Harnessing Structure and Unveiling Flow
“Structure isn't there to limit you — it's there to give you something to build from” -Gordon Studer
Abstract painting thrives on spontaneity, artist & instructor Gordon Studer encourages creative ideas to flow freely, without overthinking. Last week, Studer joined us for a second rendition of his fabulous workshop titled, UNVEILING COMPOSITION: finding the masterpiece within your work. Studer’s earthy, confident abstract paintings are rooted in his discipline as an award-winning commercial illustrator, lending his work a strong, graphic cadence. The result speaks to liminal experience, interstitial time, and dreamscapes in deliberate forms in black atop a distinctive and masculine palette of ochre, sky blue, and crushed clays.
Studer’s guidance encouraged 14 inspiring artists to embrace expressive mark-making where they gained poise and adopted the morale that one needs to build depth and finish work with satisfaction.
Studer, both seasoned as an artist and teacher, has a clear and cool approach to crafting dynamic compositions, and he clarifies how to build a strong foundation before mastering value and color. In this 4-day workshop, we had alumni artists from Gordon’s workshops at ICB as well as returning guests from other Willow Pond artist retreats.
During this workshop, students dove deeply into expressive markmaking, color, and value, using a wide range of mixed media techniques, like masking, stencilling, and dynamic markmaking, to create an impressive series of pieces. The process requires a willingness to move beyond the idea of creating a "perfect" piece. Instead of protecting an image once it begins to look successful, Studer guides each artist to continue working, testing its limits, and allowing uncertainty to guide discovery.
Creating depth can mean a part of the painting is scratched through, glazed over, or transformed entirely in pursuit of something richer and more authentic. By combining opaque and transparent layers, dense areas, focal areas, and quiet spaces, dynamic compositions take shape. Having the opportunity to lean into Studer's insight and knowledge of the technical process was a true gift.
There was some powerful movement happening across the room, not just in the paintings themselves, but in the willingness to try new things, take risks, and lean into uncertainty. In a thank-you note to his students, Studer recapped his experience teaching at Willow Pond,
“One thing that stood out to me about this group was how much personal narrative found its way into the work. Whether obvious or subtle, many of you were creating from a place that felt authentic and meaningful. That takes courage, and as you continue painting, remember that understanding value and composition gives you freedom.”
Studer encourages artists to trust what they've learned, to trust what they're drawn to, and to keep trying new approaches. Some ideas won't work, but those "failures" often point us toward discoveries we couldn't have planned.
“Most importantly, keep showing up. The more time you spend in the studio, the more your own visual language begins to emerge.”
Completing the experience was Chef Karen and her team who knocked the cooking out of the park- as she always does. The guests raved about the meals and getting nourishment and joy from customized fresh local flavorful food three times a day is the ultimate luxury and an integral part of the Willow Pond retreat experience.
