Home Again!!!

OH MY GOSH!!! How do I begin to explain my four days at Artfest? The only way I can think of doing it is to write about my experience over a few days of postings. I had so much fun, met so many lovely people, got to know my Bellingham friends better, learned a HUGE amount, saw the most beautiful art, laughed so hard, watched miracles happen....it just goes on and on. Seeing the pictures just makes me smile and joyful....and these are only a few.

In the pictures you can tell that we were all smiles. We made art all day and I really was challenged to let my artistic spirit fly. I accomplished keeping my ugly critic at bay and was able to really experiment and "play" while I created some really fun pieces of art. Later I will include pictures of my end products....but for now all I have to say is that I had three fantastic teachers that taught me a tremendous amount. I was in awe of them and totally inspired.

I loved my time with Betsey, Jody and Pam (all of us from Bellingham). I feel like I mad huge leaps in getting to know Jody and Pam....& my feeling of love and thankfulness for Betsey only increased. In the end....I believe it's all about relationships!!! My relationships with these amazing women deepened. That was a true blessing.

It's hard to believe that Betsey and I can spend four long days together and that we don't get on each other's nerves at all....at least she doesn't get on my nerves!!! I am so grateful that she is willing to go with me and take the classes with me. When my lack of vision or my health gets in the way she is always willing to help me. I know at times it must be difficult to tow me around (at night, over rough terrain, carrying heavy things, helping me see things, sitting with me when my blood sugars drop, etc.) but she does all this with such kindness and patience....it's amazing. I have tremendous respect for her. I feel honored to be her friend and loved watching her grow in her artistic exploration. I also loved watching her interact with everyone. She was so open and gracious with people....truly interested in their lives....helping people feel comfortable. Watching her bloom was one of my highlights of the whole Artfest experience.

Being at Artfest taught me so many things and reinforced many of my core beliefs. I met so many kindred spirits....colorful, loving people....who were courageous in their willingness to approach art in a different way. There were many hesitations during my classes...but everyone that surrounded me always took the leap that the teachers were asking of them. I saw that artists NEED to meet other artists and that relationships can immediately be made that feel very real and touching. I saw, over and over again, that we really do create our own reality. Magic happened many times during this past weekend.

I also learned so much about myself. Oh my gosh.....I don't know where to begin.... But what I know for sure is that I want to continue pursuing my goals to become a stronger artist and to be the best teacher I can be. I saw some amazing models this weekend. It was exhausting....but I was able to soak in a great deal.

I will share more later.....but for now I am glad I'm home and I am still living off of the high of the event. I can't wait to tell you about the people I met, my "heros" that I connected with, my classes, the teachers and more of the fun. Stay tuned!!!