Running Mixed Media Art Workshops Around the Globe
This year I kickstarted my in-person workshops in the beautiful Huskisson, Australia. If you have never been, imagine a white sandy beach, lush bushland, vibrant wildlife, and a truly lovely community. Running mixed media art workshops around the globe truly makes my heart sing. It's a magical combination of two of my passions: art and travel.
Let me take you on a little journey to explore why this blend of creativity and exploration is so exhilarating and fulfilling.
Meya and I enjoying some time in Huskisson, Australia
Mixed Media Art – The complete package
First off, let's talk about mixed media art. There are so many different disciplines in art and sooo many rules and guidelines; well mixed media art kinda takes everything, throws out the rule book and mashes it all together to create something wonderful. You get to play with paint, paper, ink, fabric - you name it. For me, that is the beauty of mixed media, you can work with exactly what makes you happy in that precise moment.
Every workshop is an adventure, a space where boundaries blur and the conventional rules of art take a backseat. Imagine being surrounded by like-minded souls, all diving into this playful experimentation. It's not just about creating art; it's about feeling freedom to turn off that inner critic and letting your creativity flow without limits.
Now, combine that artistic freedom with the thrill of travel. Pretty inspiring!!
My Mixed Media Art Workshops
I believe that we all have a well of creativity and inspiration locked within us. We just need to find a key to open up the well and embrace the state of flow that comes. In-person workshops give people the space and support to unlock and explore their creativity. To meet like minded people that loves the same odd things - such as scrap paper, dripping paint and grungy marks - and work together, in the same room, for several days is so incredibly inspiring and enriching.
The goal behind my workshops is to encourage you to be brave and let go of the voices in your head that hold you back. You know the voices “you should be spending your time doing something more useful” or “this looks awful, why do you even bother”, trust me – we have all been there. I share my processes on how I let go and push through the ugly phase and give you tools to use when you are on your own and (hopefully) encourage you to carve out time for regular creative practice – free from any guilt.
I have 2 baseline workshops that I run, Find Your Flow and Express Your Voice. These provide a framework, but every new location adds a unique flavour to the workshop. The ever-changing backdrop and the different group dynamic, culture and community that comes from each location keep the workshops fresh and exciting, not just for the participants but for me too!
Why I love running Mixed Media Art workshops across the globe
So, why do I love running mixed media art workshops while travelling? It's the joy, the adventure, the connections, the growth and the sheer unpredictability of it all. Each workshop is a new group of creative souls, a new set of memories and a new opportunity to celebrate the glorious tapestry of art and life. It is so exciting to meet all the enthusiastic and excited participants the first day and part the last day with a group of more self confident and relaxed individuals that are hunger to continue to create at home on their own.
I also love to meet up with my hosts, sometimes old friends and coleuges and sometime acquaintance or virtual friend that I have known but never met.
I will always ensure I spend a little downtime in each location. I love walking around, realxing in the nature, checking out, local galleries, street art, cafes and, of course, the art supplies shops and old bookstores where I can find an awesome book to start a new journal.
For my recent trip to Australia, my daughter joined me as she is taking a gap year in New Zealand (our second home). It was fantastic to catch up with friends and family both in Australia and New Zealand. We have walked along the beach, visited Sydney, hiked through stunning New Zealand forest and chilled out of the deck overlooking the sea. To me, these moments are so precious. They give me the opportunity to relax, reset and top up my creative energy.
And let's not forget the personal growth aspect. Every workshop is a journey, not just through different geographies but also through self-discovery. Art has this incredible power to heal, to reveal parts of ourselves we didn't know existed. As we travel and create, we're not just making art; we're also crafting our own stories, learning, evolving and becoming more in tune with ourselves.
Fancy joining a workshop?
If you've ever thought about joining one of these workshops, or even just combining your passions in new and exciting ways, I say go for it!
In September I am heading to Ireland to run my Find Your Flow workshop. Set in the stunning village of Mulranny, Find Your Flow will run 13-15 September and together we will work with collage and paint on paper and canvas and play with lots of lovely media such as acrylic paint, acrylic medium, acrylic ink and pens.
The backdrop of stunning panoramic views and majestic landscapes will no doubt feature in our palette and help us to build some yummy grunge elements to our work.
Remember, the world is our canvas, and it's waiting for us to splash it with our colors. Let's create, explore and celebrate this beautiful journey together. Cheers to art, travel, and the endless adventures they bring!