Taos Playful Pages 2013

Oh my gosh...what a terrific weekend with all the Taos women! Amie, Robin, Eileen, Toni, Maryanna, Susie and Hattie kicked off the weekend with me Thursday afternoon as we explored the Casa Benavides and all the quirky rooms.  The weather was perfect; some magnificent clouds, delicious air and azure sky with shadows that were filled with rich violet contours. We began our retreat with the creation of our pocket journals (leather long stitch) then walked to Doc Martins for dinner and enjoyed the hat-wearing waiter (and Robin's great sketch of him  from memory!). Amie, Maryanna & Susie joined me for an early morning walk around Taos to get the body moving (and to see all the birds!) before our work began, then after breakfast we prepared some pages in our journals before heading to the Taos Pueblo for a terrific tour (think: blue eyed guide!). We had some time to wander the town over lunch, then on to the Millicent Roger Museum for a delightful guided tour along with some sketching time as the shadows grew. Toni and Eileen found the RC Gorman gallery (along with some great shops) before dinner time on a little patio where Robin discovered Frito Pie. We had some evening time in the studio to create nested journals and woke to a cloudy day on Saturday and the greeting of Elsa and Nicole who arrived in the dark to experience a classic Taos sobriety check. Off we went to the St Francis mission church for an hour of sketching and exploring; then as the sky cleared we headed to the Blue Fish studio (and clothing store) space.  Hattie & Susie "did some damage" and had a blast trying on the unusual and beautiful garments; we all enjoyed the amazing views from the porch. The rusty truck, buffalo (or are they horses or cows?!), mountains and clouds filled our pages and worked up an appetite which was (not quickly) satisfied with lunch in the garden below. Saturday afternoon we played with crayon batiks, working on the journals and just going with the art retreat flow. Nicole and Elsa had a chance to play with the sprays, Hattie, Susie and Leslie had a mini room-mate reunion and the Arlington ladies squeezed out the last little bit of their Taos time. Amie created a magical batik and suddenly it was time to pack up and head to dinner!
What a great time. It was such an honor to work with everyone in this gorgeous environment. Thank you all.