Welcome Book and mask I was sent to decorate before arrival

I attended the 2013 Virginia Beach Art and Soul Retreat this week. It was a fantastic experience, however,”retreat,” (synonymous with “relaxing” in my mind), may have been a misnomer in my case, as these were intense days of art classes. Great instructors, lots of notes, and oodles of new techniques. Great environment to be around so many talented and inspiring creatives, and to commit so much time to art.

Course Names and Postcard

Day 1: Catherine Anderson, photographer. Love, love her teaching style and techniques. This was my favorite day!  We made journals centered around the theme “Secret Lives of Trees.”  Learned to make image transfers and alter photographs:

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Day 2: Misty Mawn, painter and mixed-media artist. Amazing to watch how well and quickly she captures an image by sketching with charcoal- a little intimidating. Wow! We collaged onto a wood panel. Never used this surface before- great to work on.

Misty giving a sketch demo to begin the project

Pretty welcome kit

Blank canvas, ready to go!

First layer of medium, vintage papers and images, and gesso

Adding inks, stencil patterns, and graphite sketches

graphite and oil crayons used to create a girl with wings. (Still working on completing this).

Day 3: Lisa Kaus, mixed-media artist. Created whimsical “Winsome Treasures” with embedded objects, collage, and bees wax:

beginning.

Adding color and creating box concept

Lisa teaching

right side

top

What to put on top and the sides?

front

finished box with wax coating (cooled and buffed)

Great women, good wine bars and bistros in the area, and fun to use my hands all day to make art. Happy Creating!