Creating Muse Journals workshop.

On September 14 and 15, another wonderful weekend of workshop creativity took place at my studio. Six eager participants made beautiful Muse Journals... take a look at how awesome they are!

As ususal, I was blown away by the diverse, fabulous work that came out of this workshop. It inspires me to see what everyone is capable of and their willingness to explore and play.

Heather's Muse Journal

Sian's Muse Journal

Elaine's Muse Journal

Joyce's Muse Journal

Stasia's Muse Journal

Marg's Muse Journal

 Thank you Sian, Heather, Joyce, Stasia, Marg & Elaine for a weekend full of laughter and camaraderie. It was such a pleasure to create with all of you and congratulations on making such original, fabulous Muse Journals!

There you go... more insight into what a Holly Dean workshop is like. You get lots of demonstrations, one-on-one guidance, sheets of very cool collage ephemera to use and keep AND a full-colour, multi-page handout crammed with information and pictures!

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The Muse Journal Video.

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Three more studio workshops. Prepare for a creative fall!

Summer is waning and I look forward to the lovely autumn days and nights ahead. And the creativity in the air keeps intensifying!

This fall brings TWO MORE STUDIO WORKSHOPS.

A TWO DAY WORKSHOP IN HOLLY'S MERRICKVILLE STUDIO

SEPTEMBER 14 & 15, 2013

$287 CAD

Creating Mixed Media Muse Journals is back by popular demand. These beautiful journals are the perfect combination of Art + Book, with their small mixed media painting covers and beautifully decorated exposed spines. They are the perfect journal to inspire your creative spirit.

Bring a friend and spend a wonderful weekend making a real, hardcover book! Paint lovely covers and learn the Coptic bookbinding method. There are only 8 spots available and five of them are taken, so act quickly by registering below.

Not sure if this workshop is for you? Click "Register Now" to read all the details on the registration page. You are also welcome to send me an email if you have any questions.

A TWO DAY WORKSHOP IN HOLLY'S MERRICKVILLE STUDIO

NOVEMBER 23 & 24, 2013

$287 CAD

Creating Stamps, Stencils & Collage Papers is back by popular demand. On August 3 & 4 a small group of creative spirits filled the studio with AHA! moments, beautiful papers and laughter. They described the experience as "relaxing and fun". Sound appealing?

Bring a friend and spend a creative weekend playing and making beautiful (and useful!) things. There are only 8 spots available, so act quickly by registering below.

Not sure if this workshop is for you? Click "Register Now" to read all the details on the registration page. You are also welcome to send me an email if you have any questions.

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Muse Journal Mania.

These days it's all about Muse Journals. Making Muse Journals, selling Muse Journals and now a fabulous Muse Journal Workshop Retreat at Wintergreen Studios!

with

mixed media painter, calligrapher & book artist

JULY 12 to 14, 2013

Friday lunch to Sunday afternoon, July 12 to 14, 2013.
Spend the weekend creating your journal, enjoying splendid meals in one another’s company, and generally being pampered and nourished.

Our wilderness retreat centre is located at 9780 Canoe Lake Road, in the Township of South Frontenac, in Southeastern Ontario, fifty minutes north of Kingston and about 2 hours from Ottawa.

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Calligraphic and mixed media artist Holly Dean will lead you through the delightful experience of creating a handmade muse journal. A rare book of your own where you can spill your thoughts and ideas, hopes and fears, dreams and desires. Write, sketch, doodle and paint…

Mixed media art on canvas panels will become the front and back covers. Each signature will be wrapped with decorative paper. A sturdy Coptic binding allows the journal to lie flat when open. Learn techniques and develop your artist’s eye to enhance your own work. For the artistically experienced or the curious beginner.

Supplies to bring: acrylic paints & mediums you have on hand, brushes, palette knife or old credit card, Olfa or X-Acto knife; imagery, text, decorative papers. Other materials supplied.

Follow Your Muse!

Holly Dean is a gifted artist and calligrapher who creates art rich in mood and mystery. Through Holly’s inventive mixed-media techniques, past, present, and future merge in dramatic layers of text, imagery, and paint. Her works are for sale through The Grotto Artworks, Studio22 Open Gallery, her Merrickville studio and her website.

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Pricing includes tuition, meals (7 meals), art materials, and accommodation (2 nights). Off-site – $475; Tenting – $550; Shared room with twin beds - $625; Woodland cabins – $675; Private room – $750. HST extra. Out of town participants wishing to arrive Thursday, July 11 (the night before the workshop begins) should add $95 for the extra night, dinner, and breakfast. HST extra.

Workshop registration closes June 30, 2013.

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Binding Art to Books.

The Studio was filled with creative energy on October 13 & 14 when five fabulous workshop participants came together for the Creating Muse Journals Workshop. Saturday was spent making small pieces of art on canvas boards with acrylic paint and mediums, collage, stamps and all sorts of delightful embellishments.

On Sunday, holes were drilled to transform the art into book covers. Text blocks and spine wraps were folded and punched and everything was sewn together with a Coptic stitch to create wonderfully personal books, infused with art and creativity.

The resulting Muse Journals were spectacular! It was a fantastic group and we all enjoyed ourselves :)

Next up: Creating Collage Workshop on Saturday, November 3. There are still 2 spots if you are interested in joining us!

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It's Back. Creating Muse Journals.

In fact, all of the FIVE FABULOUS WORKSHOPS are back. Starting with Creating Muse Journals on Saturday and Sunday, October 13 & 14, 2012 at my studio here in Merrickville.

Learn techniques and develop your artist's eye to enhance your own work. For the artistically experienced or the curious beginner. There are only 3 spots left, so sign up quickly :)

Make a rare book of your own where you can spill your thoughts & ideas, hopes & fears, dreams & desires. Write, sketch, doodle & paint...

Mixed media art on canvas panels become front & back covers. Each signature is wrapped with decorative paper. A sturdy Coptic binding allows the journal to lie flat when open. 192 pages, 75 lb. white, acid free paper

 

Create small mixed media paintings on canvas board; drill holes for sewing & adhere decorated papers to inside covers

 

Cut & fold signatures, punch for sewing; cut decorative spine papers

Sew your book with waxed linen thread using the Coptic binding technique

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Arabesques. Muse Journals.

I spent a lovely couple of hours binding two new Muse Journals in the studio this morning. On a rainy day. With a genius mix playing. It's great to be an artist!

Attaching the first signature to the painted cover.

The back cover goes on.

And - voilà! A new Muse Journal.
The covers are hand-painted and collaged with Arabesques.
You can learn about my Arabesques here and here.

And now there are three.

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