We're Moving Our Blog...

That's right, fellow Art & Soul'ers... we're moving our blog. Being fans of new creative things, we wanted to update the look and feel of our blog. So we moved to a platform that can support everything social media has to offer these days. We'll be posting more often with fun and interesting information, keeping you up-to-date on everything Art & Soul. Come visit our new blog to see what's been going on and what's coming up!

Portland Art & Soul... On The Red Carpet!

Our first event for the year in Portland was amazing! They're always special, but the air was alive with excitement and energy this year.

With a brand new theme, we started off our event with a glamorous opening night party – On the Red Carpet – which featured a live band and we tripped the light fantastic, as if we were the stars.

We had some exceptional dancers spinning around the floor.

A celebrity selfie station!

Lots of glitz and glam including feather boas, feather eyelashes, and sparkly hair extensions were all part of the fun.

Many of us sported sparkles throughout the week. Attendees even arranged to have our glitz girl Sarah return to add more glam to their locks! It was so much fun. Mine are still in place and I love the comments I get as I venture out into the non-arty world.

And speaking of arty worlds... Wow! We had close to 500 happy, smiling, adventurous attendees at this year's Art & Soul Portland. A big thanks to those who came from NZ, Australia, the Netherlands, England & Canada. What an amazing tribute to A&S!

And as always, the gorgeous mixed-media creations that were made just blew me away. Like these metallic mini journals made by students in Jen Crossley's workshops.

Lots of gorgeous fabric classes with interesting techniques for making one-of-a-kind garments, or...

Something to tell a personal tale with, like these beautiful Storyscapes made in Roxanne Evans Stout's workshop.

How about these gorgeous metal bangles! There are always plenty of jewelry classes at Art & Soul, in all categories of mixed media.

Like these uniquely colorful Alcohol Ink pendants from Jennifer Jackson MacLean's students!

And speaking of colorful, check out these gorgeous papers and journal pages made in Nicole Austin's She Three workshop.

And this mixed-media portrait from Kate Thompson's experimental painting class. There was definitely something for everyone and every level of artist here in Portland. It warmed my heart to watch our tremendously talented teachers guide our students, while gently pushing them outside their comfort zone to create magnificent works of art.

Our vendor night was packed! The most vendors we had in years. Teachers selling their own creations. Antiques and mixed-media objects galore. Fabrics and fibers and found objects and all kinds of stuff to make more stuff with. It was a creative's paradise. Our special thanks to One Love Vineyards for coming with wine tastings and sale of their new products.

And it was so great to see a renewed excitement over trades again! Just like the old days, we've gone back to simple gestures, exercising our individual artistic flair, and appreciation for one another's creativity and kindness. Makes my heart go pitter-pat.

And lets not forget all the other amazing extras at Portland... Massages again were popular! Our necks and backs needed relief from all that intense creative focus. We also cannot say enough about the hotel staff, always rising above and beyond to take care of our special needs and crazy requirements. And if you've ever been to one of our events, you know our requests are pretty crazy! And of course, our on-site store, Collage. Holy cow! A selection to rival any big chain. We're pretty lucky.  Thanks to Maria Raleigh and her great team for an amazing job. And of course my Marie and Karen. So for my outstanding support system and all the wonderful teachers and attendees... this award goes to you! Thanks for making Art & Soul a winner year after year after year!!

Until next time. See you in Colorado!

Glenny
xo

Virginia Teacher Spotlight: Susan Shaffer

We're so excited to have Susan Shaffer — the owner of Joyful Arts Studio — teaching at our Virginia Beach retreat. She firmly believes that art transformed her life, allowing her to reveal herself to the world. Susan also believes that creativity is within each of us and it's her goal to help others discover how to find it and use it. She wants others to have the same opportunity she did, and to explore their own creativity to find which art form they most enjoy. Susan is a nationally exhibited and decorated artist and is passionate about the power behind the creative process. She hopes to inspire wellness through art within each of her students. Here's what Susan has in store for you at Virginia Beach...

Perfection Is Overrated
Join Susan for a day of fun therapeutic art exercises as she talks through ways to overcome that pesky perfectionism, which can negatively affect our art and life. She'll encourage you to concentrate on the creative process and how it feeds your soul. In class, you'll have fun sloshing around in paint with brushes, fingers, plastic gift cards, water spray, lace, onion bags and who knows what else! You'll create layers and layers of acrylic paint using lots of surprising techniques. We'll leave the perfectionist behind as we practice painting without rules! Everyone will leave with their own unique, one-of-a-kind painting, reflecting their own personality.

Creating Your Way To Joy
In this class you'll experience a day of fun that's all about letting go, giving up control, laughing, collaborating, camaraderie and learning to follow your intuition. Like Susan's Perfection class, you'll be sloshing around in acrylic paint with brushes, your fingers, plastic gift cards, water spray, lace, onion bags and lots of other items for unique and interesting techniques. This loose style of painting will force you to go with your gut instinct, and you'll have a blast creating a work of art that is distinctly you!

Cardinal In The Snow, Watercolor Batik
In this workshop, you'll get to discover the combination of watercolor and hot wax resist on rice paper. You will paint a vibrant red cardinal hunkered down in a snow covered Juniper tree, using multiple layers of watercolor paint and hot wax. You may also try your hand at using watercolor crayons and pastel pencils too. Susan will gently guide you through all the tips, tricks and techniques to creating this wintery masterpiece and you will be thrilled with the end result!

We're so excited that Susan is here to not only teach you creative techniques but to make sure your heart and soul are involved in the process. No matter what level of art experience you have, you will surely be uplifted and changed after one of her classes! For more information on Susan Shaffer, her classes and our Virginia retreat, visit our website...

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

October 1-6, 2018

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel  

In addition to having nearly 30 years of experience as an art instructor, Susan is a former health care informatics professional, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art/Studio Art, with a concentration in Watercolor, a bachelor’s in Business Management with a concentration in Information Systems and a minor in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship from Wilson College.

Highland Fling... What's Your Thing?

If you've ever been to an Art & Soul retreat, you know that every year we have a specific theme for our retreats, and for 2018 it's Highland Fling! We love to carry that theme throughout each event in lots of creative ways... our event programs, class tickets, opening night party, dressing up, trades, and even some of our classes and vendors feature projects and products based on that year's theme. We really go full tilt! Or should I say... full kilt!

There were so many reasons to choose the Highland Fling theme.... ummm... being Outlander fanatics was probably high on the list. We love the struggles and triumphs of this land and it's people, the amazing costumes from that time period, and the lush landscape of Scotland. But it's so much more than that too. Scotland is rife with a magic and lore all it's own, which is why shows like Outlander are even made. From the gorgeous stone castles, the significance of tartan garb, kilts and clans, to myths of mystical fairies, legends of giant sea creatures, and how an indiginous thistle plant could stop an entire invasion, well... there's so much to love about this highland country.

So what we want to know is... What's your thing with this Highland Fling? Are you an Outlander fan? What do you love about Scotland? Have you ever visited the country? And if you've been to any of our retreats this year, how did you express your Highland self? We'd love to hear your stories!

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.

Here We Go Again... Colorado Springs 2019!

Erin Keck's workshop, Adornments with Found Objects

Well, our inaugural Art & Soul Retreat in Colorado Springs was a smashing success! Not only was it a dream of mine finally fully realized, but for the attendees it was a much needed respite in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. Our teachers flourished in this creative town. And our temporary home for the week —The Hotel Eleganté — was just as happy to have us, as we were to be there. It definitely showed in the way we and our students were taken care of. So, we're going to do it again!

Watercolor Travel Journaling with Helen Shafer Garcia

That's right... Art & Soul will be going back to Colorado Springs in 2019! And not only that, but we've gathered up dozens of talented instructors, with fantastic mixed media classes to offer, and we've already put them online for you!

A beautiful Spool Journal from Ingrid Dijkers

We have 86 full day and evening classes to choose from in painting, drawing, doodling, journaling, bookmaking, collage, assemblage, sculpting, jewelry, fabric, fiber arts, sewing and more! Then there's the 26 talented and professional instructors teaching them! Plus we're offering you an Early Bird Special... sign up before September 1st and you'll get 50% off the registration fee. Usually $50 per retreat, you'll only pay $25. Just a little incentive to register now, before your favorite classes fill up.

Fabric Collage Prayer flags you can make with Liz Kettle

So, if you joined us the first time, we hope you'll come again. And if you didn't get to create in Colorado Springs yet, we hope you'll consider attending our next mixed media retreat in the Rockies. The camaraderie and excitement that you get to experience at our in-person retreats... well, we think you'll really love it!

Art & Soul Colorado 2019

May 28 - June 2, 2019

at The Hotel Elegante

Colorado Springs, CO

We know summer days and weekends can get pretty busy, so take a little break... grab yourself a cool beverage... and browse our website to pick your favorite workshops. You can browse our selections by class descriptions, by individual instructors, and even by example project photos. Sign up today to get in on our Early Bird special. Happy Browsing!

Virginia Teacher Spotlight: Jean VanBrederode

 

Well, our roster of attentive, caring, nurturing instructors would not be complete without Jean VanBrederode, who literally shines in these categories! As a longtime Art & Soul teacher, Jean is our resident enamel expert. She's taken the art to a whole new level by turning it into creative mixed media jewlery. And she's taken many of our students under her gorgeous (enameled) wings. With her exuberant nature, excitement about her craft and attentive guidance, Jean's classes are always a joy in the discovery of making. And keep in mind... Beginners are her specialty!

Jean VanBrederode was trained as a teacher, but art has always been a part of her life. She feels fortunate to have found an art form — enameling, along with mixed-media jewelry — that brings excitement into her life each and every day. Her work is always changing, always a surprise. Having been seduced, empowered, enriched, & invigorated by metals & glass, she happily dedicates herself to creating and teaching others the joys of enameling!

Bee Keeper
This class was inspired by a workshop with enamelist Ken Bova at the John C. Campbell Folk School last summer. Throughout the day, you'll learn basic simple metal sawing techniques as well as how to create a variety of extraordinary colors on copper using only liquid enamels. You'll learn application techniques along with torch firing skills. All of this and you will leave with a finished Bee Keeper Necklace!

Enameled Bib Necklace
A combination of enameling techniques merge beautifully in Jean's Enameled Bib Necklace workshop. In this full day class, you will learn basic torch fire techniques and how to work with basic mesh enamel, liquid enamel, sgraffito (scratching patterns in enamel), wet packing, and necklace assembly skills. And you will leave this workshop with a finished enameled bib necklace (you'll probably walk out of class proudly wearing it!).

Branching Out
Some things are just better in Black & White, right?! This workshop's Branching Out enameled pendant combines metalworking techniques along with enameling and jewelry design to create a stunning black and white tree pendant. In this class you'll learn how to create an enameled copper design using a torch, vitreous enamels, and liquid enamels as well as how to master the ancient art of sgraffito (scratching into enamel). And like all of Jean's workshops, you will leave with a finished necklace that's just so much fun to show off.

So whether you're a newbie or a novice at enameling or mixed-media jewelry in general, in Jean VanBrederode's workshops you will learn how to create a one-of-a-kind enameled pendant necklaces that will have people asking, “Where did you get that?” and you'll be able to proudly say, “I made it myself!” For more information about Jean's classes and our Virginia Beach retreat, visit our website...

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

October 1-6, 2018

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

Jean VanBrederode's work has been featured in 500 Art Necklaces, Steampunk Magazine, Belle Armoire Jewelry, Cloth Paper Scissors, and Green Craft Magazines. When she's not teaching workshops or hosting other instructors at her Charmed I’m Sure Studio in south-central Pennsylvania, she is tending to her Etsy shops – Enamel Warehouse, and Charmed I’m Sure Studio.

Colorado Art & Soul... Two Weeks From Today!

Oh, joy of joys! My dream realized — an Art & Soul event in Colorado — is happening two weeks from today! I truly and sincerely can't believe it's actually here already. I'm so excited and I hope you are too! One of the very special things about having our retreat in Colorado Springs, well... it's not just the absolutely gorgeous location, it's also that this area allows our event to become a fully immersive experience.

Art & Soul Colorado Springs, CO

May 29 - June 3, 2018

at the Hotel Eleganté

Of course we have a fabulous lineup of mixed media workshops in all your favorite categories... collage, assemblage, painting, sculpting, bookmaking, journaling, jewerly, fabric & fiber arts, Zentangle... but there's so much more!

The Hotel Eleganté itself is glorious. The rooms are large and comfortable with plenty of space to lay out your supplies for nighttime art-making and impromptu get-togethers. In addition to an inviting full service restaurant and lounge, they have an outdoor patio with an amazing view, a Sweet Shop that includes a bakery, ice cream parlor and a Starbucks. They've got indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi, a full-service spa and more.

Then there's our kickoff party, the well-stocked on-site store, our unique Vendor Night Extravaganza (open to the public for all you locals!), pop-up parties, restaurants to gather with friends and share your experiences. It's a non-stop gathering of your tribe from morning to night, and it's so much fun to be around like minded souls. 

In your down-time, there's so much to see and do in Colorado Springs. You can go hiking, zip-lining, kayaking, and horseback riding. Visit a castle, historic towns and villages, old west museums, or go see a rodeo. There's even railroad tours of the mountains and surrounding areas. And really there's so much more! If your week isn't filled with classes and even if it is, there's tons of reasons to explore the area.

And our Colorado location brings with it some unique local opportunities. We'll be working with Cottonwood Center for the Arts — a two story arts complex inside a refurbished office building in downtown Colorado Springs. They'll be hosting a First Friday Art Show, featuring gallery shows and open studios for you to explore and meet local artists. We're also working with the Textiles West Innovation Lab who'll be facilitating Peggy Dlugos' Eco Dying class. This center has the capability of allowing students to utilize all kinds of space, amenities and specialized equipment used in the art of fabric printing.

So, as you can see, there's a whole lot of reasons to join Art & Soul in Colorado Springs. If you haven't signed up for classes yet, some of your favorite workshops are still available. You can check out our Colorado Retreat online or contact us directly with any last minute questions you may have. We're looking forward to seeing you there and making this a permanent location in our retreat lineup!

© some images courtesy of The Hotel Eleganté, Cottonwood Center for the Arts

Portland 2019 Registration Now Open!

A Colorful Palate with Jacqueline Newbold

Oh boy do we have some colorful classes for Art & Soul Portland 2019! We're thrilled to be able to offer you 155 mixed-media workshops, taught by 49 individually talented artists, over 8 days of complete and total creative bliss!!

Ruth Chandler's workshop Artiste Tool Bag & Tole

No matter what type of mixed media art you enjoy making, or what level you're at, we have something for everyone in Portland. Choose from workshops in collage, asssemblage, painting, doodling, drawing, journaling, bookmaking, sewing, fabric and fiber arts, jewelry making, metal working, sculpting, dollmaking and techniques so new that we don't even have names for them yet.... We've got all of it!

Nicole Austin's "She Three" Collage Portraits

And of course with all our events we have so much more than classes at all of our events including a fabulous Opening Night Party, an amazing on-site store, our pop-up Vendor Night shopping event, DIY play areas, and impromptu gatherings with your Art & Soul'mates! There's certainly nothing like some creative playtime with your tribe.

Portland Art & Soul

March 10-17, 2019

Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel

Portland, Oregon

 

Make felted birds & nests with LeBrie Rich in Welcome Spring!

 

So that's just a little taste of what we have in store, so go ahead and grab a beverage and a snack check out our Portland offerings! You can peruse them on our website in 3 ways... by workshops and their dates, your favorite instructors, and by photos of all our example projects. Once you register, don't forget to make your hotel reservations too. Happy browsing!

Portland... a High(land) Time for Everyone!

Oh my gosh... what a fantastic time we all had at our Portland Art & Soul event! With more than 200 new attendees we had a total of over 400 who joined us! It makes my little Highland Heart go pitter patter. Especially because this means that creative souls are realizing that they really do love to learn new things and make art in-person with their tribe. It's the face-to-face connections and just being in the presence of like-minded people that makes us truly happy!

And happy we were! We had a bagpiper and highland dancers both Opening Night and Vendor Night to celebrate our Highland Fling theme. The dancers were young High School girls who practice 4 days a week. They were darling. Prior to dancing for us Saturday night, they had competed in a competition and had placed first and second. The performance brought tears both nights. It was probably the highlight of my 20 years of producing events!

And yes, we were all a bunch of giddy schoolgirls, hanging out with Outlander actor Jamie Fraser at the Opening Night Party. What do you mean he looks like a cutout? He took time out to bake these amazing Valentine cookies for us!

Students produced breathtaking art pieces and their excitement was over the moon throughout the whole event. There really was a renewed sense of joy exuding from our attendees this year, and the pieces they made were just proof of how much fun they were having.

With classes in every genre, there was something for every person in every category at every level of experience.

Our seasoned teachers — many of whom have graced the pages of your favorite mixed media magazines and how-to books — made sure to guide students through the process of making, whether they were brand new or already had a clue.

They literally take you under their wing and show you the ropes...

...or the stitches! That's why we have the teachers we do. They love to teach and it shows. They love to foster creativity in others and they've already figured out what works and what doesn't. They've done the homework for us.

And that makes for tons of fun in our workshops, as well as a whole lot of happy students who feel such a sense of pride. Just like I do when I see them filter out of the classrooms at the end of the day, gorgeous projects in hand, just beaming. It's really why I do this!

Am I gushing? You bet! These amazing instructors really took it to the next level this year. I'm so grateful to have such a great group of teachers and students. I feel like one big, happy family.

And let's not forget about Collage, our amazing on-site store. Like, seriously? This place was like Nirvana. Everything you could possibly ever need or want, and lots of things that you didn't even know you wanted but had to have. Yup, we all went home with more than we came with.

And Vendor Night was no exception. Mixed media art supplies, ephemera, metal, wood and plastic objects from days gone by, embellishments, original art from our instructors and so much more. And the bagpiper and dancers just made it extra special. I love the hustle and bustle of this pop-up

shopping event.

But really, the whole retreat was crazy busy and absolutely wonderful all at the same time. It passed in a flash, but most fun things do. I couldn't do this without my right-hand chicks and I must give a shout out to the hotel staff, who were exceptional in all aspects of working with us. We cannot compliment them enough for all they do to help make the event a success.

So thank you all for making this such a memorable retreat! See you in Colorado...

Glenny,
xoxo

photos courtesy of: Edens Canvas, Tamara James; Sally Wilson; Janet Wilson; Erin Keck; Roxanne Evans Stout; Liz Kettle; Kittania Miller; Susan Rossiter