The Retreat

Feb. 28th - March 3rd, 2013

Join us for the Nurture Your Creative Seed retreat which will be held at the Hood Canal Grand Cottage, outside of Poulsbo, Washington.  This 3 night, 4 day all-inclusive retreat will delight your senses, soothe your soul and nurture those creative seeds that lie within us all. This is a retreat for anyone, whether you are a skilled artist or have never picked up a paintbrush in your life. Our instructors will guide you through the process and make it fun.  If you open yourself up to explore your creative side, you just might be amazed with what comes out.

 Allow yourself to take a break from your busy lives and reconnect with your inner self and get inspired creatively.  A small, intimate group of like minded gals will gather to share stories, create, and support each other as we tap into those little whispers inside ourselves that can so often get shoved in the far corners.   As we delve into our journals, get messy making art, we'll find our creative groove,  explore new techniques, play with colors and  release ourselves from any judgment of what's good or bad. This is about having fun and nurturing our creativity. 
With Jeanne Oliver and Mindy Lacefield guiding us along the way, you are guaranteed to not only learn some great art techniques but also to have a great time along the way.

 

 The Workshops:

 

"Notes to Self" with Jeanne Oliver

 

Together we will create a canvas and an over sized watercolor journal with Coptic binding. Using both the canvas and the over sized journal, we will play with mixed media techniques using my favorite mediums. We will incorporate vintage papers, paints, inks, charcoal and modeling paste to create our backgrounds. Our day will be led by writing prompts that you will add to your piece that will be covered up, added along with the many layers and part of your final touches. Your words will become your "notes to self". We will paint figures on our pieces and if you are not comfortable drawing them, I will provide images to guide you. The day will be about playing, learning new techniques, discovering new mediums and making art along side other creative women. Paints, inks, charcoal, modeling paste, collage images and vintage elements will all become part of your notes. With paint on our hands and colors added to your apron.... I hope you come to know the beauty of your words, thoughts and creativity.

"Contentment"

When I create art, my mind wanders and more of my heart and what I am feeling are revealed. When I slow down and do something that is just for me, magic happens. I am the most honest with myself in the quiet of my studio when paint is on my hands and my apron has another layer of color on it. As I create, what always shows up in my art, are words. Words buried below the layers of paper and paints. Words spilled across the canvas. Words dripping along the edges and always the final act of any piece.



"To Perceive"

"Rainbow Serenade" with Mindy Lacefield

The raw, primitive beauty of just allowing ourselves to fall in love with the process of painting will evolve as we converse with rainbows. We will serenade their beauty and begin to know that their light is always there...we just have to shine the light just right.Loose, intuitive paint strokes will be our guide as we delve into color. We will use tools such as our hands and palette knives to create backgrounds....working back and forth between a couple surfaces. We will work quickly as we drip inks, make marks with water soluble oil pastels and create from the heart of our 7 year old selves.

The power of layering media will give our paintings dimension and tell a story only we could hold. I will show you a non-intimidating way of using color to give our faces dimension with soft layers of color. We will allow for the beautiful under-painting and background to peek through revealing beautiful snippets of our story.
There are no rules, just relaxed and free creating.... no stress!!!

 

Schedule of Events

Check in will be Thursday, Feb. 28th from 3:00-5:30pm. Come early and enjoy a walk on the beach or just some quiet time before we get started.

We will gather Thursday evening with a welcome dinner and get-to-know you session. Afterwards, we will settle in by the fire and work in our journals, finding a thread and meaning for our art making session the next day.

Friday
8-9 am rise and shine....it's breakfast time
9-12pm workshop part 1 with Jeanne
12-1pm lunch
1-4pm workshop part 2 with Jeanne

The late afternoon and evening is reserved for free time to explore the area and dine at one of the great restaurants nearby.  Or feel free to order pizza and stay in.

*I'm working on arranging a special treat for us friday night at a local eaterie.  Stay tuned for more info

The art room will be open all night, so for those who'd like to burn the midnight oil and keep working on your art projects, that would be totally groovy.

Saturday
8-9am cockadoodledoo.... it's breakfast time
9-12pm workshop part 1 with Mindy
12-1pm lunch
1-4pm workshop part 2 with Mindy
4-6pm free time
6pm Dinner

The day will end with a homemade gourmet meal and plenty of time to continue on your art pieces or relax with a glass of wine by the fire and connect with your new friends.  And if I had to guess, there may be a bit of dancing in the kitchen too!

Sunday
Drag yourself out of bed because you stayed up too late hanging out with your new friends.
One last shared meal and closing ceremony will round out our weekend.  Check out time will be 11:00am.