"3 Over 3" a workshop with Michael Shemchuk

August 1-3, 2025

10am-4pm each day (with one hour lunch break)

Instructor: Michael Shemchuk

In this workshop we produce a modular (3 over 3) 9- panel installation.

Our goal: Design a motif with color, shape, texture, composition and apply the AbD techniques to each panel individually to set up a dialog for all nine panels to work in concert.

But, Let’s keep it simple.

To accomplish this requires discipline in our creative process from start to finish. We focus on this discipline by pre- designing, pre mixing and pre- selecting our materials and colors. We then reference our visual triggers, inspiring images, personal notions and ideas of color and composition. Referencing our visual triggers and pre-editing concepts at the very beginning of our project act as a regulator, encouraging one to keep it simple by guiding us to selectively add and remove color, lines, forms and shapes incrementally and with purpose as we our compose quiet abstract compositions. This parameter allows us to fully focus on our design and composition skills, while creating a manageable interplay between the panels. The result is a completed body of work as a harmonious installation.

AbD Abstraction by Design

The Abstraction by Design method is the process of exploring collage & painting techniques by layering paint and paper simultaneously on panels.

Collaging involves color selection, paper choices, placement, glueing, mark making, composition and surface extraction. Painting involves panel prep, trowel application, brushing, sanding, surface manipulations, paint mixing and texturing.

The AbD techniques and the layering of paper and paint enables one to sand, scrape, wet, peel, paint, collage and repeat to create controlled and incidental textured surfaces. We use acrylic polyurethane as a glue to attach papers, as a resist coat, and as a top coat as well.

A.R.R. Action-Review-Reaction

We begin the AbD process with an action i.e. applying paint or collage to our panels. Pause and review the action. Then react.

This requires taking time to observe your work, measure your response to both the controlled(deliberate) and spontaneous (incidents ). Follow these A.R.R principles as a disciplined approach to crate your work.

See Material List below for required supplies.

Members $525 | Non-Members $575

If you must cancel, please email (info@stlouisartistsguild.org) or call STLAG. A refund will be given only if cancellation occurs seven days prior to the first day of class. No exceptions. Refunds will be processed minus a $25 withdrawal fee per course registration.

St. Louis Artists Guild is committed to providing educational experiences to as many people as possible. We are pleased to offer sliding-scale scholarships to make classes and workshops more accessible to our community, adults & children. If you are interested in scholarship information please contact Kathryn Nahorski, Membership and Development Director, at knahorski@stlouisartistsguild.org