Art is...You

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Karen O’Brien is a doll…face!

I found out about Art Is You through my good friend/artist and instructor, Laurie Mika.

I have taught many workshops and know that teachers do not return to or recommend events if they are not fun, in a great location and well organized.

Art-Is-You seems to fit the bill. I am very excited to be teaching ("Doll Face" on Friday Eve), vending and attending as a student. I hope to meet lots of new creatives and find all of you who, like me, selected "weird" to describe yourself!

Karen O'Brien

P.S. Are you a local of Petaluma or town close by? Can’t take time off work but would relish a little art time…contact us artis@art-is-you.com and we will give you a special Friday night rate on for Karen’s workshop.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Art is…one of the greatest experiences I have ever had!

The experience of Art Is You is one of the greatest experiences I've ever had.

The women are the most welcoming & the art is FABULOUS!

I wouldn't miss it!
Sandi

P.S. Are you a local? Do you work and are only able to spare an evening? Join Sandi in her fabulous Geodes class – email us and we will give you a special rate!

P.P.S…Last year Sandi made a huge bundle of these wonderful flowers and gave them out in exchange for a donation to our charity…now that is Living in Generosity!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Art is…”simply a warm cloud”…

Hello Sal and Ellen,

This is a time when I wish I was a toastmaster to enrich and really make my words grab anyone who reads this. But, I am not, so I will go with my feelings, which usually is a good thing.

I have been to many many art retreats (Art and Soul, ArtFest, An Artful Journey, enough to have put myself through art school!) So I can validate what I have to say about my Petaluma experience and what truly placed that experience at the top of the ladder. And I don't think I can say it was any one thing or person, it was simply a warm cloud I walked around in everywhere we were, in class, at meals, in the bar and lobby, just passing by at the pool (I remember almost running into Sal who vented a minor frustration and it was enough to make us laugh...no downer feelings ever coming from either of you).

For the easy stuff, the hotel was fab, location location location. Rooms for classes with lots of natural light and relaxing views; who doesn't love a harbor and dream of sailing out on to the ocean. Fresh air and great food and a very pleasant and accommodating hotel staff. Close to town, and Petaluma has something for everyone and is a charming California treat. I could drive, so of course that is always a plus.

Teachers, well, what a cool group of Artists sharing with us and having as much fun as we were; variety, attentive, productive. When they participated in the panel, wow, that was awesome, they genuinely shared themselves and it just made us all even closer. Because that is what we come for right, to learn and feel the creativity they have to give to us. To get to know these incredibly gifted and courageous Artists.

And having that upstairs rooms to always go to and meet someone new that you had so much in common with! Did I forget to mention the fun we had with the activities you planned for us because everyday just kept getting better, crazy great.

So maybe it was you 2 that made the biggest difference. The way you do business, always pleasant (sometimes hilarious) and profession. The care you show by being there with us, and for us, and for the Artists/Teachers. You support what's going on, you are approachable and just darn lovable!

Art On! See you soon,

Anne C., California

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Art is….Just Around the Corner

I went by myself to Art is...YOU. A scaredy cat to be sure. I was blown away by the friendliness of everyone there. You could just sit down at a table and enter a conversation with people you didn't know yet somehow they felt like family....warm, welcoming and sincere. The energy in the workshop was crazy....alive, vibrant, fun loving and inspiring. You don't have to be picasso to enjoy yourself. Just bring who you are....you're gonna be amazed at how filled up on the inside you become. It's like a jump start for your heart and out of that your creativity will flow. Trust me. Hope to see YOU next year...there's a whole lot of family who want to meet you!

There is still time to register for our Fall Retreats:

Art is...Benicia – Wednesday 19 September and Thursday 20 September, is our wonderful two day Immersion retreat in the ART Heart of the town of Benicia. Special workshops with the talented Thomas Mann, Carrie Clayden, Sunny Carvalho, Kim Howard, Mary Neuer Lee, Tracy Verdugo and Sharon Payne-Bolton! We give thanks to the Benicia Arsenal and Arts Benicia for working with us to bring you this Immersion.

Art is...Petaluma - Thursday September 20 through to Sunday September 23 at the Sheraton Sonoma County, Petaluma, CA. Peruse the WORKSHOPS. Check out some of SPECIAL MOMENTS - lots of creating time outside of workshops, breakfast with Ricë Freeman-Zachery and her lively panel of faculty, Abandon some art with Michael & Andrea deMeng, Art Trunk Saturday Night and more... REGISTER. Be a part of our very special West Coast Retreat.

Art is...You our annual East Coast Retreat is coming to Stamford for its sixth year of Art Family Celebrations. Thursday October 5 to Monday October 8 at the Sheraton Stamford, Stamford, CT.

Fabulous WORKSHOPS on offer plus our usual SPECIAL MOMENTS. Of course our weekend wouldn't be complete without Loretta Marvel's morning HeART Starters.

A special Breakfast for the Brave with Melissa Bolton and friends and we will be making our own Katherine England designed bracelets, raising money for charities and playing with flamingoes. REGISTER for this unique and special event and discover why we have a 90% return rate.

We are thrilled this year to be supporting The Fabulous Women of Petaluma on the West Coast and on the East Coast, our chosen charity is Sarah's House - a welcoming, friendly, comfortable and cosy home away from home built on the grounds of the current Cancer Treatment Center in Brewer, Maine.

Art is...feeling good - made simple.

www.art-is-you.com
www.art-is-you.com.au

A special announcement:

In the six years we have been in each other lives we have over come and continue to overcome many of life's obstacles. Right now on both coasts we have family members, sisters of the travelling paints who are fighting the battle of cancer. It touches each of us deeply.

So on Friday 21st September and Friday 5th October, we will be wearing PINK in honor of our friends and family and we will have an art raffle on each day. We give thanks to our talented Joanne Sharpe for our beautiful logo. Join us in living in generosity...

Saturday, July 28, 2012

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

…unless you spend time with JoAnnA Pierotti and then you want to make sure that you are covered in the goodness of creativity that our JoAnnA shares so freely.

JoAnnA Pierotti of Moss Hill Studios has been a part of our Art is…You Family since the beginning.

In fact she was the first artist that said “yes” when asked to teach at our inaugural event in Connecticut and that comment was quickly couched with the comment – oh but I have never done this before!!

Ellen and Sallianne both said … “and the problem with that is…?”

That year we traveled an emotional road with Jo as she hit one of life’s largest obstacles – Breast Cancer. In fact her fight with this terrible disease was the impetus for us to include fundraising as a significant part of our retreat and today it is known as “Living in Generosity” and we celebrate Pink Friday.

In 2012 we have over 200 committed donations to our events in both Petaluma and Stamford.

If you have never taken a class with JoAnnA, we encourage you to do so. Many artists come back year after year to take a workshop with her because it is not just about the workshop, it is about the experience.

Jo is teaching on both coasts this year, and there is a spot for you.

PETALUMA:

Sentimental Journey – Extra spots opened up

Come and create with JoAnnA!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Australian Artist Greta Young reflects on what Art means to her…

Art is.......

Art is my escape from a sometimes, very stressful work life. Making art is a way to make my heart sing. That wonderful feeling when you create something that meets or exceeds your expectations. The marrying of colour and texture! I LOVE colour..... and I love putting colours together which “work”. If I am lacking in mojo, I just gather together elements and colours which make me feel good inside and make me want to create something!

I thank Julie Cadd (van Oosten) from Collections Elements for teaching me to appreciate vintage style... putting together old images, bits of fabric and rustic elements, aging them to create something that looks like it came from early last century. Things that once, I wouldn’t have given a second glance to, now have a new meaning for me. Her never ending creative talents have inspired many paper lovers. My good friend Jenny Crossley whose work I admire and adore. When you look at it, her (papecraft) designs aren’t intricate, but they are always well balanced, and amazingly beautiful.

I have art to thank for the many friendships I have made with fellow crafters. There is nothing like a day out with my crafty friends, “junking” or spending the day shopping for goodies at paper craft stores! No alcohol required to have a good time here! Spending the day creating with a group of friends or even people you have just met, is a wonderful way to pass a day. The sharing of ideas, techniques and even supplies!

So art to me is taking a bunch of individual items and putting them together to create something pleasing to my eye, about taking the time to create a card or a present for someone dear to my heart. Creating “Art” is an important part of my life and I hope that I can continue to make art until the end of my days!

Greta Young

Melbourne Australia
www.ozinthefastlane.blogspot.com

Friday, July 20, 2012

Art Is...You has changed my life in so many ways.

I have grown as an artist and branched out into so many mediums that I never would have tried before. I started out as a quilter so the world of mixed media and ephemera were things I had never heard of.

My first class was a doll with a beaded face class. I felt so welcomed by the teacher and students that I couldn't wait for year 2.

I took metal and soldering and altering board books and band-aid boxes, and no one told me my pages were lumpy or crooked, they said they were beautiful and they meant it.

I learned that I really did miss fabric after a fabric journal class, using luscious laces and velvets and silks substituted for the quilters cottons. Now I still work with the other mediums but my first love fabric is always present.