Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
This program is suited for attendees at All levels of experience.

If you’ve done any kind of creative work, you are familiar with your inner critic–that voice that says you aren’t good enough and don’t have enough of whatever you need to create. You can spend years trying to chase the critic out of your life, your studio, your heart, only to see him sneak back in with his message of lack and attack.

What if you stopped chasing him out and invited him in—to meet the inner crusaders who protect and inspire you?

Using both sides of your brain—the left side’s logic and order and the right side’s intuitive creative force, you are going to create postcards from interesting and imaginative sources. The completed pieces will contain iconography and powerful language, color and wisdom to support your creative journey.

Through collage, found poetry, and experimentation with inks as paint, you’ll create intuitive art for one side of the postcard. The other will be messages developed using your own inner wisdom reached though guided visualization during deep writing sessions. The result will be Postcards From the Other Side of Your Brain, a set of tarot-like cards.

You’ll also make a monsoon paper holder to carry your magic with you. The original monsoon papers were ones I made using the wind and rain of the Sonoran Desert’s wild summer storms. You will make them using your powerful inner creative source to blend inks and water into a storm of color and imagination.

Finally, we’ll sit together as a transformed group and learn different ways to use the postcards to brainstorm ideas, make choices, and explore the path before us as we travel on our journey.

About the Instructor

Studio and Material Fee

Material fee covers inks, in various colors and brands, including black and white, additional ephemera, spray mica inks, two pieces of Velin (Arches Text Wove) for each student for the cover, gel pens, glitter pens, fluorescent pens to experiment with, larger spray bottles for water and miscellaneous studio supplies.

Student Supplies

Students should bring the following supplies:

• One package (25 sheets) of Strathmore’s ready-cut watercolor paper, in 5” x 7” size.  Either cold press or hot press will work.
• Several pages (about 5) from an interesting book. Colorful novels, mystery books or romance novels work best.
• Ephemera from your collection you want to use in collage
• One or two magazines that interest you.
• Watercolor pencils—at least 12. More is fine.
• 3 bottles of ink, in a brand that has a dropper or a dropper top. Higgins, Koh-i-noor, Dr. Ph.Martin (Bombay India ink) brands work well. Look for inks that can be used in technical or fountain pens. Choose colors you love—two colors that are similar and a contrast. For example: blue, violet and orange or brown, gray and red. Instructor will bring black and white inks.  Plan on sharing your inks.
• A selection of writing pens and decorative pens—Pitt, gel, sparkly pens, a fountain pen, felt-tip pens, in various colors and widths. No-bleed markers, technical writing pens and Pitt brush pens work well, too. You will be writing with them, so comfort is most important.
• A small ruler or straight-edge, about 6 inches long.
• A soft-lead pencil, HB to 4B.
• An eraser.
• A small bottle of Elmer’s glue
• Two small, inexpensive brushes to apply glue.  One fine, one broad. 
• Small, sharp scissors 
• Small spray bottle. Mini-Mister is fine. 

Optional Supplies

No optional supplies recommended.

Additional Program Information

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Meals

Lunch is served in our community building at 12:30 p.m. and will be provided at an additional $15.00 per day.  You must make your lunch reservation in advance.  We pride ourselves in offering a healthy and organic lunch which will exceed your expectations. If you do not wish to make a reservation, please bring a sack lunch. Beverages will be provided. Some workshops have optional evening meal events, which must also be reserved in advance. Evening meal event prices vary, ranging from $15.00-$30.00 per meal.

Networking

A social hour is provided from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. following the first day of each program. Wine, cheese and a non-alcolohic beverage will be served in the community room for you to enjoy.

Policies

CANCELLATIONS: While we understand that circumstances can arise causing a change in your plans, we must adhere to a business policy. Because it is impossible for Valley Ridge to favor one individual situation or circumstance over another, we must adhere to our policy in all situations and can make no exceptions to our cancellation policy.

• 45 Days or More prior to a workshop: Full refund of tuition, less a $75.00 cancellation fee.
• 44 Days or Less prior to a workshop: No refunds or credits for any reason.

Registration Fees: The entire registration fee is due in full at time of registration. Valley Ridge Art Studio provides an advance deposit option to make it easier for those with financial constraints to participate in our programs. The advance deposit fee secures your workshop space, and is applied to your entire workshop registration fee. Payment for your fee/materials balance and any other optional meals will be charged to your credit card 45 days prior to workshop. Non-credit card payments will receive an invoice, which is due upon receipt.

Transfer Policy: You may transfer out of a workshop to another program in the same season. Transfer request must be received at least 45 days prior to a program. There will be a $50.00 transfer fee assessed on each transfer.

Credit Card Transaction Reversal: You intended to reserve a workshop and registered for one instead. You noticed your credit card was charged for the entire balance and only wanted to apply $75.00. You would like your credit card credited for the difference. We at Valley Ridge Art Studio are willing to reverse your transaction. There will be a $25.00 administrative fee per reversal request. Your balance will be due 45 days prior to the workshop.

Program schedule is subject to change.

Release/Waiver

I understand the risks associated with my attendance at the Studio and the use of various tools, equipment and products found in the Studio.  I voluntarily agree to assume the risk of injury or illness or property damage that may arise out of my attendance at the Studio and use of tools, equipment and products found in the Studio and hereby waive and release the Studio and its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns from any and all claims, actions or losses which I may suffer as a result of my attendance at and use of the Studio.  I further agree to  hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Studio and its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns from any and all claims, actions or losses arising out of my attendance at and use of the Studio or use of the tools, equipment and products found in the Studio regardless of the cause, including but not limited to the negligence of the Studio or its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns.