Pop Art Pantry
with Amanda Beck-McKim

Saturday, May 30,  1-4 PM ET

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Course overview

 This online workshop explores Pop Art looking at nostalgic food packaging and iconic retro brands such as ketchup bottles, mustard jars, jam pots, soup tins, chocolate bars, and classic pantry packaging. 

Materials Needed

* Black fine liner, sharpie or black drawing pen

* Sketchbook or cartridge paper

* Tempera paint sticks

* Acrylic brush pens / Posca pens / paint markers

* Coloured paper or card (bright colours work best: pink, yellow, turquoise, orange, red)

* White paper for initial studies

meet the artist

Amanda Beck-McKim

With over 30 years in the arts, my journey as an

artist has been dynamic and eclectic, grounded in

a deep love for colour, texture, and character. My

background in textiles led to a collection of

creature puppets that introduced me to the world

of theatre. Over the years, I’ve primarily facilitated

workshops in schools, where much like in my

work with textiles and puppetry, I’ve been able to

explore ideas and experiment with materials in a

playful, open-ended way. Drawing has always

been central to my creative process, acting as the

thread that ties together my diverse practices.

I’ve also contributed to numerous public art commissions and collaborative art projects, working with schools, theatres, community centre's, and hospitals to create wall hangings and digital panels that bring together people's work and ideas.

One of my early projects involved creating interactive environments where coral reefs and rainforests came to life through puppetry, sparking a sense of wonder and connection to nature—an enduring inspiration in my work.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, I shifted to a more urban, journalistic style, producing a book titled Covid Life, a collection of digital illustrations and poems that captured everyday people in extraordinary times. This project deepened my fascination with characters, their environments, and their

stories. Most recently, I’ve immersed myself in Extraordinary, a project centred around the vibrant Manchester Drag scene. Through drawing, film collaborations, and an exhibition-cabaret event, I’ve explored the theatrical brilliance of this community. My textile roots continue to influence my work,

as I frequently incorporate collage and draw onto hand-crafted geli print surfaces, blending texture and spontaneity into my artwork.

Whether exploring nature, urban life, or the exuberance of drag culture, my passion for vibrant colour, texture, and storytelling remains a constant through every project.

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