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 It is the end of a wonderful, long weekend with Thanksgiving love all around. I am so grateful. I completed my holiday message in the form of a Youtube video and the finished product (message) is above. I provide the link in my December Adventure Journal newsletter (sending out on Tuesday, Nov. 27). Blessings to all!
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 Sigh. I miss sketching in Spain...but why close up the travel mind set just because I am back home? Today I met a few friends at a local dive bar for a delightful time. I am exploring Tom Norton's Walnut Drawing Ink (and bamboo dipping pen) and loving the line varieties that seem so random. I added color to this sketch after the walnut ink dried, picture to follow. My next newsletter will be about this walnut ink and the lovely colors and line possibilities. Thanks Joyce and Margot for the adventure!
I returned from Spain a few days ago and am still on the high that traveling to a foreign country provides. I am keenly aware of the lessons from travel. Part of the joy of these "recently returned" days is to take the time to emotionally un-pack: from the feelings of getting away from the endless news cycle, to being surrounded by a language I just barely understand and sharing the adventure with a group of creative women. I listened differently, looked more closely and had heightened senses all around. I walk in gratitude to have these opportunities! What an amazing group of women! I was honored to spend 2 days with this fabulous group; we laughed, we created, we explored, we supported each other in our creative efforts. Carol Ann and I have been offering these Mixed Media Adventure workshops for a few years and something really clicked with this venue, these ladies and the textured surfaces we played with. Heart felt thanks to Carol and Sabina, what a team!
My Sketching Spain trip is now just a few weeks away and I am beginning to really consider my shoe selection and my art supplies (not like I ever stop thinking about these things...it is just now I am facing the choices that traveling light offer). I subscribe to a newsletter from a wonderful journal-maker whom I met at the Crested Butte art fair last summer. I bought one of her small watercolor journals (with gorgeous leather cover) and have been really loving both the paper and the size/feel of the book. She recently shared her tips for painting on a plane as she began her travel journal on a trip to Iceland. I laughed out loud and am sharing it here. Who can't relate (and add their own take)? Her website is Minds Eye Journals, check it out!
I'm so excited! I am going to participate in Art Drop day, 2018 coming up on Sept. 4 (always the first Tuesday of Sept). I'll be dropping off two mixed media paintings in 2 locations in Denver. The goal is for someone to find them and take them home enjoying the random experience. I'll post the locations on my Facebook page that morning. What fun!
Last weekend I drove from my perch in Crested Butte to the Gunnison Art Center (only about 30 miles away) to teach the Joyful Pages workshop. It was terrific! First thing that blew my socks off was meeting 3 women who drove up from out of state just to attend the class, then I met 2 women who made a 2 hour drive from across Colorado to join the fun....then we realized two lovely ladies were celebrating their birthdays with the group. WOW. The class was absolutely delightful and full of creative energy. Joyful it was! Thanks to the GAC for hosting in their fun space.
Two days together with amazing, creative and generous folks; our annual Immersion class in Crested Butte was a creative love bath this year! We made 4 books in two days, and they were all beautiful even for the sewing-challenged!! At the conclusion of the workshop the group presented me with a gift. Oh my; they were soooo sneaky led by the master schemer, Dennis. What a surprise and what a send off into a bubble of gratitude. Trudy, Margot, Peggy, Kim, DeDe, Debbie, Carol, Alycia, Brends, DK, Sandy and Mr. Delacroix.....wow. Huge thanks for such a heart-full weekend.
My summer teaching schedule in Crested Butte, Colorado, has begun and I always learn so much from the students and the community of creatives. Even though some folks might not self-identify as creative, I find the wide open vistas and magnificent location offers an opportunity to slow down and open up to endless possibilities. There are more trails to explore, more views around the corner, more wildflowers to learn about - just more opportunities to experience "wonder" and amazement. To me, creative energy rides the wave of wonder and amazement. I count every minute here as a gift and every one of my students as a chance to learn and build community. Fay lives in Canada and is on my e-newsletter list. She requested the template to use with collage and then followed up with a heart-felt amazing email sharing the work of some of her clients using collage to explore mental health. Here is an excerpt: A lady experimented with interpreting the birds with different materials - we talked about flexibility in our world and that there are many ways to express both in our work and our words - and they all have a place. I am always touched to hear about the ripples that are created when we all put out sparkles of creativity in the world. Don't you agree: we often don't know how things are received and that little things have potential to bring meaning to people and places we can't even imagine? This is the best part of our digital world and I am so grateful that Fay shared her experience. |
AuthorJudith Cassel-Mamet Archives
November 2019
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