Padgett McFeely

Padgett's traditional "wet" darkroom silver gelatin prints become the canvas upon which she paints. In describing her work, she remarks how "capturing illusions of reality on film by utilizing the raw purity of black and white photography" is an integral part of her art. She then enriches her photographs with her hand-painting techniques, thus allowing her to evoke the emotional and spiritual content of the image with paint.

Padgett McFeely has been hand painting her images for more that 20 years. After graduating from the University of California, she continued her studies in photography at Polomar College and was an intern at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. She taught photography at a private high school in New Mexico and has participated in numerous workshops with such notables as Holly Roberts and Keith Carter. Padgett began focusing her efforts on hand coloring as a way to add a surreal edge to her work. Her art has been exhibited nationwide in galleries and on the art festival circuit, and she has won numerous awards

Call WCA at (970) 325-4005 or email for a registration form, or Register

July 9, 2007

The GO date is the date when, if the minimum number of students has registered, we know the class will be held. If the minimum number of students has not registered by the GO date, the class will be canceled. So be sure and register early to help ensure your class will be held.

Learn the traditional method of painting a black and white photograph

Padgett will be teaching an expanded version of her popular class. In this 2 day workshop, you will venture beyond the traditional and explore the technique of heavily painting an image as well as working with images in collage form and applying oil paint to your collages.

In this workshop Padgett will share her technique of how to apply oil paint to the surface of a black and white photograph. Techniques of working with watercolor, pastel, pencil and crayon will be covered, as well as various paper surfaces and how each handles paint. In addition, we will explore making the photograph very different from what it is, by applying paint to the surface as a painter, not just a hand-colorist. Photo collage will be introduced as another method of tapping into your creative self.

The largest portion of time will be spent with hands-on experience. Please come prepared to paint your own photographs. Bring a selection of images as some make for better hand-colored photographs than others. They can be printed on any photographic surface, although Padgett does not recommend glossy RC paper for traditional hand painting.

Note: Inkjet prints do not work well for this process. Please make sure that your images have been printed on photo paper.

Pay in full before the GO date and receive a 10% discount on the price of the class.

$ 126 non-members WCA - $113.40 if paid in full before GO date
$ 114 members - $102.60 if paid in full before GO date

We must receive your registration and a 50% deposit by the GO date in order to know if the class will make.

Supply list to be provided by students: (instructor will have extra of some of the following)

• Heavy mat board or foam core to use as backing for your paintings - NO cardboard. These boards will also provide an easy way to transport your work home.
• Small wide mouth glass jar with lid
• Coffee can or tall jar
• Selection of natural bristol paint brushes: #12 flat, #7 round, #1 flat, 2-4" house paint brush, soft watercolor brush or Japanese brush
• Easel, if you have one
• Painting clothes and/or apron
• Scissors
• Scotch brand transparent tape.

The instructor will provide the following. There is a $15 materials fee payable to the instructor.

• Cotton
• Q-Tips
• Paper towels
• Linseed oil
• Baby oil
• Oil paint
• Marshall oils
• Watercolor dyes
• Caran d'ache water soluble crayon
• Gel medium
• Canvas pad
• Small square canvasses - one per student
• Wax paper for palettes
• Boards for palettes
• Ivory soap