Art Journey Retreat 2009!!!!

After many, many hours at this computer, I am very pleased to announce that the

2009 Art Journey Retreat

is now up and running and bookings will open tomorrow!!!

We have a fantastic line up of tutors for you!

MARYJO KOCH
American tutor Maryjo Koch brings you classes in painting with gouache and collaging vintage style along with her amazing travel journal workshop.


LK LUDWIG

American Artist LK Ludwig brings us two amazing workshops where you will learn many fantastic techniques that can be used in loads of art forms.
KEITH LO BUE

Learn from one of the masters in jewellery and assemblage, Keith Lo Bue. From wire work to metal etching and everything in between!

JUDY WILKENFELD

After just doing one of Judys workshops, I would highly recommend this class! The array of techniques you will learn will astound you!

NIC HOHN

Queensland Artist Nic Hohn will be teaching her fantastic journalling class where you will be
'Expressing your unique and intuitive self, tapping into the symbology of images'. Isn't her art work gorgeous?

KERON LEE

Melbourne artist Keron Lee will be teaching a workshop on using colour, a subject many have difficulties with. Learn how to use colour confidently in you art with Keron.

REBECCA VAVIC

Beautiful Canberra artist Rebecca Vavic will take you through the process of drawing, burnishing on to wood and adding colour with water colours etc.. Discover your muse!

RO BRUHN

Incredibly talented Melbourne artist Ro Bruhn is joining us once again. Ros first class with us will be creating a wonderful brooch and learning some of Ros amazing jewellery techniques.

BUT WAIT..................


THERES MORE TO COME!!!!!!

More classes, more fun.

STAY TUNED!!!!!!

2009 ART JOURNEY RETREAT

Absolutely Awesome

Just a really quick post because it is late and I want to try and get some more work done on my book! To day I had the extreme pleasure of doing a workshop with Judy Wilkenfeld, based on this beautiful book. This photo really does not do any justice to this masterpiece, there is so much detail and texture and depth, that can only be seen in real life.
Judy is a fantastic teacher, so sharing of her knowledge and passing on so many hints and tips that you walk away so inspired and wanting to try them all!


Our extremely gracious hosts, Sharon and Steven Manning opened up their beautiful home for the workshop and I tell you, their place is absolutely beautiful, just check out this view!!


And here is where we toiled away the day, having so much fun. The other workshop participants are all lovely ladies, and we are all having so much fun!!!

Thankyou Judy for a fantastic workshop that I am thoroughly enjoying, can't wait until tomorrow for more.
Thankyou to Sharon, your gentle welcoming manner puts everyone at ease and I have been so glad of the opportunity to get to know you a little better.
And a big thankyou to Steve for looking after us all so well and the delicious lunch!!
More tomorrow!!

Always running out of time

Aaaargh! I have so much to show you, the work I have been doing of late but I have run out of time and am totally unprepared!! Very frustrating! I am trying to get all my materials compiled for Judys class on the weekend too, very disorganized!!
So, I will give you a little preview of Keith Lo Bues classes at the retreat.





And finally, because you enjoyed the last clipart sheet, here is another, just click on for enlarged image.

Thankyou for all of you who left comments, I have been visiting your blogs and I am awestruck by the talent out there, and the amazing lives you all lead.
Thankyou!! xoxo

Helloooo?? Are you out there???

I had a bit of a winge to the girls at the class today. They said they had read about the retreat on the blog and I asked why they hadn't left a comment.
I know people are visiting, but you are not leaving comments.
I would love to chat to all of you from around Australia and the world and to visit all of your blogs, but I don't know who you are!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you drop by, say hi!

Okay, on to matters at hand. Work on the retreat is coming along nicely and we are really excited as to next years line up of teachers and classes. You are all going to love it so much.
We are also planning evening activities, as the Academy is quite far away from anything, we wanted to plan some fun arty things for you all. Any suggestions?
The website should be all completed by next week with registrations opening very soon after. You will be very pleased with the pricing structure!
I wish to thank each and every one of you who has offered support and encouragement to us over the past few years, you are all the most amazing people!
And to all you girls reading this from other countries, come along and join us at the retreat! What a fantastic opportunity it would be for you to visit another country and have the chance to learn from some of Australia and Americas top artists! You will love Sydney, I promise you!!

Well, dinner is almost ready and I am still recovering from the whirlwind adventure to Sydney. Slept like a log last night, but still feel tired today. Those red eye flights can really take it out of you!

Have a great night and please, leave a comment and say hi!
Click on the above image for a full size version that you can print off!

Busy, busy, busy...

Although this poor old blog has been rather neglected of late, I have been very busy. There is so much going on behind the scenes, all very exciting stuff. We can't wait to reveal all to you, but will have to wait a little while longer to let the cat out of the bag.

I am jetting off to Sydney with my sweet husband, who is accompanying me on this business trip, a search for the 2009 retreat venue. I am very excited about this, we want to find the most amazing, relaxing and functional venue for '09!! Also, my husband and I have never had a honeymoon, so this is a very delayed vacation for us!

I have also been having so much fun making artwork for bezels and filling them, then crafting them in to necklaces. The 'Nina Knots' are beginning to feel more natural now, after much practise and I find myself totally engrossed. I completed four necklaces today and am so thrilled ith the results!

Well, off to my wire and beads again!

Have an awesome weekend, I'll be back Tuesday...

Mixed Media Challenge

To encourage all of you to explore your creativity, promote yourselves as artists and have some fun, as well as winning a great prize, we have started up Monthly Mixed Media Challenges on our website.

This months challenge is

JULY THEME

Create a journal page using Misty Mawn techniques learnt at Art Journey Retreat.
These techniques can also be found in Cloth Paper Scissors issue 7 and issue 13.

DETAILS

PAGE SIZE - 8.5 x 11" in landscape format with 1" on left hand side being for binding.

PRE REQUISITES
Page front is to be painted and decorated using images, freehand or clip art images in theme.
Back of page painted and suitable for journalling.
Using 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour paper (Smooth or rough)
Predominantly Using Golden Products.
Each page must be initialed by the artist with the month and year in the lower right hand corner of front page.
Each page must be accompanied by a signed disclaimer.
You may enter as many times as you like

The completed pages will be compiled in to journals that will then be offered for sale, with challenge participants having first option.

Below are examples of a completed journal made by Jacky.
And a page front from within the journal...


And the back of a page.As you can see, both of these pages have room for journaling. What a wonderful gift this would make, or a lovely journal to keep for yourself.
Our aim in these challenges is to promote the artwork of the many talented artists that we know are out there!
This challenge is open to all artists of every experience level. Please do not feel daunted if you have not tried this art form before, it is a great way to learn and expand your creativity. We encourage each and every one of you to have a go!

For more information, check out our website here.

New from Stampington

It's on days like this that I wish I was at the shop... delivery days!!!
Just arrived today and hot off the press

ARTFUL BLOGGING
I have not had a chance to have a look through these, but from Jackys 'ooohs' and 'aaaahs', they sound pretty good! The cover looks beautiful doesn't it?
ALTERED COUTURE
I just looove the colours used on that 'bustierre'(??) on the cover.

And Somerset Home for all of you who like to create things to accessorise your home, or for gifts.

Just arrived today as well is this gorgeous Earth Textures, we have received a beautiful range of colours and they should all go online tomorrow.
Here is the spiel from the company

Go Green With Elements Earth Textures
Take your art to a higher level of natural balance
with the deep rich hues of this exciting new medium.

Elements are organic components, grown or produced by Mother Earth and manipulated into a variety of shades and shapes. Create and embellish college pieces, wood, ceramics, sculpture, tone metal, gourds, decor items, glass, paper crafts, and even fairy habitats.


The below artwork is by Barbara Trombley.


And the Vintage Glitter glass will also go online in the next few days!
Sample of one of the colours we have ordered below.
On a final note, my Mother-In-Law, Jan is very unwell at the moment. She has suffered three strokes in the past week. I hope you can all keep her in your thoughts, it is a difficult time for my husband and his family.
Keep dry, warm and safe.
Jo