Hello! I’m Wendy Solganik, aka @willa.wanders on Instagram. If this is your first time here on my blog, welcome! I’m pretty excited that you found me and my little corner of the art world.

I’ve done a bazillion kinds of art in my life, and the thing that intrigues me the most today is Mixed Media Collage Art.

I’m such a passionate student of this form of art and I’m obsessed with making and using collage fodder (what the heck is collage fodder?).

I really want to learn everything I can about it. I created an entire online art school called Fodder School where anyone with an interest in Mixed Media Art collage art, handmade books and journaling can come and learn this craft from a variety of incredible instructors, even if you have never made any mixed media art before! At this point, Fodder School is about to enter its fourth year with no intention of slowing down.

If you are looking for a great place to start your mixed media art journey from scratch, can I recommend this $19 course?

In this blog series, I’m going to be introducing you to the instructors that will be joining us in Fodder School as Fodder School 4 instructors. If you want to know all about what Fodder School is, go here.

Next in our Fodder School 4 roster is the lovely Sally Hirst!

Sally is an artist based in Norwich, UK, who works with printmaking, collage and mixed-media paintings. Informed by the textures, colours, and structures of the urban environment, she is drawn to palettes of grungy browns, concrete greys, rusty reds and oranges, and a smidge of woody ochres. Of the city, she notes: "Shadows provide rich blacks, whites give breathing space. Pops of colour come from graffiti."

Sally loves learning new processes and becoming masterful in them. "Whether it's paint, collage or print, each informs the other... The cross pollination from printmaking to paint has enabled me to satisfy my curiosity, feed my restlessness, and build a huge body of knowledge. I have the ability to think of many ideas from a single starting point, a critical part of creative thinking." If you share this fascination and excitement for combining art mediums, and would like to learn more about the connection between environment, texture, and color, keep reading to find out how Sally can share her insightful techniques with you in Fodder School!

Sally is known for being an engaging and inspirational teacher, willing to go the extra mile for any student. Having taught for decades, and creating art for even longer, she has built a huge knowledge base and loves sharing it with her students. Moving into teaching online in 2020 has been a joy for her, as she can now reach many more artists all over the world from her studio in the UK. "Just when you think you have learned all there is to learn…. along comes a new Sally Hirst course. Informative, fun and inspirational."

In the Fodder Challenge, you will work with Sally to make found object impression prints (pictured above and below). She will introduce you to the amazing properties of Plasticine, show you how to use it to make a texture plate for printmaking, and how to prepare the paints for gel plate transfer onto paper. Keep reading for more information on this year's Fodder Challenge and to find out how you can sign up today!

Sally is constantly curious about creative possibilities, trying out new things, and pushing the boundaries. "Sometimes it doesn't work but that's all part of the journey. As collage artists we know nothing goes to waste! My art is special because it reflects my journey and the journey the artwork takes in my studio." You can learn more about Sally's artist practice on her website sallyhirst.co.uk and keep up with her on her Instagram @sallyhirstartist.

In her Fodder School class, you will revisit and expand upon the techniques you learned in her Fodder Challenge. This time around, Sally will show you how to transfer your prints on many types of paper to make dimensional and multifaceted fodder sheets. Together, you will answer the question of what it means to curate textures to form a journey, or sense of place. With all your sheets of new fodder, Sally is offering two project ideas perfectly suited for thoughtful gift giving throughout the year. Together, you will make a set of coasters, with a functional protective coating and a non-slip cork backing, and collages on plywood that you can frame in panels for decoration or place in tins for small item storage. Sally would love to share her passion for engaging with your environment and channeling your observations into mixed-media collage, so keep reading to learn how you can enroll in Fodder School 4 today!

If you think that you aren't capable of creating incredible mixed media art like what you see here, you haven't been to Fodder School yet! We make it accessible. We make it effortless. We make it incredibly FUN!

Get all of the information about joining us in Fodder School by clicking this button below:

Want to listen to Sally and me discuss Sally’s journey with mixed media art? Tune into my podcast, "Show Up or Shut Up."

Currently available for listening on the Willa Wanders website here, or on Apple Podcasts, Amazon and Spotify:

XOXO,
​​​

Where are you on your Mixed Media Art journey? Leave a comment and let us know!