Fort Warden Lighthouse

Workshop Review

The 1998 NPS workshop was held in Port Townsend, Washington in the historic Fort Warden State Park. This year's event was hosted by Darlene Morgensen with assistance from Dorene Elster and Lynn Knapp. The instructor was Madlyn-Ann Woolwich of New Jersey. The workshop combined Mickey's unique artistic talents as one of the pastel world's leading artists with her incredible skill as an art promoter.

by Clark Elster

The workshop was divided between hands-on pastel drills and review and discussions of the world of pastel art. Mickey emphasized the tools at our disposal for advancing our careers: publications, techniques for art presentation, making connections among the who's who of pastel art, etc.

by Jennifer Evenhus

The following paragraphs will give you a small sample of the energetic teaching style of Mickey Woolwich as well as the depth of information the artists took back to their studios. I expect next year's pastel entries from the Pacific Northwest will reflect the artistic development fostered by Mickey's workshop. Here is a review of the workshop:

Workshop diary:

The workshop began on May 30, 1998 at 9:00 AM in a large meeting room at Fort Warden. Surrounded by by windows and light pouring in from all sides, seventeen students assembled. The first exercise was to draw small items such as seashells or marbles. Each student worked for five minutes, changed positions, then tried again. At the conclusion of the exercise students laid their works on the floor for comparison.

The next project was a still life in pastel. Vases filled with the flowers and objects such as a creamer, a copper pan, and a stuffed crow were arranged in the center of the room. Covering the table was a floral cloth, loosely laid. For the rest of the day, the artists worked to create their own interpretations of the still lifes.

At the conclusion of the work session, the artists went to supper and finished the evening watching a slide presentation by Mickey. The slides were of works by students from previous workshops. Mickey discussed each slide, emphasizing stroke, style, color and composition.

On Sunday morning, the students gathered and began sketching irises. Once again, the students divided their sketch pad into four parts and sketched the irises from four directions. After the exercise, the sketches were placed on the floor and compared. Following the sketching, the artists reassembled at the south end of the meeting room for a review of the previous day's work. Pastels were placed before the group and Mickey, with laser pen in hand, commented on each giving directions and suggestions to the artist. Framed works from home were included in the discussion as artists presented them for review.

Judy Smith at work

The afternoon was devoted to painting from photographs provided by the artists. During this time, Mickey set up a piece she had been working on and lectured as she applied the pigments. Mickey used a hand held slide projector for her reference image, a clump of cactus. She finds the colors in slides to be superior to prints. After the demonstration, she moved from easel to easel working with students on their own projects.

by Pat Meras

The evening found the students again in the dining hall, reviewing slides. These slides were from Mickey's recent book "Pastel Interpretations." She used the slides to show the style and progress of each artist as he or she took the assigned image and painted to completion. Selected artists were given the same task of producing a painting from one image. Each artist addressed the project from a different perspective, using different techniques.

The final day began with more sketching inside, followed by en plein air work on the beach. Subjects included a Coast Guard station complete with lighthouse as well as the many inlets and small mountains which are a part of the Puget Sound. The afternoon was devoted to completing the works started the previous day. The evening was devoted to painting, some slide review, and walks around the fort grounds.

by Carley Rae Hippauf

Thanks is due Mickey Woolwich for her dedication to the task of teaching the artists who came to her workshop. Further, thanks should be given to the board of directors of the NPS who made this profitable experience possible.

John Knapp

Webmaster
NPS

Artists who attended the 1998 Workshop:

• Margery Brown -- Port Townsend, WA
• Gillian Bull -- Bainbridge Island, WA
• Jessie Carrasco -- Port Townsend, WA
• Rita Elaine Elkins -- Port Angles, WA
• Clark Elster -- Shorline, WA
• Jennifer Evenhus -- Wenatachee, WA
• Carley Rae Hippauf -- College Place, WA
• John Knapp -- Walla Walla, Wa
• Sharon McComas -- Port Angeles, WA
• Pat Meras -- Port Orchard, WA
• Susan Ogilvie -- Port Hadlock, WA
• Nancy Roberts -- Clinton, WA
• Karen Smith Schroeder -- Coupeville, WA
• Georgeann Silverman -- Woodinville, WA
• Judith G. Smith -- Olympia Wa
• Mary Tauscher -- Clinton WA
• Betty Wood -- Walla Walla, WA
• Darlene Morgensen -- Chimicum WA

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