Seaside Sessions 2023 Oh, What a Time We Had! (pt. 1)

It’s hard to believe that a month has passed since we welcomed our Creative Explorers to Seaside Sessions 2023. In this next series of blog posts, we’ll share some of our favorite moments from our time together which included boundless creativity, uproarious laughter, lovely bonding moments, and numerous examples of the absolute magic which occurs when creative women gather in a gorgeous setting.

Penny and I traveled to our lovely Surf City NC oceanfront venue a few days in advance of the Creative Explorers to ensure that everything was ready for their arrival. We were ever so thankful for the existence of the elevator, as we made numerous trips from vehicles to the third floor, bringing in equipment, art supplies, food, and special gifts. During this prep time, we made beds (10), spent hours in the kitchen (17 in one day!), prepared delectable dishes for the week (with intervals of singing Motown hits, and a bit of dancing), and transformed the living area into a workspace for all of the creative activities to come. As we worked, we gazed at the wondrous ocean and sky right outside the wall of windows, knowing that everyone would be as entranced as we were at the sight (we even spotted pods of dolphins, and we hoped they’d reappear during the week so everyone could see them too. They did.).

The sky was an amazing lavender here; which was among the many moods of the ocean we witnessed during our incredible time by the sea!

Gifts galore!

Your Creative Connection embroidered tote bags were the first of many gifts our Creative Explorers received during Seaside Sessions 2023. We love our colorful, satiny butterfly ribbon!

Wednesday: Check-In
As each woman arrived, the level of excitement and anticipation increased. Our Creative Explorers came from as far away as California and Minnesota, with others hailing from South Carolina, Virginia, and other parts of North Carolina, ranging in age from 17 to 77!
Once everyone was settled in, we gathered for the Welcome Arty Party.
After dining on pizza and crudité, Penny and I officially welcomed our guests, and shared our excitement and gratitude that the time had finally come for us all to be together. I began our nightly Creative Exchanges by gifting everyone her very own stencil, courtesy of our fabulous sponsor: StencilGirl Products. Here they are, in the hands of their beaming new owners!

Thanks to StencilGirl Products, we have new stencils to try!

Our first evening’s creative activity centered on designing bookmarks using watercolors and markers supplied by another one of our generous sponsors: Royal Talens. Penny and I showed the bookmarks we made by following the instructions provided, and others we created in our own ways which produced even more interesting effects. Then, ideas sparking, and supplies at the ready, everyone set to work.

Working on bookmark designs with watercolors, stamps, and markers from Royal Talens.

The finished bookmarks were spectacular! We’re always amazed at the variety of results when a group is given the same materials and instructions—each artist’s work reflected her artistic vision and her approach to the use of materials supplied—a hint of the creative magic to come was revealed on just the first night. Several hours of open studio time rounded out the evening, and we had to encourage several Creative Explorers to leave the work area so that we could mount the surprise Penny had in store for the next morning….

Prepping, and Planning, and Paper, Oh My (Also Too)!

One of my favorite things about hosting creative events (demos, Make & Takes, individual workshops, retreats….) is that regardless the venue, number of people, or time constraints their comes a moment where it all just ‘clicks’ - I imagine this is what is referred to as “flow” or being “in the zone” - whatever one calls it, that is where we find ourselves at present. It is indeed a lovely place to be! Seaside Sessions 2023 promises to be a most magical adventure by the sea and my heart SO is happy for all that awaits.

As Michelle mentioned in her last post, we have been having all sorts of fun preparing to welcome our Creative Explorers to Seaside Sessions 2023 next month. If I am honest, I have allowed myself to become a wee bit distracted by the techniques she will be using in her Creative Session. (hee, hee! ) …mainly because of how beautifully those discoveries will serve our intrepid Explorers the following day, in my own ;)

At which time we will explore surface design as a means of setting the tone or theme for other projects — more on that later. I have had entirely too much fun (and generated more ideas than I can pursue in the moment) creating these lovely backdrops.

What do you think? I guess I was feeling a strong Mid-Century Modern vibe - ha! All I know is that I find this almost addictive…. It’s such a fun blend: doodles, color, highlights, and BAM! I am more than a little excited about all of the possibilities, and can hardly wait to see the abundance of expression from our Creative Explorers! I never fail to be amazed by the divergent results when we all begin with the same materials. #artisticjoy In this case, those materials will include: tempera paint sticks, acrylic paint markers, India ink in conjunction with dip pens, permanent markers, and a variety of stamping inks.

Next time I’m up, I’ll give you a peek at what we will be doing with all this background bounty! If you think you would like to join in the fun, Fate has intervened in the plans of 2 would-be travelers. We will miss them, and that means that we can welcome you! You can find all the details on our website.
Please reach out if this is for you.
Until next time,
~ Penny

 

Prepping, and Painting, and Projects, Oh My!

Penny and I have been working steadily on preparations for our Seaside Sessions 2023 mixed media retreat coming up in March (in 54 days, to be exact!). In this post, I will show you some of what I’ll be presenting during my Studio Session on Thursday, March 23.
During this retreat, I will share what I’ve learned over the years about how to create painted, textured, and patterned papers which can be used in many types of projects. Reaching into my own creative archive, I’m revisiting techniques I’ve used as far back as 19 years ago!
Paste Papers
In 2004, I used paste papers in collage and to embellish unfinished wood boxes and small pieces of furniture. Creating paste paper involves adding a thickener to acrylic paint, which makes the paint receptive to layering, texturing and patterning. During my Studio Session, we’ll mix our own paste paper colors, then experiment with them on different colors and weights of paper, and we’ll explore how stencils and various texturing tools work. Below, you’ll see some of the paste papers Penny and I created during one of our days in my studio earlier this month.

Beginning to work with our paste papers.

An Italian book with marbled endpapers

Marbled Paper
As you probably know, marbled papers have been used for centuries, especially in bookbinding (which always makes me think of illuminated capitals and marbled endpapers of antique books). Paper marbling involves using another type of thickening agent, but this time, it’s added to water. Paint colors are floated on top of the water, then texture tools are used to create intricate patterns. It is a a magical, mesmerizing, and very satisfying process. In our Studio Session, we’ll create an array of dazzling marbled papers (it’s also quite addicting—you won’t be able to make just one!).

Custom Stamps
And because no mixed media session with me would be complete without it, I’ll show how to design custom foam stamps. My tips and techniques will help you create your own iconography and personalized mark-making with simple tools and supplies. Below are some of my stamps, made with “fun foam” and acrylic blocks.

In my next post, I’ll share some of the ways we’ll use these techniques.

Are you intrigued? Would you like to join us?
We now have room, due to cancellations for health reasons.
If you would like to be a part of what promises to be an amazing seaside creative adventure, simply email us here.
We look forward to hearing from, and creating with YOU.

Until next time,

Michelle