A Picture's Worth 1,000 Words... But A Video Is Like 100,000!

So, have you ever checked out a workshop you might like... looked at the project photos... read the description... and were still undecided? Maybe you thought, "the finished project looks so cool, but I'm not sure if I can do that". Perhaps you wondered about the background of the teacher, and their inspiration behind the class. Or maybe you just wanted to see more examples to peak your excitement and make you hit that Register For This Class button!

Well, awhile back we started featuring workshop videos on our website to help you make those class decisions a little bit easier! Made personally, by the instructors themselves, they give you a little bit more insight into what they have to offer. Right now, you can check out some of our Portland workshop videos as well as a few from our Kansas City retreat.


Like this video from Jill Timm who has a 2-day workshop at our Portland venue called The Amazing Dremel. It really gives you a great look at what you'll be doing in class and the techniques she'll be showcasing. HINT! If you're at work, turn your sound down... there's lots of Dremeling going on!


And another, created by Jane Davies, giving you a glimpse into her Kansas City workshop Layering With Transparencies. Warning... you will be amazed at the simplicity of the techniques and the wow-factor of the results!!

So check out our Portland video page and our Kansas City video page and see if we can't "talk" you into something!

Portland: Now that's reFRESHing!

You know how it is... the same thing gets boring.... times change... we want something more. And so it is with Art & Soul Retreats. We want to keep making your experiences better and better. So we thought a little recap of some of our favorite new things would be in order. Let's go!

So how about our new Portland Art & Soul venue — the Red Lion on the River in Jantzen Beach. Imagine the serenity of being right on the Columbia River... with spectacular views of the waterway right outside your room, the restaurants, and even the classrooms! This resort-style property is the perfect location for letting go of the everyday doldrums and diving into your creative adventure!

Besides the scenic location, one of the great advantages to this venue is that everything will be in one place! No more waking up early to catch a shuttle to that workshop in the other hotel. You don't even have to leave the Red Lion if you don't want to!

Wanna shop 'til you drop for one-of-a-kind mixed media supplies and gorgeous pieces of finished art & jewelry? Of course you do (silly me)! Well, our Portland Vendor Night has become Vendor Afternoon/Evening! Join us from 4pm until 8pm in the Red Lion's Ballroom and shop your heART out. As always, this shopping extravaganza is free to registered attendees and open to the public for a fee of $10 at the door. We'll have about 60 vendors offering finished artwork, art supplies, vintage findings, fabrics, jewelry, collage items, assemblage--something for everyone! And a no-host bar will also be available to "enhance" your evening (hee-hee). Please join us!



And perhaps you've noticed all fantastic new videos on our site to accompany the class descriptions? I mean... how great is it to "meet" your instructors before you even get to class. And heck... having a little extra sneak peek at what you'll be doing, well... we think it makes it a whole lot easier to decide what workshops you'd like to take.



We've got a bunch of new videos sprinkled throughout the individual workshop description pages, so browse through your favorite classes and you may get a virtual surprise preview!

I hope you enjoy and are able to take advantage of some of these exciting new changes. Portland is just around the corner... so I'll see you there!

P.S. It's not too late to register so give in to your creative urges today!

In Living Color....

Hey! Did you ever want to take a Jesse Reno workshop? Well, you might after watching this really awesome video about the artist — and long-time Art & Soul instructor extraordinaire — to discover more about his background and very unique style of art!

And speaking of videos, we're introducing them on our Art & Soul website. Sort of a little how-do-you-do from the instructors, telling you a little bit about themselves, the workshops they offer and showcasing their individual styles. Moving forward we're going to have more and more videos as a really cool, interactive, face-to-face addition to the project photos for our workshop pages. We thought it would be nice to get to know your instructors or class projects more in-depth while you sit at the computer and contemplate which workshops to take!

Want to see some more videos? Check out this amazingly orchestrated one for Lana Guerra's Misfit Dolls class and this heavenly preview of Serena Barton's Landscape of Dreams class. Just scroll down the workshop page to watch!