Pigments of Your Imagination... A New Book by Cathy Taylor!

We are so excited to announce... or brag, really... about one of our very own Art & Soul instructors, Cathy Taylor. She recently published a gorgeous book on the many ways to create using Alcohol Inks entitled Pigments of Your Imagination. How adorable is that title!

Besides being a popular and talented workshop instructor, Cathy is an award-winning mixed-media artist and one very creative soul. Her artwork is a celebration of the patterns, textures, and color found in the the natural environment. Cathy is known for her ability to interpret a subject in a variety of styles. From her colorful detailed alphabetical designs, to her whimsical collages and multi-dimensional abstracts, Cathy's work is represented in museums, nature centers and private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad. Some of Cathy's work is licensed for use on clothing, textiles, and gift items. She is also a signature member of both the National Collage Society and the International Society of Experimental Artists. She's one talented lady!

Here's what her publisher, Schiffer, has to say about this amazing compilation of unique techniques...

"Discover magic! Join the vibrant, prismatic world of luminous alcohol inks. Mercurial, versatile, inexpensive, and wildly colorful, alcohol inks are one of the newest mediums to hit the art community. Pigments of Your Imagination is your essential guide for working with alcohol inks, from choosing which inks to use for each project to learning how to maximize your artistic potential with a wide variety of fascinating techniques. Using an assortment of materials and tools, learn how to work on a variety of surfaces, including paper, glass, metal, fabric and plastic. Find inspiration for your own masterpieces in the step-by-step demos and guest artist gallery. from the beginning craftsperson to the professional artist, Pigments of Your Imagination offers a broad insight into the expansive world of alcohol inks. Explore the limits of your artistic ingenuity with alcohol inks. Jump Start your creativity!"

We're so very proud of Cathy and this new publication, which will be available this March. For information on the book or to pre-order a copy, you can visit the Schiffer Books website, or amazon.com.

If you're interested in taking a workshop with Cathy in-person, she'll be teaching multiple classes at our Portland Art & Soul event, at our Kansas City retreat, and at the Virginia Beach venue for 2015. So reserve a copy of her book and check out the unique workshops she has to offer!

Congratulations, Cathy Taylor!

© 2015 photo by Schiffer Publishing

Button Up & Enjoy Some Alcohol...

Just wanted to pop in and show you some virtual eye candy of the wonderful classes we have at our upcoming Kansas City, MO retreat. Event though it doesn't start until March 19th of 2014 — it'll be here before you know it!


Jean Van Brederode has outdone herself again with this gorgeous Button Up! workshop. In it, you'll create a charming necklace of buttons, buckles, and bling! Upcycle those favorite glass, bone, shell, metal, or plastic buttons as you form a delightful mixed media necklace by encasing and attaching single and groups of buttons in attractive and unusual combinations. You'll get to explore many useful yet simple soldering and connecting techniques, and you will leave with a complete and fanciful ready-to-wear creation!


And Cathy Taylor takes you out of this world with her workshop on Creating Magic With Alcohol Inks. Ohhhh, those bright, beautiful, luscious, yummy alcohol inks. I love it so much, I think I'm going to have to go to Alcohol Inks Anonymous! You'll be enchanted with the amazing new techniques presented in this fun filled, experimental workshop. Using alcohol inks and some weird and wonderful tools, you will create incredible artwork even if you don’t have a background in painting. Quirky, unexpected, and surprising results every time you create. You'll love learning how to go with the flow!

Check out all of our fabulous Kansas City classes for 2014 on our website. Or you can browse by instructor, take a look at our example project photos, or view more of our instructor videos. Any way you look at it, we'd love for you to join us!

What To Do With UFOs? An Alchemical Tutorial

Let's face it... we've all got UFOs laying around the house... right? And if you're not sure what a UFO is here in the mixed media art world, it's what we lovingly refer to as our Un-Finished Objects! In today's blog post, we're featuring a cool tutorial from Serena Barton that's "distressing" in the most wonderful way! She shares with us how to transform a collage piece that didn't work out into something wonderful using re-inkers. You won't believe how quickly and easily you can turn something into a well-aged masterpiece. Check it out!

If you love Serena's lovely layers and creative techniques, she'll be teaching several workshopsat our Virginia Beach Art & Soul as well as our Portland event. Take a look and see what she has in store for you!