Mother's Day and more at Camp Cactus!

*Updated Friday, May 11th: Please note that the PayPal site was down temporarily this morning, but never fear, if you are experiencing a problem, you can email or call me directly and I will reserve a space for you in any of these classes! (see sidebar to the right for contact info)

Spring has finally arrived in Portland, and the weather today is glorious! The studio doors are open wide, the birds are singing with utter abandon, and creative inspiration is everywhere. I've added several classes to the schedule, including two on Mother's day. A lovely art class and a Mother's Day Mimosa could be just the ticket for a unique gift for any mom.
Happy Spring everyone!

Botanical Watercolors

Learn the basics of watercolor painting and forage in my garden for leaves and flowers to paint. We'll discuss papers, brushes and materials, and I'll guide you step by step through a simple method of drawing leaves and flowers. Even if you can barely draw a stick figure, you'll come away with a beautiful botanical watercolor painting, and the discovery that you truly are an artist!

No experience necessary, just come and play.

Friday afternoon, May 11th (ages 10-adult)        1-3pm                 cost: $25
or
Sunday morning, May 13th (adult only)            10am-noon           cost: $25
(Includes a complimentary Mother's Day Mimosa!)
or
Friday evening, May 18th (adult only)               7-9 pm            cost: $25
(Only 2 spots left!)

Ages 10 - Adult  •  Class sizes are limited  •  Preregistration required

number of students

One Student $25.00 USD Two students $50.00 USD

Date

Sunday, May 13th 10-12 Friday, May 18th 7-9

Painting the Masters: Monet
Continuing our Painting the Masters series, we'll learn about one of the most influential Impressionists, Claude Monet. Over a 30 year period, Monet made over 250 paintings of water lilies in the pond at his home in Giverny, France.
In this class, we'll paint a beautiful version of his famous water lilies.   All materials provided.

Sunday afternoon, May 13th    2 - 4 pm      cost: $35
(Includes a complimentary Mother's Day Mimosa!)

Adult  •  Class size is very limited  •  Preregistration required  

 

Handmade Paper + Printmaking
Come on over to the studio for this incredibly popular hands-on paper and printmaking workshop.
First, we'll make paper using post-consumer waste, and then we'll carve linoleum blocks to print with.
You'll come away with several beautiful art prints of your own design.
No experience necessary.   Adults and kids ages 10 and up welcome! All materials provided.

Saturday afternoon, May 12th    1-4 pm           cost: $45
or
Monday afternoon, May 14th    1-4 pm           cost: $45
or
Sunday afternoon, May 27th     1-4 pm          cost: $45   
Ages 10 - adult  •  Class size is limited to 6 •  Preregistration required  

number of students

One student $45.00 USD Two students $90.00 USD Three students $135.00 USD

choose a date

Saturday, May 12th 1-4pm Monday, May 14th 1-4pm Sunday, May 27th 1-4pm

Contemporary Vegetable Printing and other stuff!

Join us this weekend for one of our most popular workshops! We'll explore making prints on paper and fabric, using the most humble of techniques and materials...see how to make beautiful designs with vegetables and textile paints.

Vegetable Prints

Learn how to make and print patterns using materials found in any grocery store. We'll carve beautiful stamps and use them to print striking modern designs on fabric and paper. Paint, tools, cotton tea towels and various papers provided. Feel free to bring your own pre-washed cotton or linen fabrics to print on.
Extra tea towels will be available for purchase during class.

Sorry, this class is closed

Saturday afternoon, April 7th    1-3 pm     cost: $35

Ages 6 - adult  •  Class size is very limited  •  Preregistration required

 

And don't forget, next Friday, April 13th there's no school for Portland Public school students! Send your kids to Camp Cactus for some artistic stimulation and silly fun.

 *   *   School's Out! Teacher Planning Day Classes   *   * 

Exploring Pastels
Learn to draw a nebula with chalk and oil pastels. All materials provided.
Sorry,  this class is now closed

Friday morning, April 13th     10 am - noon    cost: $25

Ages 6 - adult  •  Class size is limited  •  Preregistration required  

Painting the Masters: Georgia O'Keeffe
We'll do some painting on canvas in the style of this famous artist, and you can choose to paint a still life, or work from a photograph, or simply copy one of her beautiful paintings.
All materials included.
Sorry,  this class is now closed
Friday afternoon, April 13th    2-4 pm           cost: $35
Ages 6 - adult  •  Class size is limited  •  Preregistration required  

no school on friday? let's make some art!

I just realized there's no school on Friday, April 10th…who wants to come over to the studio to make some art?

Painting Workshop:
Georgia O'Keeffe
Sorry, registration for this class is closed
We'll do some painting on canvas in the style of this famous artist, and you can choose to paint a still life, or work from a photograph, or simply copy one of her beautiful paintings.
All materials included.

Friday afternoon, April 10th    1-4 pm         $35 

Ages 6 and up  •  Class size limited to 6 students
Preregistration required

Spring Break Classes in the studio

Sign up deadline is midnight on Friday, March 21st!
Fairy Homes and Gardens
Let's plant a little fairy garden! First, we'll design and plant a tiny landscape, then we'll build structures, like fairy chairs, tables and swings to entice the fairies to move in!
All materials and plants provided.
Registration deadline extended: Friday, March 21st
Sorry, this class is now closed.
Monday, March 24th     1 - 4 pm                       cost: $35
Ages 7- up  •  Class size is limited  •  Preregistration required

Creature Feature!
In this fibre arts workshop, we'll make all kinds of crazy, fun creatures from various materials.
No prior sewing experience necessary. Teaches basic sewing, embroidery and pattern-making skills.
All materials provided.
Sorry, this class is now closed.
Tuesday, March 25th     10 am  - noon           cost: $25
Ages 7- up   • Class size is limited  •  Preregistration required

Fabulous Fairy Footwear
Make your very own designer Fairy or Elf shoes. We'll draft a custom-sized pattern and sew and embellish with threads and buttons and ribbons and magic. No prior sewing experience necessary. Teaches basic sewing, embroidery and pattern-making skills.
All materials provided.
Sorry, this class is now closed.
Tuesday, March 25th      2 - 4:30 pm                cost: $30
Ages 7 - up  •  Class size is limited  •  Preregistration required

the secrets of beautiful handwriting

Let's bring back the art of fine handwriting!

 Who wouldn't love to get a beautifully addressed 

and hand-delivered letter? 

Perfect Your Penmanship
Does your handwriting look like chicken scratchings? Do you hate writing notes by hand because you may not be able to read your own writing later? Then this class is definitely for you! We'll learn the basics of good penmanship, and practice writing the italic alphabet, the most legible handwriting style around.
This class is also a very good introduction to calligraphy. For those who would like to learn more, we'll also be offering a 4 week beginning calligraphy class this summer. Get the basics down now!
All materials provided.

Sunday, March 2nd            2 - 4 pm                cost: $25
Ages 12- adult  • Class size is limited  • Preregistration required

Sorry, this class is now closed.

may classes update

New!  DIY Friday: Needle Felting with Maggie

Guided by multi-talented artist, urban farmer, and chicken aficionado Maggie Kearns-Willbach, you'll learn the basics of needle felting by making a cute little birdie similar to the one shown above. 

This is a great class for a group of crafty friends to take together.
We'll even have treats to nibble and drinks to sip.

(additional $5 materials fee payable to instructor at beginning of class)

Sorry, this class is cancelled. 
Please contact us by email : campcactusmail{at}yahoo.com 
to schedule a group of 4 or more for this class!

Friday, May 10th     7:00- 9:00 pm                       $35

Adult   •   Class sized limited to 10

Minimum class size: 4 students

Instructor: Maggie Kearns-Willbach

spring classes are starting soon!

It's spring, and I think the warm weather and (sometimes) sunny skies make it the perfect time to get creative. From container gardens to crafts, drawing, calligraphy and just plain doodling, there's plenty of creative spark at Camp Cactus this spring!

You can click on the "add to cart" button below each class to register and pay online, or email Jane to reserve a space: campcactusmail{at}yahoo.com

   

New!  Crafty Weekend: Boot Stuffers

Summer's almost here, and before you know it, the flip-flops will come out, and your winter footwear will be stashed away. Take care of your boots! Hate how they flop over and get creased in your closet? Make these stylish and aromatic stuffers to keep your boots crease-free, smelling fresh and ready for the cold weather.  Bring your boots for a custom fit.

All stuffing and trim materials included for one pair.  Materials for additional pairs are available for $5.

Sorry, this class is closed.
Saturday, May 18th   7:00 - 9:00 pm                    $35     (bring 1/2 yard of fabric of your choice)

Ages 16 - Adult   •   Class size is limited
Registration required by Monday, May 13th
Instructor: Jane Russell

 

New!  Coloring Outside the Lines: 
Saturday Night Doodle Fest! 

Join us for the first in a series dedicated to jumpstarting your creative spirit.

In this workshop, artists and non-artists alike will learn how doodling and noodling around not only helps stimulate the creative juices, but how it has also been found to help us improve our concentration, listening and recall skills.  We'll provide all the materials you'll need, but feel free to bring your favorite doodle pen or pencil.

We'll have sparkling cider, wine and goodies to nibble, tunes and fun conversation.

All materials provided, just bring your creative self!

Sorry, this class is closed. 
To schedule another session, contact us: campcactusmail{at}yahoo.com
Saturday, April 27th   7:00 - 9:00 pm                    $35      (all materials provided)

Adult   •   Class size is limited
Registration required by Monday, April 22nd
Instructor: Jane Russell

 

New!  DIY Friday: Succulent Garden Centerpieces

Make a beautiful and contemporary living centerpiece to light up your table. This centerpiece would look fabulous on a porch, patio, dining or coffee table. Inside or out.
All materials included, just bring your garden gloves!
We'll have sparkling cider, wine and goodies to nibble while we garden.
Sorry, this class is closed. 
Friday, May 3rd     7:00- 9:00 pm                         $55         (all materials provided)
Adult    •    Class size is limited  
Registration required by Friday, April 26th
Instructor: Jane Russell

 

New!  DIY Friday: Needle Felting with Maggie

Guided by multi-talented artist, urban farmer, and chicken aficionado Maggie Kearns-Willbach, you'll learn the basics of needle felting by making a cute little birdie similar to the one shown above. 

This is a great class for a group of crafty friends to take together.
We'll even have treats to nibble and drinks to sip.

(additional $5 materials fee payable to instructor at beginning of class)

Sorry, this class is closed. 

To schedule another session, contact us: campcactusmail{at}yahoo.com

Friday, May 10th     7:00- 9:00 pm                       $35

Adult   •   Class sized limited to 10

Minimum class size: 4 students

Instructor: Maggie Kearns-Willbach

spring break fairy and drawing workshops!

There are still a few spaces available for our spring break classes this week...

New!    Let's Explore Drawing!

An Open Studio where kids can come and draw to their heart's content in a supportive, non-critical environment.
Artists are free to choose from a variety of materials such as charcoal, graphite, ink, crayon, pastels, markers and colored pencils; and various visual sources such as photographs and still life.
All materials provided.

Saturday, March 26th (Spring Break)       1-3 pm     $25 
Ages 6 - 14 • Class size is limited • Preregistration required

choose date(s)

February 26th $25.00 March 26th $25.00

Fantastical Fairy Architecture

Along with our imagination, we’ll use natural, recycled and found materials to design and build tiny dwellings for those magical beings who live all around us. Feel free to bring materials from your own garden, such as pinecones, acorns or seed pods.
We’ll provide ample building materials for everyone.
This 3-hour class is open to everyone ages 7-100.

Thursday, March 24th (spring break)       1 - 4 pm   $35
Ages 7 - 107 • Class size is limited • Preregistration required

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Fanciful Fairy Furniture

Come and use twigs and moss and leaves and flowers to build a tiny chair or a bed or table (or whatever else you might be inspired to create to furnish a fairy house or garden).
Set your imagination free and let it fly!
All materials provided, but feel free to bring your own materials for embellishments, like acorns and moss and leaves from your garden.

Friday, March 25th  1 - 3 pm   $25
Ages 7 - 107 • Class size is limited • Preregistration required

upcoming spring classes

~ Anyone can draw : the basics ~

Have you always wanted to learn to draw, but just don't know where to start? This is the course for you! We'll teach you the basic principals of drawing, through creative exercises designed to stimulate your imagination with hands-on explorations of materials, techniques and principals of design.

What are you waiting for? Get drawing!

Thursday evenings: April 1 -May 6

7:00 - 9:00 pm

$125

(adults)

class size is limited to 10

materials list will be sent at sign up

* * * * * * * * * * *

~ Fairy Furniture! ~

The fairies and I will be teaching a furniture building workshop...

come and build a tiny chair or a bed

(or whatever else the fairies inspire you to!)

This three hour class is open to kids ages 7- 100,

and all materials are included.

Set your imagination free and watch it fly!

Saturday, April 10th

12-3 pm

$25

(ages 7 - 100)

class size is limited to 10

all materials provided

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

photo by Gordon Wiltsie, borrowed from these guys

~ Design Your Own Prayer Flags ~

In this three-hour class, we'll be learning a bit about the Tibetan custom of hanging colorful flags containing mantras and prayers to promote peace and other positive messages, which are carried on the wind and spread throughout the world.

We'll design and assemble our own interpretations of these flags

using stamps, paints, stencils and inks.

All materials are included, but feel free to bring personal stamps or paints to share with the class.

Bring also your good wishes and prayers and join us in promoting peace while enjoying meditative music,

sharing tea and creative energy.

Saturday, May 1st

1:00 - 4:00 pm

$35

(adults)

class size limited to 8

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

To reserve a space, or for more information, contact Jane:

campcactusmail@yahoo.com

503.347.2319