Art Vocabulary of the Soul Retreat

Connecting with God Through the Arts

Oct 28-30, 2016

Time : Friday, 6:00 pm to  Sunday, 3 pm

At Kaleido Arts Festival in September, I taught the papermaking workshop again. This was my eighth year! It is a privelege to be asked to come back every year and a fun festival to be a part of. I actually remembered to take some pictures this year. 

It is all set up so people can come make one piece of paper to take home with them. 

We were set up in the  fellowship hall of St Faith Anglican Church.

Tearing

Here is part of the set up and next is the other part where the group is beginning to tear paper, cut fabric and add natural fluffs (cattail, thistle, fireweed, down feathers, poplar fluff were some of the choices).

In the yogurt container on the left, you can see the small torn bits. of paper and fabric.

 Blending

The next step is to take it to the blender station, where the bits are loudly chopped up and the paper pulp is made.

Creating 

Once the pulp is made, it is taken to the next station where it is poured onto screens.

Lifting 

Last is the process of getting it off the screen so it can be taken home.

Pressing, flicking and rolling.

Look for my next workshop in the late spring or summer.

I teach another workshop on papermaking, an all day workshop. The students in the workshop will make 10-15 unique pieces of paper to take home with them.

I provide all the supplies, as mentioned above as well as pressed leaves and flowers that can be added.

Come and have a fun workshop with me!  

(Check the class list blog for current workshops)

July 23, 2016  What a fun Plein Air Painting Day we had!

If you would be interested in taking part in a workshop next spring and summer contact Julie (at the bottom of the biography page).

Here are some photos from the day:

One of the things I like to do in the summertime is to go out sketching and painting “en plein air.”

En plein air (French pronunciation: [ɑ̃ plɛn ɛːʁ]), or plein air painting, is a phrase borrowed from the French equivalent meaning "open (in full) air". It is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors, also called French: peinture sur le motif ("painting of the object(s) or what the eye actually sees"), where a painter reproduces the actual visual conditions seen at the time of the painting. This method contrasts with studio painting or academic rules; those might create a predetermined look. (Wikipedia)

It is different to paint from life than just using photos. Photos tend to flatten the image. When I hike, I take a camera and at least a small sketchbook, much to my family’s chagrin. (I had to learn to sketch quickly and take photos on the go, but I seem to be perpetually lagging behind. After all I had an agenda – capture as many ideas/ photo references as possible.)

Even so, it is nice to be with people who don’t mind sitting still for a bit. I have a friend who invited me to Kananaskis Country several times. 3- 5 days of hiking and painting and relaxing with no one waiting for me to get done. On these occasions, I would pack up a backpack full of supplies and carry them the distance and come home with a mostly finished painting.

When hiking, I want to get a great picture or idea – and capture it. I would come home with hundreds of photos (with digital photography it is thousands of photo references!) and a few sketches for the depth perception. From these, I start planning paintings. I sometimes go on a hike with a specific idea for which I am seeking sketches and photo references.

I enjoy taking the time to sketch, but it isn’t just the need to paint what I see that draws me to the outdoors. I have learned that sometimes it is nice to even just sit and absorb the beauty without trying to draw it. It feel’s a bit like I’m “drinking” in God’s creation. There are so many metaphors in creation that lead back to God. In the stillness of just being present, as I sit and listen and wait in quiet, I can hear and see the metaphors and things that God is whispering to me.

For God alone my soul waits in silence… Psalm 62

It has been a long journey, this learning to wait, to enjoy moments, not to be rushing on to the next thing to do or paint. For me, it is a process of letting go of agendas, of accomplishment, and of worrying about making the people around me happy with me. At times, I fall back into the old patterns, but I am learning to recognize this in myself. On a hike I don’t take quite so many photos, and I sit and absorb as much as I sit and draw/paint.

A couple of years ago, my husband, Sam, and I took a trip to Europe. Since we were flying, I had to find compact art supplies that I could take on the plane. Traveling light. Now it is my art/camera travel bag for wherever I am going – hiking, road trip etc. I can even pair that down to a smaller size and take just the essentials.

This Saturday morning (July 23), I will be teaching en plein air on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River in Devon. I will be teaching sketching as well as painting: how to capture what is before us; what to paint, what to leave out; and eye training. There is still room in the workshop, if you would like to come.

Are you curious about what is in my art-camera bag? 

The Joy of Teaching

This fall, I was privileged to teach a few different classes. It was fun to work with each of my students and watch their progress! My students usually pick their own subject matter and I teach them what they need for each painting or drawing. Some of the students are beginners, others have been taking lessons for several years.

In the watercolor classes we did some pouring watercolor in the northern light paintings; and then each student brought in photos to work from in a variety of subject matter.

I didn't remember to take pictures of everyone's work, but I would like to present this student gallery of a portion of the paintings both finished and ones "in progress" from the watercolor classes. Isn't it lovely! They did beautiful work!

The registration is open for the winter-spring watercolor sessions, and the Enneagram class.

Northern Lights in Watercolor  Workshop  Register at Paintspot.ca

Nov 13
10 am - 4 pm.

$80

Capture the beauty and movement of the Northern Lights using watercolor in this step-by-step workshop. These simple landscapes can be done by beginner to advanced students.
Learn to:

• work with pouring and wet into wet to create movement in a night sky
• mix colors to create the night scene
• use photo references and imagination to sketch out ideas for painting the landscape
• combine different watercolor techniques to achieve the elements in the landscape

Supply List for Workshop:

Watercolors: tube paint 

• Dioxazine purple or Deep, dark purple
• Alizarin crimson
• Phthalo blue
• Lemon yellow
• Permanent Green

Palette for watercolor
Arches 140 lb cold press full sheet, tear into quarters
Painting boards (tape on watercolor paper) heavy cardboard or Masonite are good options
Green painter’s tape
Container for water Brushes

• 1 in flat brush
•  Rigger brush
• Small Round brush
• Assorted other brushes

Rag/ paper towel
Masking fluid
Old toothbrush
Salt
Sea sponge
Cling wrap
Pencil and eraser
(optional – permanent ink pen with fine tip)
Small sketchbook
Photo references (optional): northern lights, landscapes in the dark
Apron
Lunch, water bottle

Can you imagine going to Italy to take a weeklong Art Retreat, painting, sketching and enjoying the Italian countryside? 

I have an opportunity to teach a retreat in a hotel in Montelparo, Marche, Italy. (Two artists told me about their amazing experience teaching there, and one of their participants said she had a great time and it was well worth it.)

Not only will we enjoy Italian food, great company, 5 star treatment at the hotel and spectacular scenery, but we will also paint and sketch from life the scenes of the Le Marche area. 
Le Marche is Italy’s best-kept secret. Known as ‘Italy in one region’, it has retained its authenticity and remains one of the very few places in Italy to have escaped mass tourism despite its miles of untamed coastlines, medieval hilltop towns full of art and culture, it’s hidden beaches, its patchwork quilt countryside, its three national parks – it really is a secret slice of Italy.

Starting at €2499, plus air fare (rates vary to the room chosen) Includes meals, transportation from the airport or bus station, three day excursions, 5 days of art tuition. Nonparticipating friend or partner would pay for everything except the painting tuition.

I have booked my week, Sept 26-Oct 3, 2025!  All of the information is on the article Italy Art Retreat in the menu. It links to the Hotel Leone where you can fill out a form to talk with Madeline about a room and more information.

I am Excited!!

Summer Skies: Thunderheads 

Work on capturing the essence of the thunderheads over the canola fields or the wheat fields. 

We will try a range of techniques to capture the thunderheads and adding in the rest of the landscape below in small studies in the morning and work on a larger  painting in the afternoon.

I will have a few examples to choose from or bring your own photos of the amazing summer thunderheads.

Location: Artelier, the PaintSpot

More information to come.

Alternative Process Week – 5 Day Art Retreat w/ 4 Different Instructors         

Monday, August 18th – Friday, August 22th

10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

$495 ($395 + $100 Supply Fee) for Full Week

$105 ($80 + $25 Supply Fee) per Workshop

Class Limit: 15 Students

Summer Week-long Retreat at Artelier!

Looking for a creative getaway not far from home? Why not spend a week at Artelier exploring and experimenting with a diverse range of materials?

This week we’ll be exploring alternative processes such as papermaking, working with fabric dye and UV reactive processes such as Solar Fast. Experiment with indigo and even use some of your paper and materials to make your own book at the end of the week!

Each instructor will cover a different medium and project, however many of these processes are transferable and harness the potential for combining and mixing. Whether you’re looking to expand on your skill set and gain a more comprehensive understanding any of these processes, or try something completely new, Alternative Process Week is the retreat for you!
Discover your new favourite medium!

5 days of artmaking with 4 different instructors! 
Take one class, or sign up for the whole week!

Monday: Join us for a full morning and afternoon of Paper Making with Julie Drew. Make a variety of beautiful and unique papers from natural and recycled fibres.
Tuesday: Next Arlene Westin will walk you through the steps of creating your own Itajime Shibori patterns on paper.
Wednesday: Explore colour and the vibrant world of fabric paints and dyes with Arlene Westen with Alrene Westen. Create images on fabric and paper with Dye-na-flow and Solar Fast!
Thursday: After exploring Dye-na-flow and other synthetic paints and dyes, on Thursday Anna Wildish will guide you through the process of preparing and using some natural dyes on fabric and paper.
Friday: At the end of the week, Callum McKenzie will help you make your own stitch bound book, with materials of your choice. Try using papers that you’ve been working on throughout the week!

About the Instructors: 

Julie Drew waits and listens, letting the details of the world around her speak beauty and wonder. Adding her own distinct expression using watercolor and mixed media to capture the depths and nuances of color, light, and shadow, she creates paintings that proclaim peace, mystery, and wonder.

Her passion for art led to a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, USA in 1987. Julie has been painting for over 35 years. In 1997, Julie moved with her family to Edmonton, Alberta. Although Julie works predominantly in watercolor, she also uses mixed media with her own handmade paper. Julie teaches watercolor, mixed media, acrylic, oil and papermaking. Her art work has been exhibited around Alberta.

To see more of Julie’s work, check out her website and Instagram:

Website: www.JulieDrew-ArtandFaith.com

Instagram: @shedrewit_artandfaith

Check out more classes with Julie!

Multi-disciplinary artist, Arlene Westen, brings over 30 years of teaching experience to her students. Her proficiencies include mixed-media, collage, surface design, book arts, and printmaking.After graduating from Grant MacEwan University with a Visual Arts Diploma, she earned two further baccalaureate degrees: Fibre Art (Honors) from the Alberta University of the Arts, and a Studio Arts Degree (Honors with Great Distinction) from University of Lethbridge.

To see more of Arlene’s work, check out her Website and Instagram:

Instagram: @arlenewesten

Check out more classes with Arlene!

Anna Wildish is an interdisciplinary artist who works primarily with textiles, and sound.  Since moving to Edmonton from Halifax in 2021, she has been performing at noise and sound events with collaborator Andrew Thorne. Wildish is a sentimentalist and relies on weaving, natural dye, writing and sound to explore her fascination with memory, sense-making, connection, and luck.

Callum McKenzie (he/they) is an Edmonton-based emerging artist and printmaker. They earned their Bachelor of Design in Printmaking from the University of Alberta in 2022 and completed an Emerging Artist in Residence program at SNAP Gallery in 2023. Callum has a penchant for impulsively purchasing paper and figuring out what to do with it later. Their work draws on their experiences as a queer ADHDer and they explore themes of masking, grief and dysphoria through repetitive print and paper-based practices. Callum has shown their work in a number of curated shows and exhibitions including Inner Space in FAB Gallery and How Could I Know If No One Ever Told Me in SNAP Gallery.

To see more of Callum’s work, check out their Instagram:

Instagram: @humdrum_and_callum

Student Supplies:

1. Any extra materials, such as paper or fabric you would like to use during the week
2. Suitable art clothes, hand towel, notebook, snack, drink

You will receive a 20% discount on all art supplies, from your registration until the end of the series!

Artelier is located at 10045 81 Avenue NW, Edmonton (back alley entrance). The workshop space is one block south of The Paint Spot.

Alternative Process Week: 5 Day Art Retreat, Edmonton, Alberta