CLOUD 9 OFFERS
art Classes, Sketchbook Field Trips, on-demand art Videos & Travel Art Adventures!
Out of the Blue: An In-Person Art Workshop Retreat
Saturday, June 28 10am - 4:30pm
In beautiful North Bend, Washington with Laurie Kathleen Clark
Two Workshops, One Day
Learn to dye with indigo and learn to make cyanotype prints!
All supplies and a picnic lunch are included!
$150
Come outside and celebrate the blue skies during this art workshop retreat onsite at Elkhorn Meadows, Laurie’s private residence in North Bend, Washington. Situated on acreage in the forest, this setting invites creativity and playful art-making. All supplies and lunch included.
MORNING SESSION: INTRODUCTION TO INDIGO DYEING
In the morning session you will learn to dye with indigo. In two simple lessons you will learn to make a dye vat and then using the indigo dye, you will be able to experiment with different techniques on fabric, a T-shirt (or pair of socks) and a small skein of wool. You will take home printed resources for future explorations on your own. While we will be using fiber, both fabric and wool, the techniques you will learn can be applied to other surfaces including lace, paper, thread and so many other things.
LUNCH BREAK
After a light lunch served outside under the canopy of a vintage trailer, you will have free time to wander the grounds foraging for natural elements to use in the afternoon session.
AFTERNOON SESSION: INTRODUCTION TO CREATING CYANOTYPES
(Making Sun Print Photograms*)
Learn how easy and fun it is to make prints from the sun. In this beginning level class, we will utilize pretreated paper and or fabric and found objects to create a beautiful Photogram. Photograms are made by laying objects on a treated substrate and exposing it to UV light. Where the objects cast shadows or block light they create magical images.
Since the sun is an integral part of the process, and because we will be in the Pacific Northwest where sun is not guaranteed on any day, this class is designed to be hands on if we have sun and to be demonstration and exploration of alternative means if we don’t have sunshine.
Objects that can be used to make your photogram will be provided. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to forage for more to use during the class as time permits.
Upon registration you will also receive a list of objects to bring from home that you can use to make your sun prints if you desire.
This workshop is guaranteed to delight and to unleash your creativity.
There is an increasing market of supplies and materials available for creating these types of solar prints and this workshop will provide you with many ideas for exploring cyanotypes on your own.
You will have printed worksheets to take home for reference and ideas for the many ways you can apply your new skills.
As always, the weather might be an issue, so please be prepared for both rain and shine. Have layers of clothing in case it rains or becomes warm. Sunscreen is advised as we will be outside for large parts of the day.
Hurry, class size limited to 15!
Further details about the location will be provided upon registration.
Register by clicking here.
Art classes
We offer online art classes for adults and teens in a wide range of media, skill levels, and schedules. Some classes are just for a few hours and others meet several days in a row, or meet weekly for a few weeks or months. We have something for everyone!
For information about our art classes, click here.
Sketchbook Field Trips
We offer a sketchbook field trip in the Seattle area every month. Led my Cloud 9 instructors, these field trips are an opportunity to get together with other sketchers and capture the world around us. Field trip leaders sketch side by side with particpants. Participants are welcome to wander off and find their own favorite spot to sketch. For the last 15 minutes of our field trip, we gather around and have a show and tell. These shares are not meant to be art competitions, but points of interaction and inspiration.
If you are new to sketching or are just curious about supplies, here is a video about our favorite sketching supplies.
For information about our sketchbook field trips, click here.
on-demand Videos
Instead of students having to participate in classes at a specific time, on-demand videos allow students to go through the course content when it is convenient for them, at their own speed. These are classes where students learn on their own schedule.
On-Demand video classes are made up of video demonstrations, PDFs and / or presentations, depending on the class and the instructor. Class content is provided by the teacher to students upon registration.
For information about our on-demand classes, click here.
Travel art Adventures
We have taken students to London, Paris, Venice and more!
Cloud 9 has partnered with World Tours Studio to offer tours, big and small, around the world. World Tours Studio was founded by a group of passionate travelers inspired to create peak experiences for others. Their experienced team of professionals have organized hundreds of travel programs for adventurous individuals, universities, international companies and groups of family & friends.
Whether you want to sign up for one of Cloud 9's scheduled tours or want us to create a trip tailored to your specific interests, group or family, Cloud 9 and World Tours Studio will be there for you every step of the way. We have created sketchbook tours, writing tours, fine dining and wining tours, and more.
Let us show you the world.
Come be inspired!
Not sure where to start at Cloud 9?
Cloud 9 offers art classes and travel art adventures for adults and teens.
To find the perfect class to get creative and spark joy, consider:
Your interests (drawing with pencil, pen & ink, watercolors, keeping a sketchbook, pastels, paper crafts, etc.)
Your skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
Your schedule (weekdays, weekends, evenings)
Then check out our classes listed on the Art Classes page and on the On-Demand page.
Or hop over to Our Instructors Page
to see which teachers offer the classes at the skill levels you are looking for.
We are always adding new classes so check back often.
In addition to our Cloud 9 Art School Facebook page, where we announce new classes and Cloud 9 news, we also have the Cloud 9 Art Lounge Facebook group where students and instructors can share artwork, ask questions, explore answers, share info about favorite art topics and just hang out as a community of artists.
Come learn, explore, have fun and be inspired!
If you would like to receive a monthly newsletter about our upcoming art classes, subscribe by clicking here.
(Should you later change your mind, you will be able to "Unsubscribe" with just one click.)
Testimonials
“When I returned home yesterday, I told my husband that your class was the best one I have ever taken. I am very excited. It actually gave me goosebumps!”
“I’m so glad I took your drawing class. Looking back at my past work, the current work I’m creating is more accurate and my visual ability has improved. I’ve been drawing more and now tackling painting again. Thank you!”
“Both my wife and I have been taking sketching and painting classes from Charlene. I have to say that the quality of art education that I am receiving from Charlene is staggering. I have spent 3 years of my life learning art for an MFA degree at Academy of Art University San Francisco, and I must say that the education I am receiving at Cloud 9 is way superior to those years of my art education from a university. I highly recommend Charlene and her art school, Cloud 9, to anyone who wishes to get a strong foundation to their artistic skills and push themselves further to rediscover the joy of creativity and eliminate all fears while following their passion.”
Want to give the gift of art classes?
What a great idea!
Not sure which class you want to gift?
Check out the list of our current art classes on the Art Classes page or on the On-Demand Classes page. Then just contact the instructor listed for that class and they will set you up. For contact info for our instructors, please visit Our Instructors Page.
Best. Gift. Ever.