Last Chance for Virginia Early Bird Pricing!

Carol Spohn's workshop, Baby It's Cold Outside

The early bird catches the best classes at Art & Soul retreats! Isn't that how the saying goes? Well this mama bird sure would love it if you joined us this fall for our Mixed Media Retreat in Virginia Beach, and got to take advantage of our special Early Bird pricing. 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.

Sculpt blackbirds, ravens and crows with Leslie Blackford

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.

Susan Rossiter's class, Chicken Painting for the Soul

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, contests and gatherings throughout the week. We've got an on-site store that'll knock your socks off, 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!

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.

One Week Left... to Save on Portland 2016 Classes!

Just wanted to pop by and let you know that there's only one week left to take advantage of our Early Bird Special for 2016 Portland Art & Soul! As a sweet summer treat, we kicked off registration with an awesome sale!! If you sign up during this early bird special, Event Registration will be $35 (instead of $50) and all Full Day Classes will be $135 (instead of $150)! And I wanted to remind you that July 31st is the last day to get these special savings, so take advantage of this discount offer to make sure you get the classes and teachers that you wanted!

So check out the incredible lineup of classes we have in store for Portland 2016! With all types of mixed media disciplines like collage, assemblage, journaling, bookmaking, painting, sculpting, fabric and fiber arts, digital manipulation, jewelry and so much more... we have something for everyone!

Art & Soul Portland 2016

February 29th - March 6th

Register Here!

Don't delay! Sign up today! The last day to save with our Early Bird Special is July 31st!

Award Winning Instructor at Art & Soul!

Meet Judy Porter! She's our newest instructor, a Diamond Award Industry Choice Winner... and she's teaching at Art & Soul Virginia Beach this Fall, as well as our Kansas City and Portland venues next Spring.

Judy lives out in the sticks with cows, several barn cats, a big farm dog name Barkley and a little art mascot PomPoo named Doodles. Oh and a wonderful hubby of 32 years. He won't like being mentioned after the dogs.

For 28 years she has worked professionally as a caricature artist. Eight years ago she took her portrait, caricature work into 3D  polymer clay doing commissioned work — ball jointed dolls.  Her work has been published in several trade magazines, one book, plus she was commissioned for a 50 doll exclusive for a doll convention.

She continues to do event caricatures for several entertainment agencies along with her  doll sculpting. Judy says.. "My love for all things art began in my earliest memories and continues to be happiest moments. Nothing gives me more joy than to bring someone happiness through art."

Her doll Annie, (pictured above) just won the prestigious Diamond Award Industry Choice Winner. The doll is a 17 inch ball jointed doll sculpted by the artist in polymer clay then cast in resin.  Awards are presented by Dolls Magazine judged by professionals in the doll industry.  Each joint is sculpted to create a doll with 16 points of articulation.  Congratulations Judy.  We are so proud of what you have accomplished.

You have an incredible opportunity to take a class from this very talented artist.  Join Judy at any one of our three events.  Her classes include a kit that has EVERYTHING you need.  What could be better??!!  The only thing you'll need to bring is your imagination!

Woodland Whimsies

Judy Porter

Virginia Beach, VA workshop

Portland, OR workshops

Kansas City, MO workshop

Sculpt your own fairy, elf or troll in polymer clay. Learn to sculpt the head, hands and feet , attach it to a wire armature to make your little creature pose in several ways. The body is needle sculpted adding torn fabric, steampunk or other embellishments. You'll use glass eyes to give your little creature it's life like sparkle. There will be lots of goodies provided to make your little forest fantasy creature unique.

These are great little creatures to find in your inside greenery, shadow boxes or just hanging around in your kitchen window. Sit one in a doll chair, hang one from a curtain or build a little forest scene shadow box. Smiles are guaranteed!

For more information and to register for Art & Soul visit our website. We hope to see you there in-person!

Art & Soul Kansas City 2015... Online & Open For Registration!

The Wheelers - Julie Haymaker Thompson

Oh my gosh — we have the most incredible line-up of classes for next year in Kansas City! I am excited and thrilled to be able to offer such a stellar group of instructors to our amazing attendees. So, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and prepare to be overjoyed as you scroll through the website.

The Ghost of Room 425 - Jean VanBrederode

 
Register NOW and Save $$$
Some of these classes are going to sell out early — just like in the old days. So don't wait too long to make a choice. And to make things even more appealing, we are offering a 10% discount off of the class fees until August 1, 2014. Yup! Rolling Back again to give you the best opportunity to lock in your favorite class. Remember, you do not have to pay in full at this time — only 1/3 of your total is due at registration. Our handy dandy payment plan makes selecting your classes a breeze. Type in the code: KC15 at check out.

The Shoe Cobbler's Journal - Erin Keck

Its All About Form & Texture
This event is featuring some new exciting 3D classes. All different techniques from using clay to plastics. Clocks to jewelry. The choices are fantastic. Our instructors have gone beyond "the norm" designing these for your pleasure.

Painting Papers for Whatever - Suzi Dennis

Paper, Paint, Paper, Paint
We are pleased to have several different artists joining us with varied approaches and techniques to offer with paints, paper and other substrates. Imagine taking one of each class from instructors in all of those disciplines. Just think what you could learn!

Want to find out more on our classes for Art & Soul Kansas City, MO 2015? Well then, check out our website! We've got our workshops set up several different ways for easy browsing by days of the week, by instructor, and by workshop examples! Our lodging rate is $125 and includes breakfast. So make your reservations EARLY. We will fill up!

Art & Soul Kansas City 2015

April 27th - May 1st

The Elms Hotel & Spa

Excelsior Springs, MO

Happy browsing!

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.

Virginia Beach... An "Event-ful" Trip!

Well, folks... we had another great event at Art & Soul Virginia Beach this year! Just as we wrapped up our Kansas City event, it was practically time to start packing for this trip! And what a great time it was. I mean... look at the view from the hotel balcony! And the weather was very cooperative this year. Hooray!

The opening night party put on by The Bead Goes On was a great icebreaker for the event. Everyone showed up in their safari best and enjoyed themed food, jungle decor, and wonderful goodies from our sponsor. It was a great way to relax, meet other students and teachers, as well as have a little fun before the creative classes began.

Did I mention having a little fun? Well... um... yeah. We did. And Marie is always there to rescue me if I've been "hanging around" for too long! Gotta get a good night's sleep so I'm well rested for the official opening day!

So here I am in the "office"... our little makeshift area where we check you in for your classes. And  there's a lot less of me than there was last year... after all the weight I've lost. Yay me!

This venue seems to bring out the best in everyone. The bayside waves lapping at our doorsteps and the smell of salt in the air just remind you to slow down and enjoy the moment. And that's really what Art & Soul is all about... being in the moment. Enjoying the journey. Soaking up new ideas and techniques like a sea sponge! It's easy to do here. Just look at the results!

Whether you were waxing poetic in Serena Barton's class or...

...waxing collaged houses in Stephanie Rubiano's workshop, the sweet smell of beeswax had everyone abuzz!

Lots of time? How about trying your hand at a Steampunk clock, like Sheila, who came all the way from Key West, Florida to stretch her creativity!

How about jewelry making with a bang? Lynne Suprock showed her students how to use shotgun shells to create these "charming" rings!

And speaking of charming... isn't this Chandelier from Sally Jean Alexander's Mini Ella class just divine? The photo is a little out of focus but this student's work wasn't. How fabulous! Absolutely gorgeous!

And boy, do we treat our babies well at Art & Soul! They're all bottle fed around here. Whoops! Wait a minute... is that a heat gun? Of course it is. These vintage dolls are getting an upcycling in Clarissa Callesen's Steampunk Sally workshop.

Got mold? No, not that kind... the good kind! Molds you can use over and over and over and over again after you create tons of them in Ty and Marcia Schultz' class. The wheels are turning just thinking about all the ways I could use them!

Shhhhhh. Quiet. Sometimes what you hear when you walk into a classroom here is nothing. Not a peep. And that, my friends is the sound of creative concentration. (whispering...) Can you hear it?

Oh, what shall I do next? Where shall I go from here? So many possibilities! So much fun in Mindy Lacefield's Journal Play class. Mindy puts the wheeee in whimsical!

And there was some Delectable Doodling going on in Kari McKnight's class! Just look at that juicy journal fodder. Yum!

And painting...

And clay figure making...

And of course vendor night is always a fun frenzy! Shopping for vintage bits and baubles as well as finished artwork from several of our very own instructors is a magical time for us mixed media mavens. I know I go around at least 3 or 4 times... just to make sure I didn't miss anything!

We also had a rockin' on-site store thanks to Judy Gula and Artistic Artifacts. Fun demos from Ken with Spellbinders... we even snuck in a late night pajama party! Wow! So thanks again to everyone... the gracious hotel staff, my right hand chicks, the teachers, the attendees, and everyone else who made this such a spectacular time. Until Portland...

Hugs,
Glenny