JCCFS: Tell us more about yourself. What’s your background in your medium? How did you get started? It’s for all levels, correct?

CS: I’m a professional artist and arts educator with over 40 years conducting workshops, classes and private instruction in many art medias. I have exhibited widely throughout the US and elsewhere, and my art is found in many corporate and private collections here and abroad. My passion is drawing, so even if I teach a painting class we begin with foundational drawing and compositional concepts. My personal media are oils and egg tempera painting, the later of which is an ancient media that has its foundation in a strong drawing technique. In college I was an arts major with a history minor. I have always been interested in historical materials and processes. Silver point serves both the drawing skill, as well as being rooted in art history as a nearly lost process.

JCCFS: Your class” The Art of Silverpoint Drawing”  is coming up on August 25-30, 2024. Tell us about the class’s specific technique or process? What can students expect to leave your class with?

CS: Silver point is one of the many metal point drawing tools that were used in the past well before the graphite pencil was invented. This class involves “cookery” as any surface used has to be specially prepared. We will learn how to tint papers for added color fields, and how to select and prepare the drawing nibs. Students can expect a learning environment to be very relaxed and a fun experience. My objective is to build up each student with encouragement. Each student will be going home with not only beautiful completed drawings in an unusual media, but also a desire to continue with the technique in their own studio.

JCCFS: Where do you draw inspiration from for your work?

CS: My work is usually centered in feeling of the spiritual, whether it be in the subject matter, the care that goes into a work, and, in a lot of cases, the presence of light.

JCCFS: What is your favorite aspect of the John C. Campbell Folk School?

CS: I have taught folks of all ages and abilities over the years. What I like about the Folk School environment is that students are above average in interest, in skill sets, and social intelligence, and so the class dynamic is really stimulating. Every time I think that I am working too hard to design a class at its ending I am flooded with a sense of accomplishment and feel-good energy!

JCCFS: What is one piece of your work that you are proud of, and why?

CS: As I have been preparing several examples of the silver point technique I am very pleased with the drawings that I will be sharing with the students. And nearly every one of my egg tempera paintings are awesome, if I may say so myself. Silver point was used in the old days to lay-out line work before the egg painting began, that is how I came across this drawing process.

JCCFS: What tips would you give a student or aspiring craftsperson?

CS: Do it for you and not the audience.

JCCFS: Thanks Colleen! We are looking forward to welcoming you back to the Folk School this Fall.