Announcing our 2019 Theme... Red Carpet!

Lights... Camera... Action! We are so excited to introduce our Art & Soul theme for 2019... Red Carpet! Can't you just see the flashbulbs popping as you walk down the runway dressed from head to toe in glitz and glam? All that fancy fun is what inspired this new theme. Well, that and group I belong to had a New Year's Eve party last year with a Hollywood theme.... and it was a fabulous time. So, no worries... I've done the dress rehearsal for us. It's gonna be grand!

This year's theme was created by Michelle Bernard, who also just happens to be Art & Soul's in-house Graphic Designer and a mixed media artist herself. She was able to take our idea and turn it into an exciting yet sophisticated representation of our theme. Michelle's process starts with extracting everything possible from me about the what and why I like the chosen theme. Then she does lots of research on the subject, followed by brainstorming and sketching out of ideas...

I'd say she hit the nail on the head. And it's so sweet to know that in this digital age — where everything's created on the computer — that there is some old fashioned drawing going on out there. Thanks, Michelle!

So, of course you know that we're going to have a smashing opening night party! I can't wait to see how you all play the part of red carpet celebrities in your best event attire. Heck, who are we kidding... I'm expecting ball gowns in class! The whole week long! Bring your whole wardrobe and your confident, self-assured, awesomely amazing selves. You are all stars in my book!

Glenny xo

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!

Introducing... Our 2018 Theme & Logo!

We are so excited to announce our Art & Soul theme and logo for 2018...

Highland Fling

Yup... you guessed it! We are total Outlander fanatics. My trusty sidekick Marie and I are addicted to the show. The struggles and triumphs of the era. The beautiful costumes. The lush settings. The romance and adventure. I have a friend from Edinburgh and love her stories of the country, and have always wanted to visit the area. So, while I wait for the chance to go, I thought we could bring the Highlands to Art & Soul!

Leslie's Robots

The intricate Highland Fling crest-style logo was created by the talented Leslie Brier. She is a mixed media artist and graphic designer with a degree in fine arts, who has taught for Art & Soul in the past. She's always coming up with something unique and her execution is meticulous and thoughtful. So we thought she'd be the perfect one to design our Highland Fling logo for the 2018 season.

So put on your thinking caps my little mixed-media marvels! I can't wait to see what imaginative ideas you come up with for trades, swaps, themed clothing and oodles of ephemera to bring along to our Art & Soul Retreats next year.

And in case you hadn't heard yet, we have a new location for Art & Soul in 2018... Colorado Springs, CO! Going to Colorado has been a longtime dream for me and this is thrilling. We're in the process of working on classes for 2018, so we'll keep you updated and let you know when they're up on the website. Until then.... let your Highland flags fly and start those creative wheels turning!

Ahoy, Mixed Media Mateys!

Well shiver me timbers! It's time for introducin' our new theme and logo for Arrrrt & Soul twenty-seventeen. And if you lasses and lads haven't yet guessed what we have goin' on thar...

it's Treasure Island, yar!

You know, mateys... we arrrr always lookin' for somethin' fun that arrrr great, grand instructors and arrrr adventurous attendees can use in their arrrt... if that's what they be so choosin'. And with a big, bad, bloomin' new Pirates of the Caribbean soon bein' released, me and me heartys were shoutin'  about what a ruckus it was, bein all this time to watch Jonny Depp and Keith Richards as they play up their piratey movin' picture roles. We scallywags just be wantin' to laugh and have a jolly good time.

So we made arrrr very own graphic design lass, Miss Michelle Bernard, walk the plank unless and until she came up with a hearty version of arrrr ship with a special treasure map hidden behind. And aye, she made it through the rough seas and earned arrrr respect. We owe her a good cup o' grog til she's loaded to the gunwhales, yo-ho-ho!

And we knowst that y'all will be makin' some sweet trades and boastin' the finest costumes at arrrr events that be takin' place next year. You creative types will be haulin' in the best booty around. Whether you're a sprog or a seasoned swashbuckler, who's been ridin' the high seas of Arrrt & Soul with us for times and times now... you're sure to have a jolly good time here.

So dust off your hats, and pull your boots on, as we go sailin' into another grand year of fine craftery that be worth more than all the doubloons hidden in the sea. You want to be checkin' out all the arrrt we be offerin' for the makin' at arrrr events here and let's get arrr swaggy on! Ahoy!

Introducing... Our 2016 Theme!

 
We are so very delighted to bring you our new Art & Soul
theme and logo for 2016...
  
In The Enchanted Forest

We always try to think of a creative theme for each year and this one just conjured up all kinds of lovely into-the-woods visuals! Evoking images from fairy tales and magic, to tiny stone cottages and friendly forest foragers, we thought you'd enjoy it too.

This whimsical woodland artwork was created by longtime Art & Soul Instructor Leslie Brier. Well-known for her inventive (and often steampunk style) mixed media art and jewelry, Leslie also has a playful side that definitely came through in this logo design.

So put on your thinking caps my little mixed-media mavens! I can't wait to see what imaginative things you come up with for trades, swaps, themed clothing and oodles of ephemera to bring along to our Art & Soul Retreats this year. I'm sure we'll be enchanted!

And in the meantime, check out the amazing selection of mixed-media classes we have to offer in 2016! With 3 inspirational locations to choose from... Portland, Minneapolis and Virginia Beach, there's an exciting retreat event near you!

Help Us Find Our 2016 Theme! We Want Your Suggestions!

Puttin On The Ritz, 2012

We're deep in the middle of our 2015 retreats, but it's never too early to start contemplating what theme to do for next year's events! We usually unveil our choice — along with a spectacular logo — a few months before the start of the actual season. Just to get you excited and thinking about how you can play around with the theme for trades, book swaps, fashion, accessories and more. Even many of our teachers will submit classes for the year that have the theme incorporated into the project. Such fun!

So we want you to come up some ideas for us, and we're going to pick from your suggestions!

What makes a good theme? Well, lets see... I'll start by sharing with you some of the ways we'll use that theme...

Rock & Roll, 2009

• the Art & Soul logo for that year
• on tee shirts, aprons and such
• our program/your class passes
• for contests
• decorations and signage
• the opening night party

How else does our theme get used?
• for trades
• book swaps
• dressing up
• journaling fun
• demos
• midnight pajama parties
• on-site store DIY
• class projects

....and so much more!

So what else makes a good theme? It's something that can be utilized in all these ways. It's fun and interesting. It's inspirational for our mixed media crowd. It conjures up multiple ideas at the same time. And the images that would make you think of the theme are plentiful.

Into the Garden, 2011

Some of our past themes include Flights of Fancy, Orient Express, On Safari, Into the Garden, Wonderland, Rock and Roll, Cirque du Soul, and a few others that go way back. But now we want your ideas.

So go ahead... tell us what you'd like to see as our theme for 2016. I know that you'll come up with some great ideas! There will probably be so many imaginative ones that we may even use your suggestions for 2017... and 2018... and 2019... and 2020....

Up... Up... and Away... Our 2015 Logo Revealed!

We are so very tickled to bring you our new Art & Soul
theme and logo for 2015... 

Flights of Fancy!

The idea came about last year when a few instructors and attendees gathered after class and had a little brainstorming session. The thought behind it was a kind of Jules Verne inspired hot air balloon look. Jules Verne was a French novelist, poet, and playwright best known for his adventure novels and his profound influence on the literary genre of science fiction. You may remember him for his incredible stories including Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in 80 Days.

The incredibly amazing vintage-meets-steampunk artwork was created by our very own Art & Soul Instructor Leslie Brier. Well-known for her inventive mixed media art, Leslie has a knack for combining Victorian style objects with futuristic overtones. We knew in a heartbeat, she'd be the perfect artist to create this year's logo. And... you can experience some of Leslie's talent in person.... she'll be teaching at our Portland retreat as well as our Virginia Beach event.

So put on your thinking caps my little mixed-media mavens! I can't wait to see what imaginative things you come up with for trades, swaps, themed clothing and oodles of ephemera to bring along to our Art & Soul Retreats this year. Up... Up... and Away!

All Aboard The Orient Express!

We are so excited to introduce our new theme and logo for Art & Soul's 2014 season...

On the Orient Express

This lovely visual interpretation was created by Vicky Lynn Weeks, who was inspired by the Art Deco style. I'm sure your wheels are turning, thinking of all the creative ways you can use this idea for trades, projects, clothing and that special thing-a-ma-jig to decorate!

Vicky took her muse and incorporated lavish ornamental motifs into the wheels of the train and throughout the graphic. She hand lettered and then digitized the "Art & Soul" text, then thoughtfully selected a font that matched the style of the original Orient Express logo. Even though she claimed not to have as much mixed media experience as the wonderfully talented teachers and students with Art & Soul, she felt like this project lit a spark! She merged the digital design with hand drawn elements and lettering to create the feeling of mixed media.

Although Vicky always had a passion for art, her first experience as a paid artist was creating illustrations for a children's magazine in the 90's. She received her AAS in Multimedia Graphic Design at Pikes Peak and she's currently finishing her BFA at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. She balances her studies between fine art and graphic/web design, but her focus is on graphic design and sculpture. 

Vicky loves to experiment with a variety of mediums, but her favorite are paper and textile art. She confesses that being curious really helps foster her creativity and has become a sort of therapy for her. I'm sure many of you Art & Soul attendees can relate!

Proud to be part of the Cottonwood Center for the Arts family, Vicky enjoys being involved with other artists. Cottonwood is located in scenic Colorado Springs, Colorado and is home to so many skilled artists and craftsman. Cottonwood is also home to Liz Kettle, one of our favorite Art & Soul instructors! Vicky says Liz is a constant inspiration and that with her feedback and support, Vicky recently won Best in Show at the Dia de los Muertos show at Cottonwood Gallery. Now that's the ticket!

So thanks again to Vicky for the wonderful logo design, and we hope you're all aboard our Orient Express for this upcoming 2014 season. For information on all our Art & Soul retreats, visit our website.

Q7 Creative Co. is the name of Vicky Lynn Weeks' design studio. You can visit her facebook page for more about her artistic adventures. 

Design Our 2014 Art & Soul Themed Logo!

Introducing... Our 2014 "On The Orient Express" logo designed by... (your name here!) 

How would you like to see your name as the creator of next year's Art & Soul themed logo? Well, we’re putting it in your creative hands this year with an exciting new contest! Use your mixed media magic to design a logo for our On the Orient Express theme for 2014.

Our 2011 logo designed by TweetyJill's Jill Haglund

The winner will receive a free Art & Soul class, a printed tee with their design and recognition for the logo design. We'll even do a blog post featuring your design and the inspiration behind it!

2012 logo by Lynne Perella

Design a logo for us incorporating the words On the Orient Express, the year 2014, and leave the rest to your imagination! Create themed artwork with a mixed media flair and you could be a very special winner. Well splash your logo all over our website, programs, blog, tee shirts and other promotional items. You'll be famous and win some awesome stuff.

This year's On Safari logo by Michelle Bernard

Check out our guidelines, rules and legal stuff below... then make us a new logo! The winner will be announced and the logo unveiled at our 2013 Portland Art & Soul event. We're so excited to see what amazingly creative ideas you'll come up with... On the Orient Express! 

Art & Soul Logo Design Contest

 

Submission Guidelines

The purpose of the contest is to design a logo for the Art & Soul 2014 season in the theme of “On The Orient Express”. The logo will be used online, in print, on merchandise and for our event’s promotional materials and programs.

The logo must contain the words “Art & Soul” the year “2014” and the theme name “On the Orient Express”. These may be incorporated into the design in a creative manner.

The submitted artwork must be in black and white. No photos or greyscale images.

The logo should reflect the mixed media style of Art & Soul Retreats and appeal to our target audience and attendees.

The original artwork must be designed at approximately 8” x 10” (can be horizontal or vertical) and can be done by hand or digitally. If the original work is created digitally, it must be high resolution at 300dpi or higher. If the logo is created by hand, we may request the original artwork.

Only one entry may be submitted by any one entrant. One winner will be selected from all entries submitted.

How to Enter

Initial entries should be submitted digitally by email to Glenny Moir glenny@artandsoulretreat.com. Entries must be submitted as a high resolution (300dpi or higher) greyscale image in a jpeg format and should be no more than 5mb in size. A scan of your original logo design is acceptable for initial submission.

If your file is larger than 5mb, please email Glenny Moir glenny@artandsoulretreat.com and request a physical address for your entry to be sent.

We may request your original artwork be mailed to us if you are chosen as the winner.

The email must include the name, postal address, phone number and email address of the entrant.

   

Entries must conform to the Submission Guidelines above. Entries that do not meet the guidelines will not be considered.

The deadline for submissions is midnight on Saturday, August 17, 2013, Pacific Daylight Time.

We cannot be responsible for entries or responses lost in e-mail.

   

There is no fee to enter the Contest.

The Contest is open to entrants 18 years of age or older.

Prizes

The winning logo and designer will be revealed at the 2013 Portland, Oregon Art & Soul Retreat on September 30^th.

The winning designer will receive:

1. One (1) free Art & Soul Workshop at the 2014 venue of their choice (Portland, OR, Virginia Beach, VA or Kansas City, MO)

2. One (1) free t-shirt printed with their 2014 logo design.

3. Recognition on the Art & Soul blog with a feature article about the logo, designer and their inspiration behind the winning design.

4. The right to showcase the logo on public media channels for personal promotion and identify themselves as the logo designer

Intellectual Property

All submitted work must be original art and must not contain components that are owned and/or copyrighted by other individuals or entities.

The winning logo designer gives full rights of usage to Art & Soul – A Creative Journey, Inc. and will allow the design to be utilized for advertising and promotion online, in print and on promotional materials. Copyright will remain with the original designer.

Art & Soul reserves the right to manipulate the artwork provided for various needs in print and online.

You're All A Bunch Of Animals!

Creative animals, that is! Because this year's theme is On Safari. And we know how you love making trades and creating event-themed art and accessories with our new 2013 motif. I know you'll come up with some fabulous items to show and share this year and I just cannot wait to see all of them.

As Marie and I prepare all the exciting elements that go into the Kansas City event, I can't help but feel the palpable excitement of a new retreat! Now that we're on the heels of Kansas City Art & Soul... what better time to give you some animals to play with!

So here's some wildlife for you to use in your Art & Soul trades, swaps, ATCs, journals, collages, notebook covers and anything else you can dream up! Right click on the images to download or simply drag them to your desktop... and then go On Safari!

Okay... it's definitely time to start monkeying around with this primate made of burlap!

A polkadotted, pointy-horned beast? Rhinot!

They say elephants never forget. This one's made from a dictionary page, just in case!

Giraffe's never get lost. Well, okay... maybe they do, but this map-tacular one never will!

Take a rest under this musical Acacia Tree... and feel the rhythm of the jungle!

So there you go... you creative animals! Play and paste and alter until your heart's content. And then stop by the registration desk and show me what you've made at our next event. I love to see my Art & Soul family's creations!

See you soon!
Glenny
Raawwrrr! (I mean xoxo)

Introducing Our 2013 Theme...

You better believe it's a mixed-media jungle out there... and this coming year will be no exception! So I'd like to introduce our theme for Art & Soul 2013 —Art & Soul On Safari — and this adorably whimsical logo that was designed by mixed-media artist and long-time A&S attendee Michelle Bernard. I just love how she used different types of papers and fabrics for the animals and the tree. And the giraffe munching on the "&" is just too cute.

So put on your thinking caps (or your safari hats) and let's get wild! I know you'll all come up with some amazing ideas for trades, book swaps, decorating your thingamajigs, patterned clothing to adorn yourselves with and more. We'll have some fun, themed events at our retreats next year and look forward to seeing where you take this On Safari theme!

Michelle also made it just a little easier for you to have fun with her logo design, by creating a clip art sheet of all the components that went into the logo (and a couple bonus sayings). You can download both the logo and the clip art images by right-clicking on the photos (or control-click for macintosh users) and then Save As to your computer. Or, you can grab them off our Yahoo Group in the photos section... an Album Titled... Art & Soul On Safari 2013. So have fun and get your Safari On!

Introducing... Our 2012 Theme!

We are so excited to announce that the theme of next year's Art & Soul Retreats will be....

Puttin On The Ritz!

And how about this amazing logo created by the very talented Lynne Perella! Simply fabulous!

This theme brings about all kinds of cool ideas for trades, opening night party fun, embellished accessories (like top hats and canes), and of course... some interesting thoughts for our "special alterable object".

While we begin plans for 2012, we invite you to put your thinking caps on and go to town on ways to expand on this motif! We'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!