art nest 2009

What a great time I had at the art nest this year at the little chalet in the mountains of Utah. It was a magical time for all to gather and enjoy art, food and friendships.

as i returned home from this wonderful experience, i had to get right back to school, family and other things i had neglected for a bit, but i had new renewal and vision. It was the people who came that made the difference.  The amazing artists and teachers who were open to learning about themselves and made time to visit and listen to each other.  I learned we are all very similar in that we process emotion through our art, that living and being thrown around through the hard knocks of life leaves us volnerable and open to life's changes. I opened my eyes to others grief and sadness, to hard things we all have to deal with.  I saw happiness and creative energy seeping out through paint strokes and messy hands.  I was amazed at the amount of talent that each of our nesters had, and the way the teachers were able to help us to let go and enjoy the moment.

 

the art was amazing...........

this is a view of the paintings from Kelly Rae's class

people came from all over the united states.  Here are our two gals from California, can you tell they have that glow.

Here is Kelly working hard on her piece from Maty's class. 

creative bliss................

look at the smiles on their faces..........



Heidi working hard on this masterpiece.

Lorie Garver's lovely work.

Art Work from Maty's class

Maty Rose  the queen of whimsical Boho.

Jane Wynn got us in the zone for perfect sodering, can you believe this was her first trip flying by herself and she didn't get her luggage until the second day and was still  calm and beautiful.

Cassondra and her darling bird.   Our little helper doing more than she should have, serving and taking care of us all. she did more dishes than one gal should do in a lifetime.

 My "Know yourself" piece from Kelly Rae's class. 

more work from Kelly Rae's class

a few odds and ends that were left in the study as we packed up to leave. It was hard to pack everything up and go back home after another art nest, but my heart was full and my creativity blooming thinking of each of the nesters going home to their very different lives but feeling connected to each other in a way that doesn't seem real.  So, I say to each of you  fly and use those wings to soar to new heights, and hopefully  you will find your own nest of gratitude, safety and happiness. That is my wish.

xoxoxo

candice

p.s. i promise to blog more

Once Upon a Time there was a Little Forest

This Little Forest page is for the Haunted and Mysterious Swap group that i am  involved in.   The backdrop is a piece of canvas, that i attached to the photo album page. I used  ripped velvet, tiny felt pieces and little twigs.

The bottom page has a tiny plastic  skeleton that i attached, to this photo album page of Cassondra's.  Her book s really amazing, she put a raven's wing under some mesh wire that you can barely see here.  

Happy Haunting

Summer orange and the moon

this is my ten year old daughter's idea of a dream room. She really wanted the color orange, i was a little surprised how much i liked it when it was all done.

This project is one of our summer projects finally checked off the list. All it needs now is a vintage leather orange sling chair that i am still looking for.

or maybe something like this............


They love to go down to their room now...before it was not so fun for them to just hang and enjoy themselves.

Go for the kids ideas......... they rock.......and in the end it makes them happier knowing it's their idea.......besides they'll change their mind in a few years anyway.



as for summer............i am surviving some days and letting myself enjoy the sticky floors the next. I go between getting everyone up and things getting done to sitting on the porch and literally watching the clouds go by.............one day last week we went for a late evening walk and the moon was gorgeous, just hanging in the sky, my hand was in the hand of my little Gracee. She looks at me and says "mom can we get closer to the moon if we hiked up our mountain?" It's worth a try little one.......... it's worth a try.................

Beautiful Memories

to remember those who have gone before with love and admiration. On Saturday our family spent the day helping my sister in law Carmen with her yard. It is kind of a family tradition that we do service for someone who has gone before. This time my brother who died two years ago last February. We weeded, then mulched, and shared memories and fun while the kids helped right along with us. His boys twelve, nine, and three, with our kids, and all the neighbors joining in on the fun. It seems working can be fun and extremely rewarding. Much to their surprise. As we shoveled mulch out of the truck each child taking turns dumping the buckets it healed us, remembering uncle Stan and his love for life, his love for service and his wonderful light personality. Afterwards we went to his grave sight and the kids jumped, played, and even made crayon rubbings of the gravestone. Children know how to grieve in their own way..............the memory of such a wonderful man goes on in his children.



Happy memorial day to all of you as you think of those who you have gone before ..........i give you my love and peace this day.

The nina post

Okay i promised another artfest post. Taking a class from Nina has been something i have always wanted to do. Just looking at her book was inspiration enough to get me started. My first time using Mica pieces. It made everything look so old and finished. We hammered and hammered, I am sure Nina was getting a headache. She taught us how to use all of your favorite things you've been collecting, like my wasp nest, in a beautiful way. I will finish this book and love it, because it is part of me and the things i enjoy. I had a great time getting to know Nina better, she is a sweetie and very genuine.

Artfest 2008

Artfest 2008 in Port Townsend Washington hosted by Teesha and Tracy Moore was an artist's dream for a few lovely days. The weather was sunny (for Washington) and the ocean edge was just the right place to cozy up with some art friends. Julie and i flew out on Wednesday morning and bummed around Seattle, finding a great antique store, and the local fire house. You can always count on a fireman to help you get where you need to go.

i even need my fire guy when i am away.


Julie outside this vintage dinnerware shop. In the back of the store we found a box with some brocade gold fabric curtain panels in it. On the box was a sign that said "make me an offer" Julie offered $6, and he took it, good thing i kept my mouth shut i was going to offer $12.



Another shot of this eclectic display. He had me interested with the fresh flowers outside the shop. The dishes were great all gathered together by color and style. I wish i could have bought some to bring home.

Thursday's class Annie Lockhart...............

My first class with Annie Lockhart. What a sweetie, her wonderful talent of putting old memories together into something beautiful was the highlight of the day. I made my piece out of a very old fishing bag and some other nature things, the meaningful addition to my piece inspired by Annie was the dried daffodils from my brothers funeral two years ago, and the seven pearls in the seed pod for my sweet family.

I used some fishing lures that Annie gave me. I will always cherish this piece, because it reminds me of gathering days with my children, and the many hours my brother and i spent exploring the old junk on our farm.


my box of gathered memories i brought for Annie's class.

Julie's piece made from a small book that opens up. "Peace be With You" is the title. Beautiful.


i loved this ladies work so much. She was in our class and had such artistic ability. If anyone knows her name please let me know.


Here are some of my favorites from show and tell. Karen O' Brien created this in Judy Wise's class. I love it.


This darling girl, is fourteen years old. She did both of these pieces. What talent......


tomorrow i will post about the amazing class with Nina Bagley. Time to kiss the kiddies goodnight.

Art nest 2008

My artwork from Anahata's class.





My finished necklace from Amy's class. I really love the delicate little flower buds dangling from the brass chain.



Pam's journaling class.