Exploring Mixed Media Art classes, workshops and retreats
For those of you that have read some of my previous blogs, you will know that I discovered mixed media while I was living in New Zealand. I met a friend there and she had all these materials to explore and play with and I instantly fell in love with the process.
To me, mixed media art is such a fun and versatile way to get creative. Whether you’re just starting out on your creative path, or you are a seasoned artist, there are so many different ways to dive into the world of mixed media art. You can sit down and paint quietly on your own, become part of an online membership with regular support and inspiration, join a small group workshop, or even go on an art retreat where the surroundings inspire your work. Each approach has its own magic.
JENNY TO ENTER CAPTION ABOUT CREATING WITH MIXED MEDIA
Painting in Your Own Creative Bubble
Let’s start with the simplest way to create — just you, your materials, and a little bit of quiet time. When you’re working on your own, there’s this lovely sense of freedom. You can experiment with new techniques, layer different textures, or just let your emotions guide you. It’s like therapy but with paint and paper giving you time and space to really listen to the whispers of your heart and let them guide your hand.
If you need inspiration or want to learn new techniques along the way, there are soooo many online art classes, year-long art programmes and group memberships that you can join. The majority of classes also come with access to a supportive community so you can share your progress and your work and get feedback.
All too often we get stuck, and those perfection seeking gremlins tell us that what we have done is “not good enough”. These are the noises that I encourage you to tune out, spend some time playing with collage to get into the flow and then let your feelings guide your work. Even if those emotions are raw and painful, the translation onto the canvas is wonderful and unique to you in that moment – and that is amazing.
From my Find your Flow Workshop USA 2023 - I am always inspired by how people use my processes to make something unique that reflects their own beautiful soul.
Art Workshops: Focussed creative time
I run a few workshops each year and I LOVE them. There’s something special about being in a room full of people who love art as much as you do. The creative energy flows through the room and you get to feel your way through your art. In my recent workshop in Ireland we were painting faces. Painting faces is hard. We see faces every day and we read the expressions and emotions on every inch of that face. This is why many people struggle, we think a face should look a certain way. In every workshop we collectively hit that spot – the “ugly” phase - where things just don’t feel right. Having that shared experience and connection and working through these challenges together is an amazing experience.
Workshops give you the perfect opportunity to see how others work, pick up new ideas, and receive feedback that helps you push through those “am I doing this right?” moments.
Art Retreats: An immersive creative adventure
For the ultimate experience, art retreats take things to a whole new level. Imagine spending several days—or even a week—in a beautiful location, fully immersed in the creative process. These retreats aren’t just about making art; they’re about soaking in your surroundings, gathering inspiration, and letting all of that flow into your work.
One of the coolest things about an art retreat is that you get time to really dive deep into your creative flow. You might take a morning walk through a scenic village or by the sea, sketch in your journal, and then spend the afternoon working on a mixed media piece inspired by what you’ve seen. It’s a perfect mix of exploration and creation.
As well as the obvious benefit of having so much inspiration and a great adventure exploring new places, to me, an art retreats offer that deeper level of connection. You are not only sharing a love of creativity, but you will also be creating new friends on this adventure, exploring new places and chatting over meals.
I am running two immersive art retreats in 2026, one in Ireland and one in Italy. Spaces are limited so I have set up a waitlist for those that are interested to be the first to know. Just click here and sign up to the waitlist.
Quieting your inner critic
As I said before, the biggest obstacle when it comes to our creative time is ourselves. I used to paint when I was younger and then all but stopped. I had let my inner critic tell me that my work wasn’t good enough. In my head I knew what I wanted to create but it just didn’t fully appear in that way on the canvas. When we listen to those thoughts too long, we get into that mindset of “why bother?”
Then I really embraced the process of switching off my thoughts and letting my feelings guide me. Suddenly the piece looking back at me had a connection. I could see and feel the emotions behind it. Was it “perfect?” NO! But it was perfectly imperfect and that made it beautiful.
And here’s the thing—art doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, some of the most powerful pieces are the ones that feel raw and real, full of emotion and energy. When you let go of perfectionism and just create from the heart, your work has a unique beauty that others will connect with.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer the quiet of painting on your own, the energy of a group workshop, or the immersive experience of an art retreat, mixed media art offers so many ways to express yourself. Each one has its own benefits—whether it’s giving you time for self-reflection, helping you learn new skills, or connecting with a community of fellow creators.
And remember, the beauty of mixed media isn’t about perfection—it’s about the process, the feelings, and the connections you make along the way. So, grab your paints, your paper, and your materials, and just start creating. The magic happens when you let go and allow your authentic self to shine through in your art.