resting in what is, delighting in what was - journalfest

Beautiful foggy mornings here in the northwest seem to reflect my foggy thoughts of late. At 52 years old, you would think I should know myself well enough to remember that after ANY big event, anything that is far and away from my usual quiet routine here out in the country, it will take my brain - chock full of experience and sensation - a bit of time to catch up with myself and my plans upon my return. And during that "catch-up" time, no matter how much I tempt myself, encourage myself, or scold myself into hurrying up the process, it doesn't/won't happen. All I can do is be patient or impatient while I navel gaze, paint and draw rubbish, relax, and wait for the pace to pick up again, for my thinking to gain clarity once more,  for the slowness to meld into a quicker pace. Why then I continue to agree to an arm wrestling match of sorts with this part of me, knowing full well that I will lose again,  baffles me. Maybe I've learned it this time, I think, maybe next time I will choose to just relax and not struggle, to let it be okay for me to do the backfloat and look up at the sky while everyone around passes me by doing the american crawl at top speed. Maybe I get it now...

look at the crisp winter apples, juicy and sweet after the frosts, ready for picking and eating

I have bunch of photos to share. I'll start with those images of places just outside my door, a diary of beautiful windy days, of trees letting go of leaves, one by one, and dozen by dozen, and carpets of golden yellow and orange carpeting tufts of green field grass.

 

Attending JournalFest was just exactly what I needed, in every way. I was there as a student, invisible if i wanted to be, running late if I needed to be, being spontaneous with my time and my schedule. What a wonderful freedom that is - to soak up everything, to not talk if i didn't want to, to give back through  my often quiet but sometimes bubbly energy merging with the collective creative energy of the group.

 

time to walk the beach

 

to soak in the sounds and smell and colors of the water and sky

 

to draw and paint and write in my journal in the company of friends. Here is dear Alex who was my instructor for a an experimental water color class, just the kind of learn-about-the-tools-break-the-rules-kind-of-class i love. she is a fabulous painter - one of my very favorite in the world artists, and i would love to be a fly on the wall somewhere (except flies annoy me - i don't like flies at all, maybe i'll be a  spider) and just watch her work.  i don't have much to show from the class  i'm sorry to say, as I was so busy and happy experimenting with this new-to-me-medium with all it's variations of application/papers/and mediums that i just never got around to pulling "shapes out of the clouds" from my paintings. But I am the kind of person that enjoys drawing out and savoring a surprise, so even though I haven't done it yet, I do know they are all in there playing, and lollygagging, and that in itself brings me continuous delight. The photo of the one piece I finished is towards the bottom of this post. It got taped into a very very special journal .... (curious?keep reading)

to take fabulous classes - all three - from gifted teachers. Judy and I got someone to take our picture with Theo Ellsworth, one of the instructors we both took a class from. He draws, and draws, and draws, and draws...and then draws some more and adds some words when he has them. This is what he shared with us, how he does this. 

 It was wonderful, I had a blast. I also didn't follow the directions exactly (he didn't demand it, thankfully) and I added some color after a few hours of strictly pen (whew, what a relief!). My tree hangers aren't nearly finished of course, but i'm sure they'll be happy to hang here till I get back to work on them.

The third class I took was from Anahata Katkin, one that I'd always wanted to take and felt lucky to get the chance. She gave us several exercises to do, experiments, loved that. Of course I didn't always follow the directions (as if i could even remember them half the time) but i did try lots of techniques she suggested in some variation, and plan to incorporate things I learned and new ways to work into my own art experiments. Here is some of what i did there:

working with a strong focal point and lots of empty space

a strong anahata influence here - i followed directions :-)

anahata said i had a graffitti style, i think that is pretty accurate

i incorporated a blue drawing by violet into this journal spread

this piece i drew the night of the journal party, the music was awesome and really influenced the "how" and "what" of my images. words still coming on many of these. i carry thoughts of my pregnant daughter Marissa with me everywhere I go, and baby Jackson...yes, he's in there. and no, she doesn't wear dreads :-)

And one of the most MOST exciting things to transpire was: I got to work in one of the 1000 Journals

 journal # 381 to be precise. having this opportunity was really a dream come true for me, i was so thrilled!!!

this spread is my contribution; the person on the right was created in Alex's class, the one thing i finishes, and I added collage images and words on the left.

Well, I think I've caught you up on the big stuff anyway. I'm working on proposals for classes, as well as a special-secret-something i'm working on that I'll announce here within the next week.

Thank you for stopping by and coming back. I appreciate your presence and your comments when you leave them. Until next time, enjoy the weekend and may all good things come your way. 

Comments

[Sarah]

Sounds- and looks like you had a wonderful, creative time. I particularly like the image of your pregnant daughter - it looks magical and reminds me of cave paintings and aboriginal art.

[Sharon @ norah'S]

Wow, I enjoyed every photo and all the comentary. Enjoyed seeing all you journalfest art too. Now I'm wishing for an apple tree....not to be found in Texas

[Holly]

Such a lovely post just jam-packed with visual delights. Thanks so much for sharing all these gorgeous photos. You look so beautiful in the pictures... so happy and at peace. Looks like an amazing time.
All my best,
Holly

[judy wise]

holy moly what a scrumptuous entry. Yum yum to all the wonderful photos and to the great work you did at Journalfest. I am resting in the arms and so many delicious memories. And eating baked apples with cinnamon. Fall is good. xo

[katiejane]

Amazing! I was so engrossed in reading each and every word, enlarging every photo! I love all this artwork you have produced. It is so good to work with others who inspire and teach. I wish we had more of these types of workshops where I live. But in the meantime, I will go vicariously through you.

[Jennifer White]

This was one of the best posts ever, Katie... I can't tell you how much I enjoyed walking through both your and Judy's words from Journalfest...what a trip that you were the students! I'm sure you were due for that, too. I must say, I'm quite intrigued by Theo Ellsworth and need to look him up...I really like what you did his workshop.

I owe you an email which I'm going to do now so we can catch up... xoxo

[Keli]

it was wonderful to meet you "in real time". you inspire so many... and me... thank you

keli
the box from montana girl

[waterrose]

Beautiful foliage. I think as we age we are given the gift to reflect...rather then rush on to the next thing.

[gina armfield]

it was so great to see you and spend time with you both in the house and in class - your work was outstanding in theo's class - didn't get to see that one first hand - lovely

[Judy Merrill-Smith]

So much to look at! Congrats on the 1000 journals entry. It is so amazing -- so many wonders out in the world, and you get to be a part of some of them. Great stuff!

[Tina]

What a beautiful post. So rich. I was sad to see it end. It was great to meet you finally. I so wanted an opportunity to chat a bit and get to know you but the opportunity never presented itself. Another time. I was also thrilled to have the opportunity to work in the Journal 381. So special.

[pam aries]

What a wonder filled journey I just experienced soaking in all your glorious artwork and reading about it all! Your art is and always has been an inspiration to mesince the very first time i saw you in Cloth Paper Scissors a few yearsago. Yuo really helped me get back on art path. Merci..

[Kelly Snelling]

i will have to come again, there is so much to roll my eyes over and let my spirit absorb! the photos are gorgeous. you are resplendent in your blue scarf in front of that china pink sky. and your paintings and drawings are fabulous. i want to paint so much right now. but i've twisted my back and have to go to bed. i don't wanna! i want to play. you've set my mind to reeling with the colors. xo!

[misty]

it sounds & looks like it was such a perfect time for you & everyone there! i love all the photos of your work & seeing your glowing face!
xoxox

[nina]

oh katie. your self portrait photos are so lovely, as always, and your artwork? incredible!!!!! i love especially the pieces you did in anahata's class...so you. so very you.
glad to see that it was a lovely time for you, getting away....x

[Lorraine lewis]

gorgeous images- so beautiful. You look happy!

[eb]

oh Katie what an inspiring post - so with your thoughts re: slow, quiet, and more slow...
loving ALL of this work - my son (he's 14 now) and I were lucky enough to take a class with Alex last June at Squam - wishing I had been here with all of you - such a treat to see Judy in Sept. and esp honored that she took my Squam class - just shlurping up all your goodness here like nourishing hot soup on a cold fall day - thanks so much...

xox - eb.

[carol sloan]

what a great post katie! i love reading your words, they touch a special place inside of me.