There are no mistakes

and it's never boring

on the edge of the imagination,

which is only pure SPIRIT

out having a bit of fun.

- WAVY GRAVY -

A brand new fairy house on the tour!

Join us for the 8th Annual Hollywood Fairy House Tour!

Saturday, August 10th

10 am - noon

$10 per person.

click here for details

* * *

If you can't make the tour this year, 

a digital download of the map will be available

 on the website beginning Sunday, August 11th

* * *

Proceeds from this year's Tour benefits Schoolhouse Supplies,

 an award winning nonprofit in Portland

 dedicated to providing free classroom supplies to students and teachers.

Summer is here!

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon;

to me those have always been the two most beautiful words

in the English language."

-HENRY JAMES-

Abbie in the garden in June

Come spend a summer morning, afternoon or evening with me

 in the studio and create something beautiful!

From watercolor painting, to printmaking, handmade paper making and 

encaustic collage to all things Fairy, there's something for artists of all ages.

Check out the class list here, or click on the Summer Classes in the sidebar.

I'll be adding classes to the schedule all summer, and you can also check the calendar for updates.

Intro to Printmaking

Building Fairy Furniture

Fairy House 

Wax Encaustic Collage

Hey there!

And just like that, it's a new year full of possibilities and adventure. What wonderful things do you have planned? How about feeding your creative spirit with some fun classes?

Get your hands dirty and make some prints...

or stay clean and carve some animals out of soap...

discover poetry in the pages of discarded books...

...or just plain having a little Doodlefest with friends?

Check out our selection of classes in the studio. 

Spring break classes, too!

campcactuspdx.com

The Holiday Sale is coming right up!

It's that time of year again, where a bunch of hand-picked local artists gather their wares and help turn the studio into a magical holiday boutique.

We'll have beautiful, contemporary ceramics from Vancouver's Ruby Farms, gorgeous bags and totes by Beaverton's Sew Sisters,  jewelry and accessories by Kris Zorko, Sharon Wing, Lulu and T, and 45th Avenue's own Iris Lomax. Hand knit scarves of impossibly soft German wool by Caitie Brown, tiny Fairy shoes and dresses, and Fern's Famous Fudge, too.

Check back here for a sneak peek at lots more... I'll be taking pics and sharing them as the goods are delivered, so stay tuned!

Here are the details:

Sale Hours:

Preview evening and Artist reception:

Friday, December 7th 

6 - 9 pm

Saturday & Sunday, December 8th & 9th

10 am - 6 pm

Remember, the Holiday Sale comes but once a year, so drop by and say hello!

November news!

Time really flies these days... Thanksgiving is over, and December is coming up FAST!
I've been so busy with classes and planning for our upcoming Holiday Sale (more info on that coming up very soon!), I've neglected this space completely.

Thanksgiving Eve, Camp Cactus Studio hosted a Fairy Furniture birthday party (for 11 grownups!).
It was goofy, and fun and they created some amazing furniture for some very sophisticated Fairies.

The magic is alive in the studio!

There were Adirondack chairs & rocking chairs

Tables, lamps and tiny books

A bar, complete with stools and goodies

A cushy fainting couch and floor lamp

A fantastic Fairy chandelier

A bathtub complete with shower and seat

And even a tiny macrame wall hanging!

All in all, it was a fun birthday party, with lots of laughter and delight.

If you're interested in booking the studio for a party (any classes, not just Fairy stuff!)

check out the website:

campcactuspdx.com

Cheers!

what's coming in october?

The last two days of September are upon us (already!?) and it feels like summer might soon become a distant memory. I woke up this morning to cool temperatures and gray skies, with the inevitable rain in the forecast. Yesterday was one of those perfectly warm days under radiant blue skies, that only seem to occur on the cusp of changing seasons.

No worries, though...the studio is bright, cozy and snug with a fireplace to keep us warm while we make some creative magic!

There is still one spot available in next Saturday, October 6th's Botanical Watercolor class, so if you've been thinking of signing up, do it soon!

On October 12th, (No school for Portland Public Schools) check out the morning Printmaking Workshop and in the afternoon, Haunted Pumpkins, just in time for your Halloween decorating...

Click here to read the descriptions for these and all the other Fall offerings in the studio.
I hope to see you soon!

september in the studio

Autumn is coming!

I'm writing this on Labor Day weekend, and even though summer doesn't officially end until September 22, there's already a nip in the air and the local squirrels are busy burying walnuts all over my garden.

I've also been working on a new website all summer and I'm happy to say, "Yay, it's finally live!" 

With a better designed class schedule, links to the Camp Cactus blog, my Etsy shop and a brand spankin' new checkout system, I'm pretty jazzed with all the changes, and I hope you will be too. 

Here's the link: 

campcactuspdx.com

I'm also excited to announce that I'm offering a very special weekend Santa Doll Workshop in October.

This all-inclusive class features two full days of instruction, lunches, materials, and lots of tips and tricks. By Sunday afternoon, you'll come away with a beautiful St. Nick of your own design.

There are only 8 spaces available, so sign up soon!

Here's wishing you a warm and happy end of summer, 

Cheers,

Jane

There's magic afoot!

Get ready for the Seventh Annual Hollywood Fairy House Tour!
Join us on Saturday morning, July 28th for a guided tour of quaint and tiny Fairy homes located in the neighborhood surrounding Camp Cactus Studio.

Once again, the Fairies have been busy building in front yards, trees, and under bushes all over the Grant Park and Hollywood area, and we'll supply you with a map and stories about the Fairy families who live in these homes.

We'll start out at Camp Cactus Studio and walk around the neighborhood, ending up back at the studio for a snack. I hope you can join us for this very special and magical event.

The tour is open to all ages, but you must be able to walk a fair distance (about a mile in all).

This year we're donating all profits from the tour to Schoolhouse Supplies, an award-winning nonprofit that supports public education in Portland by giving students and teachers free classroom supplies. If you can't make the tour, but want to contribute directly, donate here: Schoolhouse Supplies.

Saturday morning, July 28th (all ages)  •  10 am - noon  •  $10

Please note: children under 6 are free,
but must be accompanied by a (paying) adult.

Meet at Camp Cactus Studio, 4458 NE Brazee, Portland, OR 97213.
The tour will begin at 10:15

Getting warmed up for World Watercolor Month

World Watercolor Month starts July 1st!

 I'm shooting for 31 days of tiny watercolors...will I make it?

Follow me on Instagram: @campcactus

Summer Classes start June 23rd!

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're sure 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!

Various types of paint, brushes and papers provided, but feel free to bring your own if you like.

No experience necessary, just come and play!

This class is being offered on a variety of dates:
Saturday morning, June 23rd (adult only)  •  10 am - noon          

Sunday afternoon, July 1st (adult only)  •  1 - 3 pm          
Friday evening, July 6th (adult only)  •  7-9 pm            

Each 2 hour session is $25  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited
Registration for this class is closed

Paper + Printmaking Workshop

Come on over to the studio for this incredibly popular combination 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 8 and up welcome! All materials provided.

Sunday, June 24th  (ages 8-adult)  •  1 - 4 pm   

Saturday, August 11th  (ages 8-adult)  •  1 - 4 pm

Each 3 hour session is $45  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited to 6

choose a date

Sunday June 24 1-4pm Saturday, August 11, 1-4pm

Recycled Papermaking

A stand-alone version of our popular Paper + Print Workshop.   Make beautiful handmade papers embellished with dried flowers, leaves, and other natural materials.

Friday, July 13th  (ages 5-adult)  •  10 am - noon
Thursday, July 19th  (adult)  •  7 - 9 pm

Registration for this class is closed
Each 2 hour session is $25  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited to 6

Intro to Block Printing 

Another stand-alone version of our popular Paper + Print Workshop, we'll design and carve linoleum blocks and print our art on a variety of papers.
No experience necessary.  Adults and kids ages 8 and up welcome! All materials provided.

Friday, July 13th  (ages 8-adult)  •  2 - 4 pm

Thursday, August 9th (adult)  •  7 - 9 pm 

Each 2 hour session is $30  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited to 6

choose a date

Friday, July 13 2-4 pm Thursday, August 9 (adult) 7-9 pm

Succulent Centerpieces 

Make a beautiful low-maintenance centerpiece for your patio table, porch or deck.
Choose from a variety of succulents, pebbles, shells and other embellishments to create a personalized miniature landscape, and enjoy a Saturday morning Mimosa while you work!
No experience necessary.  All materials provided.

Registration for this class is closed

Saturday, June 30th  (adult)  •  10:30 am - noon   
$45  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited 

Exploring Pen + Ink 

We'll play around with different types of inks, pens and papers, and learn line and shading techniques.

All materials provided. No experience necessary.
Registration for this class is closed

Thursday, July 12th  (ages 14 - adult)  •  7-9 pm  

$25  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited 
 

Mixed Media Wax Encaustic

Make paintings using paints, photos and drawings on wood, then seal them with wax as an introduction to the wax encaustic process.
All materials provided.

Registration for this class is closed

Thursday, July 26th  (ages 14 - adult)  •  7-9 pm  

$35  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited 

Collage on Canvas

In this class, we'll be using papers, paints, and glue to design an urban cityscape or rural landscape on canvas. All materials provided.

Monday, July 16th  (ages 7- adult)   •   2-4 pm
Thursday, August 16th  (ages 14 - adult)  •  7-9 pm  

Each 2 hour session is $30  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited 

choose a date

Monday, July 16 2-4 pm Thursday, August 16 7-9 pm

Contemporary 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.

Thursday, August 2nd  (ages 14 - adult)  •  7-9 pm  
Monday, August 6th  (ages 7- adult)   •   1-3 pm

Registration for both classes is closed
Each 2 hour session is $35  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited 

Concrete Leaf Casting Workshop

Discover the secrets of casting beautiful decorative leaves in concrete! Perfect for garden decor or to make a fountain. You'll come away with at least two beautiful leaves to grace your garden.
All materials provided. No experience necessary.
*If you'd like to learn how to paint your leaves, we're also offering a class to do just that on Thursday evening, August 23rd (see class listing below)

Saturday, July 14th  (ages 14 - adult)  •  10 am - 12:30 pm  

Sunday, August 5th  (ages 14 - adult)  •  10 am - 12:30 pm

Each 2 1/2 hour session is $50  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited 

Concrete Leaf Painting

Here's your chance to paint the leaves you've cast! We'll cover different techniques to paint realistic or just plain colorful interpretations. Bring your clean concrete leaves and we'll provide the rest.
No experience necessary.
All materials provided.

Thursday, August 23rd  (ages 14 - adult)  •  7-9 pm  

$25  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited 

Painting Aboriginal Art:
Symbols and Stories

Learn about dreamtime and walkabouts, and how the native people of Australia use traditional symbols and paintings to tell the story of the world around them. We'll paint our own dream images and stories on canvas using traditional aboriginal art techniques. All materials provided.
No experience necessary.

Registration for this class is closed

Monday, July 16th  (ages 6 - adult)  •  10 am - noon

$30  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited 

Altered Book Poetry

Also known as Redacted, Blackout, or Found Poetry, this mixed media, recycled and somewhat free- form class engages our imagination in two ways: with both visual art and creative word work.  Using pages from discarded books and magazines, words are redacted to create poetry from those remaining, and then the background is painted and colored to enhance the poem.

It's challenging and highly addictive!

Sunday, July 15th  (ages 14 - adult)  •  1 - 4 pm  
Friday, July 27th  (adult)   •   6:30 - 9:30 pm
Registration for this class is closed

Each 3 hour session is $35 •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited 

*  ~   *  ~  *  ~   *  ~  SUMMER FAIRY FUN  ~   *  ~  *  ~   *  ~  *

Annual Hollywood Fairy House Tour

Get ready for the Seventh Annual Hollywood Fairy House Tour!

Join us on Saturday Morning, July 28th for a guided tour of quaint and tiny Fairy homes located in the neighborhood surrounding Camp Cactus Studio. Once again, the Fairies have been busy building in front yards, trees and under bushes all over the Grant Park and Hollywood area, and we'll supply you with a map and stories about the Fairy families who live in these homes.

We'll start out at Camp Cactus Studio and walk around the neighborhood, ending up back at the studio for a snack. I hope you can join us for this very special and magical event. (If we're lucky, we may even spot a Fairy or two!) 

The tour is open to all ages, but you must be able to walk a fair distance (about a mile in all).

Please note: children under 6 are free, but must be accompanied by a paying adult. 

This year we're donating all profits from the tour to Schoolhouse Supplies, an award-winning nonprofit that supports public education in Portland by giving students and teachers free classroom supplies. 

Saturday morning, July 28th  (all ages)  •  10 am - noon  •  cost: $10

Meet at Camp Cactus Studio, 4458 NE Brazee. The tour will begin at 10:15. 

 

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 pine cones, acorns or seed pods. We'll provide ample building materials for everyone.
This 3-hour class is open to everyone ages 7-100.

Registration for this class is closed

Sunday, July 29th  (ages 7-adult)  •  1 - 4 pm  

$35  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited 

Fanciful Fairy Furniture

Come and use twigs and moss and leaves and flowers to build a tiny chair or bed or table (or whatever else your might be inspired to create for 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, moss, and twigs from your garden.

Registration for this class is closed

Sunday, July 29th  (ages 7-adult)  •  10 am - noon 

$25  •  Preregistration required  •  Class size is limited