Painter, Illustrator, and Designer Carolyn Gavin will show us how to loosen up, be free & use a mix of materials to create an interesting abstract!
Highlights
- Loosen up and create an interesting and vibrant abstract.
- Learn to use the basics of painting, to make a painting.
- Cut out shapes from your creation. Make flowers, animals, birds, anything!
- Learn to combine paper and paint and relish the art of surprise.
- Have fun, let go, be creative, and enjoy the process.
Get creative with us!
Sign me up!Join Carolyn Gavin for a happy and creative time. Learn how to loosen up and shed the layers of fear about the white page.
Embrace your inner child and forget all the walls you put up around yourself which can sometimes inhibit the creative flow. Play with paint, line, texture, and color. Use all your favorites with a happy palette, then let go and cut it up!
It's amazing how freeing this can be. Cook up some magic and wonder and make shapes that are meaningful to you. Carolyn loves animals, butterflies, birds, and big-haired babes.
Be inspired
Hear from Carolyn herself why she loves her art, ask her questions, and be inspired!
Get the tips!
Get the tips! Learn how to make an abstract and how to be less precious about your work.
Continue On
Continue experimenting with your new skills. Make stuff from what you create like mobiles, ornaments or collages!
Carolyn will show us how to loosen up, be free & use a mix of materials to create an interesting abstract!
Using mixed media, anything that you have on hand like watercolor, acyla gouache, oil pastels, pen and ink and pencil crayon. Carolyn will show you how she does it and how it's all about color, contrast, and LETTING GO. You'll make fun shapes in any subject matter. Flowers, bugs, bunnies... anything you love, and cut to your heart's desire!
A note from Carolyn
"I live happily in Toronto with my family. There is Derek my husband, who dabbles and putzes. Lily my adorable daughter, soon to be 22, who comes and goes, and is into the business of fashion. And then Eggroll, our latest English Bulldog, who's a beast, but in the best way possible and makes us laugh everyday.
I describe my style as vibrant, playful and free. Growing up in South Africa seems to have shaped the way I view the world. I love colour, the warmth of materials, textures and patterns.
Travel plays a huge part in my life. I love the the exciting newness of going to an undiscovered location. Teaching and travelling is the perfect combo and I've managed that in the last few years with 4 painting retreats in gorgeous locations around the world. Next one coming up is in Lagos, Portugal in September.
I am lucky to spend much of the winter in my studio in Belize. Wherever I go, I take my sketchbook and paints with me and typically am inspired by what I see and find. Lately its the continued exploration of abstracts on found materials.
Animals and the natural world are also what fires me up. I try to paint everyday and believe that its all a journey, a practice and creative experiment. My life is filled with creativity, not only with painting, but also cooking vegan style, yoga, walking, swimming, reading and trying to live the best life that I can."
for this workshop
Look at what past participants have said about our workshops!!!
Thank you, her way of making art inspires me so much...
Trying new techniques is so precious to find your own voice. Her teaching is fresh and clear and quick, so there is nearly no space for starting to overthink things. Love it! Thank you also for your always fresh way of being in the Windowsill Workshop and in your delightful Windowsill Chats.
-- Pauline
Loved every minute!!
It was really useful to have a resources list beforehand so I had everything ready. She is such a clear and calm teacher and had us all ‘doing’ within minutes of starting. It was great to learn new techniques and to come away from the session with several pieces of artwork as well as ideas for more. Thank you!
-- Ness
Hi. I'm Margo.
I’m so glad you’ve found your way here.
A little bit about why me & why this...
I have spent basically my whole life immersed in some sort of creative project or another. I love putting art out into the world, especially the work of other creatives.
I am an entrepreneur first, however I’ve got decades of experience in design, manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing, product development, licensing and all around management of artful products and creative people.
My absolute favorite pursuit though, is helping other artists and creatives grow by focusing on what they do best. That’s why I created Tantau Studio. I love helping people hone in on what lights them up, and then watching the magic that can unfold. I mentor and teach students through the Make Art that Sells courses, my Windowsill Chats Podcast and Relish Monthly Membership, and now, Windowsill Workshops.
I promise you will find something that will entertain or delight, the time to play & dream, and I’ll bet you’ll even learn something new. I look forward to supporting you as you grow into your potential even more along the way.
I see you shining!
xxo Margo
Are you Ready?
Not only can you listen to your Windowsill Chats episodes but now you can also participate and learn from my guests. This will give you more of a hands-on knowledge of what they do and love.
My hopes are that it will inspire, motivate, and grow this wonderful creative community we have.
This is a recording of our live workshop hosted in May 2023.
- Loosen up and create an interesting and vibrant abstract.
- Learn to use the basics of painting, to make a painting.
- Cut out shapes from your creation. Make flowers, animals, birds. Anything really.
- Learn to combine paper and paint and relish the art of surprise.
- Have fun, let go, be creative, and enjoy the process.
