Printmaking - more to come!

Brian Scott was a wonderful teacher. He introduced students to the technical aspects of producing a good print while sharing insights as a visual artist. Thanks to our teacher and students. More printmaking soon to come!

Tom Sale's linoleum block inked and ready to print...

Paint Your Pet and Collage Classes this Past Weekend...

Kayli taught twelve wonderful students how to paint their beloved pets this past Saturday. Although most of the canvases featured dogs, we also had a bird and a horse! This popular class will be offered again in the Spring!

Rebecca Carter taught an amazing collage class this past Saturday. Look for additional collage related workshops in the near future. Rebecca also teaches our Wednesday night OPEN MEDIA class. Visit our website for more information about classes and workshops!

Avant Garde Film Series - Last Year at Marienbad

Join us on Monday, January 31st at 8pm for the first showing of our ongoing film series curated by the lovely and talented Sally Glass. Last Year in Marienbad is a 1961 French film directed by Alain Resnais. The screenplay is by Alain Robbe-Grillet. Through ambiguous flashbacks and disorienting shifts of time and location, the film explores the relationships between the characters.  Our film will be projected on a large wall for your viewing pleasure. Free or $5 suggested donation.

Printmaking and Granny Square Brunch - THIS WEEK!

Printmaking with Brian Scott
Friday, January 28th 6-8pm
Price: $65

Learn the basics of relief printmaking through lino-cut (linoleum block). Use basic tools including the lino block, cutting tools, bench hook, paper and a wooden spoon!. Students should bring a strong graphic image to translate into a cut block using line, negative space and contrast levels (black and white preferred). Consideration will be given to the use of multiple colors/blocks and single block/black and white images. Our workshop teacher is the very talented Brian Scott. An exhibit of his work is currently on view at the Mighty Fine Arts Gallery in Oak Cliff.

Granny Square Brunch with Casey Stallings
Sunday, January 9, 11am-2pm
Price: $55

Get your Granny groove on at this beginning crochet class!  Learn the basic crochet stitches, how to read a pattern and make the basic granny square. Your very own crochet kit including a hook, finishing needle, stitch key and 100% cotton, made-in-the-USA yarn will be provided. Ideal for anyone new to the needle crafts, those in need of a refresher course, for those wanting to create in a communal setting. Sip on mimosas and munch on a light breakfast while learning this versatile craft.

Professional Artist Lecture Series - MORE TO COME!

Oil and Cotton had a full house this Friday and must admit we were happily surprised by the enthusiasm to talk TAXES on a weekend night. Thanks to our wonderful speaker, Denise Baumgartner and to our very responsive audience. We look forward to offering more classes aimed at serving artists, creatives, and small businesses.

Pet Portraits and Collage - Saturday, Jan 22nd

Adults and children (age 8+) learn step by step how to look, draw, and paint on canvas a portrait of their best friend. Bring photos of your pet (8" x 11" print out is best) and a sack lunch, or we can pot luck. Please register online.
Saturday, January 22nd 11-2pm
Teacher: Kayli House Cusick
Price: $40

Collage can be a way to investigate and express ideas/feelings/sensations through a visual format. Many artists, writers, and creative people have used collage both to create independent works of art and to create working drawings for more complex projects. Collage is also a common technique used in therapy and self-help as a means to come to better know the self. Experienced artists, complete novices, and everyone in between will have the opportunity to explore and extend their creative selves through semi-structured play. We will look at historical and contemporary references for inspiration, discuss formal design concepts, and introduce technical/material information. Participants are encouraged to bring their own collage materials and/or use materials available at the studio. Learn more about her and her work at www.rebeccacarter.org.
Please register online.
Saturday, January 22nd 3-6pm
Teacher: Rebecca Carter
Price: $50

Accounting for Artists : Recordkeeping and Taxes

Join this Friday January 21, 6:30-8 for an informative talk about finance and accounting for artists and creatives presented by small business accountant Denise Baumgartner. This class offers a basic look at the recordkeeping responsibilities of artists for business and tax purposes. The focus will be on self-employment, income and expense definition, tax deductions and basic business accounting specifically for Artists. Snacks and beverages provided.
Speaker: Denise Baumgartner
$10 suggested donation

Oil and Cotton

Chinese New Year - Paper Cutting

Today Jin-Ya Huang taught the ancient tradition of Chinese paper cutting in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Students cut Chinese characters and Zodiac symbols in bright red paper. The finished paper cuts were mounted on heavy white paper.

Oak Cliff Community - Kings Crossing

Oil and Cotton hosted an Oak Cliff Community meeting. The agenda was a discussion on developing a safer intersection at King's Highway, Davis Street and Seventh Street (our corner). Community input will guide future City improvements to reduce accidents, promote walkability, and tie neighborhoods and businesses together.

Thanks to all that came out in the rain and shared their vision for our neighborhood.

University of North Texas - Portfolio Book Binding

This weekend we are hosting students from the University of North Texas's Communication Design department. Students are taking part in a two day workshop. They are learning to make portfolio post bindings for annual reports and presentation binding. More bookbinding courses will added to our spring course offerings.

Drawing and Painting for Adults

We held our first drawing and painting class this evening. Artist, Rebecca Carter is teaching this ongoing class, offered every Wednesday from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Supply list will be developed in class. You may register for the entire semester which ends on March 5th or attend as a drop-in student. Visit our website to register online.

Tie Dye Capricorn Party

Thanks to all that joined us for the TIE DYE party!!! Capricorns!!! Join us for our next textile dying class in February, Shibori!!! 

Alliance Francaise

Due to the incredible success of the Bastille on Bishop event last year, Oak Cliff Francophiles and Alliance Francaise of Dallas are beginning to pursue more French offerings in the area. This past Friday a meeting was held at Oil and Cotton to address the possibilities of French classses, street festivals and more...

Oil and Cotton's Artist Series

ANNOUNCING

OIL AND COTTON’S ARTIST SERIES

Learn from Professional Artists in a Communal Space

January 2011

WHAT IS OIL AND COTTON?

We provide creative space for education, exhibition, performance and materials exchange.

Oil and cotton are natural resources of Dallas, Texas, and also the foundation of the most basic art materials. The arts, like most natural resources, are essential for our survival and quality of life, and we are proud to be a part of our local arts community.

At Oil and Cotton, we place a high value on the resourcefulness within ourselves and are dedicated to doing things the old-fashioned way, honoring the pioneering spirit of our elders and the character of our community.

WHAT IS OIL AND COTTON’S ARTIST SERIES?

Oil and Cotton’s Artist Series is an ongoing collection of creative workshops taught by working artists and craftsmen.  All are invited to learn in a warm and approachable setting. Join us in supporting artists, community, and creativity.

Chinese Paper Cutting

Instructor: Jin-Ya Huang

Saturday January 15, 1-4pm

$65

Celebrate the Chinese New Year and learn the traditional craft of paper cutting. Paper cutting is one of the most popular folk arts in China. Chinese families make paper cuts for celebrations, festivals and home decoration, with the extensive use of red, which is the lucky color in China. Learn to make a paper cut of the Chinese word for luck, FU with talented artist and teacher, Jin-Ya Huang.

Accounting for Artists: Recordkeeping and Taxes

Speaker: Denise Baumgartner

Friday January 21, 6:30-8pm

$10 suggested donation

Join us for an informative talk about finance and accounting for artists and creative professionals presented by small business accountant Denise Baumgartner. This class offers a basic look at the recordkeeping responsibilities of artists for business and tax purposes. The focus will be on self-employment, income and expense definition, tax deductions and basic business accounting specifically for artists.

Collage

Instructor: Rebecca Carter

Saturday January 22, 3-6pm

$50

Many artists, writers, and creative people of all sorts have used collage both to create independent works of art as well as to create working drawings for more complex projects. Collage is also a common technique used in therapy and self-help as a means to come to better know the self. This workshop will be open to all.  Experienced artists, complete novices, and everyone in between will have the opportunity to explore and extend their creative selves through semi-structured play. We will look at historical and contemporary references for inspiration, discuss formal design concepts, and introduce technical/material information. Participants are encouraged to bring their own collage materials and/or use materials available at the studio.

Please find out more about her and her work at www.rebeccacarter.org.

Printmaking

Instructor: Brian Scott

$65

Learn the basics of relief printmaking through lino-cut (linoleum block). Students will use basic tools including the lino block, cutting tools, bench hook, paper and spoon. Students should bring a strong graphic image to translate into a cut block using line, negative space and contrast levels. We will consider the use of multiple colors/blocks and single block/black and white images. An exhibit of Brian’s amazing work is currently on view at the Mighty Fine Arts Gallery in Oak Cliff.

Crochet and Brunch (YUM!)

Instructor: Casey Stallings

Sunday January 30, 11am-2pm

$55

Learn basic crochet stitches, how to read a pattern and make a granny square. Your very own crochet kit including a hook, finishing needle, stitch key and 100% cotton, made-in-the-USA yarn will be provided. Ideal for anyone new to needle crafts or in need of a refresher course or if you just want to create in a friendly group setting. Casey’s great Aunt Juanita first introduced her to crochet when she was a child-during a family trip to North Mississippi. Casey has worked in Theater, TV/Film and Fashion. She recently returned to Dallas, where she collects vintage sewing and embroidery patterns-and teaches her favorite crafts to anyone who will listen.

Chinese New Year ::: Paper Cut with artist Jin-Ya Huang

Celebrate the Chinese New Year and learn the traditional craft of paper cutting. Paper cutting is one of the most popular folk arts in China. Chinese families make paper cuts for celebrations, festivals and home decoration, with the extensive use of red, which is the lucky color in China. It usually has a heavy emphasis on a single or a few Chinese characters often symbolizing with the Chinese Zodiac animals. Learn to to make a paper cut of the Chinese work for luck, FU with talented artist and teacher, Jin-Ya Huang. Register here.
Saturday January 15, 1-4pm

Happy New Year...

We had a warm holiday full of friends, family, and festivities. Thanks to all who joined us for our children's holiday art camps and for our Holiday Mercantile. Here are several pictures of the end of 2010. We look forward to seeing you in the new year. During camp, children learned to draw POINSETTIAS with pastel. Our students decided to use pastel to color their noses red like a certain reindeer...

Paper poinsettias were fashioned and pine cones were dry brushed with gold paint. Wreathes were made with pages of old books.

Our weekly studio artists made paper Christmas tree sculptures and learned techniques for building with paper.

During the Oil and Cotton Holiday Mercantile event, Cassie MacGregor taught a class on making hats from recycled sweaters. Again, thanks to all that stopped by to say hello, finish last minute shopping and joined us in gift making.