Tuesday at the Women's Journaling Alpine Retreat

Our Tuesday morn was chilly but with a whisper of warm sun hovering. Our yoga rocks were still too wet for our mornin' yoga by the lake, but following our hearty breakfast (Strawberry, Peach, Blueberry Greek Yogurt with House-made Coconut Granola) we were anxious for the day.

We moved into our creative time over at the Sequoia Cabin, playfully. I've discovered this fascinating material, Paperclay, which I've started using in my journals. But this morn we were individually sculpting personal amulets expressing a private yearning. Here's mine without it's sealing layer and then, coat of dark brown to bring out an aged appearance.

Next on the agenda was Jean leading a Contour/Intuition Process. We hiked down to a comfy picnic table near the lakes edge to add nature to our process.

My experience with this process was fascinating. Between closed eyes for meditiation, where I became keenly aware of smells, sounds and air movement, I'd ink in my contour drawing of first, this small tortured tree. As my process deepened I moved into the background and finally, came in touch with the energy of many Miwok Indians (known to live in summer in this mountainous area). To illustrate the ethereal quality of the Indian spirits, I kept their edges soft, transparent. I love this method of interpretation and many of the participants had differing experiences.

After the lunch break, where we feasted upon Chef Izzy's Vegan Minestrone & Lentil Stew, we return to an exercise coming from inside out. Creating an animal mandala also from a very personal space gifted me with (of all things) a tomato worm. With some resistance I sketched in my chubby green worm ~ the magical gift came after I was home and a friend suggested I look up what a tomato worm turns into. There I was introduced to a hawk moth ~ and they are lovely along with being one of three species that hovers like hummingbirds. NOW I began to see a deeper meaning to my mandala and created this loose, floating hawk moth to hover above my mandala.

Our final afternoon project was a fun and colorful writing process. Again, I'm intrigued by the diversity and imagination of each beautiful individual.

As the shadows grow long, we all traverse the Lake Alpine grounds, to the "dining cabin" and we are not disappointed. Izzy has crafted two meal options, one for the vegan/vegetarian, Vegan Chili (to die for, by the way!) or more for more conventional tastes, Pork Meatballs, both accompanied by the Spicy Jalapeno Cornbread with Lime Compound Butter.

What a savory day, one that gave us new media to play with and inner revelations to ponder. Slumber was easy, deep with the crisp air!

Monday at the Women's Journaling Alpine Retreat

The Monday morn began crisp and grey, but following the delicious-ness of Chef Izzy’s fresh lemon-blueberry scones, fresh fruit & steaming scrambled eggs, we were bright-eyed and ready to work. We’d skipped our mornin’ yoga because of moisture & chill. Following presentations from both Jean & I on our viewpoints and process of journaling, we all dug into our first hands-on assignment, “Words with Molding Paste”.

Under Jean’s direction, suggesting we select a word to illustrate in conjunction with two various types of molding paste. One is the “Soft” version, and the other a more “Coarse” paste. These pastes adhere to paper and create an interesting absorbent medium. Here you see my page “harmony”. I played with the two pastes, in my mind thinking the two would start out separate and contrary, but come together (bottom right) in ‘harmony’. Using our trusty dictionary, I detailed the definition of harmony and playing with various pigments and wax crayons attempted to “flow” into a glowing concert. If you look closely, you’ll see the word “h-a-r-m-o-n-y” carved into the paste medium and lettered in black. I have to admit my favorite part of the entire experiment was JudiKins, “MicaGloss-Metalli Effects Ink-Chocolate”. The dark granulation coupled with the coppery sparkle “made” my page.

After Izzy's "scrumpous" lunch (Arugula, celery heart leaf, chive, shallot and almond salad with strawberry balsamic viniagrette), we ventured more into the world of watercolor. With a loose suggestion of painting an image that represented “you”, each individual participant, conjured up a sort of “self-portrait”. This took on many meanings, some were idealized by their relationship to animals, special relationships, etc, – and – we were to interpret our feelings in that portrait. We could include fabric, found objects, anything we visualized as an accurate expression of our feelings.

Intitally, I began cutting out fabric to use in the dark values. As I progressed with my watercolor and wax crayon self-portrait - I was so pleased with the quick painting, I couldn't cover it with the fabric. So, just to honor the original idea, I glued on the fabric - it definately captures part of my ole' "hippie" generation personality :)

With evening upon us, we are treated to another savor meal. Izzy has crafted up Whole wheat pesto pasta with herb-infused cherry tomatoes and braised kale. Then, she topped it off with this elegant Challah bread . . . to die for. Round and very siatiated, we relax into comfy women's conversations . . . then, slumber.

Sunday at the 2011 Women's Retreat ~ September 11th

Sunday morn, we all were up early, anxious to be ready and have everything in order for the arriving participants. But the "giving nature" of our precious Chef, Izzy Leas, began to show as she requested she make us breakfast this morning (even tho her commitment to prepare food for us didn't begn until that evening). The warming sun streamed across out breakfast table ~ and so the day began!

Jean and I, your Tandem-Teachers, spent much of the day in preparation. With the moist ground we went in search of a

dry spot to do our morning yoga. In our travels around the edge of the lake we discovered the lovely outcropping where the previous day’s wedding had taken place. Scattered across the ground we saw the rose and lily petals from the celebration.

Of course, they went into my journal (this lily petal was allowed to dry overnight, painted with matte medium on both sides to preserve it and then, again with matte medium, painted down to my journal page). The afternoon was hustling to get the second cabin, the Sequoia, open, furniture removed and then set up with six working stations

(tables and lights we’d brought along) for us artists. Oh my, realizing what we’d forgotten and also,getting all the lights plugged into old cabin electrical receptacles was a challenge. But, TAH-DAH, by 3pm we were all set up for the next mornings processes (here it is in use!).

As everyone arrived to fill out our retreat places, we all introduced, chattered and, the final glue to stick us together, gathered to eat a fabulous "Welcome Dinner" of Summer bean, mushroom and squash Ragu. Think we are having a great time?

The Start to My 2011 Women's Journaling Alpine Retreat

September 10th began with an early rising for me. Up at 4am to finalize packing in the car and head out on my eight-hour trek from Southern Oregon to reach my beautiful Lake Alpine Resort destination. As I neared Angels Camp, California, the excitement amplified. I began receiving phone calls from our Culinary Coordinator, Izzy, and my tandem teacher, Jean Warren, all of whom were en route too.

It was a brisk, autumn day when I pulled into the bustling resort parking lot. I remembered the resort owner, Gigi, had spoken of a wedding taking place that very afternoon and that celebration added joy and frivolity to the scene. Izzy had already arrived and was unpacking all our fresh, lush food into the kitchen. Shortly, Jean and Kitty, one of our retreat participants, arrived, anxious to get settled. Once landed in our places, thoughts of a warm meal began to tease us. Down in the restaurant, the wedding reception was just concluding and the happy bride greeted us at our table near the cozy fireplace, to offer us all champagne. “Why, of course, we’ll join in your celebration!” we all chimed in! Dinner was just what we wanted and conversation lively, as we got to know each other.

Open here, in the cabin for us all to relish (notice the colorful fruit Izzy had provided for us all) and learn from, is one of the special treats I’d brought along, the amazing journal of Elinor Peace Bailey. I’d stumbled upon this woman when taking a writing class and an image of her with her dolls was one of the writing ”prompts”. With Elinor Peace Bailey’s complete trust, she mailed me her journal to pursue and I’d requested bringing it to this retreat. Our evening was spentsavoring her pages and the creativity present in all of us, just waiting to be unleashed.

With dreams of vivid journal pages dancing in our heads . . . we all nestled into our warm beds for slumber.

Birthday Collage Blossomed at the Women's Retreat

This is an annual tradition that I have taken to doing for my birthday. You know how you never want to throw away (well, at least I do) those precious birthday cards and personal comments from your friends? To save those, I have been doing a colorful collage from the cards to commemorate their thoughtful endorsements.

This year I'd saved a portion of the page to do my collage during my upcoming "Women's Journaling Alpine Retreat". I knew one of the exercises my brilliant tandem teacher, Jean Warren, was planning, the "Cut-up Memory Walk" would be perfect for my birthday process. So the instructions were to go outside, without notepad or camera, only your senses to focus on the diverse impressions nature offers up. Then, return to the workspace to replicate or comment with collage what you'd experienced outside. When I went outside, I settled upon a tiny plot of land, just down from the cabin and bordered by the parking lot. As I nestled in to observe, first I noticed the deep dark shadows that actually created the visuals of the rocks, then emerged an entire lil' ecosystem. There were ants and beetles busying between rocks and dirt, then, bees all among the blossoming flowers. As I buried my thoughts in this balanced, beautiful interaction, I began thinking of my loving, supportive friends who provide just such a thriving environment for my life. I saw the parallels and metaphors between this tiny Alpine world and my life. Just as I was memorized in deep appreciation and awe, I was brought back to the current moment with an intense aroma . . . our fabulous Chef Izzy Leas, was busy at work in the kitchen simmering a rich curry meal for dinner. My senses were fascinated . . . so this is the scene I took into the studio to depict in collage - from my birthday cards.

Creating items to combine for the collage was first. I began cutting up the cards, words or florals or shapes for shadows etc. I'd collected this delicate grass, with seeds still attached and (from a hike my hubby & puppy had taken for my actual birthday day) brought along the limey-colored moss. I worked up the rocks first with texture, and cut out shadows. Words cut in long, stem-like shapes became the stems for dancing flowers and from fabric I cut out the brilliant sun! It was a delicious frenzy of stuff . . . I'd also picked up this cool piece of bark that looked SO much like a fish - and that sparked the memory of some teeny lil' critters one of the fun participants, Cookie, had offered up to share - and one critter was a tiny fish. Looking thru the critters, I grabbed the fish and spied a moose. Ok, I'll add mountains and the moose too!!! Grief, now how could I add the curry floating thru the air - - ahhhhhhhhhh - - with golden yellow thread threaded thru the air. And - - WELLAH - I think I'm done with my "Cut-up Memory Walk"!

The remainder of my favored birthday card images traveled to the right, creating a segway over into the second page where I'd sketched my vision from an art showing I'd done the evening of my actual birthday day. It's an active, but memory filled page . . . and actually visually pretty satisfying.

Love to hear how you celebrate your birthday in your journal or painting . . .

Kids in Creek ~ Playful Journal Page Demo

The was a fun assignment I gave myself. So, of course, I chose one of my favorite and most playful images. This happy image came from a combining of several photos from children playing in the Ashland Lithia Park Creek. I was doing a purely demo class, illustrating some of the techniques we'd be using at my upcoming Women's Journaling Alpine Retreat, hoping to entice anyone interested.

To prepare for the class, I did start early. I applied some "Light Molding Paste", a medium by Golden to add dimension to the upper green leaves (see the dimension in this angled photo?). With this product you can build up absorbant layers. I've never used more than one layer, since I'm primarily working in my journal, but it is fun, flexible and dries spongy yet, holds shapes. I tried to replicate some leaf-like textures in the upper left and top of the image.

I'd created the stamp earlier too, thinking "what would the children be playing with?". I loved the simplicity of the toy boat and specifically selected colors of joy and colors that would unite the entire double-page spread of my open journal. I did apply the stamps very last to my page, when I could see where my text ended and how much visual space I had.

When class finally conviened, I worked from the large blown up image, so the class could see from what I was working. First, I establish the whites, with my wax crayons, that are to be solid or rather scumbled in effect for the water reflections and some on the highlights of rocks. Next, I work in strong yellows to add glow behind the leaves and the brilliant colors of the clothing. While some of the yellow is still moist, I begin dropping in leaf colors in that Molding Paste area. Only when the yellow is dry do I glaze in delicate transparent layers of orange and pink of the children's outfits. And thirdly, I work up the water, it's reflections (cuz I already have those greens on my palette), rock detail and lastly, the final touchs to the wee-ones playing.

I loved the effect of everything together, feeling it absolutely represented the spirit I felt when I was watching those silly kids parade and play in the creek, coupled with the outrageousness of my Elinor page (see previous post). What you think?

To Celebrate and Emulate ~ Elinor Peace Bailey

Some of you may have heard the serendipitous tale of how I met this amazing woman ~ Elinor Peace Bailey (although I believe she prefers "elinor peace bailey"). While taking a writing class, you often receive "writing prompts". This was the visual I picked. Isn't it just a riot? That "write" was one of my most fun and frivolous ever ~ but that's another story.

With this image in hand, I noticed the woman's name in the corner and proceeded to "google" her. I emailed her letting her know how I admired her spirit and (since I love to tandem teach) even suggested doing a class or possible retreat together sometime.

We actually talked on the phone and she volunteered to mail me her very own personal journal (YES, she journals too!! HOW exciting is this?). Even when I tried to refuse her journal, she shipped it anyway. Her journal blew me away. Bold, playful, bodacious, personal, sensitive and profound - - and more. She privileged me more by allowing me to take her journal for my Women's Journaling Alpine Retreat's participants to explore. Such trust!

And NOW - we have scheduled a tandem-taught 3-day Workshop, July 12-14th, of next year in Portland. We're still in the planning stages, but looks like we'll meet Wednesday night, July 11th, to go over materials and rub shoulders. First full day, will be all Elinor's in her Portland Studio and second day, mine - up on the Columbia River Gorge. Final day - a combo and summation. For upcoming promotions we have started teaming up in a journal - here's one of the pages she's sent me which she started in only black and white pen work. I've added all the color. The class will be a hoot!! Let me know if you are interested in updates and details!

But in the midst of meeting and getting to know this jubilant, dynamic woman I had to create a journal page in an attempt to emulate and honor her. So here's my page with a shot at her "in-journal" doll/people portraits (p.s. the legs, feet, arms and hands move as they are attached to the page with tiny brads). The wacky fuzzy fabric so gave life to this portrait and I used an existing stamp I'd made for his head. I still may add some furry hair . . . and yes, those are buttons for hands! Another detail from Elinor! And then, of course, I had to record one of my favorite journal pages from Elinor's. This is my best replica . . . but by no means as bold or brilliant! It's a happy, playful page . . . it seems she brings that out in me and I'm enjoying it.

I just so savor meeting and digging into the intriguing spirits and talents and personalities of other women artists (sorry guys). There's an honesty and a freshness that bounds out of established, powerful creativity that moves me to the core - - my solar plexus tighten and heave, near to tears. I'm so honored to see and feel that baring of soul . . . it's truly a privilege. And I remain humble.

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving

Mistakes Stirring Invention

Any of you who journal, or paint, or create . . . Oh heck . . . if you're alive . . . know we make errors! And one of my greatest joys in the spontaneity of journaling is the way our creative minds show us solutions (and some, better than the original plan!). These next couple of pages are examples of exactly that!

Those of you familiar with the progress of my previous journal page with the fun paperclay 3-d frame, know my plan now would include leaving the following journal page blank where I needed to place my big letter "B". Right?

So immediately, the next day I went onsite with a private student venturing out into her first plein air adventure . . . and you guessed it! Where did I paint? Right in the space I needed to save. Here's the gurgling Lithia Park Creek, sitting right where I wanted to have white space. I fretted and pondered about cutting out the image, inserting a full page and on and on.

Rather than add a full page, I decided insert a small, almost "footnote like" page with, of course, my big "B" the first item on the lil' page. Next to my "B" I practiced a print from a self-portrait tile I'd recently carved. I like printing two times, yellow first to add warmth to the human skin then, a darker color (here, I've used Brown Madder). On the back of my mini-page, I found this beautiful business card from a peer watercolorist, Marni Marnee (http://www.marnimaree.com/), complimented all the colors on these pages. And I added how we'd met when she pass thru the Ashland Art Center where my studio is.

I continued my journal sequentially, with the sketch from a "Plein Air Workshop" I was teaching. Top left on the full page, is a sketch of my dear painter friend, Silvia Trujillo (http://www.silviatrujillo.com/), (who'd instructed the oil students) posing her hand to crop a portion of a student's painting during critique. Farther down the page is one of my watercolor students busy at work.

So I can attest to the fact that mistakes can make me more creative and inventive. Honestly, I have to say I've not gotten to the point where I celebrate errors, but I DO aim to get there some day. Another goal to aim at . . . it keeps me going and getting more comfy with myself.

I suggest "Celebrate Your Errors!"?

New Journal ~ Starring Paper Clay

Ok, so, after my informative and experiential class with Cathy Dorris (the "Queen of PaperClay"), I'm ready to get started in my brand-spankin' new journal.

My first plan is to use the "frame" I've created out of paperclay to frame my "illuminated letter" with which I start my page entries. I'm so in love with stitching things into my journal - that of course that's how I plan to insert my paperclay frame. I did push a small hole into the edges of the paperclay before I dried and painted it - but when I try to pull a threaded needle thru my teeny holes - I find the holes are too small. I once again work thru a pin to enlarge my holes, and in the process, tear the edges of the paperclay. I use my "Yes" glue to gently glue it back together, then let dry. Finally I get my "frame" stitched into place with brown button-hole twist. I liked how it accented the brown undertones in my paperclay piece.

I love how the frame boarders my letter and move on to elaborate more about the paper clay process (and actually, to honor my paperclay teacher). So I replicate, as best I can, Cathy Dorris' marvelous "Mermaid" piece and then, her "Ram's Head". I'm pretty happy with the page layout, but still find myself scratching my head, pondering how to invite readers and introduce them with my very beginning page.

BING!!! I remembered another fascinating yet, delicate piece from Cathy's Studio that would "dance" my viewers into this new journal. Cathy makes these charming wall dolls with playful metal hooks attaching their arms, legs and feet. I'd portray those happy, colorful feet, tap, tap, tappin' right into my new journal.

This set of pages just brings a smile to my face ~ playful, joyful and elegant. Love to hear your impressions - oh, and any questions you have about paperclay!

In Preparation for a New Journal ~ Paper Clay

Usually, I don't put alot of effort into planning a new journal ~ but this one I had something new and exciting (for me anyway): paper clay!! For me it's one of the coolest media on the planet right now. If you've worked with polymer clay you know the succlent colors and diverse things you can do with it, right? Well, as far as I'm concerned, paper clay is even more perfect as it doesn't require baking and it's completely organic! Yep, it's safe/good for our planet!

With this idea of incorporating paper clay into my journal, I took a private class from the Queen of Paper Clay (again, in my estimation!), Cathy Dorris (http://cathydorris.com/). She's warm, playful and an endless source of info on paper clay. Both of these pieces, the mermaid and ram's head are pieces from Cathy's studio. Doesn't she do fabulous work? So, here's the mess I created in just a couple hours in her studio and here's the resulting small pieces Cathy coached me in making.

You'll have to tune in for the next blog post to see what adventures I created with these lil objects. It's pretty diverse media - I encourage you to check it out for additons to your journals, your 2d paintings and heck, even sculpture!