Showing posts with label virginia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label virginia. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Award Winning Instructor at Art & Soul!

Meet Judy Porter! She's our newest instructor, a Diamond Award Industry Choice Winner... and she's teaching at Art & Soul Virginia Beach this Fall, as well as our Kansas City and Portland venues next Spring.

Judy lives out in the sticks with cows, several barn cats, a big farm dog name Barkley and a little art mascot PomPoo named Doodles. Oh and a wonderful hubby of 32 years. He won't like being mentioned after the dogs.

For 28 years she has worked professionally as a caricature artist. Eight years ago she took her portrait, caricature work into 3D  polymer clay doing commissioned work — ball jointed dolls.  Her work has been published in several trade magazines, one book, plus she was commissioned for a 50 doll exclusive for a doll convention.

She continues to do event caricatures for several entertainment agencies along with her  doll sculpting. Judy says.. "My love for all things art began in my earliest memories and continues to be happiest moments. Nothing gives me more joy than to bring someone happiness through art."


Her doll Annie, (pictured above) just won the prestigious Diamond Award Industry Choice Winner. The doll is a 17 inch ball jointed doll sculpted by the artist in polymer clay then cast in resin.  Awards are presented by Dolls Magazine judged by professionals in the doll industry.  Each joint is sculpted to create a doll with 16 points of articulation.  Congratulations Judy.  We are so proud of what you have accomplished.


You have an incredible opportunity to take a class from this very talented artist.  Join Judy at any one of our three events.  Her classes include a kit that has EVERYTHING you need.  What could be better??!!  The only thing you'll need to bring is your imagination!


Woodland Whimsies
Judy Porter

Sculpt your own fairy, elf or troll in polymer clay. Learn to sculpt the head, hands and feet , attach it to a wire armature to make your little creature pose in several ways. The body is needle sculpted adding torn fabric, steampunk or other embellishments. You'll use glass eyes to give your little creature it's life like sparkle. There will be lots of goodies provided to make your little forest fantasy creature unique.

These are great little creatures to find in your inside greenery, shadow boxes or just hanging around in your kitchen window. Sit one in a doll chair, hang one from a curtain or build a little forest scene shadow box. Smiles are guaranteed!

For more information and to register for Art & Soul visit our website. We hope to see you there in-person!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Woot! Woot! Next Stop... Virginia!

Yeah, yeah... I know. Most trains go Toot! Toot! But this year at Art & Soul, we're aboard the Orient Express... a clever and creative locomotive, heading right for your favorite mixed media workshops! Our theme for this year, Orient Express is a great analogy for our events... with so many exotic workshops to offer, over a week's worth of time... you'll be on the fast train to uplifting your creative spirit like you took an artistic vacation. Woot! Woot!

And the next stop on this amazing journey is our Virginia Beach Event. Filled with such a variety of classes in all types of categories, you won't want to miss this Art & Soul in October. Here's just a sampling of what we have to offer this year (and a special offer at the end of this article)! Check it out...

Julie Haymaker Thompson's whimsical approach to jewelry makes this Full Metal Jacket workshop fun and easy. Using cold-connection techniques and tons of layering, these beautiful baubles will adorn you by the end of class!

Okay, seriously? This looks like something you can find in a high end interior decorator's store. But Tory Brokenshire can teach you how to Light Up Your Life all on your own, from wire form to finished lamp! How cool is that?

We've altered everything else at Art & Soul, so why not your jeans? Sandy Lupton helps you do the Hippy Hippy Shake as you alter and embellish your favorite comfy blues. The results are pretty adorable.

Do you Zentangle? Well if you have, you know... but if you haven't and you try it, you'll never ever stop! But how could you with such gorgeous results as these. Join Suzanne McNeill as she kicks it up a notch with color, not to mention some style and pizazz!

Are you a queen? Yes you are! So you totally need to make this stunning French Beaded Crown with A Gilded Life's girls Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murray. And you don't even have to bring a thing to their class! Now that's being treated like royalty.

Cathy Taylor takes you where very few have gone before... inside your electronic devices! Why? Well, it's for the purpose of repurposing circuit boards to create whimsical collages. Don't worry, your brain won't Short Circuit in this workshop, as Cathy is the most patient of teachers.

Get whisked away to a magical forest in Judy Porter's Woodland Whimsies workshop, as you learn to sculpt your own fairy, elf or troll in polymer clay. A fun and unique class that will surely appeal to your fantasy fetishes.

And there's really so much more that we have to offer this year. When I was reviewing all our workshops for this post, it was so hard to choose which ones to showcase. We've got amazingly talented instructors, with stunning projects and techniques to teach you.

September 29 - October 5, 2014
Virginia Beach Resort Hotel
Virginia Beach, VA

So check out our classes today. And, if you register before May 31st, you'll get 10% off all workshops. Simply use the code SPRING VA for your special discount! For more information on workshops, you can browse our website by workshop instructors, individual classes, or even by project photos. So grab a cup of your favorite beverage and have a look around.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Virginia Beach... Things to Bring & Lots of Shopping!

Well, kiddos... it's almost here! Virginia Beach Art & Soul kicks off tomorrow and we've got so many wonderful workshops, exciting events and good times planned for you.

So to get you all excited about your creative adventure, we thought we'd share a couple things with you that we get asked a lot....

First, "what should I bring in my 'Basic Supply Kit'?" is one of our topmost questions. We consider this like your creative purse... of sorts. Stuff you'll probably need or that you wish you had on hand — in a pinch — while you're here. So, on the right here... is what we think are the top items you might need in your magic bag! So, in addition to your specific workshop supplies, you may want to bring along some of these popular items.

That covers Things to Bring. Now didn't I mention Lots of Shopping? Oh yeah! Our attendees are always asking, " What can I find at the on-site store? And when are they open?"


As always, Judy Gula and her fabulous Artistic Artifacts store have set up shop (pun intended) at our retreat as our exclusive On-Site Store! We love Judy for her tireless dedication to our creative adventurers, and of course for her awesome selection of hand dyed vintage linens & trims, coins, keys, beads, buttons, charms, metal, paper & fiber collage kits, vintage and new game pieces, surface design supplies, embellishments, craft tools and supplies, books, magazines inks, paints, rubber stamps and sooooo much more. So if you forget something, need something, or just have to have something... she's got it! And she'll even have a space set up to try out some of the latest and greatest products... so you'll know that you have to have them!!

The Artistic Artifacts on-site store hours 
(same as the Art & Soul Office hours) will be:
Tuesday, April 23 — 3:00pm - 6pm
Wednesday - Friday, April 24 - 26 — 7:30am - 6pm
Saturday, April 27 — 7:30am - 5pm
Sunday, April 28 — 8am - 2pm


And then there's our Vendor Night Extravaganza!! "What time should I be there and who is vending?" We'll have a giant room full of vendors — which includes many of our very own instructors — offering original artwork, antique objects, fabrics, jewelry notions, collage items, assemblage and mixed media components, art supplies, vintage everything and more! Something for everyone. The vendor event is free to registered attendees and is open to the public for a fee of $10 at the door. A no-host bar will also be available to enhance your evening... and loosen your purse strings, LOL!

Here's a list of people and businesses you'll be able to shop on 
Saturday Evening from 6pm - 9pm!

Workshop Teachers:
  • Sally Jean
  • Catherine Anderson
  • Serena barton
  • Clarissa Callissen
  • Jen Crossley
  • Doreen Kassel
  • Erin Keck
  • Kari McKnight
  • Lynn Suprock - Simlpy Pretty Things
  • Cheryl Strait
  • Jean VanBrederode
  • Sandra Wilson
  • Kim St Jean
  • Stephanie Rubiano
 
Outside Vendors:
  • Renewed Interest- Nancy Clark
  • Collage Closet
  • Found Objects
  • Havana Banana
  • Paper Gems
  • Rusty & Crusty
  • Vintage Rescue Squad
  • Soulie Sandras - Sandra Koterba  
  • and maybe a few surprises!

So save a little money and leave a little extra space in your luggage and we'll see you there!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Virginia Beach Opening Night Par-tay! Woot!

Going to our Virginia Beach Art & Soul Retreat in a couple weeks? Well then, we'd love for you to join us for an Opening Night Party sponsored by...


A most amazing bead shop, located right in Virginia Beach, The Bead Goes On features Hill Tribe silver and copper plated beads, handmade lampwork beads, resin beads, exotic beads from Thailand and all kinds of findings. Some very unique items, I must say!


Stop on in and enjoy food, drinks and a special goody bag with some pretty awesome... well... we'll just keep you guessing! Catch up with your Art & Soulmates and meet some newbies. Chat, nibble and share your creative excitement. The party is free for all attendees!

Virginia Beach Art & Soul 2013
Opening Night Party
Tuesday, April 23rd
6:00pm

We are beyond excited to have The Bead Goes On as one of our exclusive sponsors, and for generously putting on this pre-event shindig. We are equally excited to see our East coast Art & Soul family! See you in a couple weeks!!

© photos courtesy of The Bead Goes On

Monday, April 8, 2013

Springtime Brings... Happy Harpies!

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It's Springtime, yayyy! So I want you to stretch your arms way up in the air like a tree and then I want you to stretch your imagination and think.... Harpy! Why? Because our amazingly creative workshop instructor Clarissa Callesen will be teaching  Happy Harpies in just a few weeks at Art and Soul in Virginia Beach ...and there are still spots left in the class!!  Come play and make your very own Harpy — or maybe we should start calling them Bird Goddesses. Take a look at what her class is all about. Take it away Clarissa....

harpy
I seem to be kind of obsessed with the image of a woman’s face on a bird body or a Harpy.  But Mythologically speaking or in modern slang, the Harpy’s reputation is not a pretty one.

HARPY
–noun, plural -pies.
1. Classical Mythology. a ravenous, filthy monster having a woman's head and a bird's body.
2. (lowercase) a scolding, nagging, bad-tempered woman; shrew.
3. (lowercase) a greedy, predatory person.

However in earlier Greek mythology, Harpies were described as beautiful, winged  maidens. So what happened? I have some feminist theories about what happen, but alas this blog is actually about art. I have been making lots of Harpies lately and it has been an image that has been in my sketch books for years.
 

No matter what materials you start with, these magical creatures always end up with very distinct personalities. One of the many reasons I love creating them! 

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 Assemblage Harpy made with a porcelain doll head on a fake crow body, made this past Spring.  

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This one's made from a vintage composite doll head with eyes that blink,
on a tacky Christmas bird decoration  


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A slightly scarier Harpy made of a composite Virgin Mary head,
with wings made out of gut stretched over wire. 

  
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  And my Geisha Harpy made from a doll head that I had from my childhood.

Wow! Thanks, Clarissa! Pretty cool stuff, huh? My mind has taken flight, thinking of all the wonderful objects I can repurpose into a fascinating bird assemblage! So be sure and check out Clarissa's Happy Harpies workshop, as well as the other amazing classes she'll be teaching at Virginia Beach Art & Soul... and then sign up to play! Hurry... the deadline for registration is April 22nd, and this event takes place April 24th-28th! Tweet! Tweet! 

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

What To Do With UFOs? An Alchemical Tutorial


Let's face it... we've all got UFOs laying around the house... right? And if you're not sure what a UFO is here in the mixed media art world, it's what we lovingly refer to as our Un-Finished Objects! In today's blog post, we're featuring a cool tutorial from Serena Barton that's "distressing" in the most wonderful way! She shares with us how to transform a collage piece that didn't work out into something wonderful using re-inkers. You won't believe how quickly and easily you can turn something into a well-aged masterpiece. Check it out!

If you love Serena's lovely layers and creative techniques, she'll be teaching several workshopsat our Virginia Beach Art & Soul as well as our Portland event. Take a look and see what she has in store for you!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

How to Train Your Dragon... and Other Animal Stories!


Have you seen this awesome Dragon! class taught by two of my favorite instructors Ty and Marcia Schultz at Art & Soul Virginia? It's a chance for you to breathe life into your very own mythical creature as you learn to create the basic form that supports your dragon and decorate it any way you wish! Ty and Marcia will be by your side to guide your sculptural side and share secrets of the prop-building trade. It's an evening that will have you breathing fire... in a good way!



Take a look at this fun little video as Ty explains what you'll get to accomplish in this unique evening workshop! 

And in case Dragons aren't your thing, maybe you have other hangups? Perfect! Then check out Ty and Marcia's Animal Hang Ups workshop. You'll get to make your very own animal to hang on the wall!

This impressive duo will magically show you how to create realistic-looking animals using everyday materials. You'll surprise yourself as these experts (26 years in the biz) show you how easy it can be to make something so beautiful!

Or maybe you don't want to sculpt from scratch yet but you've always wanted to make a mold from objects you already have? Awesome! In their Moldmaking class, Ty and Marcia can show you the step-by-step process of creating a two piece silicone block mold as well as a few other types of processes. If you ever needed more than one of the same item for an art piece, then this comprehensive class will be invaluable!




Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Virginia Beach Classes Are Up!


Woohoo... during the last few days of the Las Vegas retreat, I've been uploading classes for our Virginia Beach Art & Soul Retreat for 2013 and they are online and ready for your perusal! Check out what we have to offer by searching for your favorite instructor,  look through our daily workshop schedules, or if you're the visual type browse our classes by project example photos!

Registration opens in a few days... on June 25th! So get yourself into that quiet little room of yours, grab a snack and a drink, find those reading glasses (where did I put those?) and get ready to surf your little creative hearts out! You're going to love the lineup we have, so pick your faves and get ready to blow up the servers next Monday!

This year's Virginia Beach retreat was the first time in our new seashore location — and can I just say what a ridiculously amazing time we had! So come and join us again next April 24-28th! For more information on Art & Soul's Virginia retreat, visit our website at www.artandsoulretreat.com

Friday, March 9, 2012

Did You Find What You Were Looking For?

Wow! Well, Virginia Beach Art & Soul has just wrapped up and can I just tell you how excited, engergized and enthusiastic I was coming home from this event!! I'd like to blame this euphoria on the beach air, but truthfully it was the combination of a seaside venue, a set of amazingly talented instructors, curious and courageous attendees, the store, the staff, the hotel and everyone who had any part in this fabulous mixed media art retreat we all love so much.

You know I'm prejudiced, well... because it's my baby... So I thought I'd share just a few of the comments that have been pouring into the Yahoo Group now that we're all home and rested. Okay, mostly rested. Here are some excerpts from students and teachers, newbies and veterans alike...

"I had such a wonderful time at this year's A&S. As usual, I loved all of my classes but loved the intimacy of the new venue. I learned new stuff, met new people, reconnected with "old" people, walked on the beach, and ate fabulous food - the hotel restaurant had surprisingly good food. Am counting the days till next year!"

 "WOW, is the word that comes to mind when describing my first A&S experience. I overloaded classes (10) but what an experience. Thank u for such a great experience, if life allows I will be back!!! Looking forward to staying in touch too with all my new friends!"
 
"It was so wonderful being in the company of so many creative, talented and wonderful people. The energy you created was palpably positive and I was honored to be a part of the experience!" 

"Thank you all for making this event unforgettable yet again and let me  be honest ... every single time I travel to attend Art & Soul it is just getting better and better. It is worth it to travel those 28 hours (single way !) Thank you all for the wonderful classes, the wonderful shared friendships... the discussions ...Thank you for everything and I so hope to meet ya'll again in 2013. Thank you all for the warmth I received."

"Glad to here Art and Soul is coming back to Virginia Beach. This is my fourth Art and Soul in this area and feel it was the best."

"A Big THANK YOU to you, Glenny and Marie for running this top notch retreat. I have participated as a student in years past and was so thrilled to now be one of Art & Soul's Instructors. Absolutely love the students that I taught, what a talented bunch. So, I just want to say that perhaps this was the BEST Art and Soul ever (IMHO) and huge THANK YOU'S to Glenny, Marie, and Judy and her "worker-bees" and to my teachers and students for an amazing 144 hours (more or less) of artistic bliss. We are all such a great group and I firmly believe that although there are magazines, books, CD's, DVD's, and E-Books on art media, NOTHING can replace the commeradie, the great vibes, and the creative spirit that is generated with human togetherness. To all the beautiful artists who I met in my classes, the halls, and the store , I send bundles of creative blessings for the rest of the year----------until we meet again, cheers!"

"Thank you Glenny and Marie for planning such an amazing retreat. I enjoyed see old friends and making new ones. And of course the trades, which are one of my favorite parts of the retreat, were fabulous this year. Everyone asks me which class did you like best and I can't decide. All of my classes were fantastic. The hotel employees were incredibly nice and friendly... Can't wait to see everyone again next year." 

"This was my first A&S event and all I can say is AMAZING!!! I met some fun kind TALENTED people this week and I can't thank you all enough for one of the best times I've had in a long time!I told my mom that I found my tribe!!! You all understand that I should always wear a tiara!!!  PLEASE COME BACK TO VA BEACH WE NEED THIS ON THE EAST COAST!!!!! BE CREATIVE!"

Well, folks... this is why I do what I do. These events foster such a palpable, happy vibe, a sense of comaraderie, and push us all to the heights of creativity. I can't wait until the next one! And I invite you to join us.... so you can find what you were looking for.

Stay tuned as we follow up with more photos and good times from our Virginia Beach event. In the meantime, check out our Las Vegas retreat... it's right around the corner!!

~Glenny xoxo

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Virginia Beach... What a View!


Okay... so I don't mean to brag (okay, I really do!), but this is the view from my balcony at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel.... the new venue for Art & Soul Retreat, VA! This morning's breakfast was really good. The classrooms are comfortably roomy and very nice. The weather is supposed to be in the 70s!  And there's lots of shopping within walking distance from the hotel. (Ahhhh... taking a moment to breathe in this delightful sea air). What a fabulous place to call "home" for the next week! Can't wait to see you all!

~Glenny xoxo