I am a self taught mixed media artist and instructor living in Virginia with my Husband and our family of fur babies. I love all things vintage and strive to use those discarded bits of artistic flotsam and jetsum in my creations. I also love finding those treasures that others can use to feather their souls and their nests so please check out my Etsy Shop as well. Thank you for stopping by.
All works of art, photographs, writings and graphics within this blog/website are protected under U.S. Copyright laws and international conventions. No portion of the artists' works or statements may be duplicated, altered, downloaded or reproduced in any way without prior written permission from the individual artist. Thank you for respecting my works.
Between traveling for Art Is...You and then going directly on vacation I haven't posted some of the newest things from the studio/classroom....
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Be on the lookout for images from my classes, the retreat and the road trip to and from!! It was such an amazing time and I met so many wonderful artists and new friends!! The online Reality Retreat is coming soon along with the Australian Downunder Road Show followed closely by Petaluma and Stamford!! If you have the opportunity you should really come and live the magic of Art Is You for yourself!!
Art Is....You and me and magic and art enabling creativity at its finest!!!!!
Did you know that whether you are on the East Coast, West Coast, Down South, Down Under or just sitting at your computer screen you are within driving, flying or walking distance to an Art Is....You event!!!!! Really, no kidding!!
Sal and Ellen, that's them below, are two of the most magical, art inspiring and creative individuals that you will ever meet! They came together with an idea that sprang into a little seedling that has taken root in the hearts, minds and souls of all who attend one of the AIY retreats.
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In 2014 you will see them first in Olive Branch, Mississippi right across the Tennessee border and you won't believe the line up they have happening!! Here are just a few of the wonderfully creative instructors that you have the opportunity to learn from...
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Sunny Carvalho
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Jen and Aaron
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Cindy Wunsch
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Michael DeMeng
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Me, Myself and I (Lesley Venable)
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Find out all about the classes by clicking here.......
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But wait!!! That's not all!!!!! Let's look at some of the extras at the event!!!!
Taken from the lovely Art Is...You website....
Eat Cake and Create events are the icing on the cake...literally...in Dixie. They enable us all to come together for some down time, laugh time and create time. This year we have some of our favorites and some exciting new happenings. Exclusvie details will be available to registered attendees.
Theme - Art is...BFF Art can be your best friend forever. Bring your best friend or find a best friend at the retreat. We will have a week together celebrating friendship and art.
Daily Yes it is true! ALL Art is...You daily registrations include treats, special events plus luscious lunches and some sublime late night snacks - available on the day/s that you are registered.
Living in Generosity We have our door entry to Wednesday evening's Art Trunk going directly to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and we are putting the wheels in motion for some great weekend opportunities to give to others.
Daily Morning Motivators From Monday through to Sunday you will enjoy a daily morning motivator to get your creative juices flowing! We have some great inspirational sessions and surprises instore for you. Our inspirational ring master, Ricë Freeman-Zachery, is gathering together a variety of faculty, sponsors and industry guests who will excite, inspire and motivate you at the start of each day.
Nightly Art @ the Bar The tradition of gathering at the bar for a drink and a time of sharing the day's creative achievements continues. Wind down, and enjoy the spirit of Art is...You with your fellow attendees while delighting in the art being shared.
Circle of Love - Special Event! Sunday, 27 April 2014 You have checked in, you are ready for a fabulous week ahead. Pop down the road and grab your take out from one of the many restaurants and fast food outlets, then join Brenda Bliss Delaney as she takes you on a journey about life and love. Learning about the meaning and healing elements of stones, crystals and more. You will walk away with a beautiful necklace of your own creation. Coffee, Tea and Cake will also be provided. ($20.00)
Misfit Love - A Living in Generosity Project! Monday, 28 April 2014 Given that we are so close to the wonderful St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, we felt we had a wonderful opportunity to share our love of art with the children and their families. Misfit Love is a night where we will come together and with the guidance of Kecia Deveney, we will create banners of love for the children and families who walk through the doors of St. Jude's in Memphis. We will showcase many of them at Art Trunk on Wednesday evening and then present them to representatives from the hospital on Sunday morning at our BFF Super Hero Breakfast.
Faculty and Friends - Special Event! Tuesday, 29 April 2014Entertainment provided by the Stencilgirl Products Team! Yes it is true...Sal and Ellen are donning their chef hats to cook you dinner tonight. Enjoy a low key picnic, with a glass of wine or beer or softie. Finish off your dinner with delectable delights from Mr Lesley including his world famous Toffee Brittle and possibly some scones or maybe some choc chip cookies or maybe a surprise! Price includes, Dinner, Drinks, Dessert and Stencilgirl Products Entertainment! ($15)
Dixie Art Trunk - Special Event! Wednesday, 30 April 2014 Open to the public from 6:00-9:00pm, Art Trunk. a mixed media feast of color, texture, and original art. Door donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital plus a raffle with a difference...a chance to win art stuff from some of your favorite suppliers and your fellow art friends. We will also be organizing an Old Style BBQ Dinner ($15) for anyone wishing to stay onsite and make the most of their Art Trunk hours!
Evening WorkshopsThursday, 1 May 2014 We showcase this year a select group of Evening Workshops. For the first time ever you can attend an Evening Workshop without being registered for the retreat. Evening Workshops are price at $50 for registered attendees and $95 for non-registered attendees.
Frida-Koalho - Special Event Friday, 2 May 2014 Give me a home among the gumtrees, With lots of plum trees. A sheep or two, a k-kangaroo. A clothesline out the back. Verandah out the front, And an old rocking chair...Join Jane 'Danger' Davenport as she brings a little bit of Aussie to Mississippi! A fun and creative night with an opportunity to support Jane in her mission to raise some money for the Koala's of Australia! A special Living in Generosity Project for 2014. Included in that day's registration.
BFF Breakfast Sunday, 4 May 2014Dress for the Day - SuperHeros... Correct...we encourage you to take a leap, not from a tall building...but into the world of your imagination and your spirit. Show us the Super Hero that is inside of you! We will be presenting our banners on this day to the staff of St. Jude Children's Resarch Hospital.
Have you been thinking about attending Art Is....You Dixie in Olive Branch, Mississippi? Well now is the time to hop onboard the magic train because there is an extra bonus that I have been given the opportunity to offer. Woohoo!!
If you visit www.art-is-you.com and register to take one of my classes you can receive $60.00 off of your registration fee!!! $60.00!!!! Think of how much more you can buy at the Art Trunk that Wednesday night!! Think of the supplies that that will buy! BONUS!!
Now to take advantage of this offer you will need to enter the Event Code: LESLEY on page two of the online registration. And just as an FYI the code can only be used 12 times so you may want to go ahead and hop on over and sign up. :)
Wow, Art Is….You Dixie is just around the corner and the line-up of teachers, classes and extras is amazing!!!! I will be teaching several classes and I am so excited about them that I thought I would share a bit about the classes, the location and what else you won’t want to miss out on!!
If you have never taken a class with me I need to let you know that they are chock full of techniques to add to your creative toolbox. I love to share the tips and tricks that I have learned along the way so you can see those tools and supplies in a new light and get re-energized in you creativity!! J
So, on to Dixie, which by the way will be held in Olive Branch, Mississippi…..
The first class I will be teaching is how to make beautiful little shadowbox shrines using vintage imagery and my organic style of soldering. These can be created to stand or to wear……
That Thursday evening I will be teaching a classed called Micalicious in which we will be creating the most amazing “banners” using panels of collaged, adorned, embellished and sewn mica. These are beautiful hung in your home or studio and the translucency of the mica is stunning and fits right in with the vintage feel
That Friday, in The Crowning Touch, we will be using some of our found objects, metal and soldering to create a unique, one of a kind, mixed media crown/tiara.
On Saturday we will be creating to our hearts desire in my Sacred Hearts class. We will be creating several different styles of hearts to adorn you or your home/studio while also learning some very cool techniques including transfers, metal stamping, organic soldering and creating patina.
On Sunday it will be all about the romance in my Romancing The Tin class!! We will be altering a tin using some really cool techniques, including transfers, and we will be creating the little booklet that will be housed inside the tin. The little booklet can serve as a journal, it could be a vintage lace sampler or it could have pages of your favorite inspirational quotes.
The Art Is You Dixie event will be held in Olive Branch, Mississippi (on the border of Mississippi and Tennessee) at the Whispering Woods Hotel. It promises to be an amazing setting for coming together with like minded creative souls and it is just 30 minutes away from downtown Memphis if you want to visit Graceland, Beale Street or some of their amazing museums!!!
There will be all sorts of extracurriculars to enjoy as well!!! Eat Cake & Create, The Trunk Show (the amazing vendor night), group lunches and much, much more!!!!
So, click the below image to be taken to the Art Is….You Dixie Event page to read and learn all about this magical event….
I hope you will come and enjoy this amazing event and join the Art Is You Family!!!! Sal and Ellen put on such a wonderful and memorable retreat that you will never leave disappointed!!!!
I would love to have you come and spend time with me in one of my classes!!
Art is You has a brand new space on FaceBook and it is where you will want to be to find out all of the latest happenings, news and information.
All you need to do is visit the page by clicking the below image and then just hit "LIKE"...it's that simple!
There is so much in store for 2014 and we know you won't want to miss a single thing.
Also, to share the banner, the link or the information from this post please just click the "PIN It" Button that appears when you place your mouse over the image above. It's a great way to show support and to let your friends know where you will be gathering!
Just around the corner Art Is....You in Stamford will be in full swing and I can't wait!!! It's that wonderfully crisp and magical time of year when the leaves are turning and everything seems to be right with the world.
Sal & Ellen have once again planned a magical time for us with some of the most amazing classes and artists, Morning Motivators, Eat Cake & Create Events and the highly anticipated Art Trunk Show!!
Here are some of the classes that are being offered....
PAPERS, INKS, STENCILS & PENCILS
GLASS TUBE SOLDERED PENDANT
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
MIXED MEDIA MYTHOLOGIES
ILLUMINATED RELIQUARIES
CAPTURED REMNANTS
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Just click the banner below to be taken to the AIY Stamford Workshop List
Come join us at Art Is....You in Stamford, Connecticut - it is an amazing time!!
It seems that this summer has flown by as I have been caught up in destashing, creating and worrying myself into a frenzy over a surgery that I had on August 6th. Something I have learned through all of this is....
We will be heading to CREATE Mixed Media Art Retreats soon where I will be teaching and vending and we are so looking forward to visiting an area that we have never been to. I will also be able to see some of my favorite people in the world and it will be good to connect with them as well. <smile>
Also, I am preparing for the Emmys with the Ice Queen!!!! Be on the lookout for FaceBook posts, Instagram images and more as we take this journey to the Emmys!!! Also be sure to check out the ICE Resin Blog at: http://iceresin.com/icequeen/
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September will have us visiting Petaluma, California for Art Is You and then the last round of traveling for teaching will be in October in Stamford, Connecticut for AIY. What a lovely way to round off the year!!!!
So many new and exciting things going on and I can't wait to let you all in on them as the time becomes right to do so!!!
Thank you all for your prayers, emails and calls before and after my surgery. They are all so appreciated and make me more grateful for those that are in my life.
I can't believe that Art Is You in Petaluma, California and Stamford, Connecticut are just a few weeks away!!! It is always an exciting time preparing to attend one of Sal & Ellen's events because you never know what surprises they have in store for you (believe me they are wonderful), who you will see and how many new friends you will make!
Yeah, I know, it sounds corny and all that stuff right? But it's okay if it does when it's the truth...the Art Is You events are AMAZING!!! They are STUPENDOUS!!! They are MAGICAL!!!
Imagine being surrounded by the most amazing artistic talent ever...that's your tribe all come together to create, create, create!! These retreats are all about YOU....the all encompassing you which is you, me, everyone!! It is all about US and Sal and Ellen make it that way and they have since day one, I know I was there at day one and it was magical then and the magic has just multiplied and grown.
Think I'm silly? Well, I am but we are allowed to be. People walk around in tutus and funny hats and creations have strange heads or weird hinges or they are just plain beautiful or they could be dark and mysterious.....but it's OKAY...you are amongst like minded souls and we get you 'cuz we are like you. We may not have the same aesthetic but we all understand the creative abilities it takes to make something that is born in your head and heart and brought to life by your hands (or other body parts depending what class you are taking). <smile>
Want to learn more about these two events? Click this banner:
Want to see some of the amazing classes? Check a few out below:
PETALUMA
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STAMFORD
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Visit the site, check out the classes and come join us for some magical fun and creativity at Art Is....You!!!
I wanted to share this email from Salliane & Ellen with you...
It is a frenetic time for many right now with the schools in Graduation mode, family gatherings and celebrations. Summer is on our heels. Now is a good time to plan your escape in the fall.
We have a phenomenal faculty of artists gathering in Petaluma and Connecticut. Plus fabulous industry faces who will be bringing their talent, humour, experience and art to each venue.
Virtually everything that occurs at each retreat is included in your workshop registration.
It means you don't have to think about anything but reveling in the moment.
From the moment you set foot in the door to the time you leave you are surrounded by a tribe of artists who will lift you up. Your art and soul becomes one when you immerse yourself in the Art is...You experience.
A Reminder: Tonia Jenny and Ricë Freeman-Zachary announced a very special CreateMixedMedia.com and Art is You contest, and how each week here you’ll have a chance to nominate someone to win a fabulous (and generous!) prize package to make attending a retreat possible for someone. This week is your last chance to nominate someone.
The past few weeks have seen me in my studio filming videos for my new online class offering - Altered Vessels. This online class has well over 30 videos with information on creating everything from little pendants to large bottles with unique, one of a kind, focal points. My online classes are open 24/7 with no end date so no stressing out on finishing up your creations. While there is no end date there is a cut off time to sign up and that will be the end of May, 2013. You can check it out by visiting: www.theartofaltering.ning.com
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The internet and art world is abuzz with the news that Art Is....You is going Down Under!!! That's right, Australia here we come!!! The line up includes: Michael and Andrea DeMeng, Sue Pelletier, Kecia Frazee Deveney, Seth Apter and myself. I am sooooo very excited and cannot wait to bring this magic to everyone from Sal's neck of the woods.
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There has been some amazing creations being posted on the Ice Resin Blog by the Design Team Members....check these out....
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Have you tried ICED Enamels yet? If you haven't you really need to check them out by clicking the image below:
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I hope your Monday is blessed with creativity, love and happiness.
I am a self taught mixed media artist and instructor living in Virginia with my Husband and our family of fur babies. I love all things vintage and strive to use those discarded bits of artistic flotsam and jetsum in my creations. I also love finding those treasures that others can use to feather their souls and their nests so please check out my Etsy Shop as well. Thank you for stopping by.
