Artist helps students piece together his technique

Paper flew across tabletops Saturday as artists learned a new technique from the man who created it.

About 20 people were led by internationally known artist Russell Irwin at a paper mosaic workshop presented by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri at the Garden Gallery in Cape Girardeau. Irwin, who has a studio in Augusta, Mo., creates textured works that on first glance appear to be paintings. Closer inspection reveals layers of colored paper blending together to make one image.

On Saturday, tissue paper, rice paper and every paper in between was the medium at hand, plus a huge "community bag" of paper that Irwin brought. The two-day event included discussion of the technique, a slide presentation of Irwin's work and hands-on time. Irwin got the group started by directly applying paper to a board with gesso, an art medium that works like primer or, in Saturday's case, glue.

Covering the composition with torn paper was the aim; details would come later. Today, artists can begin sanding their compositions to create illusions of age or distress, or to create a new look.

Six of those at the workshop were teachers at Christian School for the Young Years in Cape Girardeau.

Kathy Brune, a teacher of 1-year-olds who was working on a tulip composition, said, "One-year-olds tear paper. They don't use scissors yet."

But the teachers whose students do use scissors will still bring lessons of the effect of torn paper from the workshop back to the school, she said.

Local artist Herb Wickam applied paper to his rendering of an old Dodge pickup. Later he'd add paint and his own style. He was familiar with torn-paper techniques, having taught fourth-grade art. It was an age group he enjoyed because, "they don't worry about how it looks. They just do it the way they like it."

Some of Irwin's pieces are "story portraits" depicting defining moments of great sporting events and classic images of famous athletes.

His 25-year career began at age 21 when he found himself responsible for providing for a family. Although he was interested in all sports, he realized he couldn't make a living playing them. Without formal training, Irwin put together portfolios that opened the doors to work in an art studio. On-the-job training led to his first international piece -- a work given by the U.S. government to Israel to commemorate Israel's purchase of helicopters. Irwin kept the Middle East's history of mosaics in mind when designing the piece.

"It made a statement for the Mideast region," he said, "It is their way of doing art."

The piece turned out to be the catalyst for his work in paper mosaics.

He later accepted an invitation to travel to Israel to create a series of portrait studies of the Israeli people in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the creation of Israel. He was also commissioned to produce portraits of high-ranking U.S. officers and government officials, including U.S. Army Chiefs of Staff, military advisers and space shuttle astronaut Gen. Robert Stewart.

Vicki Outman and Richard Webb of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri said it was the first time they'd had a workshop. "It's self-funded. We're trying to expand opportunities and keep it reasonable," Outman said.

The workshop was $120 for both days. They'd seen Irwin at a Best of Missouri Hands Conference and were inspired by his work and inspirational beliefs. "We talked about having him jury a show. We talked and instead he did a workshop," Webb said.

Irwin's work can be viewed at www.russellirwin.com. Reproductions are available at the Garden Gallery.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133