Virginia Teacher Spotlight: Lisa Chin

We're so happy to have Lisa Chin as a member of our Art & Soul Virginia Beach family! Lisa has been an artist and maker — of one kind or another — for her entire life. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Art from the University of Utah and has explored many art forms through both formal training and self-taught opportunities. After being introduced to fabric dyeing in 2005, she quickly became obsessed with surface design and discovered a multitude of fun and interesting ways to accomplish her visions. And at Virginia Beach, she's going to show you how to bump up your game when it comes to custom mark-making on surfaces! Take a look at what she has to offer this October...

Basic Stamp Carving
In this Monday evening workshop, you'll learn the secrets of stamp carving, which will allow you to create one of kind stamps for use in all of your paper and fabric art. Knowing how to carve your own stamps is a skill you'll be able to use forever. There is nothing better than being able to use your own images in your artwork again and again!

Hand Carving Repeat Patterns
Motifs arranged in a regular pattern are often used as a background, filler, or the main focus in our art, collage and other mixed media projects. In this full day class, you'll take your stamp carving to the next level by learning to draw and then carve a repeat pattern stamp to be used on paper, fabric or clay. Lisa will guide you through all the nuances of making your patterns look consistent for absolutely stunning results.

Mixed Media Travel Dumpling
For those who have sewing experience, in this all-day workshop you'll create a mixed media travel dumpling (is that just not the cutest and most appropriate name for this kind of mini travel bag?!). You'll start by collaging your favorite paper ephemera using stamps, stencils, paint and markers to create a lovely piece of "fabric". Then you'll sew your collages to create your very own dumpling. The finished bag will be a one-of-a-kind mixed media masterpiece and it's the perfect size to store your miscellaneous art supplies, or any other small items you need to corral on your travels. So adore-able!

 
SunLess Printing
Creating sun printed fabric is an easy and beautiful surface design technique, but has it’s limits. In this Thursday evening workshop, Lisa will show you an easy way to “sun print” in any type of weather, and at any time of day. The results are just as fabulous, and you'll gain one more rainy day activity!

So, as you can see, Lisa has some great workshops to offer at this year's Virginia Beach event. What I love about the classes she's offering is that for every single one of them, not only can you use what you've made over and over in your artwork, but you can take what you've learned to create an unlimited array of mark-making tools for yourself. The possibilities are endless! And that's what we love about our Art & Soul workshops... they're not just a one time thing. You can take this knowlege home with you and take your art to the next level. So, go ahead and check out Lisa's classes... and for more information about our Virginia Beach retreat, visit our website...

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

October 1-6, 2018

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel  

 
Lisa has been a guest on Quilting Arts TV, taught classes on Craft University, had her art published in several books and written many articles for magazines such as Quilting Arts and Modern Patchwork.

Virginia Teacher Spotlight: Libby Williamson

Growing up with creative, artsy parents, Libby Williamson’s childhood was a world of fabric scraps and yarn, pins and needles, paint, Elmer’s Glue, and a whole lot of Scotch Tape. At any given time, there was always needlework projects in the works, time spent fashioning doll clothes from remnants, embroidering on anything that could hold a stitch, and learning the art of patchwork quilting. As an art major in college, Libby focused on printmaking but still found time for knitting and fiber arts. Her printmaking background led to a passion in surface design on fabric, which is reflected in her current work. She is a proud hoarder of all things “fiber” and thrives in a world of stitch and sew.

What that means for us is that Libby is one diversely creative soul, with a unique mix of classes to offer our Virginia attendees this year. Having such an inventive childhood, combined with formal training in the arts, she is constantly thinking outside the box, which you can see by what she's planning to teach at our Virginia Beach Art & Soul Retreat this fall. Check it out!

Paint-Collage-Stitch-Magic
In this full day class of Libby's you'll explore a variety of painting techniques as you create a stash of luscious papers that are enhanced with delightful textures and patterns. You'll work on unique substrates such as... deli food wrap, vintage ledger pages, old maps, phone book sheets, and a wide selection of paper ephemera, altering them with gelatin plate printing, stamping and stenciling. Then you'll use your custom papers to create collages onto fabric. You'll get to enhance those magical images and bring them to life with the addition of free-motion machine sewing. Your finished piece can be made into a journal cover or hung as wall art.

Tea Bag Revival
Oh, the sadly neglected, used tea bag... fret not! It will be resurrected for all it's glory in this full day workshop! When dried and emptied, tea bags become the foundation for a precious piece of art that you get to create. Each tea bag will be enhanced with a collage of hand-dyed fabrics and specialty papers. And with the added detail of free-motion machine and hand stitching, it will unify your collection of tiny tea bags. You'll leave class with a wondrous miniature art quilt!

Paint Brush Palooza
In this Tuesday evening class, you will deconstruct a paint brush and then perform a make-over with a riot of color and texture. Yarns, ribbons, shredded fabrics, wire & beads, ephemera, and found objects will replace boring bristles, transforming the brush into a whimsical showpiece. Hidden treasures can be added to complement your personal style.

 
Vintage Bedspring Christmas Tree
If you're looking for a fun evening mixed-media workshop, this is the one! Using a rusty, vintage mattress coil as the foundation, you'll transform an unlikely substrate into a magical, whimsical Christmas treasure. Easy, wonky, bead wrapping will convert sparkly beads and baubles into ornaments, and an old fashioned star tops the tree with a feathered friend along for the ride.

So, as you can see, Libby has a quite an array of unique workshops to offer at this year's Virginia Beach event. For more information about her classes and our Virginia Beach retreat, visit our website...

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

October 1-6, 2018

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel  

Libby Williamson's current focus is in the making of art quilts using layers of hand-painted and dyed fabrics, appliquéd layers of free-motion stitched components and embedded found objects. She teaches art quilting and sewing to students of all ages in her studio in Orange, CA and at destination retreats. In her world, not much can trump paint caked beneath her fingernails, needles and thread, and a bowl of vanilla ice cream. You can find out more about Libby Williamson by visiting her blog.

Virginia Teacher Spotlight: Chad Alice Hagen

We are so happy to have Chad Alice Hagen as part of our Art & Soul family! She has been happily and intensively exploring resist dyeing and surface design of hand felted wool since 1979, and delved into the amazing world of Bookmaking for the last 12 years using her resist dyed felt as the covers. She loves teaching how to use textiles — new and found — as the covers of journals and sketchbooks using different binding techniques. Textiles, fiber, fabric, material, felt, cloth – these words are more exciting to her than “You have won the lottery!” Here's what Chad Alice has in store for us at our Virginia Beach Art & Soul Retreat this year...

Miniature Book Necklace
How would you like to rite your secrets and daily thoughts on these adorable little books?! In this workshop, you’ll have the chance to make 2 tiny books, professionally bound in leather or paper. Each miniature book will have about 50 pages, and will feature a different binding style. You will learn how to tea stain paper, add ribbon bookmarks and two different closures, and finish your mini books with chains for wearing.

Perfect Little Notebook
You may not realize it, but most of the paperback books you handle in your daily lives have a glued binding, and to Chad Alice Hagen, that’s the perfect binding. When used in a handmade notebook, it becomes extraordinary. In this workshop, you will make a “Perfect Little Notebook” using this quick and marvelous binding technique as well as learn how to tea stain paper, create a cover from your favorite fabric, and make a ribbon & button closure.

My Favorite Perfect Sketchbook
There are sketchbooks and there are sketch books, but this particular one has become Chad Alice’s favorite... and we bet will be yours too! It opens totally flat, can be made from easy-to-find materials, and is finished with a textile cover. In this workshop you'll be making a 6" x 6" sketchbook with 120 pages of multi-media paper. You'll learn all the book making basics and then some...picking the paper you want, folding and tearing sheets with knives, gluing, piercing, sewing, all the fabulous bits that go into making a well-made, useful and enjoyable sketchbook/journal.

Whether you are a book lover, enjoy journaling, or having a unique way to jot down notes throughout the day, making your very own sketchbook from scratch with Chad Alice is going to be so very rewarding! So be sure and check out her classes and our entire Virginia event for this Fall!

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

October 1-6, 2018

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

Chad Alice has written extensively on art and feltmaking and her artwork has appeared in and on the covers of several well-known books and magazines. She’s taught hundreds of classes and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Holland and Germany.  Her large scale felt work can be found in major collections including the Mint Museum of Craft and Design in Charlotte, NC, The Knoxville Convention Center, TN, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. B.F. Goodrich Corporation Collection. She maintains a full-time felt and book studio in Asheville, North Carolina. You can find out more about Chad Alice Hagen by visiting her at chadalicehagen.com

Colorado Here We Come!

I am tickled pink... and blue... and yellow... and purple... that Art & Soul will be hosting a brand new event in Colorado Springs, beginning next May! We have an amazing lineup of mixed-media workshops in store for you, featuring lots of new talented instructors and unique projects.

Learn all about the Birds & Beeswax with Nicole Austin

Whether you are new to making something creative on your own, or you just want to push the boundaries of your artistic knowledge, we have classes in all your favorite categories! Do you want to try your hand at working with beeswax, fiddle with fabric, apply layers and layers of juicy bits of papers to make a collage? Or maybe you want to work with clay, shrink plastic or enamels to create a one-of-a-kind piece or jewelry? We've got that!

Make Vintage Town & Country Animal Jewelry with Leslie Blackford

How about creating and assembling your own journal, practicing the zen art of zentangle doodling, working with watercolor pencils, or trying your hand at photo transfers? We've got that too!

Lisa Chin's gorgeous Sunless Printing fabric creations

Or maybe you want to sew something, dye fabrics, manipulate metal or try making abstract art for the first time? Well, we've got that too! And all in one place, for a jam-packed week of complete and total creative bliss. So come join us amongst the beautiful red rocks of Colorado, hang out with your art tribe, and replenish your soul with some well-deserved play time!

Art & Soul Colorado

May 29-June 3, 2018

Hotel Elegante
Colorado Springs, CO 

Registration is now open... and we have a special offer for you! Register for classes before December 15th and receive 10% off your total order of $250 or more. Simply enter the code COSPRINGS at checkout to get your early registration discount.

Zentangle with Deb Prewitt

I know fall days and the hustle and bustle of holidays can get pretty busy, so take a little break, grab yourself a warm beverage and browse our website to pick out your favorite Colorado Springs workshops. You can browse our selections by class descriptions, by individual instructors, and even by example project photos. Sign up today to make sure you don't miss out on any of your favorite classes!

Last Chance for Portland Early Bird Pricing!

We know the one about how the early bird catches the worm... but how about the one where the early bird catches the best Art & Soul classes, taught by their favorite instructors, and at a special discount, but only available through this Friday, June 30th?!

Well, we just wanted to give a little reminder about how you can save $15-$20 on all full-day classes and $10 off your registration fee! That's just $135-$140 for daytime workshops and $40 to register. When June ends class prices will be at their regular price of $150-$160 and registration will be $50. We love to encourage you to make your selections early as classes fill up quickly, but hey... we'd love for you to save a little dough so you can buy more supplies too!

 

Art & Soul Portland 2018

February 11-18, 2018

Portland Airport Sheridan Hotel

Did you know that Art & Soul is the longest running mixed media art retreat in the United States, and we're still going strong for a reason. There's nothing like being amongst like-minded souls, learning new techniques, creating amazing things, and making memories that last a lifetime. So, check out our Portand offerings, register today, and save yourself a bit of hard-earned cash! You can look through our workshops in 3 ways... by workshop dates, your favorite instructors, and by photos of all our example projects. Once you register, don't forget to make your hotel reservations too. The Sheraton has given us an unbeatable rate that includes lots of extras. Can't wait to see which classes you pick!

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.

Brand New Location.... Art & Soul is Headed For Minneapolis!

Give 'Em The Bird - Doris Arndt

We are so very excited to announce our newest location for Art & Soul Mixed Media Retreats… drumroll, please… at the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites – Mall of America! Our dream of hosting an event in the Minneapolis area has finally come true. Now you can play all day and shop til you drop, in one amazing place. 

Mindy Lacefield's - Bookboard Journal workshop

You can get a sneak peek at the workshops we're offering on our website now, and registration will begin August 15th. And, we have a special offer for those of you who sign up early! Between August 15th and November 1st, we'll have reduced pricing for full day classes and 30% off your registration fee!

Light Up My Heart Bracelet - Julie Haymaker Thompson

So check out the amazing teachers and creative classes we have to offer in our brand new Midwest location! With mixed media categories like painting, journaling, sculpting, collage, assemblage, fabric, fiber arts, art doll making, jewelry, and so much more... you'll have lots to choose from at this brand new event!

Art & Soul Minneapolis

May 23-29, 2016

Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites - MSP Airport - Mall of America! 

Liz Kettle's - No More Blank Pages - Visual Journaling class

So grab a drink and a tasty snack and wander around our website.... you can view our class offerings by workshop dates, talented instructors, or by project sample photos. Happy browsing!

New Instructor Added to Portland! Introducing Rebekah Meier...

We are so very excited to announce the addition of one very talented instructor to our Portland Art & Soul roster... Rebekah Meier!

Rebekah is an established author, designer, and teacher in the mixed-media and fabric collage community. Her books, magazine features, and product development exemplify her signature style of combining fabrics and fibers into beautiful collage assemblages. Rebekah is the author of the best selling books, Fabric Art Collage, 40+ Mixed Media Techniques and More Fabric Art Collage. 

Here's what she's offering this Spring at our 2015 Portland event. Check out these lovely layered cloth and paper creations!

Collage Fabric Painting - Friday, March 6th 

Students will learn techniques to create their own custom designed fabric. Layering the applications of color, texture, design will be covered. Instruction will also be given on how to create foam stamps and using found objects for printing. The one of a kind designed fabric will then be used to create a no-sew wallet.

Ripped, Peeled, and Dripped Paper Relic Collage - Saturday, March 7th

Students will create a canvas wall art collage. Techniques will be step by step, allowing students to build up textures and interesting designs. If you like ripping, peeling back layers, and random application of paint, then this class is for you.

Fiber Art Tapestry - Sunday, March 8th

Students will learn a layering technique that incorporates both fabric and paper. Each student will go home with a small sampler incorporating embroidery and lots of texture.

Pretty awesome stuff, huh!

Registration is now open for Portland Art & Soul 2015, as well as all of our 2015 events! For information and registration, visit our website at www.artandsoulretreat.com.

Virginia Registration is Now Open!!

Doris Arndt - Beaded & Bound Booklace

Well, we have another wonderful line-up classes that will thrill you for Art & Soul Virginia 2015... and registration is now open! 

Helen Shafer Garcia - Color Pencil Journaling

So you know what that means... Grab a glass of your favorite beverage... get yourself a little something to nosh on... grab those reading glasses if you need them... and start perusing our spectacular workshops we have for you at this beachside retreat!

Doreen Kassel - Jiggly Jointed Dolls

There's a little bit of something for everyone... collage, assemblage, sculpture, dolls, painting, journaling and bookmaking, jewelry, sewing, and so much more!

Leslie Brier - Time Traveler's Kaleidoscope

Like to work with paper... cloth... fabric... fiber... metal... glass... clay... resin... watercolors... pastels... acrylics... pencils... vintage items? Well... we've got something for you! And then some.

Cindy Lohbeck - Snow & Ice Dyes

There are lots of new and interesting classes to check out at this retreat... new instructors.... and very exciting projects. So come and take a look!

Nancy Prichard - Temples, Tea Pots & Toys

You can search our Art & Soul Virgina 2015 event by instructors, or by project photos, or by days of the week. Sign up for as many classes as you like, we've got days and evenings chock full of creative mixed media fun for you!

Art & Soul Virginia Beach 2015

September 28 - October 3, 2015

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER! As an incentive, if you register for $250 in classes before Dec 31, 2015, you will receive a $20 Gift Certificate to Artistic Artifacts, our official on-site mixed media store.

We're all looking forward to seeing you!

A Stitch in Time is... Here Forever!

Patti Calande has always been a maker. As a child her cousin taught her to sew, and her grandmother taught her to crochet. She's taken many classes since that time to further her creative endeavors. When Patti discovered Alabama Chanin, she felt an immediate affinity for their techniques, style, and integrity. She knew this was what she wanted to do. Patti eventually went on to attend multiple workshops at their factory in Alabama, completed their teaching accreditation requirements, and is now a certified Alabama Chanin Sewing Instructor.

Patti is excited to help others discover the wonderful world of hand-stitching heirloom pieces. She not only embraces the pleasure of the process, but also the thoughtful crafting of something beautiful and useful, something to be enjoyed by the maker now and their future generations to come, that’s so good for the soul.

And she's going to help you do that too!

Patti is teaching her Alabama Chainin technique in an amazing workshop at our Portland Art & Soul in March 2015. And it's not just about stitching... it's about beading and patterns and stencils and fabrics and more! Check out her video...


Hand Stitching & Embellishing, The Alabama Chanin Way
Sunday, March 8th, 2015

The Alabama Chanin way offers a fresh take on age-old hand stitching techniques. Join Patti in exploring these techniques, such as applique and reverse applique. She'll talk about different types of stitches, from the running stitch to elaborate embroidery stitches, and their applicable uses. She’ll go over some of her favorite tips and tricks to help make for a smooth, successful sewing experience. She’ll touch on materials, pattern cutting, beading, and stenciling; and you’ll learn garment construction too.



So... are you inspired? I certainly love the peacefulness and calm of hand sewing, stitching and embrioidery... and Patti Calande is just the soul to take you through it!

For more information on our Portland retreat, as well as registration, check out our website today!

Focus on Fiber, Fabric and Fun! Follow Me...

Last week I shared all the classes for Portland 2015 Art & Soul. So this week I thought I'd focus on all the new fiber and fabric workshops we have to offer at that event! For years our mixed media classes offered a variety of avenues for expression... but lately we've gotten a lot of requests for sewing and weaving and quilting... oh, my! So we've incorporated tons of classes that involve all types of cloth, thread, ribbon, stitch, and so much more. Not only that, but we're going to have a dedicated sewing room equipped with machines, so you may not even have to bring yours!

Here's just a sample of what's in store for Portland 2015...

Lorri Scott's Affirmation Scarf workshop uses a technique she's nicknamed "wayward threads" that elicits the absolutely gorgeous result you see above. Mixing it up with additional mixed media techniques makes this class a must!

Want to try your hand at felting? Maybe you've read about it in many of the fiber magazines or seen an intriguing blog post about this technique online, and you've always wanted to try it. Then check out LeBrie Rich's class where you'll learn to create wet felted round beads and cane beads (reminds me of sushi!)

Want to challenge yourself in the art of felting? Then check out LeBrie's Felted Slippers workshop. Adorbs!

Jamie Fingal wants to help you Fly Your Own Flag in this fun fabric class. You'll get to create 3 prayer flags using quilt patching techniques and freeform stitching until your heart's content!

What do they say? A stitch in time, saves 9. Well in Leslie Jennison's workshop, a few stitches will bring you Sheer Bliss! In it, you'll release your inner ya-ya. You'll be working with a variety of sheers to create a surface worth stitching, which can then be used for a wide variety of projects. Wheeee!

Maybe you'll let Jill Berry and Lorri Scott take you down The Garden Path to create this meandering mixed media WHEREable scarf! Not only will you get to utilize items from nature to colorize and dye your fabrics, but you'll use journaling, mapmaking and embroidery techniques to embellish your adornment. Sounds like heaven!

And speaking of nature, how about turning seagrass into fabric you can weave with? Students will learn the ancient craft of twining in this unique workshop by Donna Crispin to make a Seagrass Basket! Now that's mixed media with Mother Nature.

Perhaps you'll take a walk on the wild side with Jamie Fingal and Leslie Jenison in their Twist and Shout - Painting & Quilting workshop. On day one, you'll create a collaborative free form painting on fabric with your fellow students. On day two, you'll get a section of the finished cloth to incorporate into a quilted design piece! And get this... all you need to bring are a pair of scissors and an apron! It can't get any easier than that.

Portland Art & Soul 2015

March 2-8, 2015

Sheraton Airport Hotel

So I hope you enjoyed our little sneaky peek of these inspiring classes we'll have to offer in Spring of 2015. Don't forget, we have an early sign-up special going on now... so don't miss out on registering for your favorite Portland workshops today!