Virginia Beach... Registration is Now Open!

Make a Soldered Charm Palooza bracelet with Lynne Suprock.

Wow! Our Virginia Beach Art & Soul workshops are finally up and registration for our event is now open... and have we got some amazing things in store for you! We've got talented new instructors, along with our Art & Soul alumni, and even some returning favorites! We have lots of unique new projects, in every mixed media category you can think of...

Roben-Marie Smith and her Snippets Wax Canvas Trio

Drawing, painting, collage, assemblage, jewelry, fabric and fiber, wax, bookmaking, journaling, and so much more! We have an Opening Night Party where you can mix and mingle with fellow attendees and meet your instructors. We've got a pop-up shopping event we like to call our Vendor Extravaganza... where you can buy all kinds of unique mixed media supplies and original art from our instructors. And let's not forget our On-Site Store that's open all week long, with tons of supplies you'll absolutely need to add to your arsenal of goodies! And then there's just the heartfelt camaraderie that comes with creative play at an in-person retreat with your tribe. It's pretty awesome!

Let's Face It! We're so excited to welcome Cat Kerr to our lineup.

Our workshops just went live and we have a very special Pre-Registration Discount for you! If you sign up by February 1st, you'll receive 10% off all of your class fees if they total $250 or more, and are paid in full when you register. Simply enter code VA18 for your Early Bird savings! So be sure and take advantage of this special discount, and get in on your favorite classes before they fill up.

Anni Schwabe's Mindful Offerings workshop.

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

October 1-6, 2018

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

Visit our website to 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 playcation you deserve, amidst like-minded creative souls. You'll make some amazing art and friendships too.

Virginia Beach... Faces, Flowers, Fire, Fingers, Friendships & So Much More!

Let's face it... the Virginia Beach Art & Soul event is always an amazing time in a breathtaking location with lots of happy, adventurous, artistic souls!

This retreat is flowered with all different kinds of folk, of all ages, from all walks of life, who love taking time out of their busy lives to treat themselves to some well-deserved play time.

I mean, really... our attendees are full of fire! It takes a certain type of soul to know how important it is to keep learning and growing by adding new, creative experiences to their lives. Okay, I'm getting choked up now...

Because to get to be the purveyor of such things makes me feel all warm and gooey inside. Like this lovely enamel pendant must've felt as it was being forged in Jean Van Brederode's workshop. But seriously, in this day and age, to be able to bring people together in common interest and that interest is treating themselves to a good time... well, I'm so very lucky. It touches me to my very core.

Like Neil Diamond sings... Hands, touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you! That describes what we do here at Art & Soul. Many hands together make up what we do, from our staff, the planning of it all, the execution, the hotel personnel, the students, the teachers... everybody! We all have a hand in creating this marvelous event, where we use our hands to make things... even rings to put on our fingers.

And the friendships forged at our events, well I can't even begin to tell you how many have been started at this very location. Because when you gather these kind of artistic souls together, it just can't be helped. And these friendships last a lifetime.

So whether you like to get your hands dirty, or keep them clean... we had workshops for that. Fun with fabric, playing with clay, drawing from scratch, molding, folding, sewing, gluing... so much for your hands to do!

There aren't too many in-person retreats left that allow you to show up with real live teachers, in real live classrooms (with lots of plastic covering the floors, LOL), inside a gorgeous hotel, with a view of the beach, and I'm just so ecstatic that Art & Soul is still a part of that movement. Maybe we can move more people out from behind their computers and get back into the real world, huh?

At Virginia Beach, there's always magic that happens. It's in the air! Maybe it's the salt air, which gently blows through the sliding glass doors of our oceanfront rooms? But in addition to our own event, this time we were witness to all kinds of enchantment...

Like the beach wedding that took place right outside our hotel on the sandy shores of the Chesapeake Bay!

Or the multitudes of frolicking dolphins we encountered swimming our way!

And although sometimes the ones we leave at home may get a little mopey... while we get to play and have fun... it's all worth the time we invest in ourselves. Don't you agree?!

So from the bottom of my heArt, thank you all for such a wonderful retreat! I look forward to seeing you next year!

Hugs,
Glenny
xoxo

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

Arndt We Lucky!

We're so excited that we've finally convinced one of our favorite Art & Soul instructors — Doris Arndt — to travel all the way from Washington state to teach at our Virginia Beach location!

 

Known for her whimsical style, Doris has shared her love of books and other media throughout the country, teaching workshops for over 15 years.   Her non-traditional approach and innovative bindings have earned her loyal student followings. Her work has been seen in The Studio, Somerset Studio, The Rubber Stamper, Rubberstampmadness and in several books as well as on the Carol Duvall show and at shows nationwide.   

Take a look at the workshops Doris will be offering at Art & Soul Virginia Beach in 2014. Pretty darn cool if you ask me!

Memory Keeper Journal - this workshop is jam packed full of information and ideas! You'll get to re-purpose and gut a used book, replacing the inside with your own pages... learn to age fabric for the cover... make pages that fold out with unique add-ons and enclosures... and so much more! This journal will truly be a reflection of you.

Brown Bag It Baby - you'll create magic with simple brown bags in this playful workshop. Through the alchemy of paint, text and imagery, the bags are transformed with metallic hues, enhanced with re-purposed encyclopedia pages and images into decorative pages that unfold to reveal pockets. Embellished covers and a no sew accordion spine make this a unique journal.

Can Do Journal - in this class, you'll take aluminum cans to a whole new level! Learn to cut and weave metal and create a totally new look. With its simple techniques and sublime results, you'll definitely want to take this class... I know you can do it!

The World Traveler Book - this book is the perfect companion on your personal safari. A tome fit to hold your scribbles, doodles and ephemera from your travels. The World Traveler Book combines variations of the secret Belgium binding and an over-the-cord binding to create a totally unique spine. 

Mask Pins of the Orient - in keeping with our theme for next year — On The Orient Express — Doris is showing you how to make these mask pins of the Orient. Bright and bold or in more natural colors, these masks are conversation pieces. Easily created with a few supplies and simple techniques, they will charm you with their versatility. Fun and funky they can dress up any outfit. Use them as a pin or fashion a unique pendant.

So, thanks a bunch Doris, for deciding to join us at this relaxing bayside retreat in 2014. I know our students will be so happy you've joined us on the east coast!

For more information on Art & Soul Virginia Beach — September 30 through October 5, 2014 — visit our website.

Heads Up! Virginia Beach Classes Are Online!

Heads Up! workshop with Deborah Petrino

On the heels of a fabulous Portland event, we are so excited to present the Art & Soul line-up for Virginia Beach 2014! There are dozens and dozens of unique classes to choose from in all your favorite mixed media categories. So check out our lineup for this amazing event! But don't delay...

Registration begins today, Friday, Oct 11, at noon Pacific time! You'll want to be sure and sign up for your favorite classes before they get filled. If you're a veteran Art & Soul'er... you remember those days (back before better technology) when we'd crash the server the minute registration went live! Whew, thank goodness for bigger, better website servers.

And... if you register between Oct 11 and Dec 15, 2013, classes will be reduced to $135 and reg fee is $40.  After Dec 15, classes will be $145 and the reg fee will be $50.  So don't hesitate — sign up today!

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

September 29 - October 5, 2014

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

Virginia Beach, VA

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.

Art & Soul... Dates for 2014!

Well, folks... after two amazing events in a row — a first time retreat in our new Kansas City location and a bayside creative respite in our Virginia Beach location — I've finally been able to hash out dates for our 2014 Art & Soul Retreats. We're changing things up a bit this year... not only to avoid overlapping with many of the new retreats out there, but also so that we can bring you the best rates possible at each of the venues. So mark your calendars and start dreaming up what types of classes you'd like to take!

And, if you are an instructor of the mixed-media kind and would like to teach at our retreats, send us your workshop proposals by June 15th!

Here we go!!!

Kansas City, MO
The Elms Hotel
March 20-23, 2014

Portland, OR
Red Lion on the River
April 9-13, 2014

Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach Resort Hotel
October 1-5, 2014

Can't wait for another exciting year with all of you!

Hugs,
Glenny

Virginia Beach... Things to Bring & Lots of Shopping!

Well, kiddos... it's almost here! Virginia Beach Art & Soul kicks off tomorrow and we've got so many wonderful workshops, exciting events and good times planned for you.

So to get you all excited about your creative adventure, we thought we'd share a couple things with you that we get asked a lot....

First, "what should I bring in my 'Basic Supply Kit'?" is one of our topmost questions. We consider this like your creative purse... of sorts. Stuff you'll probably need or that you wish you had on hand — in a pinch — while you're here. So, on the right here... is what we think are the top items you might need in your magic bag! So, in addition to your specific workshop supplies, you may want to bring along some of these popular items.

That covers Things to Bring. Now didn't I mention Lots of Shopping? Oh yeah! Our attendees are always asking, " What can I find at the on-site store? And when are they open?"

As always, Judy Gula and her fabulous Artistic Artifacts store have set up shop (pun intended) at our retreat as our exclusive On-Site Store! We love Judy for her tireless dedication to our creative adventurers, and of course for her awesome selection of hand dyed vintage linens & trims, coins, keys, beads, buttons, charms, metal, paper & fiber collage kits, vintage and new game pieces, surface design supplies, embellishments, craft tools and supplies, books, magazines inks, paints, rubber stamps and sooooo much more. So if you forget something, need something, or just have to have something... she's got it! And she'll even have a space set up to try out some of the latest and greatest products... so you'll know that you have to have them!!

The Artistic Artifacts on-site store hours 

(same as the Art & Soul Office hours) will be:

Tuesday, April 23 — 3:00pm - 6pm

Wednesday - Friday, April 24 - 26 — 7:30am - 6pm

Saturday, April 27 — 7:30am - 5pm

Sunday, April 28 — 8am - 2pm

And then there's our Vendor Night Extravaganza!! "What time should I be there and who is vending?" We'll have a giant room full of vendors — which includes many of our very own instructors — offering original artwork, antique objects, fabrics, jewelry notions, collage items, assemblage and mixed media components, art supplies, vintage everything and more! Something for everyone. The vendor event is free to registered attendees and is open to the public for a fee of $10 at the door. A no-host bar will also be available to enhance your evening... and loosen your purse strings, LOL!

Here's a list of people and businesses you'll be able to shop on 

Saturday Evening from 6pm - 9pm!

Workshop Teachers:

• Sally Jean
• Catherine Anderson
• Serena barton
• Clarissa Callissen
• Jen Crossley
• Doreen Kassel
• Erin Keck
• Kari McKnight
• Lynn Suprock - Simlpy Pretty Things
• Cheryl Strait
• Jean VanBrederode
• Sandra Wilson
• Kim St Jean
• Stephanie Rubiano

 

Outside Vendors:

• Renewed Interest- Nancy Clark
• Collage Closet
• Found Objects
• Havana Banana
• Paper Gems
• Rusty & Crusty
• Vintage Rescue Squad
• Soulie Sandras - Sandra Koterba  
• and maybe a few surprises!

So save a little money and leave a little extra space in your luggage and we'll see you there!

Springtime Brings... Happy Harpies!

It's Springtime, yayyy! So I want you to stretch your arms way up in the air like a tree and then I want you to stretch your imagination and think.... Harpy! Why? Because our amazingly creative workshop instructor Clarissa Callesen will be teaching  Happy Harpies in just a few weeks at Art and Soul in Virginia Beach ...and there are still spots left in the class!!  Come play and make your very own Harpy — or maybe we should start calling them Bird Goddesses. Take a look at what her class is all about. Take it away Clarissa....

I seem to be kind of obsessed with the image of a woman’s face on a bird body or a Harpy.  But Mythologically speaking or in modern slang, the Harpy’s reputation is not a pretty one.

HARPY
–noun, plural -pies.
1. Classical Mythology. a ravenous, filthy monster having a woman's head and a bird's body.
2. (lowercase) a scolding, nagging, bad-tempered woman; shrew.
3. (lowercase) a greedy, predatory person.

However in earlier Greek mythology, Harpies were described as beautiful, winged  maidens. So what happened? I have some feminist theories about what happen, but alas this blog is actually about art. I have been making lots of Harpies lately and it has been an image that has been in my sketch books for years.
 

No matter what materials you start with, these magical creatures always end up with very distinct personalities. One of the many reasons I love creating them! 

 Assemblage Harpy made with a porcelain doll head on a fake crow body, made this past Spring.  

This one's made from a vintage composite doll head with eyes that blink,
on a tacky Christmas bird decoration  

A slightly scarier Harpy made of a composite Virgin Mary head,
with wings made out of gut stretched over wire. 
  

  And my Geisha Harpy made from a doll head that I had from my childhood.

Wow! Thanks, Clarissa! Pretty cool stuff, huh? My mind has taken flight, thinking of all the wonderful objects I can repurpose into a fascinating bird assemblage! So be sure and check out Clarissa's Happy Harpies workshop, as well as the other amazing classes she'll be teaching at Virginia Beach Art & Soul... and then sign up to play! Hurry... the deadline for registration is April 22nd, and this event takes place April 24th-28th! Tweet! Tweet! 

Virginia Beach... What a View!

Okay... so I don't mean to brag (okay, I really do!), but this is the view from my balcony at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel.... the new venue for Art & Soul Retreat, VA! This morning's breakfast was really good. The classrooms are comfortably roomy and very nice. The weather is supposed to be in the 70s!  And there's lots of shopping within walking distance from the hotel. (Ahhhh... taking a moment to breathe in this delightful sea air). What a fabulous place to call "home" for the next week! Can't wait to see you all!

~Glenny xoxo

Are You Ready for a Playcation!

If you've ever been to Virginia, driven through, or seen their tourism commercials on TV, you know that Virginia is for Lovers® is their slogan. Well, we've made a few adjustments and we're gonna start our own campaign because when it comes to Mixed Media... Virginia Art & Soul is the place to be. And when you think about it, coming to our retreat is kind of like being on vacation, but you can leave your troubles, your husbands (or wives), the kids, the dirty dishes and laundry at home... and PLAY! So we're going to call it a "Playcation". And taking into consideration that we have a new location in Virginia Beach, well... could you really ask for anything more?

And can you believe how fast Virginia Art & Soul is sneaking up on us? I mean... it's a little over a week away! ONE WEEK! Have you packed yet? Picked up or ordered all your supplies? Are you just going to wing it? Are you bringing trades? Your favorite apron? Your lucky travel shirt? So much to plan, but in such an exciting way. Who doesn't love to get into the details when you know you're going to have a great time.... rain or shine! Playcation here we come!

So to wrap it all up... we're excited that Virginia Art & Soul is right around the corner. We're excited that you're coming. We're excited that you're excited. And we hope you're counting down the days too! Woohoo!

If you haven't yet signed up for Art & Soul Virginia, March 1-6. There's a fantastic array of classes that still have room, and you can take as many or as few as you like! And let's not forget about Las Vegas Art & Soul! Right around the corner too, taking place June 14-18, 2012. And I'm telling you, this year has some of the most incredible teachers and workshops we've had to offer yet. It's really very exciting! For more information or to register for any of our retreats, visit us at www.artandsoulretreat.com today.

2 Exciting Giveaways for Virginia Art & Soul!

Just wanted to share with you that we have a couple of exciting giveaways for the Virginia Beach Retreat....

fabulous journal from Liz Kettle

 
First... more than a dozen instructors are donating pieces of their art, published books, hand made jewelry and more for a special raffle!  Upon your arrival, as you check in, you will  receive a raffle ticket for EACH class you're taking. Each day, pieces of the art will be selected and tickets drawn - all you have to do is check the board to see if you're a winner! Check out some additional original art prizes here. Special thanks to all our instructors who are donating these fabulous items... Cathy Taylor, Erin Keck, Kari McKnight, Lesley Riley, Jen Crossley, Christine Atkins, Sara Naumann, Cheryl Straight, Jenni Horne, Jean VanBrederode, Liz Kettle, Annie Lockhart, Julie Haymaker and Magdalena Muldoon!

 

gorgeous mini metal journal necklace by Lynne Suprock

 
Our second way to win? Convince 2 creative friends to join you at Art & Soul Virginia and you'll be put into a drawing to win a free class! Email the names of your friends to me to be entered into the drawing.
 
What a great way to start off the new year! Don't miss this incredible opportunity to win an original piece of art!  And by introducing two new friends to the empowering experience of Art & Soul, you could receive an extra day with a fabulous class!!  What could be better?

See you soon.

Art & Soul... Over a Decade!

Did you know that Art & Soul has been around since 1999? Beginning as smaller, more intimate weekend events on the Oregon coast, Art & Soul has grown into annual events in multiple locations throughout the United States. Our now week-long retreats have been going strong year-after-year, with many people attending all the events around the country!

The mastermind behind Art & Soul’s dynamic retreats, Glenny Densem-Moir is no stranger to event planning. More than 20 years of weddings, anniversaries, bar and bat mitzvah’s, themed parties and festivals kept her busy, busy, busy. During that time, Glenny sought an outlet for her artistic endeavors and discovered a few small venues for creative learning. When she realized that she could take her passion for creativity and education, and create a large-scale venue for mixed media… Art & Soul Retreats was born!

Glenny has a knack for selecting the most popular instructors as well as discovering up-and-coming artists and art trends that attendees find interesting. In fact, many of the top mixed media artists of today got their start with Art & Soul Retreats. Besides the delight in running such an event, Glenny loves to watch the attendees push beyond their comfort zone and create something magnificent. The smiles on their faces as they walk from their workshops — projects held high — is all Glenny needs to reassure her that she’s on the right path. Her commitment to excellence has made Art & Soul the premier mixed media retreat in the country.

So when did you first attend Art & Soul? We'd love to hear your stories!