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Traditional Canvas Prep Demo: Stretching & Rabbit Skin Glue | Ellen Lyons | Sept 15, 2026 | 10am - 1pm
$20.00 CAD
Traditional Canvas Prep Demo: Stretching & Rabbit Skin Glue
Ellen Lyons
Sept 15, 2026
10am - 1pm
Watch a canvas built from scratch the way painters did for centuries. In this demo, the instructor will stretch raw canvas over stretcher bars and seals it with rabbit skin glue, the traditional animal-collagen size used long before commercial primers existed.
You'll see the full process, from mounting and stretching the fabric to folding the corners and preparing and applying the glue, along with why sizing matters.
Bio
Ellen Lyons has long been a member of the art community. She earned a BFA from Pratt Institute in the 1960s, a MA in painting/drawing and a JD degree from the University of Miami. She went on to teach high school and college-level art in New York and Florida for 14 years. During that time, she developed close relationships with numerous students and has remained in contact with many to this day.
In addition to teaching, Lyons exhibited paintings and drawings in solo and group shows in New York, Florida and Philadel[phia from 1966 to 1984, including at the New York Society of Illustrators, Katonah Museum, NYC Pratt Graphic Arts Center, Temple University Gallery of Art, Metropolitan Museum-Coral Gables and Center for the Fine Arts in Miami.
She also worked as an editorial illustrator, creating book and magazine covers for major publishers such as Viking Penguin, Scholastic Magazines, Ballantine, Simon & Schuster, Hearst, Holt-Rhinehart and Airman Magazine as well as album covers for RCA and CBS Records. A favoured client was the United States Air Force which flew her on missions on a B-52, a Sikorsky "Jolly Green Giant", a F-4 Phantom and every cargo plane.
In addition, Lyons served as co-owner of the William M. Lyons Gallery in Coral Gables, Florida, which specialized in 20th Cent. photography. She later relocated to Qualicum Beach, where she has continued her artistic journey and made her home for the past 36 years.
All classes and workshops are non-refundable. Cancellations made 7 days, or more in advance of the workshop or class date will receive 100% credit. 6 days before class, and no credit will be issued.