Botanical Palettes, Mycelium as a Medium and The Importance of Trees

Learn how to work with mycelium as a medium, develop botanical palettes from organic materials such as fruits and flowers, and learn principles of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Each student will receive a DIY Jar with curated botanical materials. These materials will be applied during the workshop, and students will learn how to apply the materials using clay and wheat paste. Students will learn how to process organic materials into watercolors from avocados, pomegranates, and blueberries. The process used to create watercolors from botanical materials is called Laking. Students will also learn why trees are important to art making, the history of the medium, and how and why to use healthier materials for a healthier world. This is a plant based workshop and all materials are provided for each participant.

*All materials are included in this two day workshop. Students who have pre-registered will be allowed to visit with Maria and observe as she prepares botanical color palettes the day before the workshop begins.

Instructor : Maria Medina-Schechter

Maria Schechter is a bio artist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Maria has been an artist for 26 years. She grows her paintings and sculptures from mycelium the same material that fruits mushrooms. Her paintings are made with historical middle age recipes and has spent ample time with color practitioners to learn how to process color and make that color lightfast and archival. She holds a B.F.A from Cornish College of the Arts, initiated her Masters with New York University working towards a Masters in Visual Art Administration and holds a Masters in International Business with a published thesis on Cause Related Marketing for Non-Profit arts organizations.

with Education Access Program Discounts Underwritten by