Colorado Reunion Ending into Plein Air at Eden Vale

So I've met up with my dear "sister" in Montrose to wrap up my Telluride Retreat adventure. Karen and I were sister-in-laws many years ago and the deep friendship has lasted many years past that. Those kind of relationships are rare and, for me, very treasured. We chose to have dinner the easiest way possible ... and just across the parking lot was ... "The Red Barn". Sure, salad bar sounds good to me on this hot Autumn evening and we giggle as we catch up. With an early-to-bed agenda to accommodate my early shuttle to the 6am flight out

of Medford, we nest into our beds early and say our g'byes. After one transfer at the Denver airport, I arrive safely into the arms of my honey, Roland and a wagging-tailed golden retriever, Cody. It is good to be back at the "660" address in cozy J-ville.

I'd scheduled and promoted my "Plein Air on Location at Eden Vale" two day workshop and had several participants signed up. Eden Vale Winery is a lovely painting venue, with a historic and elegant 2-story white mansion, rolling vineyards and a mountainous backdrop to savor. And the people are so kind and welcoming to work with ... I can't say enough about them. Above and beyond that ... our class meets for the last afternoon shadows and rich sunset. I select some yellowing grapes for a quick demo ... not too thrilled

with the results ... but plein air can be like that. Next afternoon, I've chosen the peak of the white barn peeking over the deep green vineyards and all that cupped by the budding roses and blue flower pot. This lil' sketch I'm more pleased with ... it feels more clear and complete. Again, some days paintings work, some times it's just turns out to be a learning experience.

And after all, isn't that what life is all about? What we make of our lessons? How we move on from situations, good and/or not-so-good, and what wisdom we squeeze out of the experience? and walk away smiling?

The Trip Created During a Lifetime

This adventure has been a year in the planning. Birthed from a dream I've gestated for nearly 10 years, I am NOW making my dreams come true (hint,hint: you can do it too!). I'd mentioned to a friend, who I'd watched grow thru the pain in her life to graduating with a professional degree in counseling, that I'd like to do a tandem workshop. Finally, all these years later, with both of us having much more experience in our fields, we undertook fulfilling that dream I'd seen in my heart's eye 10 years previous.


April 10, I left to instruct my first international "Women's Mexico Retreat" in Manzanillo, Mexico. The aforementioned friend, Damaris, and I converged the next day and detailed the presentation, placement and logistics of our co-instructed class. I'd focus in the journaling, watercolor technique and design aspects, Damaris would present Mandala exercises and introspective perspective generated from the mandalas and Buddhist meditation. It was going to be a delicious intermingling of creativity & self-exploration.

The week plus retreat began with a "Welcome Dinner" on Sunday evening and continued thru the week, ending on Friday. We included painting techniques, creating stamps, adding WC pages to your journal, abstract emotion painting, and a sampling of mandala creations. Three of our days were spent away from the classroom at: a local Mexican beach, local bus ride to downtown "Centro" and a chauffeured trek north to a smaller town for market day and beach sketching. Our evening shared a variety of dining experiences and coffee/dessert back at the condo was when we took our "talking stick" time to share our own individual stories. All these activities wove a beautiful connection among all of us women. In fact, on my "Retreat Critique" sheet, one participant commented what she liked best about the retreat was that she "connected with everyone and didn't want it to end".

My aim was exactly that, to weave an intimacy, coupled with experiencing "real Mexican" life and dedicated creative/learning self-expression. Although I felt a ripple of resistance to walking a--l--l the way down the beach to a day among Mexican families celebrating Easter Weekend on the beach or taking a bus ride (when a taxi could have been so much more comfortable) to "Centro", I did hear one participant say she was pleased to have "gotten" the feeling of the different culture to which she'd been exposed.

Don't get me wrong, I got my share of lessons too. One was around a situation I could have never predicted and - just had to let go of any expectations (you know those things we get into trouble with if we haven't made everything we'd like people to understand, understood beforehand). Next class/retreat I know to make agreements and confront any mixed messages ahead of time. The other big lesson is around setting boundaries and sticking to them when they are healthy. And that one is hard for this "people pleaser" but, I am learning and growing. AND - I never what to stop doing that. I also had some problems with art materials that I couldn't have predicted and was reminded to allow more time for mingling and conversation that always seems to occur (thank goodness) with women.

All in all, my adventure of watching, visualizing and affirming has paid off. Not to mention a year of planning advertising, contracts, art material and class preparation, of course. But I can't tell you the rewards ... I'm still discovering them. I feel more powerful, have a direction I'm loving and have some measure of the work and dedication with which I must muster up.

I can only encourage you, to take chances, follow YOUR dream and leap into a new world that's been waiting for you all along. AND - if you'd like a day-by-by walk thru the actual "Women's Mexico Retreat" go to: http://womensmexicoretreat2009.blogspot.com/

Beffuddled Salvaged

You might remember a week or so ago, I had started a journal entry late at night a painted the image on the wrong page - "Befuddled Entry" in the archives. Well, as most of us who have more years than a teenager usually know, that our mistakes can force growth and creativity. So look-y-here at what grew out of my befuddled mistake.

First, I did a small painting that would fit into the space - and I made a decision to cut the perimeter smaller than the actual "hole" I had remaining. Cuz somewhere, somehow, I felt there was a solution "coming." For days it sat on my studio desk ... just looking up at me.

Then, and this I will have to credit to one of my wonderful "Personal Journaling & Watercolor Sketching" students, Eileen, who'd mentioned having done alot of sewing. And - hey - I'd done lots of sewing years and years ago, but it took Eileen to jog my brain or muse or whoever it is, into sewing the watercolor piece into the gaping "hole". Yes, sew it.

I initially punched holes evenly spaced, with my needle, in the piece I was going to insert. The surgery was more awkward than I'd anticipated and many grumbles and spasms leaked out of the studio than I'd liked.

My biggest challenge was holding the piece floating in the air in it's place, while I attempted to stitch. The piece kept being pulled one direction or the other as I tightened the stitches. And my big bulldog clips I'd used to brace positioning, were so heavy, they bent the paper over as I worked. I ran out of thread about three quarters of the way around and stitched in from the other side, meeting where I'd run out of thread. That way I could do some tightening and evening up of the position - and - well, here's how it finished.

I'm pleased for being a new "surgeon" and when I gazed, puzzled at the empty paper on the back side of my "insert" - I got another idea. I'd wanted to honor this arborist who'd recently come and so lovingly educated and revered our trees - and this little paper island became the perfect lil' spot.

All and all - this "adventure" in journaling has been fun. And you know, this "event in journaling" is much like the "events in my life" . . . if I just trust the guidance will come to me and enjoy the journey . . . life unfolds beautifully. So, here's to remembering to trust the process.