Mixed Media Textile Art Retreat

In Person Workshop

Date: Sept. 8-12, 2025, Five Day Retreat

Estelle Center for Creative Arts

La Veta, Colorado         

Link to Estelle's Website, more info, and registration

Intro:

Making time to play and experiment is essential for fueling creativity. In this workshop, you’ll create a wall hanging approximately 18” x 24” (although size is flexible), incorporating meaningful ephemera or exploring abstract design. 

This workshop explores simple to do yet striking techniques for combining fabric and paper with hand stitching in mixed media textile art. There's an emphasis on using repurposed fabric and paper for this work. 

Together, we’ll embark on an exciting journey to unlock your creative potential. With a strong focus on composition and color, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how to craft visually compelling pieces that reflect your artistic vision.

Imagine the thrill of breaking through creative boundaries, discovering new possibilities, and igniting your passion for self-expression. That is the heart of this workshop—to help you define what truly inspires you and bring it to life through your art. 

Making time to play and experiment is essential for fueling creativity. In this workshop, you’ll create a wall hanging approximately 18” x 24” (though size is flexible), incorporating meaningful ephemera or exploring abstract design. 

This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.

Techniques and Skills Covered: 

• Hand embroidery and applique without a hoop
• Using basic embroidery stitches to create the most amazing patterns and textures
• Fun, exciting, and expressive mark making techniques for fabric and paper using inks and paints
• Simple collage techniques for combining fabric and paper into exquisite compositions
• Finishing and display options

- Examples of Mark Making on Paper-

Retreat Syllabus by the Day: 

1. Japanese Boro Inspired Stitching   
    Discover the art of transforming hand stitching into breathtaking patterns and  textures.

2. Surface Design Exploration: Mark Making on Fabric and Paper 
   Creating art through mark making on fabric and paper with dyes and paints 
offers a limitless realm of inspiration and creativity. This process generates unique textures and patterns but also lays the foundation for future artistic projects. 

3. Color and Design
    Learn how effective a simple composition and color palette can be as we focus
 on Color, Focal Point, and Themes. April will provide examples of her bird
 illustrations for you to use in your work. 

4. Additional Elements
Variations of the Blanket Stitch, Couching, and the inclusion of text in your work
 will be explored as time permits.

5. Finishing and Displaying Your Work
    Explore  possibilities for finishing and mounting your work, 
transforming your vision into a stunning presentation. Then embrace
 the opportunity for a collaborative design critique with the group
 to unlock fresh perspectives and elevate your artistry.