Pochoir painting: The course

Balmoral

Pochoir painting is a form of fine art stenciling which is gaining increasing attention in the art world. It has been used in Australia by artists such as Margaret Preston and can be used to produce one-off pictures or sets of prints. It produces intriguing stylised pictures with sharply defined outlines and blocks of colour that are well suited to landscapes, botanical drawings or abstract patterns.

Firewheel

A defining moment for Julie Hickson was experimenting with making stencils to add forms to her painting. Four years later she is still developing pochoir technique (or fine art stenciling) and using it to explore line and space on canvas.

“I have always been drawn to organic line, shape and colour – and a love of both painting and printmaking has led me to pursue this technique which for me combines the best qualities of both. The process starts with a design, which as for linoblock work must follow a set of rules to succeed. It requires a certain design discipline for it to literally hang together. There is something about the intermediate layer between the canvas and pure painting that I love. The moment when the layer peels back contains a mystery consistently intriguing to me.”

Persimmons

During the course Julie will show you how to create a stencil using a photograph or a design as a template. She will discuss colour schemes and how best to apply the paint to achieve different effects. At the end of the week you will have had the opportunity to create between 3 to 6 finished pieces.

A list of materials will be provided.

Price:

AUD $1800 twin share

Single supplement: $350
Non-painting partners: $850

Program Includes

Return airport transfers from Savusavu to Daku Resort.
7 nights accommodation at Daku Resort in traditional bures with private facilities.
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided.
Course fees
Lectures and excursions as indicated.
Program Excludes
Flights to Savusavu. We are happy to quote on these and book them for you if requested. Flight prices fluctuate according to demand.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance.
Optional activities not listed on the program.
Costs of a personal nature such as laundry, massages, private trips.
Meals taken in transit at the airport.

Julie Hickson
Julie holds a BA in Mass Communication (Macquarie University) and Fine Arts from Sydney University. She worked in television production in Australia and the United Kingdom for 20 years, and moved into pursuing painting full time in 2008. She developed the trademark pochoir style, experimenting with materials and techniques to re-establish an almost lost technique. Her paintings proved very saleable, and she has also adapted a number of her works to a highly popular greetings card series which means that she is one of those rare artists who actually earn a living from their work.

Julie Hickson

In 2009 she formed her own business pod&pod, which is the moniker under which these creative projects are now pursued. Canvases marked with the pod and pod seal are produced in a limited edition – numbered as they would be in an edition of prints. www.podandpod.com.au

Exhibitions and awards:
November 2008 Avalon Market Day Exhibition -Group Show
July 2009 Moroccan Kitchen with Grevillea finalist in Mosman Art Prize. Curator – Margaret Olley
Jan 2010 Large botanical workS on paper at Intaglio Gallery in St. Ives, Sydney
(8 pieces over the course of 2010)
March 2010 First solo exhibition at Eden Gardens Gallery
18 paintings exhibited inclusive of groups of pod and paintings
November 2010 Avalon Market Day Exhibition – 8 works exhibited
December 2010 2nd Solo exhibition at Eden Gardens Gallery
March 2011 Begins exhibiting at Altenburg Gallery Braidwood, NSW
Published in Pittwater Artists Trail Booklet
2 weekend-long events in May and October in Pittwater
June 2011 Group Show at Altenburg Gallery A Table
August 2011 Group Show Winter Exhibition Pittwater Artists Trail
October 2011 Invited to exhibit in Artisans In The Gardens 2011 by the Friends of
the Gardens 7th – 16th October.
November 2011 Pittwater Community Arts Exhibition – Group Show Avalon
March 2012 Pittwater Artist Trail member for 2012

Programme
Saturday 31 August
Fly to Savusavu

Sunday 1 September
9.30 – 12.30 Morning  workshop: introduction to week; review projects; discuss materials
12.30 Lunch
Afternoon free
6.00 Welcome ceremony
7.00 Dinner

Monday 2 September
9.30 – 12. 30 Morning workshop
1.00 Lunch
There will be free time in the afternoon – you can take an optional visit to the local black pearl farm (not included in course cost) or to town, visiting the geothermal hot springs, local market and shops.
7.30 Dinner

Tuesday 3 September
9.30 – 12. 30 Morning workshop
1.00 Lunch
1.00 Picnic lunch to Devodara beach
7.30 Dinner

Wednesday 4 September
9.30 – 12. 30 Morning workshop.
4.00 In the late afternoon there will be a tapa making demonstration
7.30 Dinner

Thursday 5 September
9.30 – 12. 30 Morning workshop
1.00 Lunch
6.30 Drinks at Savusavu yacht club
7.30 Informal dinner at Daku Resort

Friday 6 September
9.30 – 12. 30 Morning workshop
1.00 Lunch
4.00 Afternoon village visit.
7.30 Dinner

Saturday 7 September
Leave Savusavu in the morning. Arrive Nadi 9.30, and on to international flights.