Another brilliant Jo Ogier Workshop
Wild spring weather, hardy souls and some amazing art were the subjects of an art workshop weekend held recently in Otatara. Renowned New Zealand conservation artist Jo Ogier, from Christchurch, came to give a two day art workshop at the Southland Community Nursery’s Education Centre. The workshop, entitled “Nature Journaling and Field sketching” was soon booked up by budding artists and despite inclement weather some amazing art was produced.
Jo’s easy relaxed style of teaching was inspiring to watch as she demonstrated various techniques and mediums and then encouraged everyone to have a go at the different exercises. Due to the weather, most of day one was spent inside the education centre, with a brief foray outside to collect leaf and flower specimens from around the pond and bush at Rances. Those specimens then provided the subjects for study and drawing with Jo breaking each subject down into basic shapes and giving numerous tips which everyone appreciated.
Day two involved many more excursions outside and the real “field sketching” took place – landscapes, birds, clouds, feathers, more plants and getting a real sense of closely observing and recording nature for your own journal. Most people said they would continue their journal for different purposes – recording daily events in the garden, for tramping trips, a family diary etc
One participant said “I absolutely loved it. As always Jo is a talented competent teacher and fun to be with. We all learnt a lot, even the more experienced artists among the group learnt a new technique or medium. The venue is brilliant. It is such a great asset, so comfortable, practical and with all that nature just on the doorstep!”.
Posted: 9 November 2015