Steel Painting Workshop in King's Yard

Springs Gallery, a fine art/fine craft gallery in Yellow Springs, offered two hands-on painting workshops recently with Dayton artist Mike Elsass. Elsass (wearing a baseball cap) and his students set up the painting-on-rusted-steel workshop on Thursday, September 15, in King's Yard, outside of Springs Gallery. The weather was perfect for both workshops and the protected courtyard provided a sunny and inspirational place to paint.

photos by Christine Klinger

photos by Susan Gartner

The gallery is planning two upcoming workshops in two different types of jewelry-making and one watercolor-painting workshop. There will also be a Springs Gallery-hosted workshop with steel-painter Mike Elsass held in Dayton. Stay tuned to this spot for more details or visit their blog at www.springsgallery.blogspot.com.

Springs Gallery is looking for ideas for future classes and workshops -- subjects people are interested in learning about and subjects they may be interested in and qualified to teach. For teaching ideas, e-mail or snail mail a syllabus or class/workshop proposal along with a resume or artist bio with web or blog site, and 3-5 jpegs that can convey your abilities and experience. The gallery prefers to offer workshops (1 or 2 sessions) as opposed to courses (several weeks) to accommodate out-of-town participants.

If you want to be added to the list of persons wanting to be alerted to upcoming classes, contact Christine Klinger at springsgallery@earthlink.net or 937-409-5047.

Springs Gallery is located in King's Yard at 220 Xenia Avenue, Yellow Springs, OH 45387. Hours are Wednesday-Sunday, noon-7 p.m. and on Third Fridays (Fling in the Springs) noon-9 p.m.

Steel Painting Workshop with Mike Elsass Sept. 15

Springs Gallery, a fine art/fine craft gallery in Yellow Springs, Ohio, is offering a hands-on painting workshop with Dayton artist Mike Elsass. Elsass, who paints on rusted steel, will be doing his creative, spontaneous painting, along with students, on Thursday, September 15, 4 pm – 7 pm. Students will paint on King’s Yard, outside of Springs Gallery, 220 Xenia Avenue in Yellow Springs.

The fee for the workshop is $70.00; all materials will be provided. Students will be able to take home a finished work of their own creation for each session. For questions, or to register, please call Springs Gallery at 937-767-1766, or email: springsgallery@earthlink.net. Please register by Sunday, September 11. There will be a minimum of 5 students and no maximum.

Registration forms are available on the Springs Gallery site at www.springsgallery.blogspot.com, and at Springs Gallery during business hours: Wednesday through Sunday, Noon to 7 pm. Free parking is available in two lots on the west end of King’s Yard off Walnut Street, and on surrounding streets.

Bio Info.:
Mike Elsass studied for years under nationally renowned Dayton steel painter Roger Sayre, whom he considers his mentor. Sayre showed Elsass the possibilities of steel as a surface for acrylic and urged him to experiment. Elsass explores the medium by sanding and rusting sheets of metal in search of new and different textures and applies multiple layers of paint and shiny or opaque finishes. In the aging of the metals and its imperfections, Elsass sees a mirror of the human condition. The fast-drying quality of the acrylics allows him to work with motivation and speed on several pieces at a time, expressing, as in a musical crescendo, his spontaneity and deep passion for life.

Elsass has done instruction and on-location painting throughout the U.S. and Canada. His work is in several corporate and private collections. Elsass is also currently represented by several fine art galleries throughout the West, South and Midwest, including Springs Gallery in Yellow Springs.


Photo: Untitled acrylic on rusted steel by Mike Elsass, 12" x 12", photo by Christine Klinger

Steel Painting Workshops in August and September

Springs Gallery Presents – Workshops with Steel Painter Mike Elsass

Springs Gallery, a fine art/fine craft gallery in Yellow Springs, Ohio, is offering two opportunities for a hands-on painting workshop with Dayton artist Mike Elsass. Elsass, who paints on rusted steel, will be doing his creative, spontaneous painting, along with students, on Wednesday, August 31, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm, and on Thursday, September 15, 4 pm – 7 pm. Students will paint on King’s Yard, outside of Springs Gallery, 220 Xenia Avenue in Yellow Springs.

The fee for each workshop is $70.00; all materials will be provided. Students may take one workshop or both, and will be able to take home a finished work of their own creation for each session. For questions, or to register, please call Springs Gallery at 937-767-1766, or email: springsgallery@earthlink.net.

Registration forms are available on the Springs Gallery site at www.springsgallery.blogspot.com, and at Springs Gallery during business hours: Wednesday through Sunday, Noon to 7 pm. Free parking is available in two lots on the west end of King’s Yard off Walnut Street, and on surrounding streets.

Bio Info.:
Mike Elsass studied for years under nationally renowned Dayton steel painter Roger Sayre, whom he considers his mentor. Sayre showed Elsass the possibilities of steel as a surface for acrylic and urged him to experiment. Elsass explores the medium by sanding and rusting sheets of metal in search of new and different textures and applies multiple layers of paint and shiny or opaque finishes. In the aging of the metals and its imperfections, Elsass sees a mirror of the human condition. The fast-drying quality of the acrylics allows him to work with motivation and speed on several pieces at a time, expressing, as in a musical crescendo, his spontaneity and deep passion for life.

Elsass has done instruction and on-location painting throughout the U.S. and Canada. His work is in several corporate and private collections. Elsass is also currently represented by several fine art galleries throughout the West, South and Midwest, including Springs Gallery in Yellow Springs.


Image 1: Untitled acrylic on rusted steel by Mike Elsass, 12" x 12", photo by Christine Klinger
Image 2: "Teapot Rock #1," acrylic on rusted steel by Mike Elsass, 12" x 15", photo by Christine Klinger