Valley Ridge with Flora Bowley

 My friend Pam and I have just returned from 3 days of painting with Flora Bowley. The workshop was held at beautiful Valley Ridge,with amazing hostess, Katherine Engen. I've been to Valley Ridge once before and the property and studio are just amazing. So beautiful and peaceful. Katherine is moving onto new adventures, so Pam and I took advantage of the studio time, knowing that things are changing for Valley Ridge.

Flora's class was just amazing. It was not about pressure or perfection. It was very calm and peaceful, full of gratitude and appreciation. A wonderful way to look at life and present a workshop.Makes me want to incoporate things differently when I teach as well.

Her painting style is a process. It might take 3 days to paint a picture, it might take a week, a few weeks or more! In the beginning of the class, we were all ask to make a commitment about our goal for her class. Mine was to not to get caught up in walking away with a "masterpiece" (just not realistic). I can get easily frustrated when painting for the "magic" to happen and my goal was to just be patient. Every morning, we would recommit or remind ourselves to our goals. great philosophy to keep  yourself on track! I left feeling peaceful, content and grateful.

It was also a treat for us all to have Flora's mom and sister, joining in on the fun. It was their first time taking a workshop with her - how cool is that?

 here's a little section of one of my paintings, a bird soaring to new heights.

 I flew into Chicago, where Pam picked me up. Then we drove 4 hours to Wisconsin. We had fun along the way and of course did a little antiquing.

 

 for my birthday present (Happy Birthday to me!), Pam painted this sweet little picture for me. I feel so lucky to have a piece of art created by my dear friend. It's titled, "She waters her garden daily". yep, that's me!

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The rest of the post will be visual . I'll let you imagine the rest of the story as it unfolds through my photography. enjoy!

 

As always, thanks for tagging along!

last day of Journalfest

in the morning, on our lunch break and after classes on the last day, jen and i did a lot of driving around and taking even more pictures! we drove around town, went down to the lighthouse, and down to the marina. that is what is fun about spending time with someone who enjoys the same things as i do. Jen doesn't mind braking for odd photo opportunities or smiling for the millionth time, she's always willing to take my photo, or do my shadow pics with me. she's also always got her camera clicking about as much as mine is!

sent by colleen to her art friends

i found these thoughts to be quite lovely. it's a great mantra to repeat to ourselves when we are being too self critical and forgetting that what we have to offer others is just as valuable as what we might learn from them.


may today there be peace
within. may you use your gifts and
pass them on. may you be
content with yourself just the way
you are. let this knowledge settle
into your bones & allow yourself
the freedom to sing, dance, praise
and love.