New this season: Hands-On Artisan Pasta Workshop with Mark Perez and my own Holiday Raku Retreat. Enjoy!
Val Webb’s Art Workshops
Sketching in Watercolor and Ink (Saturday, Oct. 9 from 10-4, hosted by Space 301, Centre for the Living Arts) Use pen and ink with watercolor wash to create lively sketches of the world around you: people, buildings, trees… we’ll even sketch our lunch! I will demonstrate simple on-the-spot drawing techniques, as well as tricks for capturing light and texture in a few quick strokes. Experiment with new and different sketch tools including walnut ink and water brushes. Learn informal lettering, to add a literary touch to your sketchbook. No experience necessary! Students will need to bring: Moleskine 8.5×5.5 watercolor sketchbook (available at Alabama Art Supply), #4 round watercolor brush, set of inexpensive dry watercolors in a plastic case. Other materials provided by the instructor. $75 ($65 for CLA members). To register, call Space 301 at 251-208-5671.
Once Upon a Paintbrush: Getting Started in Illustration (Saturday, Oct. 30 from 1-4pm at Mobile Museum of Art) This lively, informative workshop for aspiring authors and illustrators — or anyone who loves children’s books — covers current market trends, creative page layout and character design. Learn how to use images to move a story forward and receive practical advice about submission packages, copyright protection, publishing contracts and illustration portfolios. This workshop is interactive, with lots of questions and discussion. Participants will take home a generous amount of illustrated resource material. Reservations required, space is limited. Workshop is FREE with museum admission. To sign up, email Val at studio@valwebb.com.
Holiday Season Raku Retreat (two Saturdays, Nov. 6 & 13, 10am-5pm both days) Handbuild, carve, glaze and fire… two full days of bas-relief handmade raku tile, from inspiration to completion. No experience necessary. While you work, a gourmet meal will be professionally prepared for you using fresh ingredients from our organic garden. Indulge your creative spirit and your appetite! Couples, friends or family who register together as a pair will receive a reduced rate. Raku Retreats are offered only twice each year, and space is very limited. $125 Email to reserve a spot: studio@valwebb.com.
Culinary Workshops with Mark Perez
Hands-On Artisan Pasta Workshop (Saturday, Oct. 2 from 10am-4pm, lunch provided) Experience a memorable afternoon of pasta making — and eating — as you learn to make classic egg noodles, whole wheat fettucine and spinach or tomato-basil pasta. Enjoy a professionally prepared pasta lunch made with fresh, local ingredients. At the end of the day, take home all the fresh pasta you have made. Limited to 4 participants; there is a small deposit required to reserve a spot. $85 Email studio@valwebb.com for information.
Cheesemaking Workshop: Mozzarella (Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1-4pm) Transform a gallon of milk into a pound of fresh mozzarella cheese. Mark will guide you through the process to make a delicious, gourmet-quality cheese. It takes less time than making a trip to the grocey store, but after you have made your own, you’ll never want store-bought mozzarella again. Bring a gallon of milk and take home the cheese you make. All supplies included. There will also be a demonstration of easy homemade Greek-style yogurt and yogurt cheese. $45 includes informal cheese tasting. To register, email Val at studio@valwebb.com.
Val Webb’s Studio Art Classes
Botanical Drawing – Tuesday Evening Class (6 weeks beginning Oct. 5, 6:30-8:30pm) Botanical drawing is experiencing a renaissance today, and here in south Alabama we have an abundant supply of interesting subject matter: native coastal plants, tropical flowers, year-round gardens full of herbs and heirloom vegetables. We’ll use traditional scientific drawing methods to create realistic botanicals in pencil, ink, colored pencil and gouache. No experience necessary, all supplies provided. $100 To register, email Val at studio@valwebb.com.
Botanical Drawing – Thursday Afternoon Class (6 weeks beginning Oct. 7, from 2-5pm) This class is very similar to the Evening class, but provides six additional hours of instruction due to the longer, three-hour class sessions. $120 Email studio@valwebb.com to register.
Drawing the Details – Wednesday Evening Class (6 weeks beginning Oct. 6, from 6:30-8:30pm) This fun and relaxed class covers a wide range of handy skills and techniques in basic drawing practice. Develop your ability to use graphite and ink as we draw subjects ranging from local landscapes to people and animals. Suitable for all levels of art experience. You’ll be amazed by what you create! Supplies provided. $100 Email studio@valwebb.com to register.
I live in a place where it’s not unusual to hear the ”who-cooks-for-you?” call of barred owls, especially just before dawn. Eerily beautiful with their pale faces and dark eyes (they are the only brown-eyed owl in the eastern US) they thrive in neighborhoods. Despite the fears of my neighbors who are convinced that the owl roosting in their oak tree wants to make a meal of their chihuahua, barred owls are usually after rodents… and older neighborhoods, like the one where I live, provide a steady supply. They are large creatures, with wings spanning three feet. Twice, while walking at night, I have seen barred owls soar past just a few feet above my head like silent ghosts, gliding fast, suddenly materializing out of the dark. It is a sight that will stop you in your tracks.
