Art & Soul Radio... Tune in for China Marks: Making Her Mark in Fabric, March 26th

Come along with Leslie Riley as she chats with China Marks, who was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She earned a B.F.A. in Sculpture from the Kansas City Art Institute and an M.F.A. in Sculpture from Washington University in St. Louis. In 1976, she moved to New York City and now lives and creates in a converted Long Island City factory.

China uses an industrial sewing machine to make process-directed drawings and books out of fabric and thread. Her work has been shown in galleries and museums in the United States and Europe.

She has received numerous grants and fellowships, including a 2005 NY fellowship for her sewn drawings. Her work has appeared in Surface Design Journal, Fiberarts, Art in America magazines as well as numerous solo and group shows.

She was trained and worked for many years as a sculptor, using all kinds of hand and power tools. Familiar with acrylic, pencil, cement, wood, metal, resin & bone as a sculptor & painter, When China began work on her sewn drawings, she had no experience with fabric. To her, the industrial sewing machine she creates with is just another power tool - one that she draws with.

Leslie and China will be talking about this and so much more in her interview. So please join us for an inspirational chat...

Art & Soul Radio featuring China Marks
with Lesley Riley
Monday, March 26th
7:00pm EST
blogtalkradio.com/art-and-soul-radio




And don't forget, Art & Soul Radio's interviews are also available on demand, to listen to at your leisure. Check out what other mixed-media artists are doing and how they're living their lives with passion any time!

We Are So Pleased To Welcome Artist Mindy Lacefield to the Art & Soul Family!

When you discover something great, you want to share it with everybody! And that's how we felt when we discovered Mindy Lacefield, right in our midst at the Art & Soul Virginia Beach event. And although she was there to take classes, we heard it over and over, "oh you have to have Mindy teach at Art & Soul!" So we were lucky enough to book her for our 2012 Portland event. Woohoo!

With such a vibrant, sparkling personality, Mindy's art is a whimsical reflection of her own outlook on life. I mean, seriously folks... look at her photo... can you imagine not having fun in her class? But really, a lot of her inspiration comes from seeing through childlike eyes — and the heart of a 7 year old — and that's exactly what she'll teach you to do!

Working quickly, letting go, and allowing spontaneous splashes of color just happen has been her approach to facing the blank canvas. Being in the moment and enjoying the process of painting with no specific plans of the outcome continues to thrive as Mindy's method of creating. She revels in exploring the duality of nature — the dark against the sweet side —  watching them evolve and marry together, awakening that dreamlike state that resides in the layers of her soul.

In a conversation with Mindy, we came to find that she developed her style by not listening to her art teachers! When she had let go and learned to be free... it did not conform to what was required by the "standards" of art. So... she stopped listening to them and started listening to that little 7 year old girl and the rest is history! Her style is uniquely hers and can be seen in many of today's mixed media publications. What a great find Mindy is!

She'll make her Art & Soul teaching debut at our Portland event later this year — which takes place October 1-7 — and will be offering two full day workshops....

Animal Guide - Tuesday, October 2nd
In this class, you'll discover how the animal you've always been drawn to will  help you discover more about yourself. Mindy will show you how to create your animal totem girl using intuitive mark making and beautiful color as a ground for the body and cloak. She'll show you how to use color to give depth and dimension. You will build luminous layers within the face to reveal a road-map of emotion and journey.

Twirl Girls Journal - Wednesday, October 3rd
In this journal class you'll use simple materials such as cardboard, ribbon, and craft paint to create fun, magical journals. No measuring involved which means you will let loose and have fun with the process of painting. Free-form, intuitive mark making and color blocking will serve as your backgrounds, with  full spectrum splashes of color! You'll become enamored with the process and tactile feel of the painting!

Mindy is a full time artist living in central Arkansas with her hubby and two pooches. When she’s not in the studio, she loves to watch independent films and is inspired by the movies of Tim Burton, Alfred Hitchcock, and Stanley Kubrick.

Art & Soul Virginia Beach 2012...Wrap it up!

Wow, wow, wowie, wow! Now that we've all caught our breath from Art & Soul Virginia Beach, I wanted to highlight some more of the amazing fun that was had at this seaside venue! It's hard to whittle down which photos to share, as there were so many facets of this event that made it really special.

I know I sound like a broken record when i say this, but I think this was the best Art & Soul yet. So many new instructors — including Jen Crossley here, who came all the way from Australia to teach — added to the mix of interesting mixed media workshops we had to offer. New friendships were formed. Old friendships were rekindled. Lots of laughing and camaraderie. And a bunch of new jewelry was acquired! All the important things.

The buzz of excitement about the workshops we offered and the talented instructors who taught them were palpable. Imagine walking into your class and the teacher's table looked like this! Cindy Yost French left no stone unturned with her Bead Embroidery Meets Steampunk Necklace workshop. And the students did such a fine job of coming up with their own twist on this hot new trend.

Want to go out with a bang (or should we say a bangle?), then Sally Jean Alexander's Buckle Up and Bangle Down is the place to be! She never runs short of new ideas on how to combine beautiful, professional-looking soldering with a whimsical style and thoughtful composition. You know you're studying with a master when your student's projects look as lovely as this!

And whether it's hair for little dolls....

Or hair for big dolls (wink, wink), Lana Guerra's wit and wisdom always shines through in the unique workshops she teaches. Her Misfit Doll Making yields tiny Tim Burton-like puppets with giant hearts... while her Let's Wig Out class showcases her 17 years of experience as a hair designer making big, far out, whimsical, high fashion looks. Now that alot of hair!

Look at this piece from Jenni Horne's American Still Life class. Is that not the cutest thing you've ever seen? Her childlike views on painting really shone through in the student's work. Makes me long for those simpler times.

Annie Lockhart taught a workshop entitled, Hang With Me - A Magical Mobile and just look at the results!! I love all these weathered bits and bobs on this students mobile. Everybody's work was great in this class... like they'd been making mobiles forever. So well though out and visually balanced. Fun!

And then there was Suzanne McNeil's Spirit Doll class. Look at all these gourd-geous ladies and their unique dolls!

Kari McNight's Stamp & Stencils Journal workshop was a big hit. Students were passing around their journals at the dinner table that night, and everyone had something uniquely their own. That's one of the things I love most about Art & Soul... how each student's work is so different from the next.

Oh, and I also love my amazing assistant, (doesn't that just sound magical? well, she is!) Marie Kennedy, as well as the generous giving souls like Kat Allison. It just doesn't get any better than this folks!

And then there's down-time.... or is there? My roomate Margaret's hands just about keep up with all the ideas in her head... and she's got such great ideas! But like with so many, the creativity doesn't stop when the class is over.

The sand and sea air did such wonderful things for our spirits, but Art & Soul and everyone involved did so much for our creative souls. Thanks so much to all of you who made this possible and for coming along on this artful journey.

~ Glenny xoxo

© photos courtesy of Marie Kennedy

Place Your Bets On Vegas & Get 10% Off Today!!

Come one, come all.... boy these palm trees are tall!!

It's time to think about VEGAS! Or rather, Henderson. The Green Valley Ranch Resort is a quiet 20 minutes from the famed Vegas Strip. The Resort offers everything "Vegas" — casino, entertainment, FOOD, shopping -- but in a more relaxed, elegant atmosphere. 

Win some extra money for Vendor Night... Woohoo!

And they have a shuttle that runs to the main casinos every day so that you can take in a special show or join the craziness that is Vegas. There's also plenty of places for downtime like amazing restaurants, pools, and a retail shopping village.

Ummm... is this some inspiration or what!!

And just to entice you to join us at this awe-inspiring venue...

We are offering a one month special!

Sign up for 2 or more classes now through April 10
and receive 10% off your class fees!! 

The refund will be credited back to your Pay Pal account - or if you are paying by check. We will figure out the amount you owe before you put it in the mail. For more information and registration, visit the Las Vegas section of our website! See you there!!

© photos courtesy of Green Valley Ranch Resort 

Art & Soul Radio... Tune in for Judith Heartsong: Artist with a Song in Her Heart on March 12th

Come along with Leslie Riley as she chats with Judith Heartsong a talented woman who has been working as a professional artist for thirty years, after a public school education which was completely art-centric. As a child she was always out in nature, in the woods and along the creek beds of northern Pennsylvania where she developed a sense of awe and respect for the natural world early on and that devotion has never wavered.

Judith is currently a professional artist and prolific painter with an impressive resume and a mover and shaker in creating and sustaining the art community in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. She has painted a mural at the National Zoo, licensed artwork for collector plates, created a limited edition series of prints sold on Princess Cruise line, she has served on the board of a local art center and most recently works as a corporate art consultant. And if that’s not enough, Judith hosts an artist’s salon each month at her fabulous new studio.

Leslie and Judith will be talking about this and so much more in her interview. So please join us for an inspirational chat...

Art & Soul Radio featuring Judith Heartsong
with Lesley Riley
Monday, March 12th
7:00pm EST
blogtalkradio.com/art-and-soul-radio




And don't forget, Art & Soul Radio's interviews are also available on demand, to listen to at your leisure. Check out what other mixed-media artists are doing and how they're living their lives with passion any time!

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