Finding Fragments course logo

An experimental approach to fibre, stitch, and material surface

Register your interest in this course:

Distress, disrupt, repair, and reassemble with Shelley Rhodes

What artists say about working with Shelley

You have launched many of us towards a new creative journey, and your ideas and influences will be seen in our creations in the years ahead.
Ann M.
Thank you Shelley, for your great inspiration and guidance through this course. There has been so much to learn and investigate during the last few weeks. With lifetime access, we will all be very busy for some time to come. Wonderful, thank you.
Linda L
It will change your art practice – and your life!
Bobbi M
This course is life-changing.It is so jammed packed with ideas, techniques, and know-how. It also provides a great framework for working in a series. I wish I had seen it 10 years ago.
Roberta W

It’s Time To Reimagine Mixed Media And Transform The Traditional By Asking Yourself…

  • How far am I prepared to distress a piece of fabric or paper before it is beyond repair, and then…..am I brave enough to take that a little further still?
  • Am I ready to push myself with a more experimental approach to making?
  • Am I prepared to take a chance to burn, bury, coat, layer, paint, stitch, rip and repair my work?

The idea of working large and then fragmenting into smaller pieces to reconstruct new work, concepts related to the Japanese concepts of Wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection) and Mottainai (using every last scrap) is the core of Shelley Rhodes’s work, and she’s ready to share her process and techniques with you!

Shelley_Rhodes-Images- (1)

With a lifetime’s worth of ideas and inspiration, you’ll:

Artwork by Shelley Rhodes
Respond to your environment, drawing inspiration from Japanese Boro and Kantha traditions as you push against the boundaries of traditional methods
Shelley working on a piece during Finding Fragments
Experiment across paper, cloth, and mixed media, reworking and reassembling surfaces to discover new directions in your practice
Artwork by Shelley Rhodes
Build layered, material-rich surfaces by mending, stitching, marking, fragmenting, and working with found objects to develop a distinctive body of work
Artwork by Shelley Rhodes
Learn the value of sampling and sustained experimentation, transforming traditional stitching through material shifts, layering, and distressed effects
Artwork by Shelley Rhodes
Create a series of stitched works, then alter, weather, distress, and manipulate them - exploring the interplay between intention and chance
Artwork by Shelley Rhodes
Use stitch as a mark, exploring repair, rupture, and accumulation rather than decoration
Shelley Rhodes talking to camera during Finding Fragments

I love to record a journey. I observe the smallest inconsequential things: detritus, broken, mundane and often overlooked items. I will help you to notice and see beauty in the smallest of fragments and incorporate them into your artwork.

- Shelley Rhodes

 

Finding Fragments is delivered in two parts: firstly, by encouraging students to gather information and inspiration before delving into drawing and mark-making, layering, reworking, and incorporating found objects.

The second part of the course examines traditional methods of stitching but encourages students to exaggerate and distort stitches and introduce non-traditional techniques and materials.

Students can explore and experiment by altering surfaces, fragmenting, and re-joining to create inspiring and innovative work. The result is a more fully developed artist who is clear about their way of working and can produce gallery-quality outcomes.

 

 

Your Take Two experience includes...

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Direct interaction with Shelley for up to 10 weeks.

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9 hours of cinematic video lessons.

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Unlimited learning with lifetime access.

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A worldwide community of artists.

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Have your questions answered in two live Q&As.

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Comprehensive workbooks to reinforce your learning.

… plus the community and resources to keep the conversation flowing long after the course ends.

Join the waiting list.

Be the first to know when enrolment opens.

Helpful
FAQs

Have another question? We’re here to help! Please contact the Take Two team at support@taketwoart.com

 

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