About this Event
31 Nights: The Self — A Visual Journaling Experience
A three-session immersive studio experience led by national award-winning artist Michael Bell over the course of 31 nights.
Explore more of Michael’s work at
View a short artist reel .
This is not a single workshop.
This is not a weekly class.
This is a guided creative process built around one idea: the time is now. The month of Halloween into November, just before the Chestertown Artist's Trail Studio Tours (October 31 and Nov 1) and RiverArts Gallery Tours (beginning November 21, 22, 28 & 29)!
Most people are moving so fast, they never stop long enough to actually see themselves.
And even if they did—they wouldn’t know what to do with what they found.
Over the course of 31 nights, you’ll begin building a body of work rooted in:
the self
Through self-portrait, prompts, writing, and visual journaling, you’ll begin to uncover patterns, themes, and ideas that move beyond surface-level work.
You’ll be creating consistently—both in and out of the studio—building enough work to start recognizing something most artists never fully see:
the sea you’re swimming in
And this is where authentic signature styles begin to emerge.
We’ll revisit your work together in each session—helping you identify what’s showing up, what’s repeating, and what’s worth pushing further.
📅 Schedule
Studio Sessions
- Thursday, October 15 — 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, October 31 —5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Friday, November 20 — 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Your registration includes all three sessions.
What You’ll Experience
- Guided prompts rooted in self-portrait, identity, and personal narrative
- A structured framework for building a 31-night sequence of work
- Writing + visual response (drawing, mixed-media, layering)
- A balance of structure and freedom—rules and rule-breaking
- Time to create, reflect, and identify patterns in your work
What’s Included
- All materials provided
- Personalized guidance throughout the experience
- A curated studio environment in the arts district of Chestertown
How This Works
We meet for three studio sessions, but the real work happens between them.
Participants are expected to create outside of the studio—building toward 3 works of art at their own pace, with the expectation of at least 30 minutes per day on each drawing.
These don't have to be perfect.
These don't have to be finished.
Just Consistent. Honest. Real.
Who This Is For
Artists, educators, and creative individuals at any level who want to:
- explore themselves and their signature style through their work
- move beyond surface-level art
- develop a more personal visual language
No experience necessary—just a willingness to show up and engage with the process.
⚠️ Limited to 8 participants
This is an intentionally small, studio-based experience designed to allow for depth, personal attention, and meaningful work.
Investment
$425 per participant (covers all three sessions)
Due to the limited number of spots and the nature of this experience, all registrations are non-refundable.
Final Thought
You won’t finish these works all in the studio.
You’ll begin something there. Something powerful. Something meaningful.
And what you discover along the way—that’s where the real work begins.
Agenda
🕑: 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Studio Flow (3-Session Experience)
Host: Michael Bell
Info: Session 1 — The Portal (Entry into the Self)
We begin by establishing your visual journal and stepping into the first self-portrait.
Through guided writing and prompts, you’ll start identifying initial themes, words, and ideas—creating your entry point into the work.
This is where the process begins.
Session 2 — Pattern & Recognition
We revisit the work created between sessions and begin identifying what’s emerging:
recurring imagery
repeated words
emotional patterns
You’ll start to recognize the “sea you’re swimming in” and push your work with greater intention.
Session 3 — Refinement & Voice
We focus on your strongest pieces—refining, editing, and shaping your work into something more cohesive.
This is where your visual language begins to take form.
You’ll leave with:
a clearer sense of direction
a stronger connection between your life and your work
and the tools to continue the process beyond the 31 nights
Event venue & nearby stays
Artist Michael Bell Studio & Workshops, 312 Cannon Street, Chestertown, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.