Virginia Beach... One Colorful Event!

Wow, wow, wowie, wow! What a colorful event Virginia Beach Art & Soul was! Everywhere I turned there was bold color and striking patterns in all kinds of mixed media projects created in our amazing workshops. Like this gorgeous enamel pendant made by one of Jean Van Brederode's students... it looks like it was made by Mother Nature herself!

These Alcohol Ink backgrounds created in Cathy Taylor's class just blew me away. And, in case you didn't already know, she IS the Queen of Alcohol Inks. She has so many techniques that produce so many different results, it's always a pleasure to peek in and see what her students are creating.

And how about these magnificent copper bracelets made in Eva Sherman's class! They look like they're painted with Alcohol Inks, but they're actually painted with fire! A beautiful and sophisticated cuff with texture and color made from a flame. Wow!

We love seeing happy students showing off their colorful projects, like this hand made journal from Doris Arndt & Judy Gula's Printed and Bound workshop.

How about layers and layers and layers of color and patterns to create a basis for some awesome sea creature paintings, made in Kitty Miller's class. Such richness and depth!

 

Our on site store, hosted by Judy Gula of Artistic Artifacts is always a colorful place to stop in and shop in. She so graciously carries everything you could possibly need (and more) for the many different workshops we offer. It's a partnership made in mixed-media heaven!

And of course, we absolutely adore our colorful attendees... dressing the part... as unique and creative as the events we host... they are the epitome of the fun, lightheartedness and whimsy we strive to embody at all our retreats!!

In addition to all the wonderful work that comes out of Art & Soul, we really appreciate where it's all made... and take full advantage of the very, very, very spacious classrooms at Virginia Beach! It creates the perfect environment to stretch your mind, and your legs... and to spread out all your goodies, set up workstations and have all the room you need to create until your heart's content.

As always our professional, nurturing instructors enjoyed guiding our students through every facet of the creative process. Our teachers absolutely love sharing their knowledge with you, and it shows. They've been so inspirational for so many people, it just warms my heart.

And what's an Art & Soul retreat without a little showing off... like your new hooters... from Erin Keck's workshop of the same name, of course. What were you thinking?

These ladies were so proud to show off their tunics made in Ruth Chandler's sewing class, made with vintage fabrics. It was a fabulous way to take the old and make it new again! We are thrilled to be able to offer unbelievable sewing classes, thanks to Bernina providing us with all the machines we need.

And our Virginia Beach retreat would not be complete without Mother Nature showing off! We were so lucky to catch a glipse of these dolphins playing and feeding right off shore during our week on the Chesapeake Bay! What a delight to watch.

So, in case you couldn't tell by now, we had a great time in Virginia. We LOVE the beach! The opening party continues to be a smash hit. Big thanks to Sally Roesler and Beadniks for hosting an open house – complete with special music provided by Dennis Webb. Our students continue to astound me with their adventurous spirits and fearlessness when it comes to trying something new. Our instructors have become family and as they nurture you I watch in awe at the creativity they bring out in all of you! Our Vendor Night, our hotel staff, our rooms with balconies to soak in this amazing shoreline... I am blessed to be a part of it all. So thank you, thank you, thank you... from the bottom of my heart... and soul.

Glenny
xoxo

Virginia Registration is Now Open!!

Doris Arndt - Beaded & Bound Booklace

Well, we have another wonderful line-up classes that will thrill you for Art & Soul Virginia 2015... and registration is now open! 

Helen Shafer Garcia - Color Pencil Journaling

So you know what that means... Grab a glass of your favorite beverage... get yourself a little something to nosh on... grab those reading glasses if you need them... and start perusing our spectacular workshops we have for you at this beachside retreat!

Doreen Kassel - Jiggly Jointed Dolls

There's a little bit of something for everyone... collage, assemblage, sculpture, dolls, painting, journaling and bookmaking, jewelry, sewing, and so much more!

Leslie Brier - Time Traveler's Kaleidoscope

Like to work with paper... cloth... fabric... fiber... metal... glass... clay... resin... watercolors... pastels... acrylics... pencils... vintage items? Well... we've got something for you! And then some.

Cindy Lohbeck - Snow & Ice Dyes

There are lots of new and interesting classes to check out at this retreat... new instructors.... and very exciting projects. So come and take a look!

Nancy Prichard - Temples, Tea Pots & Toys

You can search our Art & Soul Virgina 2015 event by instructors, or by project photos, or by days of the week. Sign up for as many classes as you like, we've got days and evenings chock full of creative mixed media fun for you!

Art & Soul Virginia Beach 2015

September 28 - October 3, 2015

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER! As an incentive, if you register for $250 in classes before Dec 31, 2015, you will receive a $20 Gift Certificate to Artistic Artifacts, our official on-site mixed media store.

We're all looking forward to seeing you!

Virginia Beach... An "Event-ful" Trip!

Well, folks... we had another great event at Art & Soul Virginia Beach this year! Just as we wrapped up our Kansas City event, it was practically time to start packing for this trip! And what a great time it was. I mean... look at the view from the hotel balcony! And the weather was very cooperative this year. Hooray!

The opening night party put on by The Bead Goes On was a great icebreaker for the event. Everyone showed up in their safari best and enjoyed themed food, jungle decor, and wonderful goodies from our sponsor. It was a great way to relax, meet other students and teachers, as well as have a little fun before the creative classes began.

Did I mention having a little fun? Well... um... yeah. We did. And Marie is always there to rescue me if I've been "hanging around" for too long! Gotta get a good night's sleep so I'm well rested for the official opening day!

So here I am in the "office"... our little makeshift area where we check you in for your classes. And  there's a lot less of me than there was last year... after all the weight I've lost. Yay me!

This venue seems to bring out the best in everyone. The bayside waves lapping at our doorsteps and the smell of salt in the air just remind you to slow down and enjoy the moment. And that's really what Art & Soul is all about... being in the moment. Enjoying the journey. Soaking up new ideas and techniques like a sea sponge! It's easy to do here. Just look at the results!

Whether you were waxing poetic in Serena Barton's class or...

...waxing collaged houses in Stephanie Rubiano's workshop, the sweet smell of beeswax had everyone abuzz!

Lots of time? How about trying your hand at a Steampunk clock, like Sheila, who came all the way from Key West, Florida to stretch her creativity!

How about jewelry making with a bang? Lynne Suprock showed her students how to use shotgun shells to create these "charming" rings!

And speaking of charming... isn't this Chandelier from Sally Jean Alexander's Mini Ella class just divine? The photo is a little out of focus but this student's work wasn't. How fabulous! Absolutely gorgeous!

And boy, do we treat our babies well at Art & Soul! They're all bottle fed around here. Whoops! Wait a minute... is that a heat gun? Of course it is. These vintage dolls are getting an upcycling in Clarissa Callesen's Steampunk Sally workshop.

Got mold? No, not that kind... the good kind! Molds you can use over and over and over and over again after you create tons of them in Ty and Marcia Schultz' class. The wheels are turning just thinking about all the ways I could use them!

Shhhhhh. Quiet. Sometimes what you hear when you walk into a classroom here is nothing. Not a peep. And that, my friends is the sound of creative concentration. (whispering...) Can you hear it?

Oh, what shall I do next? Where shall I go from here? So many possibilities! So much fun in Mindy Lacefield's Journal Play class. Mindy puts the wheeee in whimsical!

And there was some Delectable Doodling going on in Kari McKnight's class! Just look at that juicy journal fodder. Yum!

And painting...

And clay figure making...

And of course vendor night is always a fun frenzy! Shopping for vintage bits and baubles as well as finished artwork from several of our very own instructors is a magical time for us mixed media mavens. I know I go around at least 3 or 4 times... just to make sure I didn't miss anything!

We also had a rockin' on-site store thanks to Judy Gula and Artistic Artifacts. Fun demos from Ken with Spellbinders... we even snuck in a late night pajama party! Wow! So thanks again to everyone... the gracious hotel staff, my right hand chicks, the teachers, the attendees, and everyone else who made this such a spectacular time. Until Portland...

Hugs,
Glenny