Learn about giving photos new life with woodburning

Art for All will hold its general membership meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the community room at Elgin Artspace, 51 S. Spring St. It will begin with a social hour from 6-7 p.m. followed by a program by Marcia Gutiérrez on "Wood-burning - Giving Photographs a New Life."

Photography might be her first love but Gutiérrez is always looking for ways to integrate her photos into other art medias which is how she became interested in wood-burning. She loves the smell of the wood as she works (a great winter art) and how she can create different textures and patterns with the variety of wood-burning tools available. The original photograph starts to take on a new life of its own as it slowly appears on burned wood. Color is added with either watercolor paints or stains.

As for the photography, Gutiérrez says that, "now when I go out to photograph I not only visualize how it will look as a final print but I also consider how I can work with the image on wood."

Art for All is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging Fox Valley artists and connecting their talent with those in the Elgin community. Visitors are welcome. On the first weekend of August each year, Art for All, in conjunction with the city of Elgin, coordinates the Art and Soul on the Fox art fair in downtown Elgin. Through its scholarship program, Art for All also provides college scholarships to students who are studying some form of visual art and have a demonstrated financial need.

For more information, visit www.elginartforall.com. Follow "Art for All" on Facebook.