Crafty Holidays & An Artful New Year!

So... it's that time of year again where we get swept up in what the media wants Christmas to be and when I instead turn to home, friends, family and faith to remind me of the reason for the season. Once my Christmas tree is up, the holiday spirit takes me over. My festive faux fir is adorned with touches of red and white, speckled with icicles, flora & fauna, and a few of my favorite mementos tucked between the branches. Decorating the tree may seem like a simple tradition, but perfectly placing each ornament — as I thoughtfully reflect upon where each and every one came from (don't we all?) — reminds me how precious family and loved ones are. How precious life is. And how lucky we are to have extended families... like our Art & Soul family!

Like a winter fire, my extended retreat family truly warms my soul. I think back to my first event — more than a dozen years ago — and some of you are still with me... still by my side. And many of you have become the closest of friends. Some of the Art & Soul attendees I've just met, but it's like we've known each other for years. That's what happens when like-minded people, linked by the most precious of gifts — the ability to let go and be creatively free — meet for the first time. And all of my dear, dear retreat goers and teachers from all the years in between... I just cannot believe how lucky I am to have you all in my life. It reminds me how precious life really is and makes my holiday heart swell with gratitude.

I really consider the holidays a time to remind us that those in-between moments are the ones that count. And to be able to fill them with creativity is such a blessing. We are fortunate to have our art that connects us and make us stronger. A bond that is created in one moment, yet lasts a lifetime. We are a tribe of artists... leaning on each other for support, encouragement and inspiration! It reminds me the importance of friendships, not just around the holidays, but every day.

So this holiday season I'd like to thank you all for daring to experience something greater for yourself in the form of our mixed-media excursions. 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.

Blessings,
Glenny
xoxo

And The Beat Goes On...

Lots of the time we talk about our spectacular retreats, the amazing workshops we offer, our professional teachers, and our tireless staff. But what we don't talk a whole lot about is what happens after the retreats (hmmm, I feel a theme coming on!). So this week, I thought we'd share an exciting success story...

Recently I received a thoughtful e-mail from one of our attendees — Darlene Koppel — letting me know that she'd been published in the Autumn issue of one of our all-time favorite magazines...  Art Journaling! Oh, and it's not her first time either. She's had her work featured in several publications for many years now. How about that!

It seems that her mixed media art gathering — Tidewater Artists Group (TAG) — was formed after meeting some kindred spirits at one of our Art & Soul events 5 years ago... and they're still going strong today!

And Darlene doesn't stop creating. She's learning and playing and trying new things all the time, and sharing it all on her blog Cinnamon Pink! You all know how much I love seeing the finished products at the retreats, but I am over the moon when I see that sense of creative exploration and experimentation continue after you've all gone home!

Congratulations Darlene, we're so proud of you! And if any of you Art & Soul Retreat-ers out there have a success story to share with us... we'd love to hear it! We may even feature you in an upcoming blog post!

We Are Here! Yay for VA!

Marie and I arrived yesterday... excited and enthused!

So what do we do first? Head out to the beach for a selfie, of course!

And we found that all points lead to Art & Soul!! (p.s. no Horseshoe Crabs were harmed in the making of this mixed media collage!)

And, oh.... I mean... SERIOUSLY? I know we said we arrived in Virginia Beach, but you'd think we just got to Heaven! And a little bit of Heaven is what you'll have here at Art & Soul.

Can't wait to see you all!

~Glenny, Marie, Liz and crew
        xoxo

VIRGINIA... V is for...

Well folks, our Virginia Beach Art & Soul Retreat is just around the corner! So I thought we could regale you with a little VIRGINIA word play, and at the same time let you know why we love this venue so much. Here we go...

V is for the Vast array of workshops we have to offer.

From playing with paper, fabric, fiber, clay, metal and any vintage object you can think of, we've got something to delight every mixed media maven out there!

I is for our amazing Instructors.

Hand picked by our staff, our classes are taught by the most amazing people at the top of their industry. Several of our instructors have published books, won awards, appear in galleries, and sell their finished goods because their work is the best in the business and because they're in such high demand!

R is for Relaxing and Recharging at our Retreat.

Okay, so there's only one R, but these three go together like peas in a pod. Not only do you get to break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but you get to recharge your creative batteries at our mixed media art retreat! And let's not forget that this venue is right on the beach, with an oceanfront view from every room. Now that's relaxing!

G is for Guidance.

You're not in this alone. Your desire to explore new avenues of art and expand your creativity is all you need to bring to Art & Soul. Our teachers, our staff, our shop owners and other attendees will hold your hand the entire way. There's nothing to fear but not stepping out of your comfort zone!

I is for Innovative.

Our workshops showcase some of the most unique techniques and wow-factor projects. From collage to jewelry, art dolls to book making, and everything in-between, the art you'll make while you're here will impress everyone... including yourself!

N is for New.

Each year we have new workshops, several new instructors, new projects, new attendees, new themes, new goodies in our stores, and new old stuff (and new new stuff) for you to sift through at our Vendor Extravaganza. There are so many new opportunities at each event, every year, that you'll never run out of new stuff to learn or do!

I is for... another I? That's 3! Let's make this I for Imagination.

Because that's what you get to use when you come to Art & Soul! Combine like-minded people, supplies galore, interesting mixed media tools, and inspirational instructors... and you cannot help but set your imagination in motion! So put on your thinking crown, and come join us!

A is for Activities.

There is never a dull moment at Art & Soul! In fact, there's very little time for not being creative. There's eating and showers and such, but otherwise, we'll keep you busy! We've got an opening night party. We have day classes and night classes. We've got an on-site store open every day. An incredible Vendor Night with original art and items to re-purpose for sale. We've got contests. And giveaways. And demos. And places to create in your spare time. We even have some impromptu gatherings and have been known to host a pajama party or two! Oh, and that gorgeous beach to walk on any time of night or day.

So whatever your delight, and no matter how you spell it, VIRGINIA Art & Soul will light up your creativity and fill up your soul. We've got so much to offer, won't you come join us? For information and registration, visit us at artandsoulretreat.com.

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

September 29 - October 5, 2014

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

See you there! It's only a couple weeks away!

From Beads & Baubles to Metal Masterpieces! Jewelry Artist Eva Sherman...

Eva Sherman began beading as a way to spend time with her daughters, but soon became hopelessly addicted. In 2005 she traded in her architectural career for the opportunity to spend all her time among beads and opened Grand River Beads in Cleveland, OH. Eva now happily spends most days in the studio creating, writing and teaching. She has discovered an affinity for designing jewelry with wire and metals and prefers to create in an organic and unstructured style. Her work is absolutely gorgeous!

We are very lucky to have Eva teaching 6 classes at our 2014 Virginia Beach Art & Soul Retreat — taking place this September 29 - October 5! The projects she has in store for you are pretty amazing. With her thoughtful instruction, she'll take you through from beginning to end as you create a piece of jewelry with unique techniques that will give your piece that wow factor! Check out what she has lined up...

VA154 Cool Copper Cuffs 101 - Mon. Eve - Sept. 29  

 VA152 Fold Forming 101 - Tues. Morning - Sept. 30 

 VA153 Rosette Cuff & Bangle - Tues. Afternoon - Sept. 30

 VA156 Cool Copper Cuffs 102 - Tues. Eve - Sept. 30    

 VA155 Eye of the Storm - Weds. Morning - Oct. 1  

VA157 The Margarita Cuff - Weds. Eve  - Oct. 1

 
And if that weren't enough, Eva will also be teaching 6 classes at our 2015 Portland Art & Soul Retreat! Her organic style and clever techniques will have you gasping at your very own creations by the end of class. So check out her workshops and sign up today! You won't be disappointed.

For more information on Art & Soul's Mixed Media Retreats, visit us at artandsoulretreat.com.

TAP Into Your Creativity With Lesley Riley!

Lesley Riley is a longtime instructor at Art & Soul and she'll be teaching some fabulous classes at our Virginia retreat this year! She is best known for her Fragment series of small fabric collages. She's an internationally known art quilter and mixed media artist with a passion for image, color and the written word, teaching workshops in the US and internationally. Her art and articles have appeared in numerous books and publications worldwide and national juried shows. A former editor for Cloth Paper Scissors magazine and the current host of Art & Soul Radio, Lesley is the author of 4 books and 3 DVDs that focus on combining fabric, image and text with innovative materials and ideas. Her TAP – Transfer Artist Paper™ - won the Most Innovative New Product award at the 2011 Craft and Hobby Association show. Lesley currently focuses her skills and attention on Artist Success, a company she created to help artists reach their full potential and personal success.

The lovely and talented Lesley Riley will be teaching 3 workshops at our Virginia Art & Soul this upcoming October, take a look at the mixed-media goodness she's offering up...



TAP Into Gelli Printing on Wood - Friday Oct. 3, 2014
Yup! Gelli Printing is all the rage... and in Lesley's innovative workshop, you'll learn how to do it on wood and fabric, as well as some pretty cool techniques with image transfers on her award winning TAP paper! Emphasis will be placed on developing contrast through color, size, pattern and space. You’ll learn how to coordinate without being all matchy-matchy and how to add that bit of pop that makes your work sing.

Window to the Soul - Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014
Shakespeare told us, “The eyes are the window to the soul.” If you could miraculously look through the window to your soul, what would you see? Spend a day discovering the beauty, magic and wonder that lies within. In this class you'll create a unique diptych comprised of stretched canvasses joined with a button hinge – as simple or as elaborate as your soul guides you to create.

TAP That Journal! - Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014
Print, TAP, TAP, print, cover, bind, write, glue, stencil, stamp, TAP, TAP, TAP, create. That’s what we’ll be doing in this wonderful journal class with Lesley's Transfer Artist Paper™. Whether you’re the constant journaler or new to the practice, this is the class for you. No experience in anything is necessary! If you already love your journal pages, you’ll love adding TAP to the mix. If you’re afraid to begin, TAP will have you dancing on the pages.

For more information and to register for Art & Soul's Virginia Beach event, visit our website, artandsoulretreat.com!

Register Now For Art & Soul Virginia... Don't Miss Out!

Tory Brokenshire's Clay & Wire Raven workshop

Registration for our Virginia Beach Art & Soul Retreat is nearing it's close. Well, it kinda already has closed (our deadline was August 1st)... but we wanted to give you one more opportunity to sign up so that you don't miss out! We know you've been busy with your summertime activities and we decided to extend our registration until August 25th! So, if you were going to sign up for this amazing bayside retreat... now is the time!

Margaret Aden's Fossilized Shell Cuff class

As many of you know, several of our classes are available for registration up to and during the actual event. However, most of our instructors need time to order supplies for class and they'll need to know how many people are attending, so they can gather the right amount of goodies for each workshop attendee. This is why we close registration a couple months before the actual retreat takes place.

Kari McNight's Frumpy to Fantasy workshop

At Art & Soul Virginia, you'll stay on the sandy shores of the Chesapeake Bay, enjoying classes all day (and night) as well as a leisurely stroll on the beach in-between. Every room has a view of the water and the serenity combined with the creativity of our event is something you do not want to miss!

The view from the hotel

Art & Soul Virginia 2014

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

September 29 - October 5

For more information and registration, you can visit our website www.artandsoulretreat.com or if you have any questions, you can contact me directly at glenny@artandsoulretreat.com.

See you there!
Glenny

Woot! Woot! Next Stop... Virginia!

Yeah, yeah... I know. Most trains go Toot! Toot! But this year at Art & Soul, we're aboard the Orient Express... a clever and creative locomotive, heading right for your favorite mixed media workshops! Our theme for this year, Orient Express is a great analogy for our events... with so many exotic workshops to offer, over a week's worth of time... you'll be on the fast train to uplifting your creative spirit like you took an artistic vacation. Woot! Woot!

And the next stop on this amazing journey is our Virginia Beach Event. Filled with such a variety of classes in all types of categories, you won't want to miss this Art & Soul in October. Here's just a sampling of what we have to offer this year (and a special offer at the end of this article)! Check it out...

Julie Haymaker Thompson's whimsical approach to jewelry makes this Full Metal Jacket workshop fun and easy. Using cold-connection techniques and tons of layering, these beautiful baubles will adorn you by the end of class!

Okay, seriously? This looks like something you can find in a high end interior decorator's store. But Tory Brokenshire can teach you how to Light Up Your Life all on your own, from wire form to finished lamp! How cool is that?

We've altered everything else at Art & Soul, so why not your jeans? Sandy Lupton helps you do the Hippy Hippy Shake as you alter and embellish your favorite comfy blues. The results are pretty adorable.

Do you Zentangle? Well if you have, you know... but if you haven't and you try it, you'll never ever stop! But how could you with such gorgeous results as these. Join Suzanne McNeill as she kicks it up a notch with color, not to mention some style and pizazz!

Are you a queen? Yes you are! So you totally need to make this stunning French Beaded Crown with A Gilded Life's girls Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murray. And you don't even have to bring a thing to their class! Now that's being treated like royalty.

Cathy Taylor takes you where very few have gone before... inside your electronic devices! Why? Well, it's for the purpose of repurposing circuit boards to create whimsical collages. Don't worry, your brain won't Short Circuit in this workshop, as Cathy is the most patient of teachers.

Get whisked away to a magical forest in Judy Porter's Woodland Whimsies workshop, as you learn to sculpt your own fairy, elf or troll in polymer clay. A fun and unique class that will surely appeal to your fantasy fetishes.

And there's really so much more that we have to offer this year. When I was reviewing all our workshops for this post, it was so hard to choose which ones to showcase. We've got amazingly talented instructors, with stunning projects and techniques to teach you.

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

September 29 - October 5, 2014

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

Virginia Beach, VA

So check out our classes today. And, if you register before May 31st, you'll get 10% off all workshops. Simply use the code SPRING VA for your special discount! For more information on workshops, you can browse our website by workshop instructors, individual classes, or even by project photos. So grab a cup of your favorite beverage and have a look around.

Portland Art & Soul... So Amazing You Could Just Feel the Creativity!

Wow! What an event! I'm already missing each of you and the wonderful week we had in Portland. Thanks to everyone for joining us in our creative playground. This mixed media journey continues to touch lives and we are beyond thrilled!

Now... typically I wrap up an event by featuring photos of our enthusiastic and talented teachers.

I talk about their professional experience and how they love to share their knowledge, one-on-one with students in their workshops.

And then I mention the amazing people who come to Art & Soul for the purpose of expanding their creative horizons.

I brag about the breathtaking art they have created here, and confess that is one of my favorite aspects of these events.

And perhaps I chat a bit about our amazing Vendor Extravaganza and the gorgeous finished work, bits and baubles, ephemera, supplies and brick-a-brack that our teachers and other vendors have for your purchasing pleasure!

But this time I wanted to share a different aspect of Art & Soul with you. The side that makes people love this genre called "mixed media". It's the yummy textures and colors and eye candy that makes up every aspect of every project that gets created at our events. It's the stuff. The stuff you make. The stuff you use to make stuff. It's stuff you made that you use to make other stuff. Like a kid in a creative candy store... one of each, please!

All the different techniques and surfaces you get to use in workshops... well, they just make me swoon. Everything you do involves all the senses, and that's part of the appeal. And using found or everyday objects for mark-making, well... 'nuff said.

Getting to use natural materials in a creative way is such an amazingly tactile experience. Learning to manipulate Mother Nature into a piece of art. How many times do you get to say that?

Papers, papers, papers and more papers. Look at those beautiful layers of color and texture. Yum!

And, like I said... even the stuff you use to make stuff looks appealing when it's all bunched together on your art table...

Who loves fabric, raise your hand! Meeeeee!

And for those who have Shiny Object Syndrome, classes that feature metalworking are the icing on the cake. Or the hammer on the metal. All those bits and baubles. I just want to run my hands over them!

No matter which way you look at Art & Soul, it's an amazing journey, with adventurous souls, tons of creativity, lots of laughs, and a time you'll never forget. I thank you all... from the hotel and staff, the attendees, my helpers, and everyone who makes it possible for me to bring in-person inspiration to the masses! Pinch me, I must be dreaming...

Glenny
xoxo