Friday, October 7, 2011

Art and Soul-Portland

 I have always wanted to experience the Art and Soul Retreat I've heard about for years. I also adore Portland, OR, so I spent weeks making "trades" (little gifties that attendees can stop and trade with you) and I also spent intense time creating a hat for their hat contest. I packed mostly art supplies and very few clothes, knowing I'm going to inherit huge amounts of swag and souvenirs and that my clothes are going to get art goo on them anyway.


I had the immense honor of taking the Charm Buffet class with Peggy Kryzyzewski. It was an entire day of nonstop charm skill learning and creation. I did not want it to end! Each charm we learned how to create was more exciting than the last. Peggy is on my life list of incredible instructors. She has the gift. She made us all feel like family and at home being who we are. Her enthusiasm was contagious and her creativity outrageous! So generous with her info and help. And I was blessed to sit next to her class assistant, Kia, who was so very helpful to everyone and made helping us top priority. Both Peggy and Kia are such experts at what they do!
This is a class photo that lovely fellow classmate Melinda is allowing me to post. Please check out her wonderful blog Melinda's blog This was Rogene Manas' Rogene's site way ultra cool Human Nature Relief class. It was well worth traveling across the nation to learn from Rogene! Everyone in the class was so gifted and friendly as well. The pieces everyone created were gorgeous! I was so into this class that I didn't bother to eat lunch. The art fed me.

Here is another photo Melinda let me post. Right after I overheard a conversation how gesso can be removed with alcohol if it spills, I got some on my fave Andy Warhol tee shirt. I have accumulated such a wardrobe of "studio outfits" since I've dedicated to the art world.

This was the hat contest. The theme was garden, but I asked beforehand and was told we could do any theme we wished. I had garden designs I drew in my ideabook, but the one that begged me most to be created was the city/country theme. It was a metaphor for what I'm going through accepting making art creation a business.

I spent hours needle felting, machine quilting and baking polymer buildings for the city in the front half of this hat. The city represents the business side of art. I have many dreams at night of cities and it's always symbolizing business. On the back I quilted and needle felted mountains. This symbolizes the solitude of the creative process.

 I put a road block of road work and construction workers around the back. I made signs for the road workers out of shrink plastic. In design school we were always reminded to keep the back of the piece interesting too. The road block represents the artist blocks I get when I know I'm creating something to exhibit out in the world. The stars, the moon, and the windows in the city (and on the hat ties) all glow in the dark. This piece was way not fun to take on the plane arriving or returning. On flights, it doesn't matter if it's art...it has to fit under the seat which caused several sessions of having to fix broken parts coming and going on the trip. It was also stepped on and bumped into a number of times. I didn't win any category of the contest, but I gave myself the 'Most Challenging Traveling with Hat Across the Nation' award by buying a "vintage outfit" which I rarely do because it usually gets covered in paint or art goo with this artsy lifestyle.

                                         Here are the contest winners:
Best in Show--Mary Ellen Schree

Mostly likely to be Worn in the Garden--Peg Glyndenege

                                      Most Fitting of Theme on the left--Maureen Conway.
                             The one on the right won Most Original Design---Angela Thoma.
                                       Here is another photo of the display of contest entries.
                                With street statues like this---is it no wonder I adore Portland?
Portlanders were so helpful in helping me find my way around the city to explore. Two women on the street car highly recommended going to Savvy Plus. I am now a huge fan of this shop and owner and recommend it highly as well. It has way way super cool outfits. And this wonderful lady, Gaya, owns and runs the shop. She makes each customer feel so welcome and important. She was so fun to talk with! This is where I purchased a cool outfit prize for "Most Challenging Traveling with Hat Across the Nation" self-proclaimed award.

I had such a special time in Portland. It's one of the coolest cities on the planet. Portlanders are a special breed of friendly people. And I was so impressed of the top notch instruction, students, and experience of Art and Soul. 

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Tina :)
This is Jenny from Oregon. Loved meeting you and sharing a meal with you and Melinda at Art n Soul. Hopefully I'll be able to take a class next year. Happy Art Making!
♥Jenny

Unknown said...

Hi! this is Bobi... was in Rogene's class with you. That weekend went by to fast. I was so immersed in the project that I missed out on talking with most everyone. The class and the bunch in it ......awesome! Next time you make it out to Oregon you might like to visit Central Oregon...let me know! Enjoyed meeting you.
Bobi

Carolyn said...

Hi TiCo...love seeing these pictures, especially your hat. I know how much you worked on it. It really should have won...it's truly a piece of ART! I'd love to see it in person. I hope it's in your store on display. One thing I'd love to see is that vintage outfit you awarded yourself? You certainly deserve it!!! Looks like you had a great time. ~ Carolyn

TiCo said...

Jenny---the pleasure was mine. You were tons of fun to be around. I hope you are able to do Art and Soul classes next time around.

Bobi---I totally get what you're talking about! When I go deep into right brain mode I lose all left brain verbal abilities. I wonder if that's a natural protective device to keep us creating. Your owl piece turned out beautifully! I hope you keep up with this kind of work and let us see more of your masterpieces.

Carolyn---You sweety! Every word you wrote exudes such kindness! I will try and take a photo of the self-proclaimed hat award outfit and show it to you. It's from Portland, so you know it's arty and nothing like what's available at the high fashion center where I live (Walmart.)

Thank you..the three of you... for your wonderful comments. I so appreciate them!

Cheryl Razmus said...

Hi, TiCo. So wish I could have attended Art and Soul. Just got back from Oregon at the beginning of September, and, if you've seen my latest blog post, I'm pretty smitten with the place myself.
I was just catching up on some literature I brought back from the trip and was wondering if you heard of a yarn shop in the burbs called Loopy Knitter's Yarn and Wine Bar? Sounds like a great combo to me! Here's a link:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/knitting/2010/10/yarn_wine_new_yarn_store.html

TiCo said...

That combo of yarn and wine sounds blissful, Cheryl! I've never heard of that place. I fell in love with the Yarn Garden years ago and visited again. I would've loved to get loopy at the yarn bar if I knew it existed. I can't seem to find a website for them yet.
You and I both share a passion for Portland as I remember you mentioned in class once that you want to retire there.
Thanks for sharing that artsy addition to add to the bucket list!

Unknown said...

Hi Tina,

I'm so glad you enjoyed the class, and I very much enjoyed chatting with you. I think your hat is the most awesome, and very creative and meaningful. Hope to see you again!

Cheers!
-Kia

Peggy said...

Wow, I'm honored! It was a genuine treat to have you in the charm class. I look kinda tired in that photo but look at you...still charging ahead, ready for more. You're the kind of person who really makes Art & Soul a fun place to be!
Thanks,
Peggy

Glenny Moir said...

TiCo! What a wonderful post for your experience at Art & Soul. You were able to put into words what so many feel about the event. Your hat is fabulous. I wish we could have known the story and had it associated with your hat on display. When you register for the next event, send me an email --- I have a surprise for you!! Glenny

TiCo said...

Wowza! I popped over to my blog to see such awesome and unexpected comments! They warmed up this bleak,snowy day!

Kia...I was so blessed to sit next to such a talented, supportive and encouraging charm-er!
Peggy---you look wonderful in the photo! I NEVER like photos of me..so I know that feeling of when photos are taken. I actually played with some of the skills today that you taught us....and my mind went back to your class and how much I loved it...and then I look on my blog and three Art and Soul-eans commented!
Glenny----I'm not like Oprah...I LOVE surprises! You have me way curious! Thank you for your wonderful comment...talk about loving surprises!

Unknown said...

Aw, shucks... tyvm. : )

I think you both look lovely, and more importantly, very happy!

TiCo said...

When Kia speaks....I listen! Thank you for your kind words, Kia!