One thing I have figured out this time, is that the twice a year art retreat I go on with my art sisters, has the power to transform my crankiness from life kicking my butt into joy and happiness again. MARS Mountain Artist Retreat Sleepover...occurs in Spring and Fall...6 months apart. There is usually 20 of us and ALL personalities!
The most important part of being a part of this extradinary group of women artists is that our unique voices in our art, are shared, appreciated, and taught. We are handing eachother our talents, our love, our acceptance, our willingness to be vulnerable and real. To talk about our lives with eyes that are not judgemental or seeringly uncomfortable. Even if all of us don't always get along and there are bumps and mini bruises of ego...it is a true experience of love and acceptance.
This time many of us had heavy things happening in our lives...but the time together was that of laughter and love. A coming together over meals...laughs...stories...sharing...and being ourselves.
We ARE a tribe. We are all different but ALL alike. We are strong women, with voices in our art. Various political views. Various life experiences. Various places in life. ALL healing time for wounded souls beat up out there in the real world where some times we are all misunderstood.
I was so lucky that my friend Judith was visiting her daughter in Santa Cruz and needed a ride back to the Mountains. I picked her up and we drove together. We got to know eachother, (well she knows MORE about me than she ever wanted to know! LOL) now that we spent 3 hours alone in a car and it felt like an hour went by! She was delightful to travel with! I love her life experiences and she is rich with wisdom and living! She will tell you that she is old...but I can't see it! All I see is a beautiful woman that has lived and shares her life! Her art moves me in my inner tissues! I see myself in her art. She not only moves me, but she inspires me! We shared our lives as we drove and we stopped for lunch and had to take a photo near this iconic woman! Reminding us that WE CAN DO IT!
Chris opened her home up to me and Sharla who flew into Sac from San Diego. We got to stay at the Brambles ... 2 ponds, wild animals, frogs and lovely friends! Her and Brians house is warm and delightful and I love being in their space. Loving and giving people! We went out to dinner and met up with a few of the girls at LumberJacks! Fun night!
Then it was OFF to the retreat! Oh man! What a great time! Except one snafu! Cheryl fell off one of the benchs and broke her wrist! But she was a trooper and came back the next day! She is a rock star!
I was VERY productive! I finsihed a Comando Journal bag for my Altered Fairys Book and I was able to get the Gratitude 22 Day November Lindsay Challenge book done and she gave me a sample of a bag to work on! She even wrote on my closure fabric!!! I kicked art butt!
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