FREE Online Workshop to Jumpstart 2026
January 5 - 17
Discover the secret to stunning collage design in just 11 days.
Collage Breakthrough is a free online retreat to spark or reignite your art practice, reconnect you to you, and take your creativity to places you never thought possible.
During our journey together, you will:
- Create a series of collages you LOVE in just 11 days.
- Learn essential composition skills that make collages really work.
- Make art that lights up your heart every single time.
- Kickoff 2026 with an artistic breakthrough and a new window of creative possibility.
“I can’t think of a better way to begin the new year and launch into a whole new world of paint and paper, printing and color. The course is extremely well thought out, orderly and clear.” – C.L. Everett
Your breakthrough year starts here.
Want to make the kind of mixed-media art you’ve admired on Instagram, but always thought was out of reach for you?
Let me show you how.
Inside Collage Breakthrough, we’ll cover three game-changing design principles that will take your collages from “meh” to magical.
Create some gentle structure, then let your inner muse run wild.
She might just lead you to the creative breakthrough you’ve been craving.
Peek Inside Collage Breakthrough
“This course finally coaxed my inner artist to ‘come out and play with me’. Catherine’s teaching style gave me the confidence to trust in my own artistic intuition. I now am on a path of pure joy, enjoying every step of the way.” – July Hower Illmensee
This is the year to become the artist you were always destined to be.
To put your creative dreams front and center.
Because that longing you feel to create is there for a reason.
In our time together, I’ll take you by the hand and show you exactly
how to create gorgeous collages that are deeply authentic to YOU.
Experience needed? Nope!
Fun, friendly and free? Absolutely!
Here’s a little peek at all the goodness in store for you…
- Step into who you are as a creative with the most fun, forgiving medium (you literally can’t “mess up”)
- Integrate a sustainable, joyful art practice into your daily rhythm
- Explore, refine and expand your artistic voice
- Ask me anything and get support in 6 LIVE Create-Along + Q&A sessions
- Create four collage projects that build on each other to expand your creative confidence and skillset
- Join a thriving, supportive community of creatives just like you
- Discover how to create collages that work compositionally (every time) with a gentle, repeatable structure
- Enter for a chance to win free admission to Collage Joy or a 1:1 private artist session with me (over $3500 in prizes will be given out!)
- Transform your paper stash (or the papers you create during our free Countdown to Collage Breakthrough) into beautiful mixed-media artwork that makes your heart leap with joy
AS SEEN IN
Collage Breakthrough is Perfect for:
Artists of all levels,
from total beginners
to seasoned pros
Those who want to
(re)connect to themselves
by making art
Anyone looking to spark
or rekindle creativity after
a dormant season
“I've always been interested in creating collages, but you made the process
so much easier to understand… I liked how you started us small and we built from there.
Your instructional videos are so detailed, I never felt lost.” – Sharon Maginn
If you can tear, cut and glue… YOU CAN COLLAGE!
Everyone, and I mean everyone, can learn to make a stunning collage. It’s just a matter of having the right support, simple guidelines and the freedom to play, experiment and follow your joy.
Come join us and get ready to say, “WOW, I can’t believe I made that” over and over again!
Inside Collage Breakthrough, you’ll be guided through four project-based collage lessons that teach core design principles step by step. Each lesson builds on the one before it to give you a foundation and scaffolding for your mixed media masterpiece.
By following your intuition and noticing what moves you deeply, you’ll finish this retreat with a cohesive collage series that is a true expression of YOU!
Lesson 1
Pattern Play
Lesson 2
Values Dance
Lesson 3
Mini Series
Lesson 4
Full Circle
But maybe you’re thinking…
“I tried collage and ended up with something that looked… awful.”
In Collage Breakthrough, you’ll learn a clear, repeatable process to follow so this doesn’t happen!
“I’m so BUSY… I don’t have time for art!”
All our sessions will be available through January 23 for you to watch on your schedule. You deserve to take this time for yourself.
“I want to be more creative but I don't have any special talent”
I didn't think so either, and now I'm a full-time artist. Let me show you how to find your one-of-a-kind voice with collage.
Whether you’re a skilled artist, a new artist, or you don’t think you’re an artist (you are!),
YOU belong here.
Collage is the simplest, easiest medium for unlocking more of who you are and learning what lights you up inside. Here’s how to bring your creative dreams to life…
Be brave.
Starting or expanding an art practice takes courage, and you have courage in spades. After all, you made it this far! Give yourself permission to follow your heart and we’ll take the leap together.
- Don't reinvent the wheel.
Mastering a few simple parameters will give you a framework to support creative freedom, exploration and growth. (It will also save you so much time and frustration!)
- Know that it's NEVER too late
No matter your age or past experience, this is your time to start making art you love. All that’s needed is an open mind and a willingness to try. I promise to guide and support you every step of the way.
- Ignore the naysayers
It truly does not matter what other people say about you or your art! What matters is how you see yourself. Never let someone else’s opinion hold you back from what you’re capable of creating.
- Get the help you need
You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here for you, and our thriving community of artists is here for you too!
Are you ready to break through to your next level of creativity and start making the art of your dreams in the new year?
Collage Breakthrough kicks off on January 5!
"I did not think I would gain that much from this class. I had done collage years ago and did not expect to learn anything new. But I was wrong! This was a great class, with lots of new, exciting ideas and techniques to try! A lot of "free" classes have been a disappointment to me, but not this one." – Cheryl Archer
This value-packed (and completely free!) workshop includes . . .
4 lessons to build your collage toolkit
6 Create-Along + "ask me anything" sessions
Recordings of all classes & sessions (until Jan. 23)
Access to a warm art community
But that’s not all!
During our 6 Create-Along sessions, I’ll be giving away over $3500 in amazing prizes!
Join us for a chance to win:
- Up to 10 collage papers, all handcrafted by me → 40+ winners
- A 45-minute, one-on-one session with me to ask ANYTHING you want about your art and/or business → 5 winners
Can’t make the live sessions?
Don’t worry– you can still win giveaway prizes by watching the recordings!
The biggest prizes will be given away during our final Q&A on January 15 (hint, hint) so make sure you don’t miss it!
Your Collage Breakthrough Roadmap | January 5-17
Step into the new year as the artist you’ve always wanted to be. Collage Breakthrough is the spark you’ve been waiting for to rekindle your creative fire, hone your voice and start or cultivate an art practice you love.
Here’s how our workshop schedule breaks down day-by-day:
live session
Monday
January 5
Welcome Circle
lesson 1
Tuesday
January 6
Pattern Play
live session
Wednesday
January 7
Create-Along +
Q & A
lesson 2
Thursday
January 8
Values Dance
live session
Friday
January 9
Create-Along +
Q & A
lesson 3
Monday
January 12
Mini Series
live session
Tuesday
January 13
Create-Along +
Q & A
lesson 4
Wednesday
January 14
Full Circle
live session
Thursday
January 15
Create-Along +
Q & A
live session
Friday
January 16
BONUS Live
Class with Cat!
live session
Saturday
January 17
Gallery Celebration Slide Show
“"You have inspired me that it is never too late for another beginning.” – Jennifer Trujillo
This is for you if…
- You took Collage Kickstart (my 5-day free class) and loved it. Now you’re ready to go deeper and build on what you learned in Kickstart
- You want to get a head start on your creative goals in the new year
- You’d like to “dip your toes” into the creative waters in a very fun, non-intimidating way
- You want to make collages that look good - really good!
And especially if…
- You’re ready for a deeper connection with yourself through art making
- You’d love to be part of a creative community that uplifts and supports you
- You want to make space for art in your life in a way that feels enjoyable, nurturing and aligned
Hi, I'm Cat,
and I want to share a truth that changed my life: collage is so much more than just cutting, gluing and painting paper. It is also a transformative path for discovering what truly lights you up and stepping into the artist you were always meant to be.
How do I know? Because this is my story. Learning to collage set my life on a course I could never have imagined, transforming it for the better in more ways than I can count.
But it wasn’t always this way…
For the first 33 years of my life, I was convinced I didn’t have an artistic bone in my body. I didn’t know how to paint or draw, which I thought were the minimum “requirements” to be an artist. So I avoided art making altogether.
All of that changed when I created my first collage to relieve stress from an overwhelming career.
What began as a simple, restorative hobby soon became a guiding light, teaching me to follow my inner compass through life's ups and downs.
This 11-day art retreat is designed to both teach you how to create collages you LOVE, and claim (or reclaim) your birthright as an artist, unlocking more of yourself along the way.
I would be deeply honored to guide you on this heart-opening journey and can’t wait to see how you, and your art, transform throughout our time together.
“Your class really exceeded my expectations. I think it’s rare to learn from someone who is both an excellent artist and an accomplished teacher. You created a program so rich with content and beautifully organized… I really grew as an artist. I’m not new to the medium and as a learner who wants to continue to grow, your program helped me explore and embrace a different creative process. Thank you for creating such a rich learning and creative experience.” – Yesmean Rihbany
Got questions? I’m here to help!
Don’t see your question below?
Hit this button to ask me and I’ll respond jiffy quick.
What will happen during Collage Breakthrough?
You will receive an email each day from January 5-17 with a link to that day’s lesson or LIVE Create-Along / Ask Me Anything session. On the final day we’ll have a celebration with a gallery show of your collages created in Breakthrough. Recordings will be available to watch through January 23.
How do I view the lessons?
You will receive an email every day starting January 5 with a link to that day’s recorded lesson or LIVE Create-Along / Ask Me Anything session. You can watch the LIVE sessions on Zoom, Facebook or YouTube, or watch the recording that will be sent to you in an email at the end of each day.
I want to be more creative, but I have ZERO art skills. Is Collage Breakthrough for me?
YES! You will LOVE every minute of Collage Breakthrough, and no doubt you will surprise yourself with what you create. I believe that everyone is an artist… sometimes we just need a little help to tap into our creative potential. My job is to take you by the hand and guide you step-by-step through these 11 days of joyful collage making.
How can I connect with other students?
Making connections with other creatives is a huge part of this workshop. You can meet other students and share your work in our (totally optional) pop-up Facebook group. If you don’t use Facebook, come join our LIVE sessions or leave a comment in our online classroom space.
I’m already a skilled artist. Will this art retreat benefit me?
Definitely! The beauty of this workshop is that you can customize the lessons to fit your skill level and creative goals. Collage Breakthrough is a great place to find inspiration, embrace creative play and have fun (re)discovering yourself while expanding your mixed media tool box.
When does the retreat begin?
Our 11-day live art adventure begins on January 5, 2026… but you can get started right away by making your own collage papers using any technique you like. Or follow the 5 paper making lessons I’m sharing during our Countdown to Collage Breakthrough event throughout the month of December.
How long will I have access to the Collage Breakthrough videos?
You can view the video replays for all of our classes and LIVE sessions through January 23, 2026.
Once I sign up, then what happens?
You will receive a confirmation welcome email as soon as you sign up. This will contain your class schedule, supplies list and an invite to join our pop-up Facebook group. We’ll be preparing for Collage Breakthrough together by making tons of gorgeous papers during the month of December. You’ll also get links to all 5 collage paper making lessons as soon as you sign up so you don't need to wait for them to released each Tuesday.
What supplies do I need?
All you need are some harmonizing collage papers in different values (light, medium, and dark). You can pull these from your own collage paper stash, or make them with me on YouTube during our Countdown to Collage Breakthrough in December.
Each week leading up to our kickoff on January 5, I’ll show you how to make a different type of paper.
Can I enroll with a friend?
Absolutely! No experience is required for Collage Breakthrough, and all are welcome. Please feel free to share this class with anyone you think would enjoy it!
I don’t have any collage papers and don’t have time to make them before January 5. Can I still take this workshop?
Yes, you can! If you don’t have time to make your own collage papers, I’ve also curated a collection of beautiful scrapbook papers in four beautiful color families. You can purchase these from a link in the supplies list that will be emailed to you when you sign up. That way, you can jump straight into creating collages without needing to make any collage papers ahead of time.
This is an art adventure you won’t want to miss.
Don’t put off your dreams for another year.
Commit to 11 days of intentional creative growth and let me show you what’s possible.
Copyright © 2025 Catherine Rains, LLC
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