Gathering of Artisans Conference
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  • The Worship Studio
October 23-27, 2019
Ridgecrest Conference Center
Black Mountain, North Carolina

Thursday Workshops


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Fluid Acrylic Pours with Intentionality
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​Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator:  Sandra Lett
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

You will learn how to do beautiful, abstract, acrylic, fluid art from mixing to pouring on the canvas. I like to take it a step further and allow the Spirit to create with intention, something more beautiful than I could have envisioned. We will work on a few canvases and embellish them as we go. Wet on wet, and some art on a pour background.
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Additional Materials Fee: $20 Only if I need to ship dried paintings to you,


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Bringing Forth Vision To Reality Through Painting

​Timeframe: Thursday & Friday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Jacob Daniels
Skill Level: All levels welcome

One of the most common comments I hear from 2d artists is "I have this vision from God but I don't know how to paint it!" It's probably one of the greatest struggles we (myself included) artists have is bringing a metaphorical idea, vision from God, or inspiration and putting it onto a canvas. Most people don't even know where to start and because of this, rush through the process and get frustrated! In this class I want to help to show you how to slow down and let God partner with you through the PROCESS. I want to help you realize that it is not so much about the finished product as it is of what God is creating you to be as an artist through the process. I will show you how I find clear direction in painting while also being willing to be flexible and free during the development of a piece of art.
We will start in a time of worship and art, not trying to make anything amazing, but letting the Holy Spirit come in to our creativity with the pressure off.
Some may already have a vision that they want to paint at the beginning of the class, and some may acquire that vision during our time.
Then with the prime pumped we will look at some practical painting and design techniques that will help you bring forth your vision in the most powerful and meaningful way possible. These will include but are not limited to: Composition, Form, Balance, Color Theory, Lighting, and Brushwork. Skill and techniques help us as artists speak clearly and directly what we are trying to say. I always like to say that once we know these rules of design, THEN we have the freedom to play.
I will show you how to overcome the fear of failing in a painting and how to give yourself the freedom to make mistakes. This is where the breakthrough happens.

This will be a two day class, so don't expect to create a masterpiece by the end. We are more concerned with learning how to engage in every part of the process of creating a painting. Your masterpiece will come through time in the studio after!
I prefer to work in oil paints and like to encourage artists that haven't worked much with oils to give it a try. These are the types of paints that I will be providing BUT I welcome artists that have their own paints (acrylic, watercolor etc.) to feel free to bring these to the class. I will also be providing canvases and panels to work on with the materials fee. 

Additional Materials Fee: $35


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Small Boxes of Truth: Telling Stories with Assemblage

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator:  Robin Popp
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Join Robin in this one-day workshop to create a piece of art using assemblage. Learn woodworking skills, composition, balance, and color. Build a strong statement that elevates random items into a unified whole that tells a story or truth. Beginners welcome. We will be learning sound construction as well as artful ideas and how the two work together. No previous woodworking skills are required. We will be learning as we go. At least one completed assemblage box, ready to display or hang on a wall will be finished to take home. 

​Additional Materials Fee: $30


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Creating in the Spirit with Acrylics & Collage

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Aeron Brown
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome 

We will paint trees on a landscape, and learn practical skills while developing our unique creative voice by the leading of the spirit through the heart of Father God. We will worship together, pray together, and create together. We will ask God to speak over us as Aeron gives some practical tools to help you connect with the heart of the Father. We will be using acrylics and collage mediums. We will go on a journey of how to hear God through choosing different collage scraps. And how to paint with our hand in the hand of God.




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Find & Develop Your Unique Style

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator:  Elli & 
Dimitra Milan
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

You will learn how to identify your personal aesthetic, find a creative process that suits your temperament and personality traits, know your voice your art and work in your style consistently.

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Abstract Expressions in Water Media

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: 
Jill Williams
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

This workshop is designed to teach students of all levels, creative and expressive methods in water media to produce abstract works based on natural and tangible elements. With a focus on capturing emotion and mood, students will use primarily watercolor along with watercolor pencil, watercolor sticks, gouache and water based inks. The techniques used will give students an opportunity to loosen up and trust their materials and process to create stunning, impactful images while overcoming negative emotions and fears in the creative process.


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Procrastination to Publication: Writing for God's Purpose

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitators: Shelley Hitz
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Have you wanted to write a book? This year, be intentional and finally write the book God has placed on your heart! This workshop will take you step-by-step through the process of writing and self-publishing your book. It’s not as difficult or expensive as you think and has the potential to impact many lives (even internationally).

In this workshop, you will narrow your book topic, outline your book, and set up a plan to self-publish in multiple formats. We will also cover writing strategies to help you write faster and better by personalizing each step for what works best for you.

As a bonus, all workshop attendees will gain free access to Shelley’s 30-Day Writing Challenge and her Procrastination to Publication online training ($77 value).


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Releasing Heavens Colors: Color as Prophecy

Timeframe: Thursday. 9-4pm
Facilitator: Kate Green
Skill Level: All levels welcome

Color has a language all of it's own and can be a powerful tool in communicating and sharing things of heaven with people. In this workshop we'll explore the prophetic nature of color and how we as artists can use it to help others connect with God and engage with him in new ways. You'll learn to develop your own color vocabulary, to impart truth through art to others and to receive it for yourselves. You'll grow in confidence in hearing God's voice for your creative process and how he can use our creative imagination to speak to us. Learn to paint what's on God's heart, and discover more about bringing the colors of heaven down to earth – how to show God's goodness and love visually, both to those who know him and to those who don't. This will be a very practical, hands on session, suitable for anyone.


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Play Book

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Amy Smith
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Play is important in our lives to connect us to the Father and to help us get free from all the worry, stress and anxiety the world throws at us. In this class we will talk about how to let go of all those expectations and fears and really play in the creative process. We will start with blank watercolor paper that we will fill with color and pattern. We will cut these papers down and make two simple hand bound books. Then we will begin to collage and journal on the pages of our books on the themes of play and freedom. Each student will leave class with two books and an arsenal of ideas for how to incorporate play into their regular creative practice.

Additional Materials Fee: $5


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Capturing Quality Images of Your Artwork

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Lonnie & Margie Johnson
Skill Level: beginner

Many artists create fantastic materials in either 3D or 2D media, yet struggle to take high quality images of their designs that are suitable for juried art show submission, gallery quality reproductions, or marketing materials for advertising their works on websites or in print. In every one of those circumstances, the key is understanding simple lighting techniques that are much easier to learn when they are being practically demonstrated. If you want to learn the basic steps to understanding lighting in a studio, with tips and tricks that translate to a variety of digital camera types.

Join us for this one day intensive. We'll discuss the foundations of light, how to set up a 2-point and 3-point light system, basic equipment to consider, understanding digital image limitations, and include a short tutorial on using Photoshop to make the final touches. The course time will include practical demonstration as we set up and photograph a couple of sample items while explaining the differences in how the studio lighting should be configured depending on subject/object and the desired final materials.


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Go Big or Go Home: Action abstraction

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Pat Butynski
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

There’s greatness in you! The underpinnings of all great paintings are the elements of design. Those are the foundations that will support, restore and unify God's destiny for your art. When God created the earth, He prepared it for us, by laying a healthy foundation conducive to all kinds of life-giving beautiful forms. All their moves were big!

Think of Joseph, and now David. Without knowing it, God had been preparing them for their destiny by the most daunting and sometimes, mundane trials of their lives. You and I are God's masterpiece. We will work large in this workshop, in essence, slaying the proverbial giants without hesitation!
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By using large brushes, a lot of acrylic paint, a series of rapid gestural addition and subtraction exercises— as well as a limited pallet (our sling and our stone), we will slay our Goliath(s).
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This workshop is a love fest, and as such a no fear zone. “But, you’re too much of this and not enough of that?” Well, I’m a 63-year-old, dizzy, weak and battle-scarred bride of Christ, and I’m confident that we can tear it up in the name of Jesus! Why? Because He said we’re more than conquerors “MORE THAN” and I’m childish enough to believe it. Are you? Yes? No? At the end of our bloody mess comes FREEDOM, rejoicing and a breakthrough critique!


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Adventures in Prophetic Worship

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Linette Penney-Gainham
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Do you love to worship? - YES? then you qualify! This class is for worshippers of all levels and experience - whether you sing, play an instrument or just love to worship Him, ALL are welcome!

Bilbo Baggins in 'The Hobbit' said "I'M GOING ON AN ADVENTURE!" so, let's go on an adventure together! - one that will take us to unexpected heights of praise and to glistening depths of God's grace and beauty. With music, silence, instruments, voices and words we will venture into landscapes undiscovered. We will worship in the throne room together and our devotions will be like incense, filling the dwelling place of God. 

In my class you will experience a precious, timeless atmosphere of creative worship. There will be times of teaching and impartation, but also times of "together worship" where we will put into practice the lessons learned, put our notebooks aside and create music and new songs that draw us closer to God.

I have been a worship leader for over twenty years and my passion is to leave the song sheet behind and to fly with the Holy spirit into new songs and fresh revelation of who He is and His great love for us. I have sang on mountain tops, in ancient churches, beside the still waters of a loch and above the raging waterfall. I want to share with you what I have learned about worship, spontaneous songs and the birthing of fresh revelation that occurs when we allow Him to ignite both our passion and imagination. My desire is to unlock the hidden songs that are within you and all around you.

I look forward to seeing you and worshipping with you! - Linette xx

TOPICS COVERED:

1: 'FREEDOM IN THE STRUCTURE' - Learn how to write/play songs that are heartfelt and powerful. Using very practical tips, you will flow more freely in songwriting and even in the more challenging environment of live worship when you long to release the spontaneous song.You will learn how to "catch the song" as it is released and then build it into something more enduring that everyone can participate in.

2: 'WORSHIPPING WITH OTHERS' - Whether you know your fellow worshippers or not, it won't matter as you learn to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying and doing within the team and go with the flow. You'll learn that less is more and that listening is vital to an enjoyable worship time experience.

3: "SHOULD I RHYME ALL THE TIME?" - This part will truly help you to write/perform beautiful songs that happily lack "Christanese" and "Christian cheese"! It will cover rhyming, imagery, repetition, hooks and the dreaded "mental block".

4: "LET'S PLAY!" - Intertwined throughout the whole workshop will be lots and lots of worship times. They will be relaxed and you'll be able to choose whether to participate or simply listen and enjoy! This is the best part!!

PLEASE BRING WITH YOU:
A musical instrument of your choice, or a percussion instrument (both are optional), a notebook and pen/tablet etc. and a recording device (e.g. a mobile phone).


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How to Get More Clients from Google

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Jeremy Ashburn 
Skill Level: Beginner

​Is your website producing commissions for you as an artist? It should be. Google is the most used widely used Search Engine. 63% percent of people who search for something on Google only click on the first three organic positions. Are people who are searching for art finding you at the top of Google? You should be right there, on Google's First Page. You deserve it!

In this class, we'll show you how to be visible in Google so that your website starts producing more commissions for your artistic business. We'll explain how Google works, show you how to do keyword research, give you the tools for success, and explain SEO Strategies and Techniques that work. You'll need to bring your laptop for this hands on workshop. While each workshop will begin with a powerpoint presentation, most of our time will be devoted to hands on work that we'll do together to start making your website show up in Google. Don't Worry! We'll explain everything in non-technical, easy to understand everyday English! It will be fun, informative, and direct benefit the business side of your art. When finished, you'll have the foundation for showing up on Google's first page in both the short term and long term. Sign up for this class today. Be visible and grow.


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Becoming the Artistic Person You Were Meant to Be

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Jim & Pat Banks
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Discovering and resolving the issues that prevent you from progressing as an artist, receiving fulfillment from your activities, and removing the roadblocks that prevent you from becoming all that you were meant to be as a believer, spouse, son/daughter. father/mother, friend and artist.

​Additional Materials Fee: ​ $40


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Interpretive Sewing

Timeframe: Thursday & Friday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Karen Mayne
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

This hands on class will focus on creative expression using fabric and fiber. The goal of the class is to complete a small art quilt or quilted/fused trading card. Techniques will include free form fused applique, beginning thread painting, free motion quilting and couching. Come and learn the ins and out of expressing yourself in fiber! And added bonus will be the use of paint sticks and embellishments of your choice. Take a walk on the wild side of fiber!

Detailed Description: Each student will have the chance to experiment with fused fabric embellished with sewn stitches, couched thread, thread painting basics. Free motion quilting basics, dropping feed dogs, speed control and form will be practiced. Final embellishments will include oil paint sticks, and any embellishments they desire.


Additional Materials Fee: ​ $35


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Getting Free to Create

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Janice VanCronkhite 
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

This acrylic painting workshop is geared to help people discover their own creativity blocks and get free of them. There will be instruction in mixing colors, composition, and textures. Activation, impartation and individual critiquing will provide an atmosphere of freedom to create. Join me for a time a great freedom and loads of fun!


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Working on Series

Timeframe: Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9-4pm
Facilitator: Mayra Pankow 
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

One of the best and most rewarding ways to find your personal voice of expression in your art is to work on a series.
Focusing yourself on a theme, color and form for a period of time will help you to develop a deeper expression and will give your work more consistency. This will allow ideas to come to their full expression and give your work recognizing elements.
This workshop is for beginners and intermediate artists that desire to find a new depth in their work.

We will be working on paper with pigments, marble powder and acrylic binders.

All materials and tools will be provided in order to optimize your workflow. You should be able to create a minimum of 10 pieces at 12X12 inches each.
 
Additional Material Fee: $60
Please bring your Bible and writing pad.


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Making Visible the Invisible with Cold Wax & Mixed Media

Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Carol Bomer
Skill Level: Beginner

We will learn to mix oil-colors with coldwax and incorporate text to create well-designed compositions that bring together realism and abstraction. We will learn to use our God given imaginations for the glory of God and proclaim the mystery and truth of the Incarnation where God became flesh, and Word became image! ​



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Hand Painted Hiking Sticks
Timeframe: Thursday, 9-4pm
Facilitator: Judy Goddard
Skill Level: All Levels Welcom

Learn to paint a 48 inch hiking stick to make it personal to you and something that reflects who you are and what you love!

​You'll need to bring a sketch pad, tracing paper, #2 pencils, small, medium and large paint brushes, and  a liner brush

Additional Material Fee: $30
Additional Fee will cover the cost of acrylic paints, water holders, paper towel, hiking sticks, acrylic varnish

Thursday Intensives        Friday Intensives        Saturday Intensives
  • HOME
  • Register
  • About
    • Schedule
    • Travel Information
  • Speakers & Instructors
  • Workshops
    • Workshops by Timeframe
    • Thursday Intensives
    • Friday Intensives
    • Saturday Intensives
  • Contact
  • The Worship Studio