All of my life-so far
I have loved best how the flowers rise and open, how
the pink lungs of their bodies
enter the fire of the world
and stand there shining
and willing-
-Mary Oiver
What Flowers, Botanicals, Natural Processes & Materials: A Vermont Encaustic Retreat
When August 14-18, 2023
Monday 7-9pm Orientation
Tuesday-Friday, 9am-4:00pm Workshop Hours
Tuesday-Thursday, 6:00-9pm optional night studio hours
(Scroll down for detailed daily itinerary)
Where Lareau Farm Inn, Waitsfield, Vermont
Limited to 10 participants!
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
$2100 includes accommodations** (See the list of available rooms below), breakfast and lunch everyday, one dinner and most workshop materials (see supply list below)
Not Interested in Lareau Inn Accommodations, breakfast or lunch?
$1300 includes workshop fee and most materials (see supply list below)
Registration Instructions if staying at Lareau Inn:
1. Visit the Lareau Inn web site and choose your room. See the list below of available rooms. DO NOT book the room from the Lareau Inn web site!!!
2. Contact Lorraine via email lorraineglessnerstudio@gmail.com with the name of the room you’d like to book and for payment details.
Available Rooms at the Inn as of January, 2023
Additional Accommodations are available at Waitsfield Inn and Featherbed Inn which are within one mile of Lareau Inn.
**Please Note Although the workshop continues through Friday afternoon, you must check out of Lareau Inn on Friday morning. If you would like to stay in the area Friday evening or beyond, there are many places in the town of Waitsfield and in nearby Stowe.
Payment Payment of 50% of the workshop fee + materials + accommodations ($1050 if paying via check or Venmo, $1085 if paying via Paypal is due at the time of registration with the remaining 50% ($1050) due approximately 6 weeks before the workshop date. Please contact Lorraine for payment details.
For Registration, Please Contact: Lorraine Glessner, lorraineglessnerstudio@gmail.com
Who A collaborative teaching venture with Beth Murphy &
Lorraine Glessner (Scroll down for more about Lorraine and Beth)
Workshop Description
If you have always wanted to combine flowers, botanicals and other natural mixed media into your encaustic paintings, then this is the retreat for you! Utilizing the gorgeously cultivated flower and vegetable garden, wildflower meadow and lush forest at Lareau Farm to study and forage, we will explore the myriad ways to use natural materials and processes in combination with encaustic. Working on both paper and fabric, we will experiment with pressed botanicals, various eco-printing techniques, photo transfer and in depth encaustic collage processes. Bridging the gap between art and craft, content and creation, participants are encouraged to develop a personal vocabulary by applying these new techniques to their current ideas and methodologies. Optional individual critiques with both Beth and Lorraine are offered to all participants.
**Please note that participants should be prepared to spend time outside as well as in the studio. Any participant unable to take part in the outdoor activities are welcome to opt out and alternative indoor creative exercises will be provided.
Detailed Workshop Itinerary
Monday 7-9pm Orientation
Meet & Greet Wine and Smores by the Lareau Farm Fire Pit
Tuesday 9-4:00 Workshop, 6:00-9:00pm Optional Night Studio
We will begin this exciting day of exploration, learning and gathering with a walk through the garden and wildflower meadow where Beth will discuss the differences in flowers, propagation and what works best for the pressed flower process. Beth will also lead us in a series of journaling exercises designed to clarify the structure of flowers and plants into simple elements, such as movement, color, texture and form . Back at the studio, Beth will share her process for pressing flowers and botanicals through her personal sketchbooks and garden journals. Later in the afternoon, Lorraine will lead an eco-printing, rust printing and flower pounding demonstration on paper and fabric. The rest of the afternoon is devoted to finishing garden journal entries and experimenting with the new printing techniques. Beth and Lorraine will begin conducting personalized individual mentoring sessions.
Wednesday 9-4:00 Workshop, 6:00-9:00pm Optional Night Studio
After a brief morning discussion, Lorraine will demonstrate basic encaustic collage and drawing with horsehair.
Spend the rest of the morning experimenting with eco-printing processes and using encaustic, begin to layer these papers and fabrics with pressed botanicals, photo transfers and mixed media collage items.
After lunch, we will continue with uninterrupted work time working toward a series on paper or panel using layers of encaustic collage, painting and printing. Individual discussions with Lorraine & Beth will continue.
Thursday 9-4:00 Workshop, 6:00-9:00pm Optional Night Studio
After our morning discussion, we will continue with uninterrupted work time to further explore the layering and printing of natural materials in combination with encaustic, collage and mark-making to build a series that expresses your personal connection to plants, flowers and the landscape at large.
Take the rest of the afternoon to experiment with marks, make color studies, ask questions, request informal demos, and continue with individual discussions with Beth and Lorraine.
Friday 9:00am-1:00pm Workshop
Morning work time to complete projects, look at books, journal your thoughts and continued individual mentoring with Beth and Lorraine. Late morning project show and tell with the group, lunch, clean up and good-byes.
What Else?
- Color relationships, composition, application, content, proportion, scale as an effective foundation for other painterly information.
- Learn how to use encaustic’s strengths (layering, transparency, luminosity) to tell your story.
- Mark-making exercises geared toward making simple or complex marks to generate a personal language.
- The option of an Individual Consultation/Critique discussion with each instructor. Bring a piece of work, a question, a concern, a problem and discuss it with Beth and Lorraine.
- Guided meditation time and planned hikes will relax and open your mind and spirit to the land, helping to support and nurture your unique creative voice.
- A slide talk with examples of contemporary artists whose work applies the ideas and concepts discussed in the workshop is offered for inspiration.
- Lots of open studio time to explore and interpret the inspiration gained from the meditations and hikes.
SCROLL DOWN TO THE END OF THIS POST TO SEE Images of student work and fun scenes from encaustic retreats at Lareau Farm Inn in 2021 & 2022, student work and images from other workshops taught by Beth and Lorraine.
For more images of past Artist Retreats co-taught by Lorraine visit here, here and here. Additional blog posts related to artist retreats co-taught by Lorraine are here, here and here..
For Registration, Please Contact: Lorraine Glessner, lorraineglessnerstudio@gmail.com
About Lareau Farm Inn & Barn
Nestled on 25 acres of natural beauty, with the Mad River just steps away as well as trails for walking, hiking, mountain biking and swimming, Lareau Farm Inn and Barn is the perfect place to spark and inspire your artist vision. Our workshop studio is in the magical Event Pavilion situated to the rear of the Lareau property, offering tons of space in which to create. The quaint rooms at Lareau Inn feature antique furnishings, comfortable beds, and charming baths in a Vermont farmhouse setting with delicious farm to table dining. There is plenty of room to relax and enjoy the view in the common areas including a charming dining room, back porch and backyard fire pit. An added bonus is Peter, the sweetest farm kitty, stops by our classes everyday for a visit. Please visit Lareau Farm Inn Web Site for more images and information.
About Beth Murphy
https://www.bethmurphybotanicals.com/#/
Instagram @bethmurphybotanicals
Beth Murphy’s mixed media collages are fine art that is both familiar and modern. Designs utilize the texture, form, color and movement of each pressed flower and leaf. “I want to share the serenity I feel while creating my collages with others, and pull you into the peace, flow, mystery and magic that nature offers.” Being a forever admirer of nature and all it supplies us with, it is no surprise that I was led to work with pressed botanicals as my medium. Flower petals, stems, leaves, grasses even some vegetables make their way into my presses to yield one surprise after the other. I work these amazing colors, shapes and textures into mixed media collages where paints (acrylic or watercolor) and hand printed papers are used to accent the organic beauty. My hope is that these works allow you to experience nature in a new way as well as opening up to the use of botanical materials as an art medium. My artwork is created in my Vermont studio and incorporates the flora and reflects the landscapes of New England, the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic. I cannot over stress the relaxation and peace that is achieved while working with organic materials.
About Lorraine Glessner
lorraineglessner.net
Instagram @lorraineglessner1
Lorraine Glessner’s love of surface, pattern, markmaking, image and landscape has led her to combine disparate materials and processes such as silk, wood, wax, pyrography, rust, paper and more in her work. Lorraine is a former Assistant Professor at Tyler School of Art, Temple University, a workshop instructor and an award-winning artist. She holds an MFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University, a BS from Philadelphia University, and an AAS in Computer Graphics from Moore College of Art & Design. She has a diverse art background with skills that include painting, sculpture, graphic design, interior design, textile design, photography, digital imaging and much more. Recent professional achievements include curating With Wax: Materiality & Mixed Media in Encaustic at Chester County Art Association in West Chester, PA, a Grand Prize Award from the show (re)Building, Atlantic Gallery, New York, NY and a recently appointed position as a Tier Artist at R&F Paints. Lorraine’s work is included in the recently released Encaustic Art in the 21st Century by Ashley Rooney and Nuance, a curated book by artist, Michelle Stuart. Lorraine frequently lectures and participates on academic panels at various Conferences including The International Encaustic Conference, SECAC and The College Art Association Annual Conference. Her work is exhibited locally and nationally in galleries, museums, craft centers, schools, libraries, universities, and more. Like her work, Lorraine brings to her teaching a strong interdisciplinary approach, mixed with a balance of concept, process, history, experimentation, problem solving and discovery.
Workshop Supplies & Materials
Materials Included: The following list of materials is provided for the student
- All encaustic paints, encaustic medium, tools and equipment
- a variety of pigment sticks
- Sumi ink & other misc. drawing media
- Misc. drawing papers
- Paper towels/rags
- Extra encaustic brushes
- Stencils and other textures
- Misc. collage materials
- Dried, pressed flowers and botanicals
- Silk Fabric
- Pyrography tools
- Carbon copies for photo transfer
What to bring: the following is a list of materials for the student to bring to the workshop (Visit Lorraine’s Amazon Store for Art Supply/Portable Art Supply Ideas)
- Small, portable watercolor set with water brush
- Portable watercolor sketchbook (lay flat, size 9 x 12 or 11×14, mixed media or watercolor sketchbook, heavy stock to withstand wet media, encaustic sketching-at least 117 lb or above)
- 1-2 drawing media of your choice (pencil, pastel, conte charcoal, oil pastel, Crayon, graphite, Sharpie felt pen, etc.)
- Closed toe shoes for safety in the studio
- 2-4 actual OR images of your work, digital prints or phone/iPad sharing is fine
- 4-6 hake or hog’s bristle natural hair brushes in 1-2 inch sizes for encaustic painting (1 brush will be designated your medium brush, so it must be free of color if you are bringing used brushes)
- materials for collage (fabric, papers, magazine images, photos, etc.)
- Pressed botanicals or flowers (only if you have them!) Beth has a huge stash she is generously sharing with the class.
- 4-6 wooden painting panels (your preference of 8×8 or 10×10 or 12×12, but no larger or smaller, please) Other suggested substrates are: masonite (coated with encaustic gesso), Ampersand Encausticbord, MultiMedia Art Board. If you decide to bring something other than what is suggested here, it must be rigid and not coated in acrylic or acrylic gesso!!
- Optional Materials Smock, any encaustic paint color or pigment stick color you favor, Iwatani torch with extra butane, basic pyrography set, any tool or material for any technique that you normally employ while working with encaustic, textured objects and/or sharp ended tool for pressing into/incising/writing/drawing into wax, flat edge Catalyst wedge, silicone tipped clay tools or Catalyst tools, 1-2 inspiring books to share with the class, sweatshirt or sweater for chilly evenings and mornings, head lamp or battery operated desk lamp.
Hiking Equipment Recommendations
- Sturdy hiking shoes/boots
- Small waterproof cushion or portable chair
- Butt pack or small backpack
- Comfortable clothing
- Light rainwear
- Hat
- Water bottle
- For art supply/portable art supply/hiking or travel ideas, visit Lorraine’s Amazon Store
Cancellation
Please note a $50 cancelation processing fee will be deducted from any refund.
In the event that you need to cancel your workshop, please notify Lorraine via email.
Cancelations made 30 days or more from the workshop start date will be refunded their deposit (minus $100 processing fee).
Cancelations made 30 days or less from the workshop start date will be refunded their deposit (minus $100 processing fee) only if the space can be filled. If the space cannot be filled, no refund will be issued.
For Registration, Please Contact: Lorraine Glessner, lorraineglessnerstudio@gmail.com
Workshop Image Gallery
Images of student work and fun scenes from previous encaustic retreats at Lareau Farm Inn in 2021/2022, as well as student work and images from other workshops and retreats taught by Beth and Lorraine.
For more images of additional Artist Retreats co-taught by Lorraine visit here, here and here. Additional blog posts related to artist retreats co-taught by Lorraine are here, here and here..
Image Credit: Beth Murphy & Lorraine Glessner
Art Bite Blog 
One thought on “Flowers, Botanicals, Natural Processes & Materials: A Vermont Encaustic Retreat”