Forage to Fabric with Stacie Bloomfield
DATES: July 26-30
FEE: $2,750.00
Please confirm by May 28 to help ensure this retreat moves forward.
Also, if you're in need of financial assistance, please contact us.
Spend three creative days turning the natural world around you into your own mini fabric collection. Using The Smiley Manse property as inspiration, Stacie Bloomfield will guide participants through gathering ideas from flowers, leaves, branches, textures, colors, and other details they discover outdoors. From there, participants will bring their inspiration into Procreate, transform their sketches and photographs into digital illustrations, create seamless repeating patterns, and develop a coordinated three-pattern collection. By the end of the retreat, each participant will have a hero pattern, supporting pattern, and blender pattern ready to upload to Spoonflower, where they will order fabric samples of their finished designs.
For planning purposes, here's what we ask each participant bring:
• iPad with the latest version of Procreate installed
• Apple Pencil or compatible stylus
• iPad charger
• Sketchbook and any favorite drawing supplies
• Phone or camera for taking reference photos
• Comfortable shoes for exploring the property
FORAGE TO FABRIC RETREAT SCHEDULE
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4:30 pm | Welcome Gathering
6:00 pm | Dinner
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9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning Art Session
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon Art Session
6:00 pm | Simple in-studio dinner
– post-dinner studio time is available –
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8:30 am | Early studio access
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning Art Session
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon Art Session
6:00 pm | Dinner at local restaurant*
– post-dinner studio time is available –
-
8:30 am | Early studio access
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Morning Art Session
– break for lunch –
2:00 pm | Afternoon Art Session
6:00 pm | Dinner at The Smiley
– post-dinner studio time is available –
-
8:30 am | Early studio access
9:30 am | Light in-studio breakfast
10:00 am | Final Art Session
1:00 pm | Light lunch & goodbyes
– optional studio time until 5pm –
*Not included in retreat fee. Date of dinner out also subject to restaurant availability.
About Jessica Swift
As a child, Jessica Swift sported a nearly-permanent Crayola marker stain on her left arm, from pinky to elbow. She grew up and, naturally, became an artist. Jessica creates colorful, uplifting artwork and manufactures her own products in her studio in Portland, Oregon. She also collaborates with inspiring companies and publishers to create branded products such as fabric, stationery, puzzles, books, and more. She's the author of 3 books and teaches online classes on topics including intuitive art-making and pattern design. Two rambunctious, creative young children call her mama.
“I felt relaxed and welcomed. Beautiful spaces, excellent food, and thoughtful details everywhere.”
— Ann
2024 Smiley retreat participant
Where You’ll Be Creating
Springfield, Vermont
The Smiley Manse Barn
Nestled up behind the main property is the barn. This turn of the last century post-and-beam construction with a slate roof that rises to a massive walled cupola, the barn is noted as one of the finest carriage barns in the region. Learn more about the history of The Smiley here.
Inside, you’ll find large flat work tables, each a place to explore and express your individual creativity, yet the atmosphere encourages connection and dialogue. Whether it’s the sound of a paintbrush sweeping across the page or folks discussing technique over coffee, the barn serves as a meeting ground for artists of all levels to create and build lasting relationships, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
We strive to create a space where the act of making art is as much about building community as it is about self-expression.
Join us for a chance to unwind and create in an idyllic setting.
Your Retreat Includes:
Custom designed art curriculum by Maryellen
4 days of creative instruction
Extra studio access before/after each full day
All meals (except 1 dinner out)
Tea, coffee, and snacks always available in the barn
Usage of our art supply stash during the retreat
What’s Not Included:
Accommodations – there are several great options nearby!
Transportation to/from The Smiley
1 dinner out at a local restaurant