w/ Carla Lam
Workshop Fee: $35 Non-Members /$30 Members per session
Dates & Time: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 1pm to 4 pm
Location:
Harcourt House Artist Run Centre
The Maggie and John Mitchell Art Education Studio
ANNEX Building, 10211 – 112 Street, Edmonton, AB
Note: Please ring the buzzer upon arrival.
Workshop Description
Mark making is “various strokes, dots, lines, textures, and patterns… drawn or painted loosely, controlled, or expressively, imbuing the canvas with the artist’s signature. This act sits between painting, drawing, and writing, using traces to build a composition.” (Julien Delagrange, July 11, 2024 online, CAI Magazine online, “Mark-Making: 5 Abstract Painters You Need to Know: Trends in Contemporary Art”)
In this workshop we will experiment with various tools and ideas for expressive and intuitive mark-making to create a series of smaller, layered abstract works on paper. Abstract art is given meaning through the unique marks of each artist; in this sense, every painting is visual evidence of an often unconscious (and ongoing) story that is deeply personal and waiting to be uncovered.
The course focuses on hands-on practice, but will include some color theory and spontaneous discussion, demonstrations of mark-making, color mixing and application as well as coaching to encourage the freedom to follow your own guidance.
It’s preferred that participants use acrylic paints for ease of transporting the work. All levels of experience are welcome.
Supply List
I recommend working from an easel
- GAC 100 (or similar medium)
- White gesso
- Masking tape
- Heavy weight paper 18 x 24 inches (preferably 300 g/m2 watercolor paper)
- A board or other backing (foam core would work as well) large enough to tape the paper onto.
- Acrylic (and water-based) paints, inks and mediums with all primary colors, plus black, white, burnt sienna, yellow ochre.
- Tools (e.g. brushes, brayers, foam rollers, rubber edges (like Catalyst spatulas)) in any size and shape. Raid your kitchen, shed or junk drawer for anything with an interesting edge.
- Sketching tools (e.g. pens, pencils, markers, Stabilo woodies or other watercolor crayons, charcoal).
- Ruler
- Water misting bottle (any spray bottle will do).
- Palette for colour mixing
- Paper towel
- Apron
Optional:
- I highly recommend working with a standing easel for freedom of movement.
- Larger supports (i.e. upwards of 16 or 20 inches on the smallest side), any material that you prefer (e.g. board or canvas).
Instructor’s Bio
Carla Lam is an academic refugee turned painter who works in multiple media and favors creative mark making and letting the process inform the subject. Her work is experimental, intuitive, and color-driven, and the result is emotionally evocative, abstract landscapes.
She is a long-time educator in post-secondary institutions in Canada and abroad, and self-developed in art, with works held in private collections in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Germany. She started teaching art part time in 2022 and is based in Edmonton Alberta with deep roots in New Zealand and the Canadian Maritimes.
For more information or to register contact our office at info@harcourthouse.ab.ca or 780 426 4180
Method of Payment: In the office, over the phone, or online through Zeffy.
