If this looks like a smorgasbord to you... If this makes you take a quick breath in and sigh with delight as that same breath flows back out... If you think you've landed at the buffet line in Art Heaven.... well, then... you've either been to one of our mixed media retreats... or you need to attend one!
And although we are in the midst of our Portland event (are we even allowed to have this much fun in one month?), I just had to share with you what a spectacular time we had at our Kansas City Art & Soul Retreat!
Every year we return here, we feel more welcome, more excited, and more overwhelmed with the positive response we get from attendees. It makes my mixed media heart go pitter-patter!
We had lots of smiling teachers — who actually travel from all over the US (and other countries!) — just to share their creative projects and techniques with our students. We're pretty lucky.
We also had lots of smiling students! Their zest for learning never ceases to amaze me.
...and yes, sometimes we let Marie out to play! Just look at that gorgeous fabric book she's working on.
Put them all together and what do you get? Some pretty amazing artwork. Like these alcohol ink prints made in Cathy Taylor's class.
...or this spine-tingling mixed media necklace made by a student in Jean VanBrederode's Gruesome Griselda workshop.
In Leslie Brier's Santos class, students really pushed the limits of form and function to create these doll reliquaries using all sorts of bits and baubles. The quiet moments in the classroom let you know that there's something good going on. That's the sound of concentration and being in the moment!
Here's a student all tangled up in Zentangle, taught by the very talented Suzanne McNeill. I'm telling you... if you ever start to Zentangle... you will never stop! It's doodling at its finest (and funnest!).
And speaking of addictive hobbies... have you played with Gelli Plates yet? Go ahead... I dare you! And I won't even say, "I told you so!"
No matter what your artistic inclinations may be... and no matter what your level of creative experience... there was something for everyone at Art & Soul, Kansas City. We pride ourselves on being an open, welcoming group for all levels of artists.
Besides the workshops we had to offer, it's the sense of community that you find at our retreats... the formation of friendships... and the bonding over new creative adventures that seem to bring our students back year after year. That's the reason I do this. So thanks to all of you who attended, my right and left hand chicks (Marie and Liz), our talented teachers, our lovely hotel & spa The Elms along with their staff, and our on-site store
Artistic Artifacts. Together we make one tribe!
Glenny
xoxo
P.S. Want to see more awesome pictures from our Kansas City Retreat at the Elms Hotel? Check out our
photo album on the Art & Soul Facebook page.
© 2014 photos by Liz Kettle
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