Through the Eyes of Helen Frankenthaler, Fritz Bultman, Lester Johnson: A Workshop Series with Laura Shabott

Session one: Artmaking through the Eyes of Helen Frankenthaler

Renowned painter Helen Frankenthaler (1928 – 2011) spent many summers in Provincetown. Her contributions include inventing color field painting, influencing her contemporaries and future generations, including ours. You will work from a model, with exercises that reveal how color, use of materials and memory can be incorporated into working from life.

We begin with a twenty-minute presentation that includes works from the PAAM collection by Frankenthaler. When the model arrives, we work for two intensive hours of painting with a half hour of inspiring and insightful critique at the end. You will leave with well-wrapped, wet, original artwork, knowledge about color field painting, and a day well spent with other artists. Raw canvas can be provided for you for a fee or you can supply your own along with acrylic paints.

Suggest reading from PAAM store
Fierce Poise: Helen Frankenthaler and 1950s New York

Session two: Artmaking through the Eyes of Fritz Bultman

Fritz Bultman (1919-1985) was born in New Orleans, meeting artists and writers of the day, including Tennessee Williams. He went on to study in Munich, in the new Chicago Bauhaus, settled in Provincetown, and studied with Hans Hofmann whose influence continued throughout the artist’s life.

You will work from a model, with exercises that reveal how shape, form, and contrast can be incorporated into built compositions. We begin with a twenty minute presentation that includes works from the PAAM collection by Bultman. When the model arrives, we will work for two intensive hours on collage with a half hour of inspiring and insightful critique at the end. Artists will leave with original artwork, knowledge about ripped and torn materials, and a day well spent with other artists. You will need painted papers, papers, and magazines.

Session three: Artmaking through the Eyes of Lester Johnson

Guggenheim Fellow Lester Johnson (1919-2010) exhibited at Provincetown’s Sun Gallery (1954-60), and created bold figurative work worth noting and unpacking in order to learn his approach to drawing and painting the human form.

Our course begins with a presentation of works from PAAM’s collection by Lester Johnson and his association with the Sun Gallery. When the model arrives, we will continue with two hours of drawing and painting exercises that embody and demonstrate the impasto and drip techniques employed by Johnson.

A safe and insightful critique follows with a focus of gestural mark-making and action painting. No matter what your level of experience, you will leave with original artwork, skills in action drawing and painting, and an afternoon well spent with other artists.

Are you a PAAM Member? Use code paammember at checkout to receive 10% off a workshop purchase.

Cancellation within 14 days of a workshop start date results in the full loss of tuition. Workshops may be canceled by PAAM up to one day in advance due to under-enrollment. In this case, tuition will be refunded in full.

The Museum School is not responsible for losses incurred due to housing, travel or other arrangements.

All participants are expected to arrive on time and to cultivate an attitude of mutual respect towards others. PAAM is committed to providing all participants with meaningful and productive educational experiences. As a result, PAAM reserves the right to refuse admission to any workshop, or to deny further participation to anyone who may adversely affect the quality of the educational experience. Anyone denied access to the remainder of a session, at the sole discretion of PAAM, will not be granted a refund.

No pets are allowed in our studios.