Welcoming Encaustic Artist Linda Lenart McNulty to Portland 2014!

We are so very pleased and excited to announce the addition of Linda Lenart McNulty to our Portland 2014 lineup! Linda is an Encaustic and Figurative Artist that teaches Encaustic Painting, Encaustic Jewelry and Encaustic Casting, along with workshops in Polymer Sculpting, Casting and Assemblage of Santos. She received her A.A. in Fine Art and her B.F.A. in Modern Dance/Teaching at Columbia College, Chicago. Linda is pioneering a new field in Encaustic Jewelry and has created a series of Encaustic Jewelry Kits and Luminous Encaustic Wax Blox™ to give artists the support they need as they venture into this new land of Encaustic Art! 

With a background in dance, it was her love of movement that led Linda to follow a passion for sculpting the human form. And it was the sculpting that led her to carve in wax, which led her to Encaustic Painting and visual mixed media art.

And, yes... in case you were wondering if Linda Lenart McNulty was related to one of our longtime, favorite mixed media jewelry teachers — Susan Lenart Kazmer — you are absolutely correct. They're sisters!

Linda will be teaching 3 classes with us in Portland next year. Here's a look at the gorgeous mixed media creations she has in store for you. Check out the links to read more about these intriguing workshops... 
 

Wearable Encaustic Shrine - Thursday,  April 10   

Encaustic Daguerreotype Paintings - Friday, April 11 

Luminous Layering in Encaustic Painting - Saturday, April 12 

Want to learn more about this talented artist? Visit Linda's website, luminousencaustics.com or check out her blog about the creative process. She loves talking with students of art and life, for that’s what we all are! 

For more information on our Portland Art & Soul retreat, check out our website and sign up today!

Portland Rocked!

Oh my gosh — what a fabulous Art & Soul this year at the Red Lion on the River in Portland! This venue is just so inspirational in itself. Imagine waking up to this in the morning.

Or this! Every day was a unique painting on a brand new canvas, thanks to Mother Nature.

And I'm sure you all know by now — that seeing what everybody gets to create at Art & Soul is my favorite part of this whole retreat. From gorgeous fabric collages...

...to dainty dolls, upcycled from vintage tins, porcelain beauties, jewelry bits and baubles.

From gorgeous Gelli Plate madness with tons of juicy layers and vibrant colors...

...to clever collages made with ephemera, magazine pages and such.

Or this unique handcrafted kelp basket...

...and all of our excited students who stopped by for Show & Tell in the office. You all rocked it out this year!

Our meeting space in the lobby was PERFECT for introductions, playing and whatever! We certainly made a wonderful mess.

Vendor night was fun and frenzied as usual, with mixed media supplies galore and finished goods by our favorite instructors as well. It's fun to see everyone when they don't have their faces buried in a project. 

Many thanks to everyone who made the event a success. Our dedicated staff and tireless helpers. All of our amazing instructors. Judy and the staff in the store for bringing tons more stuff than we needed. And our dear Energizer Bunny, Marie. Without whom the event would collapse.

And all of you who attended this year... including a most hearty welcome to all the newbies who attended. By all appearances, you were having a ball. Our A&S family rocks!


I can't begin to thank all of you for your enthusiasm, generosity, and kindness. I came away from the retreat so very energized and totally excited about next year.

Our year "On Safari" was truly an adventure... not only in pushing the creative boundaries, but also in digging deeper into the depths of our souls.

Hugs to everyone,
Glenny

Heads Up! Virginia Beach Classes Are Online!

Heads Up! workshop with Deborah Petrino

On the heels of a fabulous Portland event, we are so excited to present the Art & Soul line-up for Virginia Beach 2014! There are dozens and dozens of unique classes to choose from in all your favorite mixed media categories. So check out our lineup for this amazing event! But don't delay...

Registration begins today, Friday, Oct 11, at noon Pacific time! You'll want to be sure and sign up for your favorite classes before they get filled. If you're a veteran Art & Soul'er... you remember those days (back before better technology) when we'd crash the server the minute registration went live! Whew, thank goodness for bigger, better website servers.

And... if you register between Oct 11 and Dec 15, 2013, classes will be reduced to $135 and reg fee is $40.  After Dec 15, classes will be $145 and the reg fee will be $50.  So don't hesitate — sign up today!

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

September 29 - October 5, 2014

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

Virginia Beach, VA

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.

Dog Tired

What a fabulous week we had at Portland Art & Soul... even Miss Katie-dog! One night, after classes were done... after the office was closed... after the socializing was over... we got back to the room... she went upside-down... and was asleep immediately. Me too!

Can't wait to catch you up on all the amazing times we had in Portland at the Red Lion on the River. Just... gotta... rest...

Portland Opening Party A Smash Hit!

 

Well, Portland Art & Soul is in full swing. We had a fabulous time at the opening night party... seeing new students and alumni and everybody getting to schmooze with each other and many of our class instructors at the Meet-n-Greet. It was a perfect opportunity to showcase their classes and talent! This was a fabulous start to a great week! Here are a few of them who stood still long enough for a photo op!!

Andrew Dyrdahl

Erin Keck

Kari McKnight & Jen Crossley

Ingrid Dijkers

Jean VanBrederode

Liz Kettle

Jill Berry

...and Mark Crossley with my Katie-girl!

Thanks to all who came out to celebrate and kick off our week-long event. I can't wait to see what all of you create while you're here!

Glenny

xoxo

Portland Excitement! We're Almost There!

Are you ready to get messy... be creative... learn something new... get inspired... and hang out with like-minded souls? Yeah, us too! Portland Art & Soul is literally right around the corner and my heart is skipping beats already. We've got lots of exciting activities planned for you... so here's a sneak peek to get you excited.

Art & Soul Portland

Red Lion on the River

September 30 - October 6th, 2013

The Opening Night Party — sponsored by Spellbinders — will be on Sunday, September 29th from 6:00-9:00pm. Many of our instructors will be available to chat with, autograph books, and even take an up close and personal look at their class samples! Everyone will also receive tickets for a complimentary beverage and scrumptious snacks.

Every day during the event, we'll have Demos and Make-n-Takes in the hotel lobby — you can't miss us! This area will also be available for you to work on your project, visit with friends (and make some new ones!), and enjoy an evening cocktail... or two.

Wednesday evening, October 2nd, Patti Haltom from Stamp-a-dee-do-dah will have a special book Make-n-Take. This session is limited to 20 students so be sure to sign up in the office when you arrive.

Thursday evening, October 3rd, Spellbinders is sponsoring another night of Make-n-Takes and demos from 5:30-8:30pm. Come join the fun!

Friday evening, October 4th, artist and editor extraordinaire Jenny Doh will have a book signing and wine sampling event. Join her from 6:00-6:30pm (right before her Keys to Publishing workshop), for this intimate gathering.

Throughout the event, we'll have lots of giveaways and you'll finally get to see the "special objects" decorated by our wonderfully creative students for this year's On Safari theme! And maybe we'll have a few surprises for you too. You never know what impromptu get-togethers will pop up with this crowd!

And of course, our Vendor Extravaganza — Saturday, October 5th from 6:00-9:00pm — is free to registered attendees and is open to the public for only $5 at the door. We will have dozens of vendors and your favorite workshop instructors offering finished artwork as well as art supplies, vintage findings, fabrics, jewelry, collage items, assemblage — something for everyone! A no-host bar will also be available to enhance your evening. So come shop you little mixed media heart out!

We're looking forward to seeing you at our Portland event!!