Cindy Kolling

kollingcards@gvtel.com

218-268-4396

kollingcards.com

Cindy lives in Gully.

Cindy Kolling has owned Kolling Cards since 1986. She creates original hand-drawn designs on blank note cards, gift bags, journals, and Minne-Mural Coloring Art posters. Designs are hand-drawn from fun life experiences and serious field research in nature, history, heritage, art, and science. Listen to this radio interview with Cindy https://www.kaxe.org/show/91-7-kaxe-90-5-kbxe-morning-show/2023-12-15/area-voices-gully-artists-inspired-by-local-ecosystems-in-latest-exhibits

Cindy Kolling

I am not a medium purist and incorporate carefully researched information into the creation of my works, most of which are created in a series. Written support often enhances the viewers’ insight into the work and further appreciation of the subject; but my art is released only when I feel it can fully stand alone as solid art.

Much of what I do involves fine line technical pen drawing. My drawings almost always begin with some kind of in-field observations; and often include my photographs. The drawings are not meant to be technical renderings, but do have interpretive accuracy to start with and evolve from there.

Many of my drawings are taken further into hand-printed pieces. I often work on carefully selected recycled fiber paper with quiet colors of hand-screened inks.

My original prints begin with hand-drawn monochrome drawings or paintings from a mix of subtle mediums (including, but not limited to, pencil, technical pen, water color, charcoal and color pencil).

They are hand-printed with one or more thermo silkscreen. Each print is an original: Kolling Cards note cards and journals are these actual originals.

My hand-print process evolves through joining of current technologies with very early print making techniques, and some from eras in-between. I like mixing the old and new concepts to create something fresh. It is the result of experimenting with what one has; what one knows, and where one wants to go.

The process is a work in progress….. thanks for joining the journey!

The base for my interactive work is intended to enhance your experiences in art combined with carefully researched nature, history, heritage and science. My art is intended to encourage interaction and much of it is presented in functional pieces such as notecards for writing and receiving letters; journals to be journaled in as one chooses; and educational coloring art pieces to help develop art techniques for beginner to advanced coloring artists of all ages.

My art is meant to be enjoyed by those who appreciate our surroundings, and to encourage new awareness of details. I consider art as essential to life as eating and breathing, and hope your interaction with my art shares some of that balance.

Summary of Residency

Art has a place in everyone’s life and should be as much a part of our everyday as eating and sleeping. Art Journaling is a wonderful way to invite art to participate in our daily living. Art Journaling workshop sessions with Cindy Kolling promise a fun, creative time that will be conducted in a game-like fashion using prompts to help focus and maintain challenge while developing skills of “looking and seeing” every day with new eyes. Participants will create an Art Journal using various art mediums such as painting, collage, etc. for their use while documenting their art journey.

Art Journaling for Your Eyes

Art has a place in everyone’s life and should be as much a part of our everyday as eating and sleeping

Learning to “see” light and shadow (incorporating this into texture and color if time and abilities allow.) Training eyes to see light & shadow (later color)

Working on “Art Journal” pages using the light and shadows concept intensely, but mixing with the use of prompt to keep subject focus and fun. Each session will start with a simple still life exercise to reinforce the “seeing” light & shadow concept.

Age/Grade Level of Participants: 3rd, 4th. 5th graders and their teachers.

Length of Residency: 8 hours total

Number of Sessions: 3 sessions (2 will be 3 hrs, 1 will be 2 hours)
Title/content of Sessions:
1 a. Explain Art Journaling and workshop expectations
1 b. Intro to seeing Light & Shadow, 1c. Exercise with still life white/white, 1d. Explain materials and medium options and discuss ideas of how to use. 1e. Get 1st prompt and start art journaling process. 

2.a Review ideas and use of materials and interpretation of “prompt.” Students will tell about their work. 2.b Revisit the exerciser from first day (white on white still life: where is the light; where is the shadow?) 2.c Discuss materials and mediums, 2.d Discuss prep for the exhibit

3 a. Choose the pages to exhibit as hanging pieces
3 b. Explain and distribute matting materials; Help mat pages and set up

Supply List :
- Mediums for art journaling:
waterpaint/acrylic paint/tempera paint/
charcoal/ink drawing pens/drawing pencils/
color pencils/color crayons/pastel chalk/oil pastels.
Newspaper, magazines, odds and ends of ‘found items’ to use in collages.
- Tools: pencil sharpeners/erasers/blending stubs/
paint brushes/paper towels/water containers/
Journal (Paper-Bindings)
Variety of quality art papers and binding for journals
Mats, frames, poly, backing paper, wire hangers

End Product: Completed pages and cover of an Art Journal with some extra pages that can be continued on their own. Hanging exhibit of one page each student and journals. The participants will all notice more ; therefore inspiring them to look more and continue to be aware of light and shadow everywhere they look. They will be recognized as “seeing artists” and will be proud of what they are doing.

The workshop will culminate in an artist exhibit with one framed/matted page from each art journal presented in a gallery style setting. The art journals themselves will be displayed on pedestals or a table below the gallery piece. An artist bio will be posted by each piece.

Including the teachers in the exhibit and the process is important. They need to learn to “see” as well, and will be good role models for students. The goal is to provide a continuing practice of “seeing” light and shadow and becoming more skilled in the techniques of drawing.

Cindy is also offering Prairie Pocket in the 2024 Corridor of Creative Learning Fun. A Creative Learning Field Trip right at Your Site! This is available for museums, parks, nature enters, schools, libraries, art groups, social groups and others who want to learn while having fun. Suggested Age is 8 to Adult. The sessions will adjust slightly according to age and skill levels. This is an art learning opportunity. Suggested Group Size: under 20 with at least one adult assistant from you joining the coloring art fun. Download detailed information here .