Thursday, April 8, 2010

Creative Soul Retreat - Part 1

On Wednesday 17th March I flew from Sydney to Melbourne to attend the Creative Soul Retreat.  I met up with Kyla at the airport, who flew in from the Gold Coast ... it was good to see her again.  We hung around the airport for a couple of hours until everyone had arrived from all corners of Australia to catch the bus to our venue - A Country Place Retreat in Kalorama.

Kyla and I shared a room in this section of the retreat.
The view as we walked to our room from the main dining area .. just beautiful.
The main dining area is inside behind the balcony.

Our first day of CSR saw Kyla and I doing the Waxy Layers class with Jan Harris.  Originally Judy Wise was to attend and run this class, but health issues prevented her from coming.  All the same, we had a wonderful fun day learning about encaustics from Jan.

Eliza, Kyla and I working away in the Waxy Layers Class with Jan Harris.
Jan playing with fire ... so much fun.
My two masterpieces??

Waxy Layers Class

An ATC swap was run at this year's CSR and the theme was "Miniature Me" and the card had to also feature a sign.  The Miniature Me part was all about your style and for my ATC I used bits and pieces that I love.  I started by coating the matte board with gesso, a light wash of paint, which once dry I then covered with my favourite glimmer mist colours of Tattered Leather and Olive.  I used my favourite tree stencil with ink, then added a street sign that I photographed at Mt Tribulation near Cairns in Queensland for drivers be aware of the Cassowary, which someone had vandalised - a classic.  I added my all time favourite rusty bottle caps along the base and some string to finish off.  I made 21 of these cards as 18 people were to participate ... it was a shame that in the end only 7 of us ended up playing along ... no loss though, I owe ATCs to a bunch of girls in Queensland, so will be sending them the left overs.


More CSR adventures and art to come in another post, so watch this space.

"There is nothing like a dream to create the future."
~Victor Hugo, 1802-1885, French Poet/Dramatist/Novelist~

6 comments:

Eliza said...

What a fantastic class we had with Jan and a brilliant teacher she is, we are the lucky ones I do have to say.

Jen Crossley said...

Jan's class would of been wonderful such a talented lovely lady she is.It was a wonderful retreat

thekathrynwheel said...

Ooh fabulous, I bet you had a great time. I think I recognise that tree stencil......!
Kate x

Jill Brown said...

My eyes were glazing over in awe, almost feeling like I was there, watching you create you ATC and living the fun at the retreat. *sigh*!

Unknown said...

Wow sounds like your retreat was so much fun and I adore the cassowary ATC. Your new home is Sydney looks charming and the images from the garden are gorgeous.

Unknown said...

what a wonderful time it looks like you had! I really love the pieces you made!