Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Virginia Classes Are Up! Registration Is OPEN!

Susan Lenart Kazmer's Altered Surface Talisman Jewelry

Will you come join us next Fall for our Art & Soul Mixed Media Retreat in Virginia Beach? Hooray! We'll be so happy to have you. As always we've got dozens of full day and evening workshops in collage, assemblage, jewelry, drawing, painting, journaling, sculpting, fabric, fiber & stitching, bookmaking, and so much more... all geared to stretch your creativity. We've got amazing instructors who are all artists themselves, many of them published in the pages of your favorite mixed media magazines and authors of their own how-to books.  We kick off the week with an opening night party and have lots of fun events and gatherings throughout the week. We've got an on-site store that's to dye for, and a Vendor Extravaganza featuring peddlers with hard to find goodies from ephemera to assemblage components and amazing original art by your very own instructors!

Beautiful Fabulous Scarves by Kathie George

Registration just went live and we have a very special EARLY BIRD OFFER for you! If you sign up by April 1st, your registration fee will only be $35 and all of your full day workshops will be just $135. That's a $15 savings on both! So be sure and take advantage of this special discount, and getting in on your favorite classes before they fill up.

Journal Fodder Junkies with David Molder & Eric Scott

Virginia Beach Art & Soul
October 2-8, 2017
Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

So visit our website and get more information about our Virginia Beach Event... our relaxing beachfront Hotel... the creative Workshops we have to offer... and our fabulous Instructors! Sign up today and give yourself the playtime you deserve, amidst like-minded souls... you'll make some amazing art and friendships too.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

'Tis the Season... for "Presents"!


When the Christmas tree goes up, that's when the holiday spirit takes me over. I get to dress up my festive snow-dusted faux fir with a monochromatic theme of red and white... speckled with icicles, flora & fauna, and a few of my favorite stuffed animals tucked between the branches. Decorating the tree may seem like a simple tradition, but perfectly placing each ornament — as I thoughtfully ponder where each and every one came from (don't we all) — reminds me of my extended family... our Art & Soul family! At every event, I could walk into any class and find an entire room of students contemplating where to perfectly place their next mark, stitch, stamping, found object, bead, bauble, piece of ephemera, and the like. Just totally immersed in what they are doing.


In that way, our mixed media workshops are very much like decorating the tree. I'm just totally immersed in what I am doing. And the holidays remind me what a great pleasure it is to be in the moment. I guess that's why they call it the "present". It gives me even greater pleasure to be able to give the gift of present moments to our Art & Soul family. With the hurried rush of our everyday lives we all need equally fun and relaxing times to balance it out. To be able to fill them up with creativity is such a blessing.


So this holiday season I'd like to thank you all for daring to experience something greater for yourself. The bravery it took to come along on this creative adventure with me. And the heartfelt connections we have made over art. I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life and I hope that your holiday season is filled with the love of family, friends, and perhaps a few random moments of creativity.


If you would like to share that gift of creativity with someone, we offer gift certificates in any denomination, that can be used toward workshops at any of our Mixed Media Art Retreats. It's a creative way to artfully thank someone this holiday. Simply e-mail Glenny today and she'll get you taken care of right away!

I hope you have an amazing holiday and a new year filled with creative adventures!

Blessings,
Glenny
xoxo