Flora Bowley, 'Bloom True' Painting at The Makerie Retreat

Pinch me.. pinch me… I’m painting with Flora !!

'There are no mistakes'

'Trust your painting - you're already an artist'

'Paint with wild abandoment'

Following a few morning yoga poses in the sun, under the majestic views of the Flatirons, Flora Bowley began our painting workshop at The Makerie, encouraging us to have an open heart to the experience and to boldly paint with wild abandonment. There are no mistakes.

Flora's painting during the beginning of the day

We dripped, dashed, dotted, layered and washed bold colors of paint on the canvas, intuitively taking each painting through the process and allowing the composition to unfold naturally.

Flora adds more color and layers to her painting

Flora’s workshop was exhilarating and by far one of my most memorable experiences. Her supportive teaching style is both personable and brazen, pushing each of us to courageously paint without fear. We felt free!

My 'Bloom True' painting

Yes, I’d have to say I’m smitten too. Thanks Flora for a terrific afternoon and for reconnecting me to my BFF, Inspiration. As I've mentioned before, she is an awesome force.

Check out Flora's website for more information

and her upcoming teaching schedule !

The Makerie: A creative retreat

Remember the days when you were young and life was all about paint, glitter, glue, s’mores and hanging with your best girlfriends?  Ali Dejohn of Boulder has resurrected those magical, creative moments in The Makerie, a creative weekend retreat hosted in beautiful Chautauqua / Boulder, Colorado.

The view of the FlatIrons from Chautauqua Park, where the event was held

I had the pleasure of volunteering for this fabulous event, which was held in April.  Can I tell you..?!!  I had champagne bubbles inside and couldn’t sleep I was so excited! 

When I found out about The Makerie I contacted Ali and mentioned to her that I would love to get involved – in any way. I was thrilled when she invited me to help out. What a great group of women and what a blast we all had!  This was the first time I met Ali, who is a total doll. As it turns out, she and I know similar circles of amazing women from the area, which just added to the great connection.

Don't you love this pic of Ali?!



: :  Tell me about all the fun!  : :

(photo by Linda Winski)

 

‘The Makerie is a creative retreat weekend in Boulder, CO, designed to lovingly nurture the creative spirit in all of us. It is full of amazing creative/crafting workshops (i.e. knitting, painting, block printing, pattern making, photography etc...) and is for anyone who wants to be creative or try something totally new in a supportive and loving environment. In addition to the classes, we offer wake-up yoga &/or hiking, as well as healthy, organic & local (where possible) yummy foods as part of the weekend so everyone feels cared for all around. Think of it like summer camp for adults (but in April!) & a weekend with no cooking or cleaning or errands, just creating & playing! People have the chance to stay in cozy cottages, eat communal meals together & simply be part of a fun, creative community for a few days.’ (this was taken from an interview with Ali; paper anniversary)

Here a few memories from the weekend festivities!

Pick a pinecone !!

Sweet messages are on the back of these nature souvenirs - an inspirational mantra for your wkend. (ie, get artsy, have an open heart, feel inspired)

Lunch just rolled in!
Literally.. on four wheels - it's our fav, The Comida Truck

It's about making new friends and grabbing some yummy lunch from the Comida truck! Women participated from all over the country, to include Canada! So much fun!!

Can you see me?  It's Amy Krouse Rosenthal..

‘Find the crevasses in your busy life, fill them with what inspires you’
‘Make the most of your time here’

Wow! Amy Krouse Rosenthal kicks off the Opening Ceremony via Skype. We were all SO inspired and touched by her presentation, along with the kind words from Ali, and the instructors who have arrived from all over the country to share their artsy wisdom.

Can you feel the creative enegy?!

Exciting things are happening in Flora Bowley’s ‘Bloom True’ class, as the women paint with ‘wild abandonment’. 

Creative colors bask in the sun

I happened to pass by these fabulous paintings drying.  They’re not finished yet.. This is just the first layer of paint. Love it!

Beep..Beeeep!!

The Cozy Bean greets us first thing Sunday morning for a welcome cup of java before shopping at The Makerie Market, hosted by Firefly Handmade.

Did you miss The Makerie this year?

Don’t miss it next year! Grab your girlfriends and come join the fun!

The Makerie, April 19 - 22, 2012



New Computer, New Blog, New Life

It's May and I'm finally checking in to my blog. What is that all about? It has been on my radar since January...

Where the heck have I been?
Last year Coop and I realized there was no way we could be summer-festivarians. I had knee surgery and the recovery was coming along great, (no more running allowed) but I was still in no shape to coordinate set-up, tear-down, or stand for long lengths of time. Art shows were out!

I accepted a part-time position at a gallery on Pearl St, in Boulder. SOOOO excited! It is my fav gallery here, Art + Soul Gallery.


Art + Soul Gallery

I died and had gone to heaven. I was so thrilled I immediately started painting! Seriously.. it was this crazy/awesome energy - and something I had put off for way too long. I always said... 'After the next art show', I'll start a new illustration or painting, 'After the next boutique order', blah-blah-blah... It's just terrible how life moves past you and you continue to put your passions on the back burner.

Meet Winston!
Our customer service specialist and front door greater!

Anyway, loved the gallery, LOVED the women I worked with.. man, they are awesome ladies for sure, LOVED Winston (and miss him), loved the art and the artists, and all the great experiences.. but my business suffered, and I missed my creative life.

I had been in touch with a friend, and artist, Monica Soeldner.

I love this photo of her

I mentioned to her my creative frustration and that I was literally going to burst if I didn't get back to my creative roots. She said it all and it was perfect - 'One thing I have learned this past year is that it's so huge to build a creative community - - find your tribe of supportive, creative, like-minded people, and get involved'. Funny how we know these things, but actually hearing it, and hearing it at that exact, wonderful moment when you really need to listen is SO huge. That was IT - there was no stopping me.

This was January and things were going to change. I sadly (and gladly) gave notice at the gallery. I got reconnected to the boutiques I had built relationships with (they have been so kind and patient) and I hit the studio hard. I got online and started planning out my summer season of art shows, applied and was thrilled to be juried in. Yay! My creative destiny was already starting to take shape for 2011. I also made a commitment to myself to stay more connected to the online artist community that I love, to blog more (here I AM!), to volunteer in the art community, to 'find my tribe' and to live a creative life.

As Amy Krouse Rosenthal so beautifully reminds us..

'make the most of your time here'

It's time to paint and fire up the torch!

Don't you love the energy that the new year brings.
Just the best.

What change have you committed to?