4 mangas made by 4 talented mangakas! These were made during a 4 days workshop during which the artists (and their teacher) learned a lot about Shibbis - the romantic manga characters. In addition to getting used to a new set of proportions, the explorers did a lot of sketches from life - in 3 tones of Indian ink, pencil and sanguine - in order to explore expression, as well as movement. The mangas were painted in inks and outlined in felt tip. All stories are original and integrate in their story-line a scene from a photograph chosen at random.

These sketches and paintings were made during a four days workshop which focused on colour. The still life is a series of quick sketches which were painted during the morning on the second day of the workshop, using a limited palette. The "grandes danseuses" were painted after a series of life drawing quick sketches. These were painted on sugar paper with Chinese and western brushes, often on top of a matrix made of wax. The "danseuses" - inspired by Matisse's découpages" were painted with acrylics and cut out as to rearrange their limbs, and then glued on an acrylic background. The background's composition was the result of a variation of "exquisite corpses" whereby each participant write on a piece of paper an item from a typed list, fold the piece of paper in order to hide the item and passes it to her neighbours who fills the following item on the list, etc. until the list is filled; The artists in possession of a "dictated background" made a composition, integrating their dancer to the scene. There is also a "Japanese landscape" inspired by the Tahitian paintings of Gauguin and a "Bedroom" painting inspired by a "red interior" by Matisse.

Fired by the inspiring work of some NGO's like "Rain Forest Concern" and "The Global Canopy Program", the Explorers present their work on the theme of the Jungle. The youngest came back with beautiful Paper Jungles. Maddy and Sylvie studied the imagined Jungles of Henri Rousseau. Then they set for a field trip to the reservoirs near Manor House.They photographed this little enclave where nature and estates meet more or less harmoniously. They used this walk as a starting point for the composition of "Urban Jungle" painting and mixed media collage.

A delicious gallery of most wonderful cakes!

When the Explorers went on an imaginary journey through wild landscapes they discovered cities that Nature had reclaimed. This is a series of mixed media sketches and collages.

Set Design

Workshop 1

Max Gergel and Isaac Fenton designed the sets for an imaginary theatre production of The Lion King.They made backdrops, gauze screens, props in mixed medias and clay models for the main characters. Then they decorated their model box, transforming it into a small theatre.

Papier mâché sculptures

Workshop 2

Elkie and Leia concentrated in making one papier mâché model of one of the characters of the play. Because they are best friends, they chose to make Simba and Nala as lion cubs.

Exploring the proportion of the human face as well as experimenting with harmonies of colors: this is a series of naturalistic portraits set against some faces inspired by Paul Klee or just freely coming from imagination. Acrylics on paper and canvas.

Bodies in action: a series of quick sketches, blind paintings and more traditional drawings. Using video footage of circus artists, as well as sketches made during a visit to the trapeze artist Geneviève Monastesse from Circus Glory.

A Retrospective.

The Explorers were inspired by the video of this famous circus from Montreal; they worked with music & movement to make quick sketches. Then they painted their own version of the show.

Soul-animals (inspired by Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" books).

Faces are everywhere... if you look for them! The students found hidden faces in magazines, sketched them, then created a character to fit the face.

Made from a paper plate, or with papier mâché molded onto a balloon.

The Explorers drew each other to get the proportions of the human body. Then they let their imaginations loose to create very special machines.