Our First Colorado Retreat!

Wow! Our inaugural event was everything we could have hoped for! The vibe was incredible and everyone attending was as excited to be there as we were to bring our unique mixed media retreat to them. The location was picturesque and calming. Colorado Springs embraced us with amazing weather and beautiful scenery.

The range of workshops we were able to offer at this new location made me so very happy, and the students as well. We are just so lucky to have the caliber of instructors that we do. Professional on every level but at the same time so down-to-earth and nurturing. What a perfect venue for these generous souls.

Students enjoyed the wide variety of workshops and created some stunning works of art. I loved the immediate camaraderie of the attendees and how they recognized they had found their tribe of like-minded art souls.

And while each student had their own personal experience, the chemistry among attendees overall... was palpable. I know Colorado Springs is a magical place, but it was more that that. It was getting to watch these adventurous and creative individuals have a necessary play date with their inner child.

From the wide variety of workshops, all kinds of whimsical creations were made... like these tiny houses from Ruth Greening's Precious Metal Clay workshop.

And this adorable bunny with a little bit of attitude, from Helen Shafer Garcia's Animal Crackers class.  

And these visually poetic, Juicy Affirmation Cards made in Jennifer MacLean's class. But for me... most of all... it's the smiles on the happy faces of our attendees that make my heart sing. I applaud them for taking the time from this hustle-and-bustle world to give back to themselves. They really do deserve it. You all do!

The classes were so enticing, even the instructors took some time from teaching to have fun and learn something new... like Erin Keck did, when she made these gorgeous earrings in Mary Johnson Hettmansperger's class.

And, our instructors, well... they love to have fun! As much fun as their students. It's their ability to laugh and play and be lighthearted in their approach to teaching, that they are hand-picked to be a part of the Art & Soul family. And we hope to include more local artists in next year's lineup (yup, we're definitely coming back). Many of us visited the Cottonwood Center for the Arts as well as the gallery crawl and were blown away by the exhibits. So we'll have lots of talented artists to choose from!

Let's not forget to mention our amazing on-site store and the pop-up, one-night-only Vendor Extravaganza. It's wonderful to have these amazing shopportunities come right to our doorstep to satisfy our needs for those art supplies and one-of-a-kind items we absolutely can't live without!

I must say that it was a genuine pleasure to have our event at the Hotel Eleganté. The staff went above and beyond to take care of us. Classrooms were cozy and had great lighting. The food was excellent. And ummmm... how many of us hit the Sweet Shop for ice cream? I won't tell how many times if you don't. I loved that the Hotel is surrounded with greenspace, especially the tranquil pond — complete with mama and baby ducklings. There were lots of places to sketch or just relax, and many attendees took side trips to see Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and hiking! I'm anxious to return and spend more time in the area. 

At the Colorado event, there was inspiration everywhere, in everything. That's how Art & Soul retreats are. It's where we honor the creative life we want to live full time. It's where we get little glimpses of how to do that, so we can bring it home with us and start the process of filling up our souls.

And yes! We will be returning to Colorado Springs next year, so... mark your calendars. You'll definitely want to be a part of this relaxing, inspirational, creative retreat next year. We hope to have classes available on our website by the middle of July. Watch for a newsletter announcement coming to your inbox soon!

Art & Soul Colorado Springs, CO

May 29 - June 2, 2019 at the Hotel Eleganté

Thanks again to all of you who attended and everyone who made this first Colorado event such a great success! See you soon...

Glenny
xo

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.

Kansas City Wrap Up... sMiles & sMiles of Creativity!

Well, what can I say? Our inaugural event in Kansas City, Missouri this past April was a wonderful respite for creative souls of all kinds. With so many amazing photos to sift through (oh, and another Art & Soul Retreat in VA at the end of April), it's taken me this long to pick out a few to share with all of you!

I must confess... the first time you do anything new, there's always a sense of nervousness about everything going right. But I have to say... between the beautiful venue, the excited students and our multi-talented workshop instructors.... it was a time and a place to remember!

Our newest retreat took place at The Elms Hotel & Spa, located on the outskirts of Kansas City in the town of Excelsior Springs. Doesn't that sound just heavenly? Well, it was!

From the inside out, this historic hotel was an ideal setting for letting go of the everyday hustle and bustle of life, while attendees explored new artistic techniques and made wonderfully creative projects! The grounds and interior were absolutely gorgeous and the old timey feel only added to that.

Heck...  even the coffee was pretty! The staff was simply outstanding and met our very unusual demands with a smile. They enjoyed having us... and you could tell. And we enjoyed being there.

I mean... take a look at some of the classrooms! What an inspirational place to make art and create mixed media magic.

Like this amazing piece created in one of Cathy Taylor's classes. It's a brilliantly colored, cleverly shaded, excellently executed masterpiece! The students really take my breath away.

And speaking of masterpieces, want to paint like a master? Then study with Jill Berry and you'll be doing it in no time flat. Picasso in a day.... it can be done!

Like to play with dolls? So does Tory Brokenshire, here with some student work. Having students recycle tins for bodies and create clay people around them — each with their own unique look — was magnificent to see unfold in her Story Tellers class.

And talk about fine details.... you cannot even imagine the beautiful fabric and fiber creations that come out of any Liz Kettle's classes! All the careful, thoughtful placement of color and stitch is something that happens magically whenever she teaches a workshop.

Got Gelli Plates? Well, if you don't... and you try it... then you will. Ask anyone at Art & Soul who tried this technique... and they'll tell you they're hooked! A new and easy way to make fodder for your journal pages, collages and much more. So pretty!

Are you a metal head? We have all kinds at Art & Soul. These ladies are having a ball (not of the head-bangers type) in Jill Timm's dremel workshop. Now that's class!

Or maybe you'd like to Chime In... which was the clever name of Erin Keck's creative class, where students got to upcycle tons of vintage goodies to make a wind chime of the most extraordinary kind.

Perhaps you're more of the texting kind? Take a look at this amazing journal work. Just gorgeous!

A bit of schpritzing....

A little carving...

And a fabulous Vendor Extravaganza made this a first time event to remember!

We really had it all at Art & Soul Kansas City! The turnout was great, but the smiles are what made it all worthwhile. These pictures reveal only a fraction of the endless creativity and fun we all had, but I don't think Blogger will let me add any more in this post! So I'm going to just thank you all again... the attendees, the teachers, my right hand chicks, Judy and her pop-up store, our vendors, the hotel and staff.... Thank YOU! We'll see you all again in 2014.

Hugs,
Glenny
xoxo

Day 10 Post-Op Notes...

It is day ten post-op and I’m still trying to get accustomed to the new daily routine. Living alone, food was not a priority — it was almost a nuisance. I would keep working until it was past time for some nourishment, and — not wanting to stop and take time to fix something decent — I would grab whatever was handy.  Could be cheese, crackers and vegggies or a cup of soup. Many times, I waited so long to eat that I began to feel horrible. Feeling nauseous, I would get shaky and begin to sweat.  I always had the best of intentions and would purchase healthy foods... I just wouldn't fix them.

Therefore, the restrictions of the post op bariatric diet did not seem insurmountable to me. Fluid, fluid and more fluid.  This includes 64 oz. of water a day, in addition to ingesting 60 grams of protein. Morning protein shakes have been my staple for years. Enhancing them into a daily regimen seemed a no brainier to me. I purchased unflavored protein powder to add to broth and other acceptable fluids in order to reach the 60 gram daily goal in addition to all types of high protein drinks.

At first, I didn't feel much like eating or drinking anything and it was a struggle just to get the necessary water.  After leaving the hospital, it became imperative to start the protein. The schedule has us ingesting something every hour. After the second day, I was already tired of the sweet protein drinks.... Slim Fast, Glucerna, etc. and wanted something savory. We put the unflavored powder in chicken broth and it was horrible.  There was no way I could gag it down. I thought it would be like unflavored gelatin... no... not at all. All my pre-planning and purchasing was wasted.

I got on the computer and quickly ordered some bariatric soups. They are not too bad.... (I can do this).
The main problem I am having is with my diabetes. It is changing rapidly and we cannot get the insulin adjusted properly. When blood sugar is high and I give myself a shot, I begin to feel like I have a hangover. All I want to do is be left alone and get my head down. And then, the sugar level will plummet and I lose all my senses. I drenched a flannel nightgown in less than a minute – it is a horrible feeling.  The docs continue to lower the insulin doses and feel that the diabetes will be gone completely soon.  WOW – almost a miracle. Now to just feeling better for an entire day!!

More soon,
Glenny
xoxo 

Art & Soul Radio... Tune in for Orly Avineri: One Artist Journal, August 27th

Orly Avineri journals. But erase what comes to mind when you think journal. Orly’s journals are exquisite, stand-alone works of art. The cover blurb on her self-published book, One Artist Journal explains that journaling is Orly’s attempt to “unify the self by expressing the intricacies of the nature within and around her, through seamless blending of fine art, graphic design and written language.” And seamless it is. Rich, inviting, and my favorite term, drool-worthy art. I’m excited to talk with Orly today, both about journaling and her self-publishing experience.


So please join us for an inspirational chat...


Art & Soul Radio featuring Orly Avineri
with Lesley Riley
Monday, August 27th
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!