Rainbows and Baskets at Oil and Cotton

Weave a rainbow basket with us on Saturday, July 7, 10-4pm. Jan Schmidt will once again lead Oil and Cotton students through the magical process of weaving loose reeds into a beautiful and functional art objects. Jan has built a following of students due to her expertise and ability to communicate her craft to others. Don't miss the opportunity to spend a day with new friends and learn the art of basket weaving.

This basket is constructed around a swing D-handle. It’s a fun beginner basket because it has a lot of color and basic techniques are used such as start/stop rows, twining, rimming and shaping. Jan developed this pattern when she ended up with a lot of scrap color left from other baskets. Beginners welcome.

Herbal Cocktail Workshop with Ashley North Compton

Thursday, July 12, 6-9pm
Infusing Liquors & Cocktails (vodka base)
Friday, July 13, 6-9pm
Bitters Tasting; Bitters Making & Cocktails (gin base)
Students may choose to take one or both of the classes.
Each class is $75.

The Herbal Cocktail Workshop, taught by Designer and Herbal-Mixologist Ashley North Compton, will be an interactive study touching on elements of medicinal herbs, the use of culinary and medicinal herbs in cocktails, featuring construction of two signature drinks.
Exploring the continuum of food (or drink) as medicine in a spirited and casual format, the classes will last approximately 3 hours. Utilizing and concocting handmade bitters and infusions and culinary and medical herbs-the attendees will learn to create and design fresh and seasonal cocktails using garden-grown ingredients, natural sweeteners, and spirits.

Skills Learned ::
-sourcing and utilizing ingredients
-infusions, decoctions and bitters making
-different spirit uses and how to achieve the 6-tastes within cocktails
-pairings of ingredients and using gardens to create low-cost and healthy herbal drink
-the art of the cocktail and elements of its history are inherently discussed
-Each student will learn to create at least 2 signature drinks, and will create on their own at the end of the course.

Take Aways::
-1-3oz bottle of handmade bitters (ready to serve 2 weeks after course ends)
-1 8oz bottle of handmade vodka infusions (ready to serve 1-2 weeks after the course ends)
Day 1 :: infusing liquors & cocktail 1 (vodka-based)
Experiment with peppercorns, citrus rinds and dried herbs to create vodka infusions that will be used (pre-finished) in the first course. Students will be provided with materials to label their infused-liquor bottles.

Day 2 :: bitters tasting; bitters making & cocktail 2 (gin-based)
Students will learn about a variety of bitters, and concoct an option of 2 available (grapefruit-fennel or woodland). Students will be provided with materials to label their bitters bottles.
Learn more about Ashley here:
http://www.ashleynorthcompton.com/

Watercolor Workshop at Oil and Cotton this Saturday, June 30

Big Brush Squirrel Mop Kyle Hobratschk
Saturday, June 30, 12:30-6:30

This one-day workshop introduces valuable techniques for combining the full, fresh watercolor of squirrel mop brushes with the sensitivity of pencil rendering.

The lesson will reevaluate the traditional relationship between pencil’s rigid, draftsman quality and brush’s “fill-in-the-lines” purpose to establish new ground that blends and even switches these tools’ assumed roles. Squirrel mop brushes are unusual and excellent tools for painting the widest range of strokes from needle-fine to heavy puddles while holding generous amounts of paint. Some watercolorists find this is the only brush they need due to its versatility.
The workshop is a friendly mix of group instruction alongside individual attention to help students complete single-sitting paintings of plant and object based still life. Register today!

Supply fee includes:
1 Squirrel Mop Paintbrush (brush valued at $68)
140 lb cold pressed Arches watercolor paper*
M. Graham watercolor and gouache*
enamel palette*
*These materials are to cover class use only.
Please bring any additional paints, brushes and graphite
pencils you already own so we may discuss advantages and disadvantages to a variety of materials.
Instructor: Kyle Hobratschk
http://www.kylehobratschk.com/

Matthew Cusick at the Reading Room - East Dallas Gallery Tour

Matthew Cusick's collage work has been written about in such diverse publications as The Surfers Journal and The Paris Review, indicating his range of references from diverse cultures and geographies.The summer exhibition at The Reading Room will feature work from his Wave series comprised of map fragments as well as the Sirens which use imagery derived from vintage travel postcards.

Please join us for the opening reception on Saturday, June 16 from 7 to 9 pm. TRR will be open that day from noon until 9 pm in conjunction with East Dallas Gallery Day www.facebook.com/dtxgalleryday.

There will be an artist talk on Saturday, July 14 at 3 pm.

Cusick received a BFA from The Cooper Union and is currently pursuing graduate studies at SMU. His work has been shown internationally as well as in New York City at Andrew Kreps, Kent and Pavel Zoubok Gallery where he has an exhibition this fall.

 

The Reading Room is a project space dedicated to the intersection of visual and text based culture through monthly exhibitions, performances and readings and is located at 3715 Parry Avenue across from Fair Park.

For information: Karen Weiner 214 952 4109.

Image: The Rachel's Wave, 2011, inlaid maps and acrylic on aluminum panel

Learn more about the East Dallas Gallery Day here!

Oak Cliff Film Festival this WEEKEND!!!

  

"Brave and independent filmmaking of all stripes" takes over Oak Cliff this weekend. Bike and walk from venue to venue, including the Historic Texas Theatre, Teco, The Kessler, Belmont Hotel, Turner House, Oil and Cotton & Dallas Zoo. Look for great friends and food, drinks & parties around town.

  

Don't miss Cinema 16-style screenings of avant-garde and experimental art films at Oil and Cotton this Saturday at 3:30pm. RSVP online.

Intro to Crewel Embroidery with Katherine Shaughnessy

Intro to Crewel Embroidery
Tuesday, June 12 6-8pm
Instructor: Katherine Shaughnessy

Whether you're brand new to stitching or an advanced embroider, Katherine Shaughnessy's New Crewel 101 embroidery workshop is sure to be a perfect fit. Shaughnessy is visiting Dallas on June 12 and will be stopping by Oil and Cotton with a trunk load of her unique crewel works and autographed copies of her latest book, New Crewel:The Motif Collection.

Come and learn the basics of crewel embroidery including Shaughnessy's favorite and essential 'New Crewel' stitches, a little history, explanation of materials, finishing techniques and pattern transfer tricks. Participants will receive all the supplies needed to get started -- linen fabric, wool thread, needles and a hoop.

Shaughnessy's Wool & Hoop kits, supplies and books featuring her original designs, dozens of fun projects and over 20 embroidery stitches, will be available for sale. For more information, call 214.942.0474. Visit www.oilandcotton.com to register.

To learn more about Katherine Shaughnessy's work visit:
http://www.doegirl.com/