Welcome the beginning of fall with a richly layered mixed media assemblage inspired by the curious treasures, textures, and colors of the woodland floor.

Working on an architectural wood arch panel, participants will create a dimensional botanical composition using hand-painted cast mushrooms, preserved mosses, botanical elements, a cast beetle, metallic accents, and an assortment of nature-inspired materials. Layer by layer, these individual elements will come together to create a small collected world that feels somewhere between a botanical study, a woodland still life, and a treasured piece from an old naturalist’s cabinet.

We’ll begin by painting and finishing our wood arches, introducing warm metallic gold and deeper contrasting tones to create the foundation for the piece. From there, we’ll paint our dimensional cast elements and explore color, texture, and surface treatments before beginning the process of arranging and assembling the composition.

A large part of Woodland Study will focus on the art of assemblage—learning how materials with different shapes, textures, colors, and visual weights can be layered together to create depth and balance. Rather than everyone reproducing the exact same arrangement, you’ll be encouraged to experiment with placement and make creative decisions along the way, allowing each finished piece to develop its own personality.

Bright preserved mosses bring an unexpected freshness to the deeper woodland palette, while mushrooms, botanicals, natural textures, and touches of antique gold give the artwork a romantic, slightly old-world character. The result is a dimensional piece that celebrates fall without feeling like traditional seasonal décor.

Throughout the afternoon, I’ll guide you through painting, finishing, composition, layering, and final assembly while leaving plenty of room for your own creative interpretation. Each participant will leave with a completed Woodland Study assemblage, approximately 13″ tall × 7″ wide, which can be displayed on a small tabletop easel or finished with hardware for hanging as dimensional wall art.

Details

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM

Location: Ellis Visual Arts Studio
305 S. Pearl Street | New London, WI

Cost: $75 per participant

Limited seating · Pre-registration required · No walk-ins

Your Studio Experience Includes

• One architectural wood arch substrate
• Dimensional cast mushroom elements
• Cast beetle embellishment
• Assorted preserved mosses and woodland textures
• Curated botanical and nature-inspired elements
• Acrylic and metallic paints
• Mixed media and assemblage materials
• Use of studio tools
• Guided instruction in painting, composition, layering, and assembly

All materials included

No previous mixed media or assemblage experience is required.

Woodland Study is an art-forward studio experience designed for adults and teens who enjoy exploring unusual materials, working with texture and composition, and creating artwork that feels distinctly their own.

Inspired by botanical collections, old-world natural history, and the rich textures of the forest floor, this workshop celebrates the transition into fall through a contemporary mixed media approach.

Every element has been thoughtfully prepared so you can arrive ready to slow down, experiment, and enjoy an afternoon of creating in my working artist’s studio.