Category Archives: Capturing Thoughts

Blossoming Spring

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The force that through the green fuse drives the flower... 
first line of a poem by British Poet, Dylan Thomas

April showers turned naked, leafless branches into gorgeous blossoms and  flowering, fluorescent green trees that show off their glory. Even on the grey days, green shoots push through the soil (and bravely force their way through concrete) to announce the end of winter.  Fat, heavy rain drops sit on petals and cobwebs, hydrating the earth. I am grateful for the abundance of beauty in nature.

This month of May, as petals open and the weather warms, may you shed any remnants of winter, feel lighter and brighter, and experience Spring with the wonderment of a child.

Our son, Ramsay, will become a one-year-old in a couple of weeks, and this is his first Spring. Taking walks with him brings me endless joy, as he observes and studies every detail of life around him. His reaction to a thistle reminds us to find fun in the little things. Enjoy this quick video:

Art and Soul Retreat

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Welcome Book and mask I decorated to take with me

Welcome Book and mask I was sent to decorate before arrival

I attended the 2013 Virginia Beach Art and Soul Retreat this week. It was a fantastic experience, however,”retreat,” (synonymous with “relaxing” in my mind), may have been a misnomer in my case, as these were intense days of art classes. Great instructors, lots of notes, and oodles of new techniques. Great environment to be around so many talented and inspiring creatives, and to commit so much time to art.

Art and Soul 2013

Course Names and Postcard

Day 1: Catherine Anderson, photographer. Love, love her teaching style and techniques. This was my favorite day!  We made journals centered around the theme “Secret Lives of Trees.”  Learned to make image transfers and alter photographs:

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Day 2: Misty Mawn, painter and mixed-media artist. Amazing to watch how well and quickly she captures an image by sketching with charcoal- a little intimidating. Wow! We collaged onto a wood panel. Never used this surface before- great to work on.

Misty giving a sketch demo to begin the project
Pretty welcome kit
Blank canvas, ready to go!
First layer of medium, vintage papers and images, and gesso
Adding inks, stencil patterns, and graphite sketches
graphite and oil crayons used to create a girl with wings. (Still working on completing this).

Day 3: Lisa Kaus, mixed-media artist. Created whimsical “Winsome Treasures” with embedded objects, collage, and bees wax:

beginning.
Adding color and creating box concept
Lisa teaching
right side
top
What to put on top and the sides?
front
finished box with wax coating (cooled and buffed)

Great women, good wine bars and bistros in the area, and fun to use my hands all day to make art. Happy Creating!

Sunshine for the Soul

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Almost to the beach!

Driving through a state park

Road trip to Virginia Beach for my first art retreat!  Had to put my toes in the water before checking into the hotel:

Sky and Sea
Writing in the Sand
Twigs and Shadows
Shore Finds
Surfing, anyone?
Stone and Pebble

As I was walking on the beach, I was reminded of an Old Irish Blessing-

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face…

It feels primal, beach combing. Like being an archeologist, searching for treasures on the shore among the scattered array of pebbles, pieces of shell, the occasional piece of sea glass, or feather.

A wet leaf with many tones of green and brown made it look like it was trying to experience all 4 seasons at once.  Twigs and branches were artfully arranged, casting long shadows. I kept turning around to head back, but was propelled further down the beach, drawn in by colors in a shell, or a wave bringing new patches of things to investigate.  The brilliance of the sun’s shimmering path on the water was mesmerizing.  My gaze studied the horizon line where sky melded into the sea, and I stood for a long while to soak up the calm. The ocean always feels like coming home. Can’t get this in the city!