Found & Gathered
Join me at Found & Gathered, a retreat that will enable you to immerse yourself in the creative process. The experience begins the moment you register as you source, find, and gather your own personal collection of papers, fibers, ephemera, and other bits & pieces that will become the basis of your creation. As the workshop begins and unfolds, we will gather together, both within the workshop space at The Connecticut River Valley Inn and at some special, local locations. You will spend your time transforming your treasures into a series of what might loosely be called artist books. Some will be stitched and bound, some will be loose, and some will simply be scraps floating in between. See the accompanying images to get a better sense of the project.
The instruction offered throughout, to the group as well as one-to-one, will cover the range of techniques used in mixed media: surface designing, using paints and inks, hand stitching, book binding, rusting, dyeing, embossing, mark making, gel printing, collaging, creative layering, and more. The workshop is designed to alternate between focused instructional demonstrations and uninterrupted art making — allowing you to learn new techniques, styles and approaches AND offering you precious time to get into the zone. This structure enables everybody the opportunity to work at their own comfortable pace in their own comfortable space. The group share at the end of the workshop is the perfect way to ease out of the magic of our time together back into our own outside worlds.
I am a mixed media artist, instructor, designer, and author from New York City. I came to the world of art later in life, transitioning from a full-time career as a psychologist to being a full-time artist and maker. My artistic practice is based on the concepts of community and collaboration, and I believe in the power of art to bring people together. My work has been exhibited in multiple exhibitions and can be found in numerous books and national magazines. I have also published two books of my own, The Pulse of Mixed Media and The Mixed-Media Artist, with North Light Books.
My love of the creative energy that occurs when artists are brought together has led me to spend a great deal of time teaching workshops — both online and in person around the world. As a designer, I have created collections with many companies over the years, including FreeSpirit Fabrics, Impression Obsession, StencilGirl Products, Spellbinders, Emerald Creek Craft Supplies, WOW, Aladine, and PaperArtsy. Art for me is everything and sharing the process in all these different forms makes it even better.
Guest room amenities include Towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, hair dryers, in room coffeemaker, mini fridge, tv, internet, lap desks, yoga mats
Light appetizers and refreshments
Includes 2 nights of dinner (welcome and farewell), lunch and breakfast, daily snack breaks, unlimited coffee, tea & seltzer
If art supplies are included in the price of the retreat, it will show in the description.
Taxis and rental cars available at airport. We may be able to pick you up at the airport or train station with prior arrangements.
See below for fun and inspiring add-on excursions
Your instructor will reach out with details on needed materials and supplies. You can have your supplies shipped directly to us if you do not want to travel with them.
Although we do not require trip insurance, we VERY HIGHLY recommend it. Here is a link for purchasing Trip Insurance where you can compare rates and coverage. https://www.travelinsurance.com/
5pm Welcome Reception - meet your fellow students reception with appetizers and refreshments.
Room check ins begin at 3pm
All-day workshop starting at 9am and lunch
Art Studio available 24/7
Optional yoga, walking, biking in the morning Workshop from 9-4 (breakfast & lunch included)
Art Studio available 24/7
Optional yoga, walking, biking in the morning Workshop from 9 - noon (breakfast included)
Excursion to one of the 169 small towns in Connecticut for touring and lunch and a visit to one of the gardens designed by historic landscape designer, Beatrix Farrand, among the first women to practice landscape architecture in the United States. “A garden, large or small, must be treated in the Impressionist manner,” she once wrote. “Plants are to the gardener what her palette is to the painter.” Farewell Dinner together in Glastonbury
Art Studio available 24/7
Breakfast in the morning Studio work in the morning, sketching and
Checkout by 1PM
I've always loved art I've always liked to create I've always liked the hospitality industry I've always loved the water I've always liked to transform spaces I've always loved gardens and gardening I am a die-hard New Englander So we bought a beautiful historic property in the center of a very historic town, Glastonbury with direct river access... Spent years renovating... Transformed this tired property into a showpiece of Art, design and gardens... Made a home and business reflecting my design style... Have been operatin
