Observation and Process

Through nature observation and creative exercises, we look at where to find inspiration and use it to make your own personalized fabrics through abstraction in colour, form, text and layering in markmaking on cloth. We’ll work in colour and black and white to create durable, complex cloth designs that will be collaged into dynamic felt surfaces. Projects can include wall hangings, sculptures, vessels or a felt journey overskirt ( Yes! Pictures coming soon! :).

Every day includes: Wandering time outdoors, Instruction on creative processes, sketchbook time, fabric painting, felting, wholesome meals, and laughing! For some activities, you can choose to be on your own, in the gorgeous setting, wander and work with a friend, or work as a whole group. 

This is much more than a workshop.  There will be time for individual consultations on creative direction.  Time spent around the fire (or around the fireplace!) in the evenings with informal chats around sharing inspiration, evolution of process, and how to develop your own designs and personal signatures.  We’ll have lots of both directed studies and making, open-ended personal exploration time, mentorship time, and the opportunity to relax in a beautiful, natural, peaceful setting. Time away from the every day and time to clarify your own next steps in your creative work. 

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival Day- arrive anytime after 4pm.  Introductions, Overview, Light Evening Meal. 

Day 2: Mark Making- What You See: Nature observations, sketchbook work, Colours, Ratios, Forms. Instruction on Abstraction from an image or sketch. Paint fabric panels. Steam or heat set fabric panels.

Day 3: What You Think: Note nature observations in words. Take time to observe sounds, smells, and anything that stands out. Instruction in asemic writing in many styles and approaches and how you can include this in your work.  Paint fabric panels. Prefelt/felt fabrics from Day 2. Steam or heat set fabric panels.

Day 4: What You Feel: A physical manifestation of the last two days. Instruction on gestural painting on cloth. Listen inward and outward, Let line patterns come forward. Fill in spaces with colour or text from Days 3 and 4. Paint fabric panels. Prefelt/felt fabrics from Day 3. Steam or heat set fabric panels.

Day 5:  Bringing all of your textile explorations into a project:  Prefelt/Felt fabrics from Day 3. Make project using the fabrics. These can take the form of a nuno collage, or be combined in a sculptural form, or be fully felted and layered into a dimensional map of your experiences.  Inspiration and full instruction to realize your vision will be supplied!  End of Day 5- Go back into the natural space, review your observations, plan out the last layers to connect and complete your design.

Day 6: Complete all work, including mounting if applicable. 

Day 7:  (Departure Day): Breakfast, Review and discuss. Show and Tell. Departure at 11:00am.

All class materials and tools are provided.

There is a maximum number of  12 participants in each retreat

All levels of experience are welcome, but knowledge of basic feltmaking and a curiosity in exploring new ideas is essential.

Accommodations:

Our accommodations and workshop space are modern, and luxurious while still a touch rustic. To me, the perfect combination!  I have a combination of mainly private rooms and a few shared rooms, to help meet your preference and budget. We’re going to be comfortable, relaxed and inspired in this beautiful setting. There is a separate building we’ll be using as our main workshop space. 

Here are the rooms, spaces and cost for each:

Tathra House: 6 bedrooms/ 2 bathrooms. The downstairs of Tathra House will be our group meeting area, for general relaxing and meals. 

• 5 private rooms, all with king beds: $2150 AUD
• 1 shared room, 2 people, this will be in the largest upstairs room, to give you more space: $1950 AUD

You can see more about Tathra House here: https://www.carawirry.com.au/tathra-house-the-humpy/

The Cottage: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen, dining room, living room.  

• 2 private rooms, both with king beds: $2250 AUD

You can see more about the Cottage here: https://www.carawirry.com.au/hunter-valley-cottage/

Retreat 1: The Treehouse: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom plus bathhouse, kitchen, dining room, living room, extra seating area upstairs.

• 2 private rooms, both with queen beds: $2250 AUD

You can see more about the Treehouse here: https://www.carawirry.com.au/hunter-valley-cabins/

Retreat 2: The Gum leaf Cabin: 2 bedrooms,  both with queen beds, 1 bathroom, kitchen,  dining room, living room, extra seating area upstairs: $2150 AUD

• 2 private rooms, both with queen beds: $2150 AUD

You can see more about the Gum Leaf Cabin here: https://www.carawirry.com.au/hunter-valley-accommodation-outdoor-spa/

There is some flexibility with these arrangements. If there is more demand for shared rooms, we can make 2 more shared spaces available in Tathra House, for the shared room rate of $1950 AUD.