SHADOWED PLACES - PAST AND PRESENT WITH GILLIAN LEE SMITH

October 1-8, 2023

Northumberland, United Kingdom

Northumberland is home to rolling green fields filled with sheep, cows, horses, castles and places to lose yourself in history and time. It is also where artist Gillian Lee Smith calls home. We visited here years ago and fell in love so we are heading back.

Once again, we will stay in delightful Alnwick at the charming 300-year-old coaching inn, The White Swan, just steps away from the Alnwick Castle and Gardens.

Gillian is over the moon to be sharing her local area of Northumberland for another workshop. This time we dive deep into history and a sense of atmosphere and place – the castles and ruins that dominate this landscape and remind us of times long since passed.

We will be exploring iconic historical landmarks such as the gloriously decadent Alnwick Castle and Gardens – Ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland (and of course made famous by the story of a certain boy wizard, Harry Potter).

Holy Island is a very special place – separated from the mainland by a tidal causeway and the Priory is the scene of the Viking invasion of Britain. The Lindisfarne Castle is an instantly recognizable silhouette on this tiny island.

Warkworth Castle is Gillian’s (and mine) favorite castle in the area and is fascinating in its passageways, darkened, shadowed chambers and archways. Wonderful, mysterious and sure to be an inspiration for our creativity during this workshop.

The workshop

There are so many hidden and treasured locations to explore in Northumberland. It’s a challenge to pick only a few! Layers and layers of history, shape, texture, atmosphere and narrative are abundant, and we will be gathering lots of inspiration in order to create unique interpretations of our own personal response to all that is to be discovered here.

Doorways, arched windows, crumbling walls, ancient textures and text. Silhouettes and shadows. Heraldry and statues. Decadence and decay. The marks left by those long since departed. The colours in the landscape and ancient buildings. We will be gathering personal interpretations of all these things where we will use them to spark even deeper exploration back in the studio.

Gillian will be demonstrating simple ways of gathering inspirations from the fascinating multi-layered forms of castles and the priory. The shapes we find in the ruins will be the spark that will inspire sculptural book forms with mixed media with an additional focus on texture and atmosphere. Shadowy, inky colour washes, flowing, gestural lines and wonderful mark-making and textural details. Layers that fold out to form fascinating interpretations of the wonderful ancient architecture of the area.

These books could then inspire some large mixed media interpretations and compositions that build history and atmosphere, lost and found structures and evocative details layer upon layer.

Itinerary

Day 1. Oct. 1 We will meet at the hotel bar for our first meet and greet.

Day 2. Oct. 2 Breakfast will be served in the beautiful dining room at “our table.”

We will meet in the workshop room at 9:30. Gillian will share her sketchbooks and mixed media works and will talk about her inspiration and development of her work inspired by the local area.

We will then explore various simple book structures and techniques to create “maquettes” to inspire our sketching and book forms later in the week.

We will walk to Barter’s Bookstore for our dinner. The largest used bookstore in the United Kingdom. The best mac and cheese

Day 3. October 3 This morning we will leave promptly at 8:45 a.m. for Holy Island where we will spend the day sketching. The many historical landmarks will be inspiration for our gathering today in particular the ruins of the priory.

Gillian will demonstrate simple sketching techniques to help us gather information from the ancient buildings and ruins, the dramatic landscapes and the marks left by those long since departed. We will depart promptly at 2!

Lunch will be at Barn at Beale just off the island before we head to Baumburgh Castle to sketch or we may go the lime kilns at Beadnell before heading back to Alnwick.

Day 4. October 4 Breakfast at the hotel and then a studio day where we will be creating foundational pages for our book sculptures. Thinking about shape, space and laying down layers to work into later in the week. Lunch at the castle then free afternoon with dinner on your own.

Day 5. October 5 Time for another early breakfast before we leave at 9:00 am for Warkworth. You will love the passageways that will inspire your work this week.

We will have lunch at a nearby tea house, returning back to the castle for further sketching, or we will visit Chillingham Castle. Gillian swears we will love it there. Interesting history and an eclectic mix of items.

This Art Escape is full. A waitlist has started.

This Escape includes

• Seven days of instruction from Gillian

• 8 nights accommodation (based on double occupancy)

• All meals except for one dinner

• Some art supplies

• Opportunity to immerse yourself in history

• Delicious final meal at the beautiful Tree House at Alnwick Castle and Gardens

• Art Tribe

The price for this workshop is $3,700 

A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is due at registration. The final deposit is due April 15, 2023.   

Price does not include airfare to/from Alnwick. Price is based on shared accommodations. Limited single rooms are available for an additional price of $400

The White Swan, Alnwick Northumberland

Transportation: You can take the train from London’s Kings Cross to Alnmouth which will take about 4.5 hours. Almouth is 4 miles from Alnwick. There is a bus that leaves every 11 minutes or you can take a taxi.

Airport: Newcastle International Airport is an international airport located on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne. Address: Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 8BZ, United Kingdom. The flight from Heathrow is about 1 hour and 10 minutes. It is 33.5 miles to Alnwick and you can catch a taxi or uber.

Code: NCL

Supply List

We will provide

• Carbon paper

• Gesso

• Paper (drawing and watercolor)

• Gray card for book covers

• Gel Matte Medium

• Glassine paper

• Wax crayon (for taking rubbings outside)

• Quink Ink

• Book glue

• Water containers for studio setting 

• Nib pens

• Clips for holding sketchbook pages when outside

• Linen thread and needles

• Paint

Student Supply List

• Camera or phone camera

• 3 tubes of watercolor paint - Indigo or paynes gray, sepia, or burnt umber, and yellow ochre or quinacridone gold

• Hardback sketchbook - at least 12 x 8 inches when closed (smooth paper not textured and at least 120 gsm paper weight)

• Embossing tools

• Paint brushes - a couple of watercolor brushes

• stick/pencil eraser

• Art Graf tailors chalk - black (can bring other colors, too)

• A portable mixing palette for watercolors

• 5 to 10 sheets of handmade paper to cover books with (Gillian suggests natural colors such as indigo or sepia or ivory colors

• Bone folder for bookbinding

• A couple of lead pencils such as Blackwing

• A couple of carbon pencils

• Craft knife or exacto knife with extra blades (put in your checked luggage!)

• Metal ruler

• Backpack or bag to carry your sketching supplies in the field

Day 6. October 6 Breakfast at the hotel, then a full day of class with Gillian. Based in the studio we will be continuing to work into our sketchbooks – adding elements and using our memories of place and atmosphere to build up richly detailed and textural pages that will become a treasured collection of imagery based on our own unique experiences. Lunch will be at the hotel and dinner this evening will be at one of the local pubs.

Day 7. October 7 Breakfast at the hotel and our last full day with Gillian. Lunch will be at the hotel. We will finish our books in the afternoon, clean up and share our work from this week. Tonight will be our farewell celebration at the fabulous Castle Treehouse.

Day 8. October 8 This morning you will check out of the hotel and make your way back to Newcastle, or to the train station.

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

COVID REQUIREMENTS

Each participant will need to show proof of vaccination and a rapid test result three days before departure to Northumberland. We will wear masks if warranted by local requirements. There are no exceptions.

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

Gillian Lee Smith is a Scottish artist living in the beautiful, historic North-East coast of England that daily influences her work. As a teacher, Gillian is inspired to bring her love of people and place to each workshop using a wealth of techniques to make new discoveries along with her students. She has several very successful online courses and a mentoring program.

Carla Sonheim is a painter, illustrator and creativity workshop instructor known for her fun and innovative projects and techniques designed to help adult students recover a more spontaneous, playful approach to creating. She is the author of three instructional art books, including Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun; Drawing and Painting Imaginary Animals; and The Art of Silliness: A Creativity Book for Everyone. She and her husband, Steve, produce online classes via www.carlasonheim.com in drawing, painting and mixed-media with over 20 wonderful instructors.

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.