Sharing, Teaching, Oversizing and Collage Addiction

Hi again lovely people!
Today is (Inter)National Scrapbooking Day in the US and I've got a pleasure to be part of the blogpost on official Prima Marketing Blog. Check out all the amazing projects shown - and prizes to win!

But it is also a great chance to talk a bit more about challenges and pleasures of teaching, sharing and working with people. With YOU.

Among all the projects I make collage and assemblage has always this "special" place in my heart. I can't compare this creative freedom, joy of creating and feeling of being challenged to any other artistic adventure. Is it because of the almost limitless choice of elements I can use? Is it because of the size, which allows me to sink in it for longer and go deeper than in any other piece? Happiness of having my fingers dirty in paints and mediums? Or because I can communicate through collage so easily with others? I wouldn't dare to pick just one answer. The truth is - it's a bit of all the reasons above, and that's why it is so great!
Not so long ago I was looking for a way to share my passion  - and that's why I started teaching classes which seems to be very successful and made me travel all around the world to meet wonderful people. This is a crazy ride, but hey - I love it! There is no better way to encourage people, push them a bit out of the comfort zones, remind them how relaxing, empowering and simply important for staying sane creativity is... and although classes I'm teaching are amazing chance to do it all there is always this question - what else can i do to make the experience better?
There is a couple of things on my "to do" list - including opening a studio in my home, starting online classes... coming with inspirational project I have ready in my had since 2013... and more!

This idea appeared almost a year ago, during long discussion I had with Donna Downey, just after I finished teaching my classes in her Studio in July 2014. We had the most amazing and talented group of students there and the best time ever, sharing laughs and creative joy. That evening she mentioned some of the students would love (and certainly they are ready for it!) to take full day, open plan classes - more like "art retreat" formula, with bigger canvas to play, more time to work on it and more freedom to make it "their way". More "guided collage" and playing with options, trying the techniques on the OVERSIZED project which would be great for full day of teaching. And you know what? I think she was right.
I was enthusiastic about his idea from the beginning - more time, more freedom, bigger canvas - what can be better? In fact I was really tempted to come and teach without ACTUAL sample of  what we should be doing - just having a couple of examples and ideas instead. My biggest fear was - will people accept it, will they have enough confidence in the teacher's skills and will be happy to create a big project based just on a rough sketch and hope I know what I am doing?

It took me almost a year to check this new formula - thanks to Kay from Indigoblu who decided to give me free hand with choice of the classes and projects ideas for 2 days of freestyle collage creating - and I have to say it was a huge success!
Try to imagine 20 + women working all day on a oversized triptych collage similar to this one below - which happens to be my actual sample I've made during this event last weekend.

The size of the final piece is 30x75 cm  - please click on it for bigger image.

We've tried a range of techniques and ideas based on my line of art mediums - you can find a wide selection of products used on it - starting with Art Basics Heavy White Gesso, Soft Gel and Modeling Paste and finishing on Art Extravagance White Sand Paste.

We've been playing building the layer using tapes, stencils, fabric and embellishments. There was a chance to try my Art Ingredients too - Glass Beads and Mica Powders add amazing texture and color!

Stressed and shaky in the beginning of the class after first 30 minutes I forgot all my fears and simply enjoyed every minute. The formula worked perfectly and I'm really happy I've tried!

Here is the proof - a line of happy faces on the photo!

Well, and here is the big news!
If you'd like to be a part of similar experience, 
full-day collage painting
on even bigger canvases, with loads of fun, creative freedom and tons of art supplies to use - you have a chance!

We've decided with Donna and Bill to open bookings from one and only event of this kind - during my USA and Canada Tour this summer.
It is a full weekend on 18-19th July at Donna Downey Studios, Huntersville, NC 
and we will create 2 big size projects based on techniques used in "the ARTifact" and "Time Capsule" classes... and more!
Expect wider selection of mediums, more options, techniques, ideas... Let's create together and see what amazing stuff we can do.
Simply - it is DEEPER. It's MORE. Check it out!

What do you think about this idea of the class? Would you like more of the similar events in the future? Please let me know!
sending warmest hugs