Portland Classes Are Online... and Open For Registration!

Oh my gosh — we have the most incredible line-up of classes for next year in Portland!  I am excited and thrilled to be able to offer such a stellar group of instructors to our amazing attendees.
So, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and prepare to be overjoyed as you scroll through the website.

Register NOW and Save $$$
Some of these classes are going to sell out early --just like in the old days. So don't wait too long to make a choice.  And to make things even more appealing, we are offering a 10% discount off of the class fees until June 15.  Yup!  Rolling Back again to give you the best opportunity to lock in your favorite class.  Remember, you do not have to pay in full at this time --- only 1/3 of your total is due at registration.  Our handy dandy payment plan makes selecting your classes a breeze.  Type in the code: PDX15 at check out.

Its All About Fabric, Fibers & Mixed Media
All types of fibers are finding their way into mixed media arts and we are happy to incorporate some new instructors and classes into our mainstream A&S line-up.  We will have one classroom dedicated to sewing and equipped with machines so it will not be necessary for you to worry about traveling with a machine.

Sculpture Too!
We are pleased to announce a new instructor,  Lew Aytes with his class: "From Clay to Sculpture in 2 Days". Lew has received specialized training in mold making, wood and stone sculpture and sculpting the human figure. He is a figurative artist who creates art in bronze and other mediums, and expands installations to include multiple mediums in collaboration with other artists. His pieces are in private and public collections around the world.

Art & Soul Portland will take place March 2-8, 2015 and we will be at The Sheraton Airport Hotel. Our lodging rate is the best EVER at $109 per night.  The rate includes breakfast and evening drink voucher.

So come check out our Portland event at www.ArtAndSoulRetreat.com. You can browse by workshops, instructors, or project photos. Can't wait to see which amazing classes you'll choose!

Portland Art & Soul... So Amazing You Could Just Feel the Creativity!

Wow! What an event! I'm already missing each of you and the wonderful week we had in Portland. Thanks to everyone for joining us in our creative playground. This mixed media journey continues to touch lives and we are beyond thrilled!

Now... typically I wrap up an event by featuring photos of our enthusiastic and talented teachers.

I talk about their professional experience and how they love to share their knowledge, one-on-one with students in their workshops.

And then I mention the amazing people who come to Art & Soul for the purpose of expanding their creative horizons.

I brag about the breathtaking art they have created here, and confess that is one of my favorite aspects of these events.

And perhaps I chat a bit about our amazing Vendor Extravaganza and the gorgeous finished work, bits and baubles, ephemera, supplies and brick-a-brack that our teachers and other vendors have for your purchasing pleasure!

But this time I wanted to share a different aspect of Art & Soul with you. The side that makes people love this genre called "mixed media". It's the yummy textures and colors and eye candy that makes up every aspect of every project that gets created at our events. It's the stuff. The stuff you make. The stuff you use to make stuff. It's stuff you made that you use to make other stuff. Like a kid in a creative candy store... one of each, please!

All the different techniques and surfaces you get to use in workshops... well, they just make me swoon. Everything you do involves all the senses, and that's part of the appeal. And using found or everyday objects for mark-making, well... 'nuff said.

Getting to use natural materials in a creative way is such an amazingly tactile experience. Learning to manipulate Mother Nature into a piece of art. How many times do you get to say that?

Papers, papers, papers and more papers. Look at those beautiful layers of color and texture. Yum!

And, like I said... even the stuff you use to make stuff looks appealing when it's all bunched together on your art table...

Who loves fabric, raise your hand! Meeeeee!

And for those who have Shiny Object Syndrome, classes that feature metalworking are the icing on the cake. Or the hammer on the metal. All those bits and baubles. I just want to run my hands over them!

No matter which way you look at Art & Soul, it's an amazing journey, with adventurous souls, tons of creativity, lots of laughs, and a time you'll never forget. I thank you all... from the hotel and staff, the attendees, my helpers, and everyone who makes it possible for me to bring in-person inspiration to the masses! Pinch me, I must be dreaming...

Glenny
xoxo

Kansas City Art & Soul... a Spectacular Event!

If this looks like a smorgasbord to you... If this makes you take a quick breath in and sigh with delight as that same breath flows back out... If you think you've landed at the buffet line in Art Heaven.... well, then... you've either been to one of our mixed media retreats... or you need to attend one!

And although we are in the midst of our Portland event (are we even allowed to have this much fun in one month?), I just had to share with you what a spectacular time we had at our Kansas City Art & Soul Retreat!

Every year we return here, we feel more welcome, more excited, and more overwhelmed with the positive response we get from attendees. It makes my mixed media heart go pitter-patter!

We had lots of smiling teachers — who actually travel from all over the US (and other countries!) — just to share their creative projects and techniques with our students. We're pretty lucky.

We also had lots of smiling students! Their zest for learning never ceases to amaze me.

...and yes, sometimes we let Marie out to play! Just look at that gorgeous fabric book she's working on.

Put them all together and what do you get? Some pretty amazing artwork. Like these alcohol ink prints made in Cathy Taylor's class.

...or this spine-tingling mixed media necklace made by a student in Jean VanBrederode's Gruesome Griselda workshop. 

In Leslie Brier's Santos class, students really pushed the limits of form and function to create these doll reliquaries using all sorts of bits and baubles. The quiet moments in the classroom let you know that there's something good going on. That's the sound of concentration and being in the moment!

Here's a student all tangled up in Zentangle, taught by the very talented Suzanne McNeill. I'm telling you... if you ever start to Zentangle... you will never stop! It's doodling at its finest (and funnest!).

And speaking of addictive hobbies... have you played with Gelli Plates yet? Go ahead... I dare you! And I won't even say, "I told you so!"

No matter what your artistic inclinations may be... and no matter what your level of creative experience... there was something for everyone at Art & Soul, Kansas City. We pride ourselves on being an open, welcoming group for all levels of artists.

Besides the workshops we had to offer, it's the sense of community that you find at our retreats... the formation of friendships... and the bonding over new creative adventures that seem to bring our students back year after year. That's the reason I do this. So thanks to all of you who attended, my right and left hand chicks (Marie and Liz), our talented teachers, our lovely hotel & spa The Elms along with their staff, and our on-site store Artistic Artifacts. Together we make one tribe!

Glenny
xoxo

P.S. Want to see more awesome pictures from our Kansas City Retreat at the Elms Hotel? Check out our photo album on the Art & Soul Facebook page.

© 2014 photos by Liz Kettle

Portland Art & Soul is Next Week! Exciting Events & More...

Okay, whew... we just finished up Art & Soul Kansas City, Missouri... and now we're off to Portland, Oregon for our next event! But just wanted to pop in to say that it's not too late to get some fabulous classes at the Portland Art & Soul. Online registration will continue until this Saturday, April 5th, and you can also register in-person at the hotel on Sunday, March 6th!

Portland Art & Soul

April 7-13th, 2014

Red Lion on the River

Portland, Oregon

And we've got a pretty amazing lineup of events for our attendees. Check out what's going on...

Sunday, April 6th

Opening Night Party

Sunday Eve 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Meet-and-Greet with the Instructors, view their artwork, class samples and mingle with attendees. Demos and Make-n-Takes by Judy Gula of Artistic Artifacts. Enjoy snacks and a no host bar.

Saturday, April 12th

Vendor Extravaganza

Saturday Eve 6:00pm - 9:00pm

The vendor event is free to registered attendees and is open to the public for a fee of $10 at the door. We will have approx. 25 vendors, offering finished artwork, art supplies, vintage findings, fabrics, jewelry, collage items, assemblage... something for everyone! A no-host bar will also be available to enhance your evening. Please join us!

Make-n-Takes — Schedule

We will have various instructors and companies throughout the event. Demos will be in outside the store in our meeting area at 5:00 pm each eve. Be sure to look for:

Monday, April 7th 
Debbie Rijns Great SWARVOSKI Melt

Tuesday, April 8th 

Doris Arndt Watercolor ATC with White Ink Pens

Wednesday, April 9th 

Cathy Taylor Get Real Alcohol Inks

Friday, April 11th
John Creighton Petersen from IMAGINE CRAFTS will be featuring:
New StazOn Midis
GlazOn Layer Protectant
irRESISTible Texture Sprays
Memento Luxe Ink

AND...
ICE Resin, Iced Enamels, Mica & Glitter

Saturday, April 12th

Kari Futeft STRATHMORE Mixed Media Greeting Cards

There's tons of fun stuff to do at our Portland event outside of the amazing workshops we have to offer... So, get more info, and register now at ArtAndSoulRetreat.com! Can't wait to see you there...