Capstone Final Piece completed….and Presentation done…..

So here is my final capstone piece that I completed for my MSW program, and which I presented to a panel yesterday.   The many layers of encaustic mixed media and collage represent the diverse layers of what health means to me, as well as, how the whole MSW program has fed this knowledge, the definition of health and how it will influence my practice and who I am in the world. 

It was a great experience to first journal and reflect on this past 365 day journey, and then to put it together in a creative piece that was an intriguing process on the whole.  Health is so much about the intersections of so many layers for me, physical, mental, social and spiritual.  Using a narrative approach I layered symbols that represented these elements of a holistic approach to health.  Critical to this process of health is the relationships we form and create, they sustain us, help us to find meaning and value in the world.  This is what the spiritual element of my grandmother does for me, she guides my creativity often and fills spaces I find hard to name, I didn't know her as a child, she died when my mother was eight years old in a horrific train bombing in India.  But her life is there in spirit and guides me.  The other relationships very present in the piece are represented by the pieces that were given to me, keys and watch parts, and rusty bits are all given by friends who are present today either far or near, but have valued the connection to think of me to pass on these mixed media treasures to feed my creative muse.  Thank you to these lovely friends, Jill Davey and Deborah Pryce.  

Health is so much about relationships and the sense of belonging and knowing without a doubt you are loved and matter.

Capstone Piece, 18 W x 40 H inches, 2015.

Part 2 - Capstone creation parts coming together

Spent the weekend pulling things together for the Capstone project -- and since my usual process is to begin with journaling some reflection, I did that and then decided to organize my thoughts and feelings into a mind map.  This mind map is a synthesis of what concepts resonated with my learning and how I view health from a social work & artist lens….

And here are the parts/elements that are being completed -- almost ready to put the parts together….

I love creating these gel skins, 8 layers of medium gel dried in-between and then paper soaked and rolled off, leaves this skin of translucency.    Still work in process, trying to decide on the layers and how they are to come together and the details.

Thanks for your thoughts or comments.  

Reflecting on the journey of the last 365 days……..

So it has been almost year, since I embarked on a new chapter, starting my MSW, Masters of Social Work with the University of Waterloo, Renison University College degree….It has been an incredibly powerful journey of 365 days ----  I am but one course away from obtaining this degree…. Can you hear my excitement ?

It has been a year long process, two week-long intensives on campus - the first was last August 2014 and the last one will begin on August 10th, 2015.  And in-between, there has been 6 online courses, all requiring intense participation, online conversations (hours of conversations), papers, assignments, involving research and critical thinking, group process papers (on line - and that was an interesting process), a practicum placement from September to May, requiring 10 mini papers, setting goals for practice work, counselling Renison university students and a great group process using art and altered books, I was so lucky enough to facilitate this program with 6 students.

…The end is near and one of the last projects we have to do is called the "Capstone"…What I love about this project, is that it requires we capture our MSW journey in a creative project.   So totally cool, challenging and a great way to synthesize all that has unfolded over the 12 months; which for me included being a FULL-TIME MSW student, while as the same time working part-time (22.5 hours/week), commuting 12-14 hours for that part-time job, being a mum to a teenager, single parenting when she is with me, and placement hours (15 hrs/week), life chores, still running my art business, teaching and painting when I had any extra time etc….it has been a whirlwind of intensity…but ALL GOOD, even the challenges really pushed my edges…..For which I am grateful.

So I thought I would document my CAPSTONE process a bit….via this blog…there will be several parts that I will post over the course of the next two weeks.

Here is the first part….As I am a mixed media artist, thought I would do something using mixed media as the elements to this project…

As I had to juggle all these various commitments, responsibilities, the many life bits over this year, …the only way I felt I could do it was to keep tonnes and tonnes of post-it notes, colour coding my calendar and writing many lists…..So I thought I would use these post-it lists incorporated into the CAPSTONE art piece.

First step, I tea stained and then stredded them….   As I looked over these post-it notes, I reflected on what was most meaningful to me and journalled key themes, concepts and what it all meant to me… a mind map was helpful in this process too.

On my studio table, my post it notes, all tea stained and ready to be shredded…  Rumi poetry that has provided me endless peace and comfort over the years and was inspiring again in reflecting on this year long journey…the poem the Guest House provided inspiration to this project.

I will post my next steps in a day or so…. it is lovely to be in the studio again, unfolding the stories that came from this year long process. 

A wonderful week spent with a lovely group of students - week long encaustic intensive

Thoroughly enjoyed a week long with students in the studio working with all things encaustic, from beginner's level to advanced level 5 techniques.  The shellac burns were so much fun, mica bits and mono printing with the hot box was spontaneous and liberating.  After 5 days together, the flow was magical.

Here are some examples of the lovely work produced by those who came out for the five days, and it was inspiring.  Thank you for venturing into this creative space.

A new encaustic mixed media week long program July 13-17th, in Elora, Ontario

Title: A Great Story Unfolding, Encaustic Mixed Media, 6 x 12 

I am so excited about teaching this year at the Wellington County Museum, in Elora, Ontario an encaustic and mixed media intensive week long class from Monday July 13- Friday July 17th, each day there will be demonstrations and plenty of opportunity for you to play on your own creative projects.  

This is a great way to spend a week in the summer, learning and playing with diverse encaustic techniques, from beginner's to advanced levels. 
Day One:  Beginner's - Layering and fusing encaustic, three fusing tools, collage with papers, found and bought, organics, ephemera, 3-d found objects for embellishments etc. 
Day Two: Beyond Collage - Image Transfers, gouging, metal leaf, using pigment sticks
Day Three: Texture Galore - Acretion, Masking off, 3-D Found objects to build texture, Drywall compound
Day Four: Pushing the Boundaries - Pearl Ex powders, shellac, alcohol and indian inks, pastels (oil and wax), charcoal, 
Day Five:  An introduction to mono printing with encaustics

It is a great way to delve into a week long creativity retreat.
Elora is a beautiful destination to spend time in as well.

For more information visit: http://www.wellington.ca/en/discover/Art-Workshops-2015.asp
or www.supriakarmakar.com 

There are a few spots are left, so register soon to avoid disappointment. If you have any questions about the format, or what will be taught, or any other thoughts, comments please do not hesitate to email me at:  supria@supriakarmakar.com

Title: Breathing in HeART, Encaustic Mixed Media, 6 x 12

Title:  Letting Go is Liberating, Encaustic Mixed Media, 30 x 26

Title: Minutia, Encaustic Mixed Media, 30 x 30 

Title: Birthing a new journey, encaustic mixed media, 6 x 12