Cyber Monday Sale!

Hey, we'd love to give you a break this holiday shopping season and an opportunity to expand your creative souls! Since all of our registration takes place online, we've decided to offer a Cyber Monday Sale for 24 hours — this Monday, December 2nd! So, from 12am until 11:59pm you can get 10% off all the classes you sign up for! Kansas City. Portland. Virginia Beach. They're all included! Just type in the code CYBERSALE to take advantage of this virtual shopping opportunity!

Kansas City, MO  •  March 19 - 23, 2014

Portland, OR  •  April 7 - 14, 2014

Virgina Beach, VA  •  September 29 - October 5, 2014

For registration and more information, visit our website at www.artandsoulretreat.com!

Thanks For Giving...

If you've kept up with me on this blog or on Facebook, you know it's been kind of a rough year. But when holidays like Thanksgiving come around, well... you really can't hide from that word — Thanks! It seems like all the tough situations I've been in this year have brought me closer to the people in my life and made me realize how important the connections of family and friends really are. I mean — when all is said and done, when there are no more "things" left — what have you got? You've got the love of family and friends. That's what!

And through this year, I've fondly thought of all of you — my Art & Soul family. And all the love and support you have given me. I typically don't see myself that way — on the receiving end, that is. I'm usually the one trying to put on these events for your enjoyment and creative growth. But you turned the tables when you filled up my heart to overflowing this year — with all the love you sent my way when I needed it the most.

So, I just wanted to say on this very special holiday... thanks for giving!

Big Giant Hugs to You All,
Glenny xoxo

Arndt We Lucky!

We're so excited that we've finally convinced one of our favorite Art & Soul instructors — Doris Arndt — to travel all the way from Washington state to teach at our Virginia Beach location!

 

Known for her whimsical style, Doris has shared her love of books and other media throughout the country, teaching workshops for over 15 years.   Her non-traditional approach and innovative bindings have earned her loyal student followings. Her work has been seen in The Studio, Somerset Studio, The Rubber Stamper, Rubberstampmadness and in several books as well as on the Carol Duvall show and at shows nationwide.   

Take a look at the workshops Doris will be offering at Art & Soul Virginia Beach in 2014. Pretty darn cool if you ask me!

Memory Keeper Journal - this workshop is jam packed full of information and ideas! You'll get to re-purpose and gut a used book, replacing the inside with your own pages... learn to age fabric for the cover... make pages that fold out with unique add-ons and enclosures... and so much more! This journal will truly be a reflection of you.

Brown Bag It Baby - you'll create magic with simple brown bags in this playful workshop. Through the alchemy of paint, text and imagery, the bags are transformed with metallic hues, enhanced with re-purposed encyclopedia pages and images into decorative pages that unfold to reveal pockets. Embellished covers and a no sew accordion spine make this a unique journal.

Can Do Journal - in this class, you'll take aluminum cans to a whole new level! Learn to cut and weave metal and create a totally new look. With its simple techniques and sublime results, you'll definitely want to take this class... I know you can do it!

The World Traveler Book - this book is the perfect companion on your personal safari. A tome fit to hold your scribbles, doodles and ephemera from your travels. The World Traveler Book combines variations of the secret Belgium binding and an over-the-cord binding to create a totally unique spine. 

Mask Pins of the Orient - in keeping with our theme for next year — On The Orient Express — Doris is showing you how to make these mask pins of the Orient. Bright and bold or in more natural colors, these masks are conversation pieces. Easily created with a few supplies and simple techniques, they will charm you with their versatility. Fun and funky they can dress up any outfit. Use them as a pin or fashion a unique pendant.

So, thanks a bunch Doris, for deciding to join us at this relaxing bayside retreat in 2014. I know our students will be so happy you've joined us on the east coast!

For more information on Art & Soul Virginia Beach — September 30 through October 5, 2014 — visit our website.

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. 

Portland Early Bird Special Extended!

Art & Soul Portland 2014 registration is hopping and classes are filling up quickly. So we've decided to give you some pre-holiday inspiration to sign up today... before you get too busy with turkey dinners and holiday shopping. So here's the deal...

If you register for our Portland 2014 Art & Soul before November 25, 2013, your classes will be the 2007 price of $135!!  So don't hesitate. Register today to make certain you reserve a spot in all your favorite classes. With our easy payment plan and different payment options, it makes Art & Soul the most affordable retreat for you. And don't forget... we offer gift certificates too! Why not tell that special someone this is exactly what you wanted for a holiday gift!

Art & Soul Mixed Media Retreat

Portland 2014

April 7-13, 2014

Check out our website for additional information on our Portland 2014 event! You can browse by workshop instructors, class listings, or by project samples. Either way you look at it... it's going to be tough to decide! Happy browsing!

Fondly,
Glenny and the Crew