Virginia Teacher Spotlight: Chad Alice Hagen

We are so happy to have Chad Alice Hagen as part of our Art & Soul family! She has been happily and intensively exploring resist dyeing and surface design of hand felted wool since 1979, and delved into the amazing world of Bookmaking for the last 12 years using her resist dyed felt as the covers. She loves teaching how to use textiles — new and found — as the covers of journals and sketchbooks using different binding techniques. Textiles, fiber, fabric, material, felt, cloth – these words are more exciting to her than “You have won the lottery!” Here's what Chad Alice has in store for us at our Virginia Beach Art & Soul Retreat this year...

Miniature Book Necklace
How would you like to rite your secrets and daily thoughts on these adorable little books?! In this workshop, you’ll have the chance to make 2 tiny books, professionally bound in leather or paper. Each miniature book will have about 50 pages, and will feature a different binding style. You will learn how to tea stain paper, add ribbon bookmarks and two different closures, and finish your mini books with chains for wearing.

Perfect Little Notebook
You may not realize it, but most of the paperback books you handle in your daily lives have a glued binding, and to Chad Alice Hagen, that’s the perfect binding. When used in a handmade notebook, it becomes extraordinary. In this workshop, you will make a “Perfect Little Notebook” using this quick and marvelous binding technique as well as learn how to tea stain paper, create a cover from your favorite fabric, and make a ribbon & button closure.

My Favorite Perfect Sketchbook
There are sketchbooks and there are sketch books, but this particular one has become Chad Alice’s favorite... and we bet will be yours too! It opens totally flat, can be made from easy-to-find materials, and is finished with a textile cover. In this workshop you'll be making a 6" x 6" sketchbook with 120 pages of multi-media paper. You'll learn all the book making basics and then some...picking the paper you want, folding and tearing sheets with knives, gluing, piercing, sewing, all the fabulous bits that go into making a well-made, useful and enjoyable sketchbook/journal.

Whether you are a book lover, enjoy journaling, or having a unique way to jot down notes throughout the day, making your very own sketchbook from scratch with Chad Alice is going to be so very rewarding! So be sure and check out her classes and our entire Virginia event for this Fall!

Virginia Beach Art & Soul

October 1-6, 2018

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

Chad Alice has written extensively on art and feltmaking and her artwork has appeared in and on the covers of several well-known books and magazines. She’s taught hundreds of classes and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Holland and Germany.  Her large scale felt work can be found in major collections including the Mint Museum of Craft and Design in Charlotte, NC, The Knoxville Convention Center, TN, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. B.F. Goodrich Corporation Collection. She maintains a full-time felt and book studio in Asheville, North Carolina. You can find out more about Chad Alice Hagen by visiting her at chadalicehagen.com

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

Colorado Art & Soul... Two Weeks From Today!

Oh, joy of joys! My dream realized — an Art & Soul event in Colorado — is happening two weeks from today! I truly and sincerely can't believe it's actually here already. I'm so excited and I hope you are too! One of the very special things about having our retreat in Colorado Springs, well... it's not just the absolutely gorgeous location, it's also that this area allows our event to become a fully immersive experience.

Art & Soul Colorado Springs, CO

May 29 - June 3, 2018

at the Hotel Eleganté

Of course we have a fabulous lineup of mixed media workshops in all your favorite categories... collage, assemblage, painting, sculpting, bookmaking, journaling, jewerly, fabric & fiber arts, Zentangle... but there's so much more!

The Hotel Eleganté itself is glorious. The rooms are large and comfortable with plenty of space to lay out your supplies for nighttime art-making and impromptu get-togethers. In addition to an inviting full service restaurant and lounge, they have an outdoor patio with an amazing view, a Sweet Shop that includes a bakery, ice cream parlor and a Starbucks. They've got indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi, a full-service spa and more.

Then there's our kickoff party, the well-stocked on-site store, our unique Vendor Night Extravaganza (open to the public for all you locals!), pop-up parties, restaurants to gather with friends and share your experiences. It's a non-stop gathering of your tribe from morning to night, and it's so much fun to be around like minded souls. 

In your down-time, there's so much to see and do in Colorado Springs. You can go hiking, zip-lining, kayaking, and horseback riding. Visit a castle, historic towns and villages, old west museums, or go see a rodeo. There's even railroad tours of the mountains and surrounding areas. And really there's so much more! If your week isn't filled with classes and even if it is, there's tons of reasons to explore the area.

And our Colorado location brings with it some unique local opportunities. We'll be working with Cottonwood Center for the Arts — a two story arts complex inside a refurbished office building in downtown Colorado Springs. They'll be hosting a First Friday Art Show, featuring gallery shows and open studios for you to explore and meet local artists. We're also working with the Textiles West Innovation Lab who'll be facilitating Peggy Dlugos' Eco Dying class. This center has the capability of allowing students to utilize all kinds of space, amenities and specialized equipment used in the art of fabric printing.

So, as you can see, there's a whole lot of reasons to join Art & Soul in Colorado Springs. If you haven't signed up for classes yet, some of your favorite workshops are still available. You can check out our Colorado Retreat online or contact us directly with any last minute questions you may have. We're looking forward to seeing you there and making this a permanent location in our retreat lineup!

© some images courtesy of The Hotel Eleganté, Cottonwood Center for the Arts

Stitch Meditations... Ohm My!

I grew up in a household where we never stopped working (on something… anything!) until bedtime. Therefore, to this day… I cannot just “sit” and attempt to relax. My mind continues to keep going and going and going… and not necessarily in a productive manner.

But then I found out Liz Kettle taught a class called Stitch Meditation, which was a method of relaxation and hand sewing; working small. It reminded me of watching my grandmother embroider a kitchen towel, only free form style, using exotic threads and fabrics.

Because of the workshop’s Zen-like popularity, Liz then developed a Stitch Meditation Kit that had everything you need to begin the journey. It included a curated collection of enough complimentary fabrics and threads to keep you relaxed and engaged for 30 days. I purchased one and my life has changed! My mind now has a creative purpose, and the incessant late night chit chatter has quieted down. Ahhhhhh, peace.

You see... I love getting creative and enjoy activities like painting, but I find that I will not take the time to set up the space unless I know I can dedicate a number of hours to the project. With Stitch Meditation, I can pull out fabric, thread and needle and begin the tactile relaxation instantaneously. It’s small…. in a good way. A large project would overwhelm me. So this is just the right size to work with wherever I am, it keeps my busy mind occupied and I am so thrilled to be creating daily! Thanks, Liz!!

To find out more about Liz Kettle and see her detailed video on Stitch Meditation, visit her website www.textileevolution.com. And for more information on her Stitch Meditation Kit and the fabulous fabrics and goodies included, check out her online shop. Whatever you do, make some time for play today... and every day!

Glenny
xoxo

Colorado Spotlight... Jacqueline Sullivan!

This year Jacqueline Sullivan will be teaching 4 workshops at Art & Soul Colorado Springs... Deli-collage, On The Horizon, Paper Pizazz and Acrylic Textural Painting. These workshops are designed for all levels of student from the experienced artist seeking a creative instructional opportunity to the person wishing to explore new techniques! Take a look at these fun and creative classes she's offering...

Deli-Collage
Thursday, May 31, 2018
6:30pm - 9:30pm

Deli paper - we've all tried it! But you've probably never done the things with it that we will do in this class. We will use all sorts of textural and acrylic media on our deli papers, creating a huge pile of collage papers! We will then choose our favorites and build a frame-able abstract collage. You'll learn a lot about acrylic paints and mediums in the process and go home with a lot of papers for future use!

Workshop Information:
See course page HERE for supply list, materials included, an opportunity to pre-order a kit from Blue Twig Studio, and to register for this class.

  

On The Horizon
Friday, June 1, 2018
9am - 4:30pm

Imposing order in a chaotic abstract work can often be difficult. Remembering the rule of thirds is always helpful when analyzing our work. Within that rule, there are several techniques that we can use to define a horizon line. Whether a low or high horizon line this technique helps to convey a sense of atmosphere and place in abstract works. We will begin our paintings working with fluid acrylics. Then we'll learn some mark-making techniques, using high flow acrylics to define the horizon lines in the painting. We will make our paintings on watercolor paper then crop/cut them into 5" x 5" squares and mount them onto cradled boards to stand on a mantle or shelf or hang on a wall.

Workshop Information:
See course page HERE for supply list, materials included, an opportunity to pre-order a kit from Blue Twig Studio, and to register for this class.

Paper Pizazz
Saturday, June 2, 2018
6:30pm - 9:30pm

Many people have tried paste papers but are not satisfied with the results. This class will help you to learn the proper techniques for making paste papers with a beautiful, smooth velvety finish. These papers are wonderful for binding books, making boxes, backgrounds for stamping and collages. Because we are using a methyl-cellulose paste the surface is great for writing on – making them good for calligraphy projects or beautiful journal pages! Students will work with a limited palette and simple color theories to keep their papers brilliant and beautiful. There will be lots of tools on hand for making various patterns and images in the paste!

Workshop Information:
See course page HERE for supply list, materials included, an opportunity to pre-order a kit from Blue Twig Studio, and to register for this class.

Acrylic Textural Painting
Sunday, June 3, 2018
9:00am - 4:30pm

This class is about building a painting layer by layer. Students will start painting with thin glazes of acrylic paint and then begin adding additional layers of textures and paint. Texture will be formed in many ways including use of miscellaneous acrylic media and various household items. Together these ingredients create a richly textured painting. Jacqueline will use her knowledge gained in her training as a Certified Artist Educator for Golden paints to help students develop an understanding of how to make many different acrylic mediums work better for them in their art work. Design qualities of an Abstract Painting is an integral part of the class. There will be a short discussion on color theory. Each student will receive extensive handouts with instructions and color photos for the various techniques that are covered in the class. Students will receive individual attention from the instructor, guaranteeing that their painting is a unique work of art.

Workshop Information:
See course page HERE for supply list, materials included, an opportunity to pre-order a kit from Blue Twig Studio, and to register for this class.

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You are invited to contact Jacqueline directly to discuss details of any of her Art & Soul Workshops or the retreat experience in Colorado Springs.

Art & Soul Colorado Springs
An Inspirational Mixed Media Retreat
May 29 - June 3, 2018
Hotel Eleganté Conference and Event Center
Colorado Springs, CO 

Set on seven acres of land just a few miles outside of downtown Colorado Springs, the Hotel Eleganté Conference & Event Center provides the perfect setting for business travel, family vacations and romantic escapes. Elegant, pet-friendly rooms and suites provide everything you need to relax, refresh and be productive, including pillow top bedding and FREE Wi-Fi access. Enjoy a meal at one of our on-site restaurants. Take a dip in the indoor or outdoor pool - enjoy!

Unable to join Jacqueline in Colorado Springs? She will also be teaching at the Art & Soul Retreat ~ Virginia Beach ~ October 1-6, 2018. Complete Retreat information HERE

Jacqueline Sullivan is a mixed media, acrylic and calligraphic artist. She is well known for her pieces that experiment with texture, layers, paint, unusual materials, calligraphic marks and words. Jacqueline’s work has been shown nationwide in galleries and juried art fairs. She is a GOLDEN ARTIST Educator and has a degree in graphic design working for many years as a publication and advertising designer. Jacqueline has also recently joined the teaching artist group with MARABU North America. For over 30 years Jacqueline has also been a teaching artist and currently travels throughout the US and Canada teaching artists of all levels to stay in touch with their creative selves. She has a special interest in healing, both physically and emotionally, through creative practice.  More of her work can be viewed at www.jacquelinesullivan.com

© all images courtesy of Jacqueline Sullivan

Portland 2019 Registration Now Open!

A Colorful Palate with Jacqueline Newbold

Oh boy do we have some colorful classes for Art & Soul Portland 2019! We're thrilled to be able to offer you 155 mixed-media workshops, taught by 49 individually talented artists, over 8 days of complete and total creative bliss!!

Ruth Chandler's workshop Artiste Tool Bag & Tole

No matter what type of mixed media art you enjoy making, or what level you're at, we have something for everyone in Portland. Choose from workshops in collage, asssemblage, painting, doodling, drawing, journaling, bookmaking, sewing, fabric and fiber arts, jewelry making, metal working, sculpting, dollmaking and techniques so new that we don't even have names for them yet.... We've got all of it!

Nicole Austin's "She Three" Collage Portraits

And of course with all our events we have so much more than classes at all of our events including a fabulous Opening Night Party, an amazing on-site store, our pop-up Vendor Night shopping event, DIY play areas, and impromptu gatherings with your Art & Soul'mates! There's certainly nothing like some creative playtime with your tribe.

Portland Art & Soul

March 10-17, 2019

Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel

Portland, Oregon

 

Make felted birds & nests with LeBrie Rich in Welcome Spring!

 

So that's just a little taste of what we have in store, so go ahead and grab a beverage and a snack check out our Portland offerings! You can peruse them on our website in 3 ways... by workshops and their dates, your favorite instructors, and by photos of all our example projects. Once you register, don't forget to make your hotel reservations too. Happy browsing!