Small Slow & Beautiful

New Creative Retreat Option and Small, Slow & Beautiful Updates

New Creative Retreat Option and Small, Slow & Beautiful Updates

Our Small, Slow and Beautiful Retreat is less than 2 months away and we've got some big news today.

First, we have decided to cancel our dedicated painting option. We are sad to do this because Jennifer Berkenbosch, our guide for the sessions, is awesome. The short story we didn't have the registration numbers we needed to proceed and we'd rather cancel now than wait and perhaps still cancel last minute.

This change gives us an opportunity to refocus on our Poetry Workshop with Stephen T Berg, and retool our 'open retreat option' into something much more exciting - a brand new Creative Retreat option, at the same low price! 


Blog for Bleeding Heart!

You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.

This Is How It Feels To Cancel An Event

This Is How It Feels To Cancel An Event

This past week I had to make a tough decision. I had to cancel the visual arts track of our Small, Slow & Beautiful Retreat. 

How does it feel to cancel and event you are passionate about? Not great. Disheartening. A little rain on the old parade, to be honest. 

The good news is, we do have registrations for our poetry track. Still not a lot, but enough to move forward with Small, Slow & Beautiful. Tania Runyan is still joining us to lead her poetry workshop. We are still offering our retreat option. This is happening, it’s just that there’ll be more of an emphasis on the ‘small’ part of Small, Slow & Beautiful this year.


Blog for Bleeding Heart!

You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.

We Need You to Register for Small, Slow & Beautiful THIS WEEK. Here's Why.

We Need You to Register for Small, Slow & Beautiful THIS WEEK. Here's Why.

CLICK FOR THE FULL POST TO VIEW THIS VIDEO

This Monday, May 29, we will cancel any unused rooms with our retreat centre. You need to let us know you are coming by the end of the day Sunday, May 28. Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your creative soul! 


Blog for Bleeding Heart!

You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.

Two Ways to Save on Small, Slow and Beautiful!

Two Ways to Save on Small, Slow and Beautiful!

Did you miss our early bird deadline, but still want to take in this first-ever arts and faith retreat from Bleeding Heart at a reduced rate?

Maybe you're not into poetry, drawing or painting, but would love to spend a long weekend in creative community, work on your own stuff and take int the beauty created by others?

We've introduced two new options to accommodate as many attendees as possible at Small, Slow and Beautiful.


Blog for Bleeding Heart!

You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.

Hear My Conversation with Poet Tania Runyan

Hear My Conversation with Poet Tania Runyan

Tania Runyan is a poet from Illinois who will be leading the poetry track of our Small, Slow & Beautiful retreat. In this conversation, you'll hear her hopes for the retreat, who it will be a good fit for, the way I screw up her name, and a fair bit of laughter.

You'll also hear Tania Runyan read her lovely poem, "No One Can Boast".


Blog for Bleeding Heart!

You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.

I dare you to invest in yourself today.

I dare you to invest in yourself today.

Today is the final day to register for our summer retreat–Small, Slow & Beautiful–before the price goes up by$100. The early bird deadline. Midnight tonight.

Small, Slow & Beautiful happens this June 29-July 2 along the Elbow River in Calgary. 

This retreat is a risk for us here at Bleeding Heart Art Space. We are betting that a group of creatives are looking for a slow, beautiful space to grow their art and their faith. We are betting that you want to get better at your craft, that you desire creative community, and that you are willing to spend some time and money on these things. 

We haven’t done this before, but I’m hoping this is the start of a long-standing tradition in our province. I’m hoping we gather once a year and grow a community unlike any other in the world. Because it will be you and me and some other beautiful souls. 


Blog for Bleeding Heart!

You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.

Macro Images to Get You Inspired For Small, Slow & Beautiful

Macro Images to Get You Inspired For Small, Slow & Beautiful

If you are a visual artist, you may be wondering about Macro Painting & Painting. What the heck is it? Is it for you? What can you expect to make over a long weekend at Small, Slow & Beautiful?

Macro images take a close-up look at our world. They train our eyes to pay attention. They show us 'the world in a grain of sand', as William Blake put it.

Here are some examples of wonderful macro images I've found online and from the work of friends, to get your creative imagination in gear.


Blog for Bleeding Heart!

You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.

Paint to Pay Attention This Summer

Paint to Pay Attention This Summer

Paying attention is the core of all creative work. There is perhaps no better way to practice this skill than to observe and record the finest of details in the smallest of settings. If we can “see the world in a grain of sand”, what might we see in an ocean or a busy intersection? 

Attention takes time and focus–both commodities in short supply in our harried, busybody lives. What if you set aside a few days to simply pay attention? To learn to observe, and then to practice that learning, in a supportive community of artists?

From June 28 to July 2, Edmonton Artist Daniel van Heyst will lead a small group of painters, sketchers and other visual artists on adventure in attention during Small, Slow & Beautiful this summer.  You can join this group, with early bird pricing in effect until the end of February.


Blog for Bleeding Heart!

You have something to say–why not say it here? Email your blog post idea to dave@bleedingheartart.space and let's chat.