At Artist Loft: Creative Explorations with Dorothy Simpson Krause

Artist-in-Residence Dorothy Simpson Krause is a painter, collage artist and printmaker who incorporates digital mixed media into her art. Her work is exhibited regularly in galleries and is in the collections of more than two dozen museums. Dot is a Professor Emeritus at Massachusetts College of Art where she taught for 35 years, and has also been an Artist-in-Residence at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, as well as at many other celebrated institutions. She is the author of Book + Art: Handcrafting Artists’ Books, and co-author of Digital Art Studio: Techniques for Combining Inkjet Printing with Traditional Art Materials. Below, Dot shares a glimpse of what her Artist Loft workshops are all about.

From those with art training to those who profess not to be able to draw a straight line with a ruler – all are welcome in my series of stand-alone workshops, which are designed to suit a wide range of abilities. Together we create original works of art related to the voyage, and each class has a different focus, medium or concept.

On a recent segment of Insignia’s Around the World in 180 Days voyage, we had 19 classes! On each of the eight days at sea, I hosted a workshop in the morning and afternoon.

In the first class, guests working in pairs made a blind contour drawing of their partner then exchanged drawings to complete their “self-portraits.” This one looks remarkably like Dennis Julin.

In another class, Wendy King made several booklet/ journals to house the ephemera she collected during the cruise and to give as gifts.

Using photographs as reference, lavender fields vanished into the distance as Noreen Cutts used perspective to give her oil pastel depth in “As Far As The Eye Can See.”

Playing the Surrealist game of “Exquisite Corpse,” in which you begin your drawing, cover your work and pass it on, each group of three drew fantastic “Creatures of the Deep.” Trish Boyle began this lovely creature and completed it with subtle watercolor.

Near the end of the voyage, in a collage class called “Putting It All Together,” Joanne Moloney captured the spirit of Oceania Cruises. The final afternoon on board, we held an exhibit of the work produced and Joanne’s section was a great representation.

Each workshop at Artist Loft gives you an opportunity to produce meaningful work related to your adventures onboard and ashore. As Artist-in-Residence, it has been a rewarding experience to support their creative explorations and I look forward to meeting many more you very soon!