FABRIC AND METAL CREATURES WITH MORGAN BRIG

September 11-14, 2023, Port Orchard, WA

Morgan Brig is back with another magical class combining fabric and copper into unique creatures.

This four day class will include learning how to create the body, braising techniques, and assemblage.

The class will be held in Bellissima’s new art studio in Port Orchard, WA. The studio combined with Builder Bob’s collection of tools will provide you with everything you may need to bring your creature alive.

Itinerary

Day 1, Monday September 11

We will meet in the studio at 9:30 for introductions and Morgan will go over the class schedule with samples. Today’s demo will be sewing and making bodies.

Lunch will be served from 12:30-1:30 and then it’s back in the studio to continue work. Class is over around 4:30-5 with dinner provided this evening.

Day 2 - Tuesday, September 12

Class will start at 9:30. Today’s demos will be torching, safety, annealing, fitting metal pieces to fabric bodies. Brazing ears, antlers, connectors, cones and grinder and drill safety.

We will break for lunch and then continue working until 4:30. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Day 3 - Wednesday, September 13

Class starts at 9:30, breaking for lunch and then stopping around 4:30. The demos today will be painting bodies, making and attaching charms. Dinner will be provided this evening.

Day 4 - Thursday, September 14

Class continues to work at 9:30, stopping for lunch and then at 3:00 we will clean up and have our Show ‘N Tell.

This Art Escape Includes:

• Four days instruction from Morgan Brig

• Some supplies

• Four Lunches and Two Dinners

The price for this workshop is $950 and does not include lodging or transportation. 

A $500 non refundable deposit is due at registration with the remaining $450 due Aug 10.

The workshop is limited to 12 

Port Orchard is the site for the workshop. The location is 9 miles north of Gig Harbor, WA which is listed as one of the most desirable cities in the US to visit (or live). It is located south of Seattle, across the Narrows Bridge on Hwy 16.

The Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter stops in Gig Harbor and in Port Orchard.

There are many Arbnbs and B&Bs in the area. A list of accommodations will be provided if requested.

We will provide

• copper kit

• torches

• firing stations

• brazing rod

• acrylic paint

• drills, drill bits

• grinder

• tin snips

• metal and wood forming blocks

• forming hammers

• sewing machines

• elmers glue

Student Supply List

• 3/4 yard medium weight fabric - white cotton is great or printed. Optional is silk or interesting vintage fabrics

• 8-12 oz bag of polyester stuffing

• sewing needle and thread

• scissors

• small and medium paint brushes

• several sheets of paper for pattern cutting

• pencil

• exacto knife with extra blades

• Blue or Black extra fine Sharpie pen

• needle nose pliers

• found objects: anything you love to be used as a body part or decoration. Morgan likes wood forms (old wood net floats), large fishing flashers, dice

• small ruler

• scotch tape

• beads, charms, stringing wire or string

Optional

• matte medium

• round nose pliers

• fur, feathers

• tin snips

• wire cutters

• 3/4” or larger wood base at least 1/2” thick

• colorful interesting string in small quantities

Morgan Brig is a mixed media artist from Vashon Island, WA. She loves to capture emotion in her sculptures using multiple layers of media that bring the subtlety of expression to each character. Her layers include etched metal detail, enamel patinas and found objects that suggest the old and familiar, but ask to be viewed in a new light. She often uses language and occult symbols in her designs to support her belief that there is always guidance to be found from external and internal sources as we go through life. There also is playfulness in her design inspired by her love of old metal and tin toys and her desire to lay humor next to truth or fear in her work.

Kathie Vezzani, who is hosting the workshop, also is an artist who paints, rusts and waxes. She organizes trips for other artists and in a former life was a caterer. She has over three decades of experience organizing trips for foodies and artists.

METAL QUILTS - AMISH MODERN WITH ARUNAS OSLAPAS

July 21-23, Port Orchard, WA

To all our fellow metal lovers, this workshop is for you! Join Bellingham artist Arunas Oslapas of Red Rivet Studios for a weekend of creating metal quilts.

When not schlepping his artwork around the country at various art festivals, Arunas is a Professor of Industrial Design at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA.

We are big fans of his work and have been waiting for the opportunity to have him teach a Bellissima Art Escape.

In this workshop you will learn how to cut, paint, distress, and rivet metal to a cradled board. The pieced metal panels can be embellished with found objects, ephemera, and transferred images or text onto metal.

Itinerary

Day One, Friday July 21. We will meet in the studio at 9:30 for introductions and to go over the workshop schedule. Lunch and dinner will be provided.

Day Two, Saturday July 22, It’s a whole day in the studio working on cutting and assembling our metal strips. Arunas will also address how to patina our metal strips. Lunch and dinner will be provided.

Day Three, Sunday July 23, We will meet in the studio at 9:30 a.m. to finish up our pieces. We will stop for lunch, then finish any last minutes details before we clean up and have our Show ‘N Tell. Class will be over at 3:30 p.m.

COVID

You must be vaccinated in order to attend this workshop and you will need to take a rapid test at least two days prior to the workshop. Your card and negative test will need to be shown to Bellissima Art Escapes in order to join the workshop. Thank you for your cooperation and for considering your fellow artists.

This Escape Includes

• three days instruction

• assorted metal scrap pieces

• banding

• spray paints

• paint pens

• rivets

• three lunches, two dinners

• new art tribe

This workshop will be held at Bellissima Art Escapes studio in Port Orchard, WA.

The price for this workshop is $800

A $400 non refundable deposit is due at registration with the remaining $400 due May 21.

The workshop is limited to 12

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST

• Two 12’x12” x 1-5/8” cradled birch panels

• organic vapor respirator

• safety glasses

• gloves (knit garden gloves with vinyl coated palms

Below are some of the beautiful baskets that Arunas creates.

Arunas has taught Industrial Design at Western Washington University since 1991 torturing his loyal students with solving the world’s problems. In order to maintain his academic sanity he weaves metal baskets and metal quilts and schleps his art to festivals throughout the west. When things get too rainy they pack up the family and head south of the border to dry out. Educationally, he got a few degrees from Montana State University and the University of Illinois. Prior to teaching, Arunas worked for Haworth designing office furniture, a Chicago architectural firm, and has consulted on many products from carbon fiber snowshoes to hog feeders.

Kathie Vezzani, who is hosting the workshop, also is an artist who paints, rusts and waxes. She organizes trips for other artists and in a former life was a caterer. She has 30 years of experience organizing trips for foodies and artists.

FELTED BIRDS WITH TORY BROKENSHIRE

April 15-16, 2023

Wacky Nut Farm

Tory Brokenshire is a mixed media artist who lives along the shore in Lincoln City, OR. She previously taught a Santos assemblage Art Escape, and now she brings her widely talented skills for a felting class.

In this workshop you will learn simple needle felting and found object embellishments.

While needle felting is a fairly simple procedure, we will learn to take a bundle of wool roving and turn it into a free-standing sculpture. In this case, it will be a bird as real or imaginative as you want to make it.

Tory will share with you some of the long and rich history of felting along with basic needle felting techniques.

This two-day class is designed to use your artist sensibilities to observe nature, find shapes and objects that will be used in a new and unique way.

Tory’s goal in teaching is to create not only a technique you can use in the future but a relaxing and fun learning experience.

COVID

You must be vaccinated in order to attend this workshop and you will need to take a rapid test at least two days prior to the workshop. Your card and negative test will need to be shown to Bellissima Art Escapes in order to join the workshop. Thank you for your cooperation and for considering your fellow artists.

THIS ESCAPE INCLUDES

• Two days of instruction by Tory

• Felting Supplies

• Two lunches, one dinner

• Facebook Private Page

• New Art Tribe

The price for this workshop is $500 and does not include lodging or transportation. Your payment is due upon registration. This class will be limited to 12 students.

Venue

The Wacky Nut Farm studio is the venue for this workshop. Located on Bainbridge Island, it is a 30 minute ferry ride from Seattle. Alternatively, you can drive up the peninsula. Situated on 20 acres, it is a beautiful horse farm.

ACCOMMODATIONS: There are limited spaces available in the guest house. There are two queen size rooms with on-suite bathrooms, and bunk beds that can be shared by two friends who share a separate bathroom. The cost of the luxurious bunk beds is $50/night/person. The queen beds, $100/night/person. These will be allotted on a first come basis and will be in addition to the workshop fee. (The two queen beds are booked)

Other options are VRBO. There are several on the Island.

Student Supply List

Tory will be providing the tools for class which will also include wool, eyes, feet and beaks. She encourages you, however, to scavenge for unique body parts (See pics). Below is a list of tools we will use if you wish to purchase your own.

• Clover 507079 Pen Style Needle Felting Tool

• Needle Felting Pad

• 100% Wool - you can see color selections - UnDyed Dark Chocolate, 8 oz Corriedale made in South Amercia, Best Core Wool for Needle Felting, Wet Felting, Spinning, Dryer Balls, Big Yarn Roving, 28.5 Micron

• Z-Color 60 pieces 79mm, 86mm, 91mm Felting Needles DIY wool Pin Felting Tools Kits Medium

• Safety Eyes - Tory uses the 6 mm for the birds.

Tory Brokenshire is an Oregon artist with many years of mixed media experience. She is semi-retired and we are thrilled that she will be joining us for another Art Escape.

Kathie Vezzani, who is hosting the workshop, also is an artist who paints, rusts and waxes. She organizes trips for other artists and in a former life was a caterer. She has over two decades of experience organizing trips for foodies and artists.

MIXED MEDIA WITH MICHELLE ALLEN AND LORI SIEBERT

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

February 10-18, 2023

THIS TRIP IS FULL, JOIN THE WAITLIST

This mixed media workshop will be co-taught by two very talented, licensed selling artists, Michelle Allen from Portland, OR, and Lori Siebert from Covington, Kentucky. Whimsical is the commonality in their work and they will share their process and talents in this workshop in the beautiful UNESCO heritage city of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Location

One of our favorite cities to take artists to is San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO heritage city that has been a home for artists since the 1930s. Cobblestone-lined streets, art galleries, colorful doors that open into mysterious courtyards, alleyways filled with beautiful plantings, centuries-old buildings and, of course, the bells of the pink Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel in the Jardin. You never know what or who you will find in the Jardin, day or night. 

In this workshop you will create at least two mixed media panels that will incorporate sculpting, assemblage, collage and painting.

Artful Vessels with Michelle Allen

All your gems and jewels will find a place to rest in the grasp of this functional and curious piece of art. A provided structure will be the springboard to exploring an infusion of mixed media including sculpting materials, bits of metal, your personal found, sentimental & salvaged items, fabric and lots of paint. With a little guidance, just enough boundary and a few new techniques, you will walk away with a completed piece of art and a fun way to showcase your favorite dried flowers. This workshop is suitable for all levels.

Artful Junk Story Birds

Lori started making what she calls “Artful Junk Birds” for an Instagram challenge hosted by the NBC show “Making It.” She went on to make many of these assemblage birds and created an on-line course. For this class, we will be curating our beloved treasures and creating 12” x 12” dimensional bird panels that tell a little story.

ITINERARY

Day One, Friday Feb. 10

Artists arrive at Casa de la Noche where we will meet for botanas and a margarita or non-alcoholic beverage, then it is off to bed to dream about your adventure that starts the next morning.

Day Two, Saturday Feb. 11

Breakfast in the courtyard or inside if the weather is a little too cold for you.

9:30 We will begin our workshop in the studio at La Noche. You will love the light that surrounds us in this glass filled studio. Today we will begin with an overview of the week and then class with Michelle. We will break for comida and a quick walking tour to help orient you to this delightful town.

We will return to la Noche and class will continue until 4:30-5. There is free time to relax before we head out to our first group dinner at 6:30.

Day Three, Sunday Feb. 12
Breakfast in the courtyard then back into the studio with Michelle at 9:30, breaking for comida at 1:00 and finishing the day around 4:30. Free time until dinner this evening at 6:30.

Day Four, Monday, Feb. 13

After breakfast, we will finish our projects with Michelle. Then you will have free time and lunch on your own until we meet at 3:00 back at la Noche. We will walk to our class with one of our favorite San Miguel artists, mojiganga master Hermes Arroyo at his home/studio.

We will stop for an early dinner on the way back to la Noche. Perhaps you will want to stop at the Jardin to do a little people watching. There may be music, dancing, or a wedding.

Day 5, Tuesday Feb. 14

Breakfast and then into the studio at 9:30 to begin our lesson with Lori. We will break for comida around 1:00 then return to the studio after eating.

This evening will be a special cooking class with Chef Ana Elena Martinez. I’m sure that chocolate will be involved.

Day 6, Wed. Feb. 15

Breakfast and then in the studio at 9:30 to continue working on our projects with Lori. We will stop for comida then return to the studio. Tonight, dinner is on your own.

Day 7, Thursday Feb. 16

Breakfast and then in the studio at 9:30 to finish projects with Lori. We will stop for comida and the afternoon is free for you to explore SMA.

Day 8, Friday Feb. 17

Breakfast and then in the studio. Lori and Michelle will be available for questions and advice about your art practice. And you have time to finish your projects. Lunch and the rest of the day is free before we meet for our very special dinner celebration this evening at our friend, Chef Paco Cardenas's home.

This itinerary may change due to weather, new opportunities or the whim of the group.

COVID

You must be vaccinated in order to attend this workshop and you will need to take a rapid test at least two days prior to the workshop. Your card and negative test will need to be shown to Bellissima Art Escapes in order to join the workshop. Thank you for your cooperation and for considering your fellow artists.

This Escape Includes

• 8 nights accommodation, double occupancy at Casa de la Noche

• beautiful studio to create in

• aiport pickup/drop off at designated time at Leon airport

• five days of workshops with Michelle and Lori

• all meals except for two lunches and one dinner

• Special class with local mojigangas master (the large puppets)

• farewell celebration

• two cooking classes

• private Facebook page

• new art tribe

Price: $3,500, limited to 12 people based on double occupancy. A limited number of single rooms are available for an additional $500.

A $1,000 non refundable deposit is due upon registration with the final payment due September 30, 2022

Price does not include airfare to/from Mexico

Airport: Leon International Airport, Guanajuato, Mexico. Code: BJX  United's Flight 2183 is a direct flight from Houston that leaves at 12:26 p.m. and arrives in Guanajuato at 2:42 pm. We will have a driver pick you up and deliver you to the hotel which will take about 1.5 hours. Return: We will leave at 9 a.m. on February 18 for the 12:50 pm United flight 1072 to Houston.

Casa de la Noche, a former bordello is owned by Barbara Poole, also an artist who supports the arts in San Miguel de Allende. Her beautifully renovated B&B is five minutes from the Jardin. 

We will Provide

• paint

• Liquitex Matte Gel Medium or Mod Podge

• sponge brushes

• paint brushes

• craft glue

• plastic gloves

• wire cutters

• tin
  

Student Supply List

• Scissors

• Apron

• Ephemera - bits of paper, blocks, buttons, see class samples*

• Two 12” x 12” and two 8” x 8” wood panels

• Tube of E-6000

• One package of DAS air dry clay

*Embellishment Suggestions - These are just ideas. You do not need to collect all of this.

Option for bird tail feathers:

• popsicle sticks

• toothpicks

• old ruler

• old paintbrushes

• pencils

• wooden clothes pins

• wooden skewers

Options for Embellishments

• ribbons

• cording or fibers

• wintage ephemnera from books, letters, etc.

• old jewelry

• fabrics

• embroidery pieces

• embroidery thread

• buttons, beads, brads

• key, nails, wire

• silk or paper flowers

• rhinestones

• dried flowers

• paper clips

Tonight we will say farewell and those leaving tomorrow morning there will be a van departing at 7:30 a.m.

Michelle Allen has never found anything completely flawless in this life and yet there is beauty everywhere she turns. She loves the imperfect, slightly eccentric, witty quality of the world she sees around her. It’s the unpredictability of even the most mundane things that she tries to recreate in her art. Often, if something seems too perfect, she will skew it towards the unrealistic to capture the essence of a whim. Although most of the pieces she designs are practical, her hope is that her art will never become so serious that she betrays the uniqueness that inspires her.

Michelle was the sole artist in charge of design and production of Allen Designs Studio with products sold through retailers throughout the United States, and Europe and Australia. For more than 25 years, Michelle created whimsical home products through her company. Her company recently was acquired by Enesco where she will continue to develop her brand.

When asked to define her artistic style, Lori Siebert says that likes to be a bit of a chameleon. Constantly experimenting with different styles and mediums feeds her insatiable curiosity. She has a very whimsical design sense and loves to play with color to give each collection its own personality. Her firm, Olika Studios, has developed branding and design programs for Target, Bath & Body Works, Nickelodeon and Universal Studios.

Lori has been licensing her art for more than 15 years to several manufactures in the gift and home decor industry including Demdaco, Creative Co-op, and Studio M. Lang. Her licensed products have been sold through many key retailers and small gift shops through the US and Canada. She is a content creator for Bloom TV Networks where she shares DIY videos focused on flowers. One of her greatest honors is being an ambassador for Gudrun Sjoden, her favorite fashion and home textile designer.