Meet the Fodder School 6 Teachers: Crystal Marie

Meet Crystal Marie: The Alchemy of Collage and the Magic of Materials

What if the most interesting art materials aren't the ones you buy at the art store?

For Chicago-based artist Crystal Marie, almost anything can become part of the creative process.

Crystal considers herself a “material girl” when it comes to her art practice, which is rooted in collage and has evolved to include three-dimensional sculpture and assemblage. Her work explores ideas of physical location and identity, transforming materials into layered pieces that carry both texture and meaning.

And this year, she's bringing that spirit of experimentation to Fodder Challenge 2026 and Fodder School 6.

Crystal's approach to collage begins with experimentation.

Rather than starting with a rigid plan and forcing her materials to fit it, she allows what she's brought to the table to inform her decisions.

That willingness to experiment has become an important part of Crystal's artistic voice.

Her work has been featured in numerous fine art exhibitions and solo shows, earning her gallery representation as well as the coveted 2018 Racine Art Museum Artist Fellowship.

Crystal is also the author of a book about the art of collage and is currently writing a second book exploring how artists can overcome the creative blocks that so often show up in the studio.

So yes, she knows a thing or two about collage.

But perhaps more importantly, Crystal understands that sometimes the best way forward creatively is to stop trying to control everything and see what happens when you simply start experimenting.

Crystal's Fodder Challenge 2026 Project: Paintbrushes Made From Your Hair

We've suggested plenty of unconventional ways to get creative with your art supplies over the years.

But we have never done anything quite like this.

For Fodder Challenge 2026, Crystal is teaching Paintbrushes Made From Your Hair.

Yes. You read that correctly.

You'll cut a small lock of hair—your own or someone else's—and Crystal will show you how to turn it into a reusable, one-of-a-kind paintbrush.

And if you're thinking, Well, that's not happening because I don't want to cut my hair, don't worry.

You can use almost any kind of fiber to make your brush.

In fact, the wackier the bristles, the more interesting the marks might be.

It's the perfect Crystal Marie project because it turns something unexpected into an art-making tool and invites you to think differently about what qualifies as a “creative material.”

And who knows?

Your new favorite paintbrush might be made from something you never imagined putting in your art supplies.

Crystal's Fodder School 6 Lessons: The Alchemy of Collage

If the idea of transforming unexpected materials into art sounds like your kind of creative adventure, you're going to love Crystal's Fodder School 6 month.

Her lessons are all about The Alchemy of Collage.

Crystal will share a variety of her favorite transformative fodder techniques, with a particular focus on creating and working with rust and ebonizing solutions.

You'll learn how these processes can dramatically transform ordinary materials, creating unique surfaces and fodder that you can incorporate into your artwork.

Then you'll put all that magically transformed fodder to work.

Working in a series alongside Crystal, you'll create a collection of gallery-ready wall art pieces, exploring how repetition, variation, texture and composition can work together to create a cohesive body of artwork.

It's an opportunity to go beyond making a single collage and start thinking about your work as a series.

And that transformation—from ordinary materials into something unexpected, and from individual pieces into a cohesive collection—is exactly what makes Crystal's approach to collage so compelling.

What Is Fodder Challenge?

Fodder Challenge 2026 is our month-long October creative event featuring inspiring mixed media artists, creative projects and plenty of opportunities to experiment. It's a fun, low-commitment way to discover the Willa Workshops community and try new techniques, whether you're new to mixed media or an experienced artist.

What Is Fodder School 6?

Fodder School 6 is our year-long mixed media art experience, featuring lessons from a diverse group of artists and instructors. Each teacher brings their own style, techniques and creative perspective, giving you a full year of inspiration and opportunities to develop your own mixed media practice.

How Can You Join?

You can join us in one of two ways:

Fodder Challenge 2026— A month-long creative experience and a great introduction to our community.

Fodder Challenge + Fodder School 6 Bundle — The best value if you're ready to continue creating with us throughout the year.

If you're curious about Fodder School but aren't ready to commit to a full year, Fodder Challenge is a wonderful place to start. And if you're already thinking, This is exactly what I need, the bundle lets you experience both.

check out fodder school 6

Check out Fodder Challenge 2026