El Cielo Workshops

The brochure's in the (e)mail; here's the scoop. I hope you can join me on one of these FUN adventures into your own creative process, the world of mixed media textiles and adventures in ideas (not to mention the beautiful setting here at El Cielo). Please register as soon as possible, hold your place with a $25 deposit, or pay in advance (3 weeks, please) to get a %10 discount.

Nurture your creativity as you come away from a weekend with renewed energy, new materials and techniques in surface design applicable to fiber, ceramics, jewelry, painting and mixed media work. Susie Monday leads artists’ retreats and workshops throughout the year at her studio near Pipe Creek, Texas, about an hour from downtown San Antonio. El Cielo Studio workshops are designed with the needs of the participants in mind; free time is scheduled throughout the weekend for reading, reflection and personal work in the studio. You are welcome to bring projects in process for Susie’s critique and for peer feedback in an environment of trust and respect. You’ll share meals, poetry and stories, music and advice for living an artist’s life. Enjoy the 25-mile vistas from the deck and strolls down the country roads. A spa and pool, and large screen media room are also available to participants. The fee for each workshop retreat is $165 for a 2-day event with $15 discount for early enrollment/payment. Comfortable accommodations and meals are available from $15 - $30 per workshop. Limited enrollment. Most supplies included. Call 210-643-2128 or email susiemonday@gmail.com

FINDING YOUR CREATIVE PATH

APRIL 16-18

(optional Fri. night potluck)

Discover your artist's path and creative strengths as you explore the Sensory Alphabet, the non-verbal vocabulary that each of us uses to take in the world around us, to play with ideas and to create form. In this workshop filled with multimedia experiments and investigations --  including drawing, sculpting, painting, moving, collage and photography -- you'll discover more about your strong suits as an artist and maker, and learn more about what cognitive scientists know about the ways our brains work and invent.

NATURE INSPIRED ART

MAY 7-9

(optional Fri. night potluck) How does an art quilt idea grow from nature’s inspiration? Learn two dimensional design skills as your take some of your favorite images from nature into your own art work. Explore surface design techniques that use the power of nature (sun, water, and rust) and explore several techniques that use your nature photos on the surface of fabric. Take home a journal quilt or small wood-frame quilt ready for stitching. ($10 additional supply fee if you wish to work on a wooden frame piece.)

A CREATIVE STUDY: PETROGLYPHS, POTTERY & PREHISTORY

JUNE 4-6

(optional Fri. night potluck)

Many artists have found inspiration in prehistoric and archetypal imagery from caves, cliffs and ancient ceramics. This is the first of a series of “creative study” workshops that will illuminate how you as an artist can take inspiration from the images and imagination of the past, while transforming the images into something uniquely your own. This workshop models a time-proven creative study process (based on that developed at Learning About Learning Educational Foundation and the Paul Baker Theatre) that can be adapted to many inspirational sources. We’ll go from collection through synthesis to creating, and explore textile and mixed media techniques that relate to the aesthetic and philosophical qualities and intent of the earliest art-makers. Explore some simple natural dyes; use handmade brushes as tools, make pigmented paints with ashes, earth, rust and minerals

WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAY ABOUT EL CIELO WORKSHOPS

“A workshop at Susie’s is always money well spent. I learned techniques I have read about but never tried ... I also now feel confident that I can make art quilts!” “This workshop was a fabulous, uplifting, nurturing environment to create in. The journaling was particularly helpful, I would definitely recommend it to a friend.” “This weekend was totally awesome! I am humbled by Susie’s talents, her teaching abilities and her hospitality. I will come back as often as possible.”

Susie Monday has taught creative process and art techniques to adults and children for more than 30 years. Her art is in numerous private and public collections around the world. She will be a featured artist on QUILTING ARTS TV in the new season starting June 2010. Susie is also the co-author of NEW WORLD KIDS; The Parents’ Guide to Creative Thinking.

For a free quarterly newsletter, email susiemonday@gmail.com www.susiemonday.com 210-643-2128 3532 Timbercreek Road Pipe Creek, TX 78063 Read Susie’s blog at http://susiemonday.squarespace.com

Are you interested in a custom designed workshop at El Cielo (minimum 5 participants) or on site for your guild or other group? Many of Susie’s workshops go on the road! Please write for available dates and fees.

If you wish to download a copy of this brochure, please see the sidebar for a link for downloading.