A wise person once said that our lives are made worthwhile by the people we meet and the books we read. I have not read as much as I would have like this year but I have met some pretty awesome people!
I traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico in April 2013 for an Art Retreat (my first!) -making leaps outside the creative comfort zone learning from the talented Tesoro Del Corazon group of Laurie Mika, Lynn Leahy, Helen Shafer Garcia, Jane LaFazio and brilliant manager Leslie. I completed a beautiful art quilt project and loved meeting so many ladies from all over the world including Norway and Alaska! Each one of us had a different reason for being at this retreat and for some of these courageous women it was a celebration of life and a “reward” for making it through cancer treatment. We so often get caught up in our own little lives with our own insignificant problems and forget that there is a whole world out there of people daily fighting tough battles-I know that now. I did not only find my elusive “mojo” during this trip but also gained an appreciation for the generous sharing of ideas (and supplies : ) and for the positive, feel good creative environment set by these fabulous teachers. I came away from this retreat enriched and inspired… and a few months later still “processing”
An invite from Lynn and Laurie gave me an opportunity to go ” international” and teach a metal art workshop in San Diego, California in July at the lovely Encinitas studio of Norma Yuskos.
The Journal cover Samples-in pewter and aluminum
We worked until the cows came home…
Watching paint dry…
Norma’ Studio inauguration plaque made by Laurie Mika
Glenda finished in a flash.
Some of the awesome art in Norma’s magic garden…
The gong and Norma calling order..
The studio porch
The San Diego group-out comes the wine!
The sunset-a beautiful end to a great day…
What a great experience! Norma’s garden is a magical work of art and the studio a teacher’s heaven! If after 12 years I ever needed confirmation that I was “doing the right thing” by teaching I got it on this trip. Again I met a fantastic group of passionate creative people and like usual learned a thing or two. I am so grateful for this craft that allows me to travel and enrich my live with the people I meet along the way…”and I think to myself, what a wonderful world” .
