! This class is great for beginners and also for others who have some experience but still are not comfortable with aspects of their camera. You will be surprised at how much more you can do with your camera by the end of the class!
Fee: $65.00


Continuing Digital Photography
Four Tuesdays: February 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th 9:30am- 12:30
Finish taking control over your digital camera and jump start your creative vision!
This intermediate class will emphasize aesthetics, composition and developing one's personal approach to photography while moving you on to the more advanced aspects of digital camera function. We will discuss full manual shooting, time exposures, color space, custom white balance/targets, AF modes, etc. You will be able to ask questions about any aspect of you camera you may not fully understand. You will also produce a small body of photographs centered around a theme of your choice.
This is a great chance to take your photography to the next level quickly.
Fee: $130.00


Finding Your Personal Vision
5 Tuesday Mornings: Mar 13th, 27th, April 10th, 24th & May 1st, 2012 (every other week) 9:30am-12:30 pm
You already have a good working knowledge of camera function and picture taking and now you are ready for the next step - finding your personal vision! This class will guide you through the fun of jump starting your creativity while you build a cohesive and focused group of photographs. By the end of the workshop you will have a portfolio of work you can use for submission to galleries, shows, posting online, publication or to share with friends. You will also gain a greater understanding of how to bring latent ideas into concrete form.

This class meets every other week with three weeks between March 20th and April 10th to allow time for shooting between classes. You will continue shooting over the course of the workshop and will bring work to class for critique and to help you to refine your images and ideas. You will also be guided in writing an artist statement to complement your portfolio. We will not be shooting during class and you won't need to bring your camera, this will be pure concept/critique/discussion. There will be lectures on the history of fine art photography.

Take advantage of a rare chance for feedback from fellow photographers! Learn how to look at and talk about your own work in a nurturing environment. Being a part of an open exchange with classmates who are confronting the same issues you are is always fun and insightful. Embark on an exciting journey of discovery as you gain fresh insights into your images and create a meaningful, focused and personalized photography portfolio.

Please note: The number of participants for this workshop is very limited so everyone can get plenty of individual attention so sign up soon.
Fee: $175


Photoshop Elements Quickstart
One Wednesday: April 11th, 2012 9:30am- 12:30pm
Knowing how to manipulate and improve your digital photographs is essential. This class will teach you 8 simple steps for making fundamental image corrections and properly size photographs for the internet or printing using Adobe Photoshop Elements. We will "cut to the chase" and focus on the basics of what you'll need to use most often. This concentrated class will start you off on the right foot quickly. You'll dramatically improve your photographs!

It is easy to take a poorly exposed photograph with today's digital cameras but with this class you will find out how to "rescue" a bad shot, set the correct resolution of an image, remove color tints and red eye, fix blemishes, improve photos that are too dark or light and prepare files for printing at photo labs. Bring your laptop and follow along! You will also be given handouts to take home.

Prerequisite: Basic computer skills such as how to make, find and open files, saving to the hard drive etc.

Supply List: Mac or PC laptop with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 or above already installed and working. Bring some photos you want to work on. If you do not have a laptop, you can take notes and use what you learn at home on your desktop computer.
Fee: $35.00


Continuing Photoshop Elements
One Wednesday: April 18th 9:30am - 12:30
This class picks up where the Photoshop Elements Quick Start class ends and you need to have taken that class or have similar experience.
Take the next step in image adjustment for your digital photographs. Learn how to work with Adjustment Layers, make Selections, Dodge and Burn, Levels and how to fix one photograph then apply that fix to other photographs. It's easier than you may think!
Prerequisite: Basic computer skills such as how to make, find and open files, saving to the hard drive etc. and the Quick Start class or similar experience.
Supply List: Mac or PC laptop with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 or above already installed and working. Bring some photos you want to work on. If you do not have a laptop, you can take notes and use what you learn at home on your desktop computer.
Fee: $35.00

The Art of Photo Composition Taught in our studio for the Learning Curve
Two Mondays. Jan 16th & 23rd, 2012. 9:30am-12:30pm
Do you just want to learn how to improve the basic composition of your photographs without getting too wrapped up in all the technical details of camera function? We will leave our cameras on automatic or program mode for this class and really concentrate on how to create a solid composition. Find out the difference between "taking" a photograph and "making" a photograph.
Learn to use simple but effective techniques such as: framing, scale, asymmetrical balance, patterns, point of view, reflections, the "rule of thirds" and more, to quickly and dramatically improve your photographs no matter what kind of camera you use!
Register online thru the Learning Curve at http://www.thelearningcurvetucson.com/
or Call (520) 777-5817 for more info and to register.


Travel Photography in a Digital World Taught in our studio for the Learning Curve
Two Wednesdays. Feb 8th & 15th, 2012. 9:30am-12:30pm
Are you planning on taking a trip this summer but want to understand your camera better before you take off? Want to improve the quality of the pictures you take when you travel? Geared towards the novice digital photographer this class is designed especially for you! Explore the pros and cons of the different types of digital cameras, learn simple methods for improving composition and begin to think like a photo editor. Understand what all those camera dials and buttons are for. Come back from your next trip with a "body of work" instead of a pile of snap shots!
Register online thru the Learning Curve at http://www.thelearningcurvetucson.com/
or Call (520) 777-5817 for more info and to register.


Photography: In the Studio and On Location Taught in our studio for the Learning Curve
Five Thursdays: Feb 23rd, Mar 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd, 2012. 9:30am-12:30pm
Enjoy visits to a professional photographer's studio in colorful Barrio Hollywood for lectures and critiques and the chance to stretch your legs and your camera skills while photographing "on location" in and around Tucson. You'll receive a thorough review of camera function with emphasis on digital cameras and easily understandable explanations of F-stops, shutter speed, depth of field, resolution, light readings, lenses and file formats before the first location shoot. Demonstrations of simple techniques for improving composition and solutions to common problems, together with helpful critiques from the instructor and feedback from classmates will help you take your photography skills to the next level.

Week 1: Lectures on camera function/techniques and improving composition/ class overview.
Week 2: Meet at the studio, then caravan to the historic Presidio district near downtown for a photo shoot.
Week 3: Critique of previous week's work/continued discussion of techniques/solutions to common problems, etc.
Week 4: Meet at the studio, then caravan to Tucson Mountain Park for a photo shoot.
Week 5: Wrap up session, final critiques.

Register online thru the Learning Curve at http://www.thelearningcurvetucson.com/
or Call (520) 777-5817 for more info and to register.

Photoshop Elements Quick Start
One Saturday: Jan 7th, 2012. 9am-Noon
Whether you are a photographer working digitally or even a painter taking reference photos and documenting your paintings, knowing how to manipulate digital images is essential. This class will teach you 8 simple steps for making fundamental image corrections and properly size photographs for the internet or printing using Adobe Photoshop Elements. We will "cut to the chase" and focus on the basics of what you'll need to use most often. This concentrated class will start you off on the right foot quickly. You'll dramatically improve your photographs!

It is easy to take a poorly exposed photograph with today's digital cameras but with this class you will find out how to "rescue" a bad shot, set the correct resolution of an image, remove color tints and red eye, fix blemishes, improve photos that are too dark or light and prepare files for printing at photo labs. Bring your laptop and follow along! You will also be given handouts to take home.

Prerequisite: Basic computer skills such as how to make, find and open files, saving to the hard drive etc.
Supply List: Mac or PC laptop with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 or above already installed and working. Bring some photos you want to work on. If you do not have a laptop, you can take notes and use what you learn at home on your desktop computer.
Register online thru the Desert Museum Art Institute: http://www.desertmuseum.org/arts/ai_newshowclass.php?id=1527
or call (520) 883-3024 for more info Course ID: 1527 (PEQSS12)

Photoshop Elements Collage Techniques
One Saturday Jan 7th, 2012 1pm-4pm
Have some fun with your digital photographs. Learn how to work with Layers, make Selections, Cut and Paste between images, Clone areas of one photograph into another, let one photo show from behind another and add text on top of a photo. Learn how to make your own greeting cards! This class will take you into some of the creative areas of Photoshop- it is very different from the image correction area of Photoshop and is a lot more fun
Prerequisite: Photoshop Elements Quick Start or equivalent experience. Basic computer skills such as how to make, find and open files, saving to the hard drive etc.
Supply List: Mac or PC laptop with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 or above already installed and working. Bring some photos you want to work on. If you do not have a laptop, you can take notes and use what you learn at home on your desktop computer.
Register online thru the Desert Museum Art Institute: http://www.desertmuseum.org/arts/ai_newshowclass.php?id=1528
or call (520) 883-3024 for more info Course ID: 1528 (PCTS12)


Commanding Camera Composition
One Saturday Feb 25th, 2012. 9am- Noon
Do you just want to learn how to improve the basic composition of your photographs without getting too wrapped up in all the technical details of camera function?
We will leave our cameras on automatic or program mode for this class and really concentrate on how to "line up" a good shot.
Learn to use framing, scale, asymmetrical balance, patterns, point of view, reflections, the "rule of thirds" and other simple techniques to quickly and dramatically improve your photographs! You will be able to practice what you have learned in the classroom on the grounds of the Desert Museum with hands on guidance from your instructor. This will be fun!
Register online thru the Desert Museum Art Institute: http://www.desertmuseum.org/arts/ai_newshowclass.php?id=1545
or call (520) 883-3024 for more info Course ID: 1545 (CCCS12)


Digital "Point and Shoot" Camera Primer
One Saturday Feb 25th 1pm-4pm
Did you get a new Digital "Point and Shoot" camera and would like to understand it better? Bring your camera and users manual and learn how to get more out of these small but capable cameras - you might be surprised at what they can do.
We will go over how to select the proper resolution for sending photos over the internet or for printing with an inkjet printer, different ways to use the flash, lock focus, set the white balance, and creative techniques using the programed shooting modes. Learn about camera Raw vs jpeg. Tips on easy ways to improve composition will be offered. This is a short but focused class that will quickly get you up to speed on your Point and Shoot!
Register online thru the Desert Museum Art Institute: http://www.desertmuseum.org/arts/ai_newshowclass.php?id=1546
or call (520) 883-3024 for more info Course ID: 1546 (DPSS12)


Digital Camera Quick Start
One Saturday Mar 17, 2012. 10am- 4pm
Can't make heads or tails out of your digital cameraand the users manual seems to be in Greek? This is a short but focused class that will quickly get you started on understanding your digital camera. Find out the six settins you need to know for optimum camera use. Learn how to set proper resolution for attaching photos to an email or for printing, different ways to use the flash, lock focus, set the white balance, and creative techniques using the programmed shooting modes. Learn about camera Raw vs jpeg. Tips on easy ways to improve composition will also be offered. If you don't have time for a long photo class but still want to shoot with your camera off "Auto" this class is for you!
Register online thru the Desert Museum Art Institute: http://www.desertmuseum.org/arts/ai_newshowclass.php?id=1549
or call (520) 883-3024 for more info Course ID: 1549 (DCQSS12)

About the Instructors

Catherine Nash’s love of travel and different cultures has inspired her to live, research and teach on four continents. Perhaps most inspiring were two research trips to Japan, where she studied the techniques of Japanese woodblock printing and papermaking. She received a B.F.A in Printmaking and Drawing from the University of New Hampshire and in 1987, graduated from the University of Arizona with an M.F.A. in Mixed Media. Nash currently teaches in Arizona schools as an artist-in-resident for the Tucson/Pima Arts Council and the AZ Commission on the Arts, and to adults through the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute. In addition, she has taught advanced workshops in drawing, Western/Japanese handmade paper, sculptural paper casting and sculptural artist books across the U.S., as well as in professional paper studios in eight European countries, Japan and Australia. Her art has been exhibited internationally.

Robert Renfrow has spent years studying and traveling extensively throughout Europe as well as North Africa, India, Russia and New Zealand. He is the co-founder of Art Research Tours and International Studios, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping artists travel and study abroad. Graduating as Salutatorian of his class from the Kansas City Art Institute with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography/Video, Renfrow was awarded a Graduate Fellowship to attend the University of Arizona from which he received his MFA in Photography in 1991.

Robert has taught photography workshops internationally. Locally, he is both an artist-in-residence for the Arizona Commission on the Arts and on the faculty of the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute where he teaches nature photography and Photoshop. His work in both photography and video have been exhibited in Europe and throughout the USA, including the last two Arizona Biennial exhibitions at the Tucson Museum of Art.

Feedback from Robert’s photography students:

“p.s. -I’ve taken other photography classes before and you are the best teacher I’ve ever encountered! Your analogies for thinking about exposure were extremely helpful.”

“ I learned more in this workshop than I did in a semester in college.”

“Rob was fabulous...he really simplified everything!”

“Taught to our skill level, great easy to follow examples, pleasant personality.”

“Informed- plenty of info, but relaxed- got me started from a flat footed beginning”