Gel Printing with Michaela Butterworth

FEB 21 | 10AM-3:00PM
Join artist and instructor Michaela Butterworth for a full day of hands-on gel printing fun at the Guild!  After her lively demo in January, Michaela returns to guide you through this exciting process — perfect for both beginners and experienced artists looking to expand their creative toolkit.
 
About the workshop:
Gel plate printing is a playful, experimental art technique that uses flexible printing plates to create layers of texture, shape, and vibrant color. It’s fast, flexible, and full of delightful surprises — no two prints are ever alike!
 
In this workshop, you’ll learn:
  • What materials and tools are used (and why)
  • How to use and clean your supplies correctly
  • Techniques for mark making and building texture
  • How to create successful multi-layered prints
  • Ways to incorporate your gel prints into mixed media artworks
Expect a day of discovery, creativity, and joyful mess-making. You’ll leave with a stack of your own original prints and plenty of new techniques to use in future projects.
Come spend a colorful, inspiring Saturday with Michaela and your fellow artists — and experience the textural delight of gel plate printing for yourself!
 
Materials included:
  • Gel Press Brayer
  • Gel Press Monoprinting Plate, 8 x 10
  • Copy paper for printing (white)
Materials to bring:
  • Light body weight acrylic or craft paints: White, Black, light color, medium color, and dark color of your choice
  • Apron or paint clothes – prepare to get messy and have loads of fun!
  • Non-Sharp mark making tools of your choice such as rubber stamps, plastic stencils, household utensils, plastic scrapers, netting, fabric, lace, string, corrugated cardboard, silk leaves or flowers (these will get paint on them!)
  • Huggies natural baby wipes (alcohol and oil free)
  • LOCATION: Portsmouth Arts Guild
  • MATERIALS COST: $40
Michaela Butterworth Portsmouth Arts Guild

Michaela Butterworth

Michaela was born in Sydney, Australia, and was painting before she could walk. She has recently moved to the Portsmouth RI area from the US Midwest where she had resided since emigrating in 1996. She works full-time at St. George’s school in Middletown RI as the Operations and Campus Planning Assistant. She teaches a long weekend women’s art retreat at St. George’s each summer; this year will be her fifth year teaching!

She is a lifelong learner who loves exploring new techniques.  Her work is a joyful collision of her primary inspiration, Mother Nature; her flora, fauna, and vibrant colors. She also draws influence from Steampunk and grunge genres, which often sneak into her work.  She creates mixed-media assemblages that layer paints, gel-plate prints, and stitching into a ‘visual feast.’. Her style is best described as ‘Vibrant Maximalism’ — semi-abstracts featuring high contrast, texture to create deep, visual experiences, and bright colors, that often include a touch of whimsy.  Above all, she aims to create work that sings with joy. Find Michaela on her website:  www.tealharecreations.com, on Instagram at @aussiegrl154and on her YouTube Channel @michaelabutterworth4848.

Get Tickets Today!