Nami Yang Workshop Information

Supply List

• Have 1 or 2 ready to paint canvases for each day (pre-painted with acrylic paint: Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna or Oxide Red), size: 24" x 24" or 20" x 24".
• Paper palette
• Bring thin rubber doctor's exam gloves in your size, 10 for each day.
• Bring your favorite colors (Oil paint, Oil sticks, Charcoal (pencil, sticks, vine), Pastel sticks (soft/hard), Acrylic, Inks (black, colors), Watercolor, Color pencils).
• Mix oil (proportion: 1 part Turpentine to 2 parts Linseed Oil)
• Some acrylic and oil painting paper for practice
• Color paper or magazine or calendar
• Drawing paper
• Brushes
• Palette knifes
• Pencil sharpener
• Paper Towels
• Scissors
• Tape
• Erasers
• Bags for waste

Syllabus

1. Day One
   1. Definition of abstract painting

      Extracting one aspect of an object (such as its color) and using it to make art without using its shape. Realism uses forms and shapes we recognize. Abstract art uses philosophy, feelings, and emotions without using recognizable forms and shapes.

   2. Abstract art may not be easy to appreciate.
   3. You may need a change of mindset in order to appreciate abstract art.
   4. How to make an abstract painting

      Begin with your thoughts and feelings about the object. Use your preferred colors and subjects. Avoid using actual forms and figures.

2. Day Two
   1. Clear your mind and draw freely with your hands. Disconnect your mind from your hands.
   2. Some people use fans to blow paint, or worms or bugs to squirm on the canvas with paint, or other creative means to make abstract art. This method may have inconsistent results, good or bad.
   3. Today we will try this method. Don't think about what you want to paint. Just start painting freely, no matter what happens.
3. Day Three - Today we will combine the methods from day one and two.
   1. 1. Begin by thinking about your subject.
      2. Use color.
      3. Using the method from day 2, "mess up" what you started with.
      4. Go back to the method from day 1 and recompose your art.
   2. 1. Using the method from day 2, draw freely, without thought.
      2. Process your thoughts about the subject and compose your art.
      3. Use simple shapes, lines and colors, not recognizable objects.

Biography

1966 Graduated from Taiwan National University of Art, Fine Art major

1976 Immigrated to Los Angeles, California

1983-1987 Studied Abstract Painting, Sculpture, and Stained Glass at California State University Northridge

The move from her former living environment into the melting pot of the U.S. has facilitated the creation of her personalized style and image, a semi-abstract form that expresses the harmony and blending of maternal nature, in which the lines freely move between the color blocks while expressing personal philosophy in various forms. Regardless of whether simple or complex, viewers can be easily drawn into the images. She has created four popular series: Life series, Woman series, Religious series, and White Egret series. Several pieces in the Woman series have received recognition: "Flower's Dream" won a special award in the Fifth International New Arts Contest, "Woman #7" was selected in the 2005 Salon des Artistes Independants, and "Woman 2006" was selected in the 2007 Societe des Artistes Francais and was on exhibit in the Grand Palais in Paris. "Swimming" was selected in the 2008 Salon De Autumne and "Praying Hands" was selected in the 2009 Salon De Autumne. Both are on exhibit in Paris. The attractiveness of her "Woman Series" paintings lies not in their realism, but in the understanding and interpretation of women. The combination of lines and colors accentuate the mystery of woman that cannot be articulated with words. This style of presentation has given the viewers great leeway for imagination and dialogue. She is currently working on the creation of large scale works. She served as the former president of Taiwanese American Artist Association and is the current president of Neo Art League.