Kathy LaRocco

Kathy LaRocco

Teaching Mixed Media & Collage Art at The Studio

Kathy is a self taught mixed media and collage artist. Educated as a microbiologist, her art journey began in earnest after retiring from Abbott Laboratories in 1999 to stay at home with her young children. Workshops and classes introduced her to mixed media and collage concepts. Encouraged by publication of her early work, she began to exhibit her art.

Her work incorporates old photos, papers, scraps of almost anything, and found objects, many of which are often discarded by the blissfully unaware user. This variety of collaged materials creates depth and texture, drawing the viewer into the painting. Using media such as acrylics, watercolors, oil pastels, graphite, and inks, along with her found papers and objects, she works intuitively to create imaginary landscapes for her work. Inspiration is derived from friendships, classical dance, music, and nature. She credits the work of many talented mixed media artists in helping her define her style.

Kathy resides in McHenry with her three children: Kaitie, Colin, and Claire, husband Marc, and three greyhounds: Mandy, Tigger, and Burl. She divides her time between family, volunteer work, and her art.

Mixed Media Collage

instructor: Kathy LaRocco
Pre-registration is a MUST for all collage workshops, minimum of 4, max of 12 students

Artistic Dialogues: making written and visual statements through the art journal
September 10th, 7 - 9 pm, $20 level: beginner to intermediate
Learn transfer techniques that will take work to a new level! If you are new to Art Journaling, bring a blank page journal no larger than 8 x10 inches and UHU glue sticks and we'll get you started!

"Paper Packets" September: 20 & 21 2010, 7 -9 pm, $20 level: intermediate to advanced
Our Paper Packets collaborative experiment is all about green art, recycling and repurposing papers altered by Mother Nature. Packets will be assembled in September, hung outside and then removed in late February. We will gather to make relevant works from our papers in March and early April. On Earth Day, 2011, we'll have a show!
Two packets will be assembled, one to be hung outside at the Studio and one for your home. Please bring:

Something to tie your bundles: string, twine, wire, ribbon etc…
Items for your packets, examples of things to include----papers, maps, scrapbook papers, copies of old photos or originals, rusty objects, book pages, newspapers, toilet paper rolls, crepe paper, tissue papers, post cards, old letters, tea bags, coffee grounds, steel , clay wire, keys, key rings safety pins, red onion skins, other foods, baby wipes, pages from old diaries, sheet music, envelopes, cards, paper clips…you get the idea. Anything goes!

Collage Crate
October 15, 18 & 22, 7 - 9 pm, $30 level: intermediate, teen & adult
Repurpose a "cutie" crate or other box into an object de art. Bring soft gel matte medium if you have some fun papers, bring those too. Crates provided. Join us for some great art and conversation.

Altered Shoes
November 12 & 15, 7 - 9 pm, $20 level: all levels of experience, teen & adult
Make a statement on a pointe shoe or other "fancy" satin shoe! Bring your enthusiasm! we'll suplly all the rest. (If you have old point shoes, please bring them to work on. Used shoes will be available for purchase at $5.00 each. Fee collected when you arrive.)

Abstract Landscapes: Winterscape
January 14, 20, & 21, 7 - 9 pm, $30 level: beginner to intermediate, teen & adult
A landscape will be assembled from altered papers. Please bring any other papers that you would like for this theme, soft gel mate medium and brushes for your medium. Substrate provided.

"Paper Packets" continued...
February: 24 & 25 2011, 7 - 9 pm, $20 We will the open the bundles. Any papers not dried can be taken home for drying where you can assess if you want to alter your papers further. Those that you want to alter can be done the following night. Plan on bringing your packets inside to dry at least a week before we meet. You can bring them with you the second night if you wish to alter some of them further.

"Paper Packets" continued...
March 10 & 11, 24 & 25, April 7 & 8 2011, 7 - 9 pm. $60 Works to be created. We will have illustration board available cut into various sizes. IF you want some other substrate, please bring that along, other substrates might include watercolor paper (300 lb) or masonite board (no need to frame if the boards have at least an ½ inch cradle), canvas boards (no bigger than 11 by 14.) Please Bring:

Substrate of choice (if you do not want to work on illustration board)
Soft gel matte medium
Variety of brushes
Acrylic paints (if desired)
Ideas or thoughts for your works
Any additional papers or images (i.e. for transfers) that you may want to use as focal images

April 22, 2011 Earth Day Exhibit at The Studio showcasing your art work created from the Paper Packets Collaborative