upcoming events and benefits at StudioLife!

This art workshop will be for anyone on their creative path who is eager to learn more; beginners as well as the more advanced are absolutely welcome. It's for those longing to do something beautiful in a wonderful location with a lovely sense of community. During our dedicated days of art, you can expect lots of time to play with top-of-the-line materials: paints, pens, pencils, brushes, paper (all of my favorites!) which of course you get to bring home with you. There will also be opportunity for one-on-one teaching time, as well as fun ‘sketch-crawls’ around the area to some beautiful and inspiring favorite places like the University of Washington and Volunteer Park Conservatory. There will also be an exciting line-up of special guests: local chefs, famous bakers, cocktail shakers and cookie makers (oh my!) of the Pacific Northwest. These incredibly talented local Creatives are so excited and eager to add their wonderful Seattle flavor to our fancy celebration.

A Creative Way: Seattle Art Retreat with The Mint Gardener - Deposit

Class Description Come paint with Sarah Simon in her much anticipated debut class from the NEW Watercolor Workbook: Flowers, Feathers & Animal Friends! We will spend some time celebrating this newly released project based workbook full of 25 NEW projects before painting one together! With this class, you will learn the techniques Sarah uses for watercolor, and see how she uniquely teaches the foundations of this art as a transferable skill. Sarah teaches you step-by-step in her NEW book, Watercolor Workbook:Flowers, Feathers & Animal Friends, and once you know how to paint a few flowing washes, that knowledge can be used to paint a fabulous project together from the book! The possibilities are endless with this beautiful art form. Once you work through the foundations together, learn the steps to paint this special project with Sarah. You will work on the pre-drawn template of the project in the book, no drawing is required. Sarah has taught thousands of people how to watercolor and with her teaching talents, has made it such an approachable and enjoyable art form, both for the experienced and novice alike. After this class with Sarah, you will be skilled and knowledgeable, with the new ability to actually see and recreate the watercolor process, layer by layer. And you will have completed beautiful pieces of art as well! We have created FOUR tiers, so you can come as you are and meet this learning journey right where you need it - Don’t have the NEW NEW Watercolor Workbook:Flowers, Feathers & Animal Friends yet? Need all the supplies? No problem, select the option: “Book + Class Materials + Class Instruction” and you will receive everything you need to create on the day of class plus enough content and supplies to keep you painting! You haven’t pre-ordered the NEW NEW Watercolor Workbook:Flowers, Feathers & Animal Friends yet? But you DO NOT NEED all the supplies? Select the option: “Book + Class Instruction” and you will receive the book plus access to class so you create on the day of class in your new book. You have already pre-ordered the NEW Watercolor Workbook:Flowers, Feathers & Animal Friends but you’d like to have Sarah’s pro instruction and her favorite Materials that go with this class. Select the option: “Class Materials + Class Instruction” at checkout, and you will receive a Materials kit, along with pre-drawn art printed on watercolor paper, delivered to your front door - so you will have everything you need to create in class. You’ve got everything you need, and/or have supplies from a previous class – but you want access to the class content? Select the option “Class Instruction Only” and you will receive a link to the virtual zoom class so you will have Sarah’s professional and live-time instruction.

The NEW Watercolor Workbook: Flowers, Feathers & Animal Friends - Sept 17

Artist and author Sarah Simon, a.k.a. @themintgardener, has taught thousands of people how to watercolor and with her teaching talents, has made it such an approachable and enjoyable art form, both for the experienced and novice alike. Her book Watercolor Workbook provides everything you need to know about the art of watercolor and was the #1 best-selling watercolor book in the world in 2022. And now, in this NEW workbook, Sarah offers 25 MORE watercolor projects that you can sit down and enjoy painting today. After this class with Sarah, you will be skilled and knowledgeable, with the new ability to see and recreate the watercolor process, layer by layer. With this class registration, you will receive all of the materials you need to continue to paint at home: brushes, paints and a waterproof pen, along with your own copy of Sarah's new Watercolor Workbook. Join us for this exclusive class and book signing event on May 9th and receive Sarah's NEW book two weeks before the official release date. This is your invitation to paint and play. A mindful moment for you to fall in love with the flowing freedom of watercolor - and the beauty of watching paint and water dance along your pages!

Jenni Kayne Book Launch Event

Join us for this very special in-person class at Lakewold Gardens with Sarah Simon, TheMintGardener to celebrate the official launch of her newest book: Watercolor Workbook: Flowers, Feathers, and Animal Friends! We will be gathering at the stunning Lakewold Gardens just south of Seattle, painting amongst the horticultural haven of this beautifully landscaped garden and estate in the Lakes District. It will feel a bit like you’ve just stepped into an old-world European parkland with Lakewold’s manicured gardens, timeworn statues and brick-lined verandas. Come paint and then wander the enchanting gardens, soaking in the beauty of a May day in the Pacific Northwest. This is an exclusive in-person class with limited seating available for the painting portion of the afternoon, and all attendees will receive Sarah's NEW book two weeks before the official release date. Class attendees will also receive all of the materials you need to continue to paint at home: brushes, paints and a delightful swag bag, along with your own copy of Sarah's new Watercolor Workbook. After this class with Sarah, you will be skilled and knowledgeable, with the new ability to actually see and recreate the watercolor process, layer by layer. And you will have completed a beautiful piece of art in your NEW book as well! Attendees will also be invited to gather and arrange their very own take-home flower bouquet, hosted by Jordan Moll Events, and to enjoy a professional Photo Booth with friends! Stay and mingle afterwards to enjoy some St Angelus wine from the olive groves of Umbria Italy, and the open-to-the-public Book Signing Reception from 3 to 5pm to enjoy the gardens, and get your book signed. About Sarah:Artist and author Sarah Simon, a.k.a. @themintgardener, has taught thousands of people how to watercolor and with her teaching talents, has made it such an approachable and enjoyable art form, both for the experienced and novice alike. Her book Watercolor Workbook provides everything you need to know about the art of watercolor and was the #1 best-selling watercolor book in the world in 2022. And now, in this NEW workbook, Sarah offers 25 MORE watercolor projects that you can sit down and enjoy painting today.

Book launch class at Lakewold Gardens, May 6

Featured: Events

Join Ellen Sontra of @lettersbyellen as she teaches the fundamentals of brush lettering. Participants will hear Ellen's tips and tricks and get a chance to practice lettering techniques with the alphabet and eventually moving in to making wonderful greeting cards. This virtual workshop is a benefit for The Light Collective (www.thelightcollectivepnw.com) - an incredible organization with the mission of creating a hope-oriented community where families who have a child with cancer build resilience and share delight.

Hand Lettering: Lettering For Light Brush Lettering

Paint with Laura Burkhart on your own time with this recorded acrylic painting workshop!

Acrylic Painting: Painted Peaks

Stitch along with Lauren in this workshop as she teaches a wide variety of embroidery techniques, including satin stitch, seed stitch, leaf stitch, and french knots. You’ll learn how and when to use these different stitches to create a landscape, as well as how to use different colors and quantities of thread to create depth of field and textural details. This class is approachable to folks of all skill levels—beginning stitchers will learn the basics and gain exposure to the versatility of this craft, and experienced stitchers can work through new techniques to build on their existing skillset. We’ll work on each part of the pattern during the class so you’ll have the confidence you need to finish up the project on your own. Workshop attendees will receive a full kit to work with, including: High quality 5” beechwood embroidery hoop with brass closure Premium-weight cotton fabric with the design pre-printed on it, set into the embroidery hoop 2 size 5 embroidery needles Full skeins of DMC cotton embroidery thread in each color used in the design A PDF version of the full pattern instructions, including tons of step-by-step photos and diagrams. Lauren is a fiber artist in Seattle and specializes in designing embroidery patterns and kits. She has taught workshops in Seattle and across the country and has filmed several classes for Creativebug.com. Lauren’s designs feature landscapes, floral and botanical work, and colorful abstract patterns. This mom of two young sons loves hiking and houseplants, and her creative work brings her so much joy. You can find her on Instagram @larkrising and explore her website at www.larkrisingembroidery.com

Embroidery: Stitch a Beach

Embroidery: Mountainscape

Embroidery: Floral Splash

Featured: Workshops

We are friends, neighbors, fledgling artists, and plant-lovers doing life with our families in the vibrant urban neighborhood of the University District in Seattle, WA. We are creating space in our lives for more beauty and creativity. Join us!

Creating Space for Artists, Learners & Events in Seattle's U-District | StudioLife Seattle

At StudioLife we strive to be a platform to connect artists with anyone who wants to learn or practice a craft, and to help create space in the lives of those we encounter.

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