Art & Soul, Inspirational Mixed Media Retreats

Found Objects: An Art Journal Workshop for Collectors

Portland Spring 2026 is NOW OPEN

Tammy Gilley
9:00 - 4:30
Thur/Fri March 19-20
$370.00

Unlock the art of layering and collage in the Found Objects Workshop. In this step-by-step  experience, you’ll transform vintage papers, ephemera, and mixed-media techniques into a one-of-a-kind art journal. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned artist, this workshop will inspire you to experiment, play, and create pages that tell your unique story. Take your vintage art journaling to the next level as  experiencTammy guides you through the process of creating richly textured, meaningful pages using found papers, ephemera, and layered techniques. With hands-on demonstrations and creative exercises, you’ll gain the confidence to craft pages that tell your story with depth and soul.

In this workshop you will learn: 

  • Foundations & Gathering – Finding and preparing vintage materials
  • Marks & Meaning – Creating unique marks with found object
  • The Poetry of Layers – Building depth using ephemera, gesso, and fabrics, experimenting with textures
  • Storytelling & Composition – Arranging elements to tell a story on the page
  • Trusting Your Intuition – Making bold choices
  • Creative Play & Serendipity – Letting go of control
  • And so much more…

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a beautifully layered art journal filled with rich textures, meaningful ephemera, and your unique creative voice. More than just techniques, you’ll gain the freedom to trust your intuition, embrace imperfections, and develop an art journaling practice that feels soulful and effortless. You’ll leave with a finished journal and the skills to keep creating beyond the workshop.

Hello there, you creative soul! Looking so forward to meeting you in October. You’ll want to bring along the following items for your Found Objects journal. Keep your palette simple, making selections from 2-3 of your favorite colors.

Supplies Needed:

Vintage book - check your local thrift shops and on Etsy or Ebay.  Look for a cover that appeals to your creative soul.

Watercolor paper. 9”x12” I use Fabriano Artistico Hot Press 140#, but bring whatever you prefer/have on hand. 

Assorted papers - whatever you have on hand.  I’ll be using a lot of my vintage papers, tracing paper, vintage ledger pages, decorative papers, handmade papers…whatever I have on hand that sparks my interest. 

2-3 of your favorite paints - watercolor, acrylic, gouache, whatever you love using

2-3 of your favorite paint brushes

Palette paper or your travel paint palette if you have one

Unprimed canvas or drop cloth.  Cut to 3”x24”, 1 piece

Glue stick

Yes Paste

Bone folder

Exacto knife

Embroidery floss, 2-3 colors

Washi tape - 2-3 favorites

12” metal ruler

Pens, markers, colored pencils of your choice. 

Vintage papers and other collected ephemera.  For example: pages torn from old books, ledger pages, tags, vintage wallpaper, sheet music, vintage maps, old letters, envelopes, postcards, postage stamps, wine labels, perfume labels, photographs, vintage ribbons, fabric scraps, charms, beads, buttons, etc.

What else do you collect?  Raid your treasures and bring along those items that speak to your heart right now.

My thoughts on art supplies:
These journals will come together beautifully with items you probably already have.  Go shopping in your own home.  Use what you already have on hand.  Keep it simple, pack light, make art.  xo

Some of the items on this list include an affiliate link where I receive a small commission if you make a purchase, so thank you in advance for your support!  You may have your own favorite products, so please use those.  These links are for folks who need suggestions.  Please know that I would never recommend anything that I don’t personally LOVE myself. 
 

To pre-order supplies, click on this link for Runaway Art and Craft Studio...


Click here for a printable page