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ACRYLIC UNIVERSITY  

In-Person Workshops

Everything You Need to Know! 

 

GETTING HERE

The workshops are at:
695 Arrowhead Rd

Camano Island, WA  98282

Camano Island is between Seattle and the Canadian border. It is about 1 hour north of Seattle, and 2 hours south of the Canadian border.

Airports:

  1. Seattle (SEATAC)
  2. Everett (Paine Field)
  3. Bellingham

Seattle has the largest airport with the most flights - it is also the farthest away, about 1.25 hours driving (when there is no traffic). If you fly into Seattle avoid rush hour times if possible. That is between 5 - 8am and 2 - 7pm.

Camano Island is about 20 minutes from the closest major highway (Interstate5.)

If you are coming from Seattle: 

Take Interstate5 to EXIT 212. (You will see signs directing you to Stanwood and Camano Island.) Turn LEFT at the lights (towards Stanwood) and then go straight for several miles. When you see the McDonald’s on your left you are in Stanwood. There is also a huge high school on your right. 

Keep going STRAIGHT for a couple miles and that road will take you through Stanwood and over the bridge onto Camano Island. There is no ferry to get onto Camano.

After driving over the bridge continue for several miles. Turn right at SECOND set of lights which is Cross Island Road. 

Then take your FIRST RIGHT at Arrowhead Road. Drive a short distance. 

Our driveway is on your LEFT at 695 Arrowhead Road. We will have a sign at the end of the driveway.

The studio is at the END of the driveway.

The full address is 695 Arrowhead Rd, Camano Island, WA  98282. This is where Jed and Renae Dorsey live AND host workshops.

There is a large grassy area for parking on your left. It will be marked for you.

If you are coming from the Canadian border / north:

The directions are exactly the same as above except that after you exit from I5 you need to turn RIGHT at the lights (towards Stanwood) instead of left.

PLACES TO STAY 

www.airbnb.com      www.vrbo.com

If you want to be close try to stay on Camano Island. There are several AirBnB’s in the area.

Camano Island is about 15 miles long so you can drive from one end to the other in about 30 minutes.

Stanwood is about a 15 minute drive from the workshop location - sometimes there is quite a bit of traffic between Stanwood and Camano Island but it is usually during rush hour so that should NOT be an issue with the workshop hours. 

Other areas you may consider staying are:

  • Mount Vernon (north)
  • La Conner (north)
  • Arlington (south)

You may want to check out the hotels in Mount Vernon (this is north on I5 and there is generally less traffic heading north, compared to south).

If you are interested in renting a larger AirBnb with a group let us know and we can work on that together if there are enough people interested.

Accommodation Options:

  1. Randy and Marla Heagle’s Properties - Camano Island. We know this couple personally and they have 2 different vacation rentals. They are wonderful hosts. For more info go here: Stay With Us | Arrowhead Ranch (arrowheadranchcamano.com)
  2. Lake Martha Cottage (AirBnb) - Stanwood. Jed met the owners in the summer of 2018 (Stephanie and Jason.) The space is tiny and cute. www.airbnb.com/rooms/22515523 
  3. Utsalady Bungalow (AirBnb) - A workshop participant from a previous workshop recommended this Airbnb. It is located right on the water. Note: Would NOT be good for someone with mobility issues because of the bathroom access. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19470544 
  4. Camano Island Inn - Right on the island. Camano Island Inn WA | Inn. A higher end option.
  5. Angel of the Winds, Hotel and Casino - Arlington, WA
  6. Best Western Plus Hotel - Arlington, WA
  7. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham - Marysville, WA
  8. Stanwood Hotel & Saloon - Stanwood, WA
  9. Tulalip Resort Hotel & Casino - Marysville, WA
  10. Wyndham Garden - Arlington, WA

FOOD & DINING

Each day we provide coffee, tea and light refreshments for you.

For lunches you will want to bring a lunch or grab something at Camano Commons which is the main commercial area on Camano Island. There are a few restaurants, a wonderful bakery, local coffee and ice cream (in the warmer months). Camano Commons is a 5 minute drive from the workshop location.  The address is 848 N. Sunrise Boulevard. 

You will have access to a fridge and microwave so feel free to bring a lunch.

Lunch will be 1 hour from 12 - 1pm (The workshop will be 9am to 4pm).

In addition to the Camano Island restaurant options, there are more restaurant options in Stanwood. Some of our favorites are Jimmy’s Pizza, Jasmin Thai, Mod Pizza, The Cookie Mill,  Ixtapia, and Shima Japanese restaurant.

There is 1 grocery store on Camano Island but more stores in Stanwood. 

SEEING THE AREA

Depending on how the weather is, you may want to venture out into the great outdoors. These are some of our favorite spots:

Beaches 

  1. Iverson Beach - Close to the workshop location. This is our favorite. It is the sandiest (sometimes muddy) and the tide is always changing the landscape. There is a beautiful view of the mountains, lots of driftwood, and a short hike including Hobbit Trail.
  2. Barnum Point - Also close to the workshop location. Great walking trails through the woods and overlooking the water. If you are ambitious go down the big hill to the beach. You may see some seals out in the water.
  3. English Boom - Small but nice beach with walking trails through the grasses.

State Parks

  1. Camano Island State Park - On the south end of Camano Island. Some walking trails and huge, rocky beach area with picnic tables. 
  2. Cama Beach State Park - Also on the south end of Camano Island and very close to Camano Island State Park. There is a nice cafe here overlooking the water and an area to hang out by the water. There are also some hiking trails.

OTHER INFO

Weather fluctuates quite a bit on Camano Island. Bring a variety of clothes. And wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on :)

Some demo's during the workshop may be available for purchase. Reach out to the instructor with your questions about this.

Please do not arrive at the workshop location before 8:45am each morning.

Cancellation Policy: If you cannot attend this workshop, our cancellation policy is a 90% refund up to and including 30 days before the workshop starts. No refunds for cancellations 29 days or less prior to the start of the workshop. 

Note: By joining this workshop you are consenting to be included in photography and video that may be shared publicly.

If you have any questions email us at [email protected]. We are so excited that you are coming!

SUPPLY LIST

PAINT - Jed will be using Winsor Newton Professional Acrylics. There is less “color shift” than some other brands (the colors don’t dry as dark) but feel free to use the brand you like. These are Jed's colors in Winsor Newton Professional Acrylics.

  1. Cadmium Yellow Light
  2. Cadmium Orange
  3. Napthol Red
  4. Permanent Rose (often called Quinacridone Red in other brands)
  5. Ultramarine Blue
  6. Phthalo Green
  7. Burnt Sienna
  8. Titanium White
  9. Mars Black

You can buy these HERE.

Note: Jed suggests buying artist-quality, heavy body paint if you can afford it. The coverage is much better than student-grade paint. 

PALETTE - Jed loves the Masterson Sta-Wet palette (12x16). It usually comes with palette paper and a sponge. (You can buy separately if that is not an option). You can buy this palette HERE.

CANVASES - Jed generally paints with either canvas panels (Centurion All-Media Linen panels) or gessoed hardboard panels (he uses DaVinci Gesso Boards). Feel free to use either of those or whatever surface you prefer. Please bring 3-4 smaller canvases for warm ups that are 6x6, or 6x8 or 8x8. You will also need 3-4 larger-size canvases. Jed recommends 12x12 or 12x16. Don't bring any canvases larger than 16x20 unless you are a very fast painter.

You can buy Jed's favorite gesso boards HERE (Davinci Gesso Boards)
and his favorite canvas panels HERE. (Centurion Linen Panels)

BRUSHES - Jed's favorite brushes are Princeton Catalyst Flats (long handles). He uses sizes 4, 6, 10, & 12. He also uses a Princeton Catalyst Round (long handle) size 2. You can buy Princeton Catalysts brushes HERE.

EASEL - Depending on workshop location, easels may be provided. However, if you have your own portable easel that you love, you are welcome to bring it.

SKETCHBOOK - Ones that lay flat are the best! (The ones with coils.)

PENCILS – Jed recommends 4B or 6B pencils. These pencils have softer lead so you get a wider range of values when using them.

VALUE FINDER - This can be a helpful tool, but not required. should have 9 or 10 values on it showing white, a wide range of greys, and black. Here is an option: VALUE FINDER.

MASKING TAPE - 1 roll (optional)

FINE MIST SPRAY BOTTLE - For keeping paint moist or for misting your canvas for extended blending time.

RAGS AND/OR PAPER TOWELS - For cleanup and also dabbing/drying your wet paintbrush.

WATER BUCKETS - For washing brushes. Jed uses two buckets - one for the initial wash and one for a cleaner rinse.

REFERENCE PHOTOS - Bring some photos that you would like to paint. We will also bring some and you are welcome to use those.

PAINT BOX (bead box) - OPTIONAL - Jed doesn't really use this in the studio, but we are including it here because he uses it for plein air painting to hold his paints. So, while you don’t need it for an inside workshop, if you want to paint outside in acrylics, Jed has found it to be quite helpful. You can buy one here: PAINT BOX.