Words and Wildflowers Creative Prompts – Issue 31
Posted on January 27, 2025
We LOVE research and learning as a way to get inspired and boost ideas and creativity!! So, Kenzie and I are going to be sharing the inspiration that we collect here in our second newsletter…. once a week!!!
Here’s how it works:
We provide the inspiration. You interpret it however you wish… any medium, any size. It is meant to inspire lettering and floral art combined together. But, you can:
- Just do the florals, just do the lettering, or combine them together.
- Use the provided quote for your piece or select your own.
- Use colors from one of the inspiration images or select your own favorites
- Create the floral art… as a still life in a vase, a single flower, a border, a pattern, a bouquet
Hope you will create with us and post your work at #wordsandwildflowers2024 and tag @lorisiebert.studio and @snippetsofwhimsy
Quote of the week…
“Every small, unselfish action nudges the world into a better path.”
– Robin Hobb
Inspiration of the week… Károly Reich
Károly Reich (8 August 1922 – 7 September 1988; also written Karoly Reich) was a Hungarian artist, best known for his children’s books illustrations and for his original draughtsmanship. His illustrations were popular among Hungarian children throughout his 40-year career, during which he illustrated around 500 books. He was also a graphic artist and poster designer. His style is child-like, charming, and irresistible. You just have to smile when looking at his pictures.
Hand lettering inspiration of the week… Paul Klee
Paul Klee (German: [paʊ̯l ˈkleː]; 18 December 1879 – 29 June 1940) was a Swiss-born German artist. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included expressionism, cubism, and surrealism. Klee was a natural draftsman who experimented with and eventually deeply explored color theory, writing about it extensively; his lectures Writings on Form and Design Theory (Schriften zur Form und Gestaltungslehre), published in English as the Paul Klee Notebooks, are held to be as important for modern art as Leonardo da Vinci’s A Treatise on Painting was for the Renaissance. He and his colleague, Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky, both taught at the Bauhaus school of art, design and architecture in Germany. His works reflect his dry humor and his sometimes childlike perspective, his personal moods and beliefs, and his musicality.
An early VALENTINES gift to yourself!!! Let’s make memories together!!!
Posted on January 24, 2025
Join Kenzie and I for a whimsical art retreat this October 17-24 2025 set against the stunning backdrop of southern Portugal.
Explore the beauty of florals and lettering through a mix of fun and playful techniques and creative challenges. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll walk away with a deeper connection to your craft, new skills in mixed media, and a portfolio filled with stunning florals and expressive lettering.
Throughout the retreat, you’ll dive into engaging mixed media techniques, using watercolor, acrylics, cut foam stamps, pens, and markers. Lori and Kenzie will hold daily classes, demonstrations, and hands-on practice sessions, where you may experiment with bold color palettes, playful textures, and fluid forms.
The first half of the week will be dedicated to exploring florals in depth. Learn various approaches to creating vibrant blooms and delicate abstract designs. As the week progresses, the focus shifts to lettering. Study techniques for crafting expressive, flowing letterforms that pair beautifully with your floral work. On the final morning, bring florals and lettering together in a harmonious composition and blend the skills developed into unique pieces. The retreat culminates in a mini-exhibition, where you’ll have the opportunity to share your work with fellow artists and celebrate your creative journey.
By the end of the week, you’ll leave with new techniques, a personal collection of floral and lettering creations, and memories of an unforgettable artistic adventure.
What’s included:
- Art classes, individual tuition, and demonstrations with artists Lori Siebert and Kenzie Elston
- 7 nights of accommodation at a Portuguese Quinta
- Exclusive use of the entire property with living quarters, art studio, 2.5 acres of botanical gardens, terraces, swimming pool, and common areas
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners (all meals) carefully prepared by your private chef. All dietary requirements catered for, except life-threatening allergies
- Local wine during dinner service
- Snacks, coffee, tea, and infused water available throughout the day
- Sailing trip in a traditional boat to nearby grottoes
- Trip to the Lagos historic town with a walking tour and time for shopping, sketching, and a beach visit
- Private transportation for all planned activities
- Round-trip transfers from/to Faro Airport (FAO) at pre-arranged times
- Fully-staffed venue, experienced UpTrek host available throughout the week
- All local tourist taxes and fees
- Access to a private Facebook group with Lori Siebert, Kenzie Elston, and the other retreat participants four months before the retreat
Not included:
- Airfare
- Travel insurance
- Art materials—a list of art materials recommended by artists Lori Siebert and Kenzie Elston will be provided five months before the retreat
- Tips for staff (tipping is customary in Portugal)
- Other expenses guests might incur on their own
Lori Siebert & Co. 