In 2010, we were on the hunt for unique workshop ideas. Image transfer was gaining popularity, and Paul Andrew Wandless was emerging as an authority on the subject. We were thrilled that he agreed to come teach a workshop. The 12 attendees from Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Arkansas enjoyed the hands-on opportunity to learn from the man who literally wrote the book on Image Transfer on Clay
Original Paul Andrew Wandless Workshop Description:
This workshop is an introduction to various images transfer techniques for claywork. Monoprinting, screening and relief printing are all covered and used to print directly onto clay or to act as a vehicle to transfer an image to a clay surface. Plaster bats are uses as a tool to make clay monotypes, clay monoprints and for clay collage. Options are explored to match an image with the most effective screen type such as PhotoEZ screens, adhesive vinyl stencils and drawing fluid and screen block. Relief printing options explored are linoleum, Balsa foam and assorted soft easy-to-cut commercial block materials.
Images, designs, patterns and text can all be used as a means of personal expression to create compositions or designs. The clay surfaces will be used as canvasses for exploration of printing methods. Learning the methods and how to troubleshoot them effectively will be a priority of the workshop. Combing techniques and learning to adapt them to the individual needs of the artist will be another priority. Principles of Art & Design will be covered, such as color theory, value, composition, perspective and spatial relationships as it relates to workshop course content and image creation. All levels of experience welcomed.
Recommended Book for Reference – Image Transfer on Clay by Paul Andrew Wandless, available at Bracker’s Good Earth Clays – This book has all the general processes being covered in the workshop and will be very helpful for students in the selection of materials and having as a reference in the workshop itself. Most of the materials and tools for the workshop are in the book and will help to give students a good visual of what they look like. This will be helpful when deciding what to purchase or bring to use in the workshop.
Paul Andrew Wandless Bio
Born in Miami, Florida and raised in Delaware, Paul Andrew Wandless currently lives and has his studio in Chicago, IL. His current body of work utilizes the figure as a point of departure for visual narratives. Ceramic processes and printmaking techniques are combined to create clay prints and are incorporated into freestanding and wall mounted clay sculpture. Wandless also works directly in other mediums such as stone carving, mold making, metalsmithing, wood carving, printmaking, papermaking and painting. Printmaking techniques used in his clay work include, screening, stenciling, monoprinting, lithography, linocuts and intaglio. His clay work, prints, sculptures, paintings and drawings have been widely exhibited since 1995, are collected privately and publicly and are published in 13 books.
As a writer, Wandless authored Image Transfer On Clay (Lark Books 2006), 500 Prints On Clay (Lark Books 2013), Image & Design Transfer Techniques (American Ceramics Society 2015) and co-authored Alternative Kilns & Firing Techniques (Lark Books, 2004) and is a contributing author in 7 other clay technique books. He’s written 25 published articles for several publications including Pottery Making Illustrated, Ceramics: Art and Perception, Graphic Impression and International Review of African American Art. The American Ceramic Society created the video Fundamentals of Screen Printing On Clay with Paul Andrew Wandless featuring his techniques in this area. As an independent curator, he has put together 18 exhibitions and specializes with artists who utilize printmaking and clay processes to create work.
Paul Andrew Wandless has given 86 workshops regarding his art, techniques and research around the U.S. and Canada since 2000. He also frequently lectures and sits on panels addressing a wide range of art related topics from technique and process to aesthetics and art theory. He is the recipient of the 2002 Distinguished Young Alumni Award from Minnesota State University, Mankato and the 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award from the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA).
Wandless has sat on several Boards in different capacities since 2001. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Penland School of Art (2014 -2017).
He served on the Board of Directors of the Potters Council as Vice President (2009-2011), the Board of Directors for National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) as a Director-at-Large (2001– 2003), the Board of Directors for The Clay Studio of Philadelphia (2003–2006) and the steering committee for the Philadelphia Sculptors (2001 – 2009). He was also the NCECA Presidential Appointee for the Demonstrating Artist Video Program as the Video Editor/DVD Creator (2003-2009).
He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University (’99), a Master of Arts degree from Minnesota State University-Mankato (’97) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from University of Delaware (‘95).
We are thrilled to be able to include this brand new work (as seen above) from Paul Andrew Wandless in our exhibition, available until the show closes on March 26th.
You can learn more about Paul Andrew Wandless on his website, or connect with him on Facebook or Instagram
