IEA CELTIC CONVERGENCE RETREAT
Our fabulous local tour guide Colum, sharing some of the history of this beautiful land!
CELTIC CONVERGENCE
Wax Across the Water
>> Here’s what all the fuss is about!
This retreat will be a perfect blend of studio time, pre- and post-retreat workshops, and opportunities to explore!
Imagine yourself at the International Encaustic Artist's intimate retreat in Ireland with a group of like-minded artists enjoying shared experiences like encaustic demonstrations, artist panels and inspirational talks. Come together and get to know your fellow artists at the Welcome Dinner, continental breakfasts, and lunch buffets. Join us for a musical pub evening with great food, songs, and “craic.” Dancing is encouraged!
There will be an opportunity for sightseeing during the retreat with Colum, our fabulous Tour Guide, who will regale you with stories (some of them, true!) about the area. Conversely, you may choose to spend time in one of our gorgeous encaustic studios.
Here, land and sea meet at the threshold of a powerful creative adventure. Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain, rises majestically from the sea on the opposite side of the bay. Everyone, from early inhabitants to modern day pilgrims, have climbed the steep path to the summit. You can see a small chapel’s reflective glint on the top. This is sheep country. Below the mountain lies the salt marsh. Here, the sheep patiently wait for the waters to recede so they can continue to graze on the salty grass. The rhythm of life is dominated by these tides, flowing over the white sand beaches and then leaving in hasty withdrawal to the vast Atlantic Ocean.
>> View art inspired by these beautiful surroundings, created during my May 2023 retreat in Ireland where the theme was Embracing Magic.
My Pre-Retreat Workshop:
LASTING IMPRESSIONS
October 10 & 11, 2023
All levels welcome
Register now to save your spot! Just 5 spaces left.
In this 2-day workshop I'll introduce unusual materials that work below, above, and between layers of wax. Even experienced encaustic painters will find something new to experiment with!
We'll start with my favorite method of under painting with specialized watercolors that give a stunning effect! Then we'll layer collage materials embellished with customized stamps that you'll create yourselves. You can also use favorite stamps you bring with you. As a final touch we'll emboss texture directly into the wax surface, and add a bit of bling to enhance the look!
Don't worry if you haven't tried anything quite like this before. I'll have lots of materials available for you to play with, and you can work in any style you choose. Come with an open mind and ready to make experimental work in a fun, supportive atmosphere.
My Retreat Demo:
CREATE POWERFUL IMAGERY WITH STENCILS
Presented During the Retreat
My Choose to Rise series was defined by my use of silhouettes, which required extensive experimentation in to how to cut my own stencils. I'm excited to share with you some of what I discovered!
I’ll demonstrate a few of my favorite methods for creating and using both hand-cut and commercial stencils, as well as some of the interesting stories of how my imagery came to be. Using stencils offers a simple way to develop striking forms in your encaustic paintings, and I hope to get you excited about trying it yourself.
Read what students say about painting with me and the experience of my classes.
