well hello friends.. hope all of you had a wonderful new Year. Last week in Mexico at Hacienda Mosaico, was just way way way beyond my expectations. We had a fabulous teacher.. Jesse Reno and I will be honest and say. WOW. If you haven't even taken a class from him.. it should be on your "must" do list.
TRULY must do.. Even if his style of art is not for you.. the way he TEACHES art and the things he helps you SEE and think about when creating art.. from color, contrast, size, depth, layers.. it's tRULY TRULY a breath of fresh air. He really thinks about the things he creates, He puts a lot of meaning in to them and not just emotionally.. but also creatively. Seriously if you can.. TAKE A CLASS from this man! lol. ( i told him he REALLY has to start doing online classes.. for those that can't travel and I think he is almost convinced to start!).. but if not.. I know he has several classes coming up through the spring! GO!! lol.
It was ben's frist time doing any kind of art like this and I can't even begin to tell you what a cool experience that was to watch ben find himself through the creative process.
This past year has been a tough year for both of us.. and I have to say I watched a lot of emotions come to the surface and be healed through creating. I had planned to go and you know.. be in class from 10-2.. then swim, read, take naps on the hammocks, walk around town, go to the beach. shop even go golfing (for ben's sake). But You know whats crazy is ALL ben wanted to do was create ART!! We only left the grounds of Hacienda Mosaico three times our entire stay. three times! and twice was just to walk to get toiletries and some simple art supplies which took not more than an hour! And the last day of class, Jesse took Ben and I to this cool mask shop and a local Gallery where his art hung. Other than that.. ben was out in the studio painting! (it's a covered studio outside on the grounds. HOLY COW AMAZING!!).. I would wake up in the morning and he would be painting, between lunch and dinner he would paint.. and then he would stay up until 2-3 am each night painting. He was on fire!
here are some of the pieces Ben created.. some he still want to add to and details..and two unfished ones I didn't show here..
keep in mind these are all HUGE paitings like 3 feet by 4 feet at least..
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then.. here are the pieces I created..
and then here is one we did together.. and it's still a work in progress
It was awesome.. truly awesome to watch and experience. We didn't even see the beach, or the hammocks, or the golf greens.. we were perfectly content to stay RIGHT inside the grounds of the Art studio. (which was about an acre total.. including the little "houses" where guests stay, the lush LUSH greenery everywhere, the pool, the awesome sitting areas both INSIDE and out.. and two huge art studios (one indoor and one outdoor). This place was truly amazing.
There is no need to leave but if you want to, every store you can think of is within walking distance (like literally blocks) and it's in such a great safe place. We walked everywhere we went. Even for late night tacos at 11:00 pm (they had two great taco stands across the street and a coffee shop.. not like a "city" street.. i mean this small little neighborhood.. cobble stone roads.. VERY very laid back and old town. I can't say enough good things about this place! When I first got there, Sam (the owner..she is SOO wonderful!!) she said she had been looking online at my websites and had seen i was also an artist and asked if I would like to come teach at her Studio. I thanked her kindly for her offer but told her I wasn't traveling much this year.. but by the end of the week.. I was in love. I was smitten! I really can't say enough about this wonderful little place. The food was amazing,
the service was amazing, the beautiful colorful ARTSY grounds
(every where you turned there was art in all forms. I mean EVERYWHERE.. even the lights were all handmade by artist.. both outdoor and indoor!
So the day we were to leave I pulled Sam aside and said.. GIRL.. count me in. I would love to come back and teach! So I am planning a retreat there late fall/early winter. probably the 1st of 2nd week of December.. (my son's senior year will be this coming fall and he has football games until mid November.. and I will NOT miss a game.. not this year! lol). Anyhow.. I am excited! I will give details soon.. BUT also.. consider just going on your own! ANYTIME! She rents the rooms out.. I think it's like $100-$130 a night per room (you can put two people in a room and share it).. and as long as she doesn't have other classes going on that week you are free to use the art studio to your hearts content! the price includes breakfast BUT for a small fee you can also have her include lunch. HOwever there are SOO many taco places and even a fun bistro coffee shop.. that serves everything from crepes, sandwiches, danishes too salads, pies, and more. And literally you walk outside the door of the Hacienda and you are looking at it. so I say.. grab a bunch of your girlfriends.. or maybe even just you and your hubby.. OR maybe just your daughters or whoever and GO!! People always get scared about Mexico.. but I can tell you (because I am one of those SUPER scared people who won't walk anywhere at night and CLING to my husband's arm during the day).. I felt SO safe there. and it truly was.. her place is nestled back in this fun little town with cobble stone streets and all sorts of little places to eat and get anything you need. Its only 5 mins from the airport and EASY peasy taxi ride! So go!! Contact her on her website.. AND GO! tell her Christy Tomlinson sent you and she will take care of you :) xoxo ..take a trip to Puerta Vallarta this year and stay with Sam and take your paint supplies and your friends and go and PAINT and create or whatever suits you! (she also holds all kinds of art classes.. from Jewelry, to ceramics, painting, etc) OR come join me later this year for some TRULY relaxing fun!
Okay okay.. lol.. speaking of art retreats I am OFFICIALLY announcing my FIRST very own Art Retreat..
She Matters .... being held in Shelley Idaho in May 2013 (this year! :)) I sent out an email to all of those who were on the waitlist right before Christmas and we have only 4 spots left in the first week (no more spots left in second week). SO i am officially posting it on my blog for those of you that didn't get that email.. It's a 5 day retreat, ALL inclusive (food, lodging, transportation EVEN your paint supplies for the class.. plus lots of fun surprises and extras).. and it will be held in my personal art studio and you will be guest in my home :) I am SUPER excited about it! I have a wonderful talented cook that will be preparing meals for us and it will truly be the time of your life being taken care of and just creating and really REALLY connecting on a personal level. If you want to find out more about this retreat.. you can click on the link HERE! AND YES i do take payment options!! So you can make payments on it.
anyhow.. check that out! :) HERE IS all the info! (or copy and paste the link below)
http://www.scarletlime.com/artweekend.html
so what else is new? Well I have been working hard on some new product for CHA with Pink Paislee and I am SO excited to share with you sneak peeks of the products! I will be posting about them on monday!! So watch for that blog post! I will also be posting a tutorial on something I made using the products! It will be fun!
ALSO next week I will be announcing three new classes for Spring.. 1st. a new She Art 3 workshop!! ( i can not WAIT FOR THIS ONE!!), it's been over a year since I did my last She Art class and i have to say that I have learned SOO many more things when creating girls, not just in style but also in using mediums and ways to shade and create depth and REALLy create a soul to my girls. I am excited to share a new way of doing She Art with you and also introduce you to some of my latest loves when creating and that is creating shes from all over the world from all decades. Finding my soul in what I do and taking from other places and creating She Art with meaning. I am really excited for this class. GIDDY for this class. My soul is burning to teach it!!
I am also doing a fun new layers, techniques and backgrounds class.. that will be THE go to course you will come back to over and over again for reference in creating ALL types of art whether girls, or animals or things or objects. (you will have three years access to this class).. but basically it will be ALL and everything you need to know to really just JUMP into any of my other classes knowing EVERYTHING there is to know about creating. I will go over backgrounds, layers, paint and paste mediums, how to shade with lots of different mediums, creating texture, creating depth, composition, colors, etc.. ALL brand new videos and lots of new techniques that I haven't taught in other classes, but basically a course you can take and watch whenever you are stuck in another class of mine and want to just go back to just the basics. To find ways to make your art more creative or more interesting. To add more depth to them. In a lot of my classes i just jump right into creating stuff, but I don't explain why i do what I do and i certainly don't show the many different ways I can get the same looks. This class will be all about that.. LOADS of info! Great workshop to just have to use in all of your other workshops you are taking.
AND then my fourth workshop will be a SPRING workshop! Featuring fun spring icons like bunnies, bears, bees, beehives, birds, butterflies, umbrellas, flowers.. ALL THINGS spring! My Fall and Winter Classes were such a huge hit last year I had many requests to do a Spring class.. so I am going to be offering that in March! Of course I still have on my list to do a business course and a few other FUN classes.. but these are just my first three for the year! Each of them start at different times (different months).. but excited to get them announced and out there so you can start planning for the ones you want to take! I will announce those next week!
But for now.. check out the info on my Personal Art retreat in May.. I would love to have you come! only four spots left!!!
hope you all had a wonderful week! See you monday for sneak peeks of my new product and a fun tutorial!
happy thursday! xoxox
Thank you for all your info! This was exactly what I was looking for. Keep it up!
Posted by: stephanie jacobs | May 09, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Great post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic? I'd be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thank you!
Posted by: breast actives scam | May 01, 2013 at 05:26 PM
I won't wish the wish you wish to wish.
Posted by: Nike Lebron 10 | February 19, 2013 at 01:28 AM
Im so happy your husband found his inner art self, and did he run with it, amazing! my hubby would have been like Im going to golf you can go do your stuff/shit!
you will have to lock up your studio, you will have no art supplies left!!!LOL
Posted by: sue schubert | January 20, 2013 at 11:31 PM
OMG...I would LOVE to do this and fly over from Holland!! When ever I don't know what to do with myself, need some inspiration or something, I watch you and your tutorials! They make me so happy and give me lots of inspiration and ideas to do with all my stuff.
Just love your sunny work, the way you work and you as a person!
I hope one day I can actually do this!
Need to save a lot first ;)
Posted by: anique | January 19, 2013 at 12:28 PM
I am in awe about the workshop with your husband and Jesse Reno. What an amazing, amazing experience! It sounds like you have a lot of great things going. Very inspiring!
Posted by: Kristi | January 14, 2013 at 06:15 PM
Oh man Ben's art takes my breath away. Guess he's loving our Cobalt Teal, too. (back off, Ben! That's so our color!) Thank you for sharing these inspiring photos. I can't wait to go visit this place. Go Ben! Can't wait to see the new classes too. Oh it's going to be a good year.
Posted by: LISA REED | January 13, 2013 at 06:07 PM
ooh, that sounds so wonderful, like it would be so much fun, not in my budget though. thanks for sharing your experience, I love, love all your and ben's paintings. they are so free and colorful, can't help but make you smile.
Posted by: maryk | January 13, 2013 at 04:54 AM
I can't wait for your new classes and products.
Wow Christy!I LOVE your work and your person.
Thank you
Posted by: domy07 | January 13, 2013 at 03:53 AM
I can hear the excitement in your voice as you typed this post. The art classes with Jesse look amazing. And so great to hear Ben got so swept away with it all. A collaborative canvas together - sounds so much nicer than a staid couples counselling retreat! I hope you have both come home recharged, refuelled and closer than ever.
Can't wait to see your CHA products.
Posted by: Coral | January 13, 2013 at 01:16 AM
I would love to go to Hacienda Mosaico someday. I have been eyeing it for a while. The town sounds cool, since there was an art gallery nearby with Jesse's art. Since you have created art in South America, do you know of any similarly artsy towns in Colombia? I am going there this summer and want to know where to focus my time.
Posted by: Wendy Sittner | January 12, 2013 at 06:20 PM
Mexico looks amazing! Can't wait for She Art 3, a must and the spring online class.
Posted by: Chantille | January 12, 2013 at 01:34 PM
Really looking forward to taking some of these new classes! They sound great!!
Posted by: Marita S | January 11, 2013 at 11:04 AM
PLEASE PLEASE talk Ben into doing prints. There are 2 pieces I am in love with and would love to buy a Print with.
I am glad you enjoyed the retreat and it stirred up your creative spirit more.
It was very sweet that Ben joined you and opened himself up to something new.
K
Posted by: Kam | January 11, 2013 at 09:41 AM
So what did you personally learn about your own art style and technique?
Posted by: Beth B | January 11, 2013 at 06:58 AM
Wow Christy! Mexico looked amazing! Looking forward to seeing the new products & workshops! I'm a huge fan & I tell everyone about your website and workshops!!
Posted by: Carol | January 10, 2013 at 11:02 PM
what about coming to western australia :-)....I LOVE your work and love your enthusiasm, it just jumps out at me as I read your blog!!
Posted by: Sarah | January 10, 2013 at 05:30 PM
how cool-- just checked out the place in Mexico....now only if I could get my husband to go too...
Posted by: Miriam Schulman ( SchulmanArt) | January 10, 2013 at 05:26 PM
Looks like an awesome time Christy. And I'm so excited for you and your art retreats. I got home from work and got the email. :-( already sold out.... maybe next year!
Can't wait for your new line and have fun at CHA.
Posted by: Micki | January 10, 2013 at 05:19 PM
I can't wait for your new classes and products...woot woot! Speaking of which, when will your new line be available?
Posted by: Nicole Fortin | January 10, 2013 at 03:09 PM