The Space between part 2

The Space Between Part 2...

So after we all settled in and got to know each other Bonnie made some wonderful cookies.  Then we got into the art part of the retreat. Patty led us in some wonderful exercises and showed us some fun art journaling tricks.

This is our art table... It looks like candy don't you think? Everyone was in a great place playing with words and paints, coloring and sharing our creations.  It was a perfect day.  Getting started is my favorite part of the creating process with friends. I especially like the noise associated with the hustle and bustle…  I also love the part right after we have been taught something new when the room gets quite because everyone has found their creative art tingle…

I found this quote and thought it was perfect for what I was feeling.

All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness.

::: Eckhart Tolle ::: 

Here is my creation...
I call it
"Sweet Spirits..."

My Girlfriend created this sweet page of her husband and daughter in her art journal… She loves purple and she loves glitter and it is evident in her work of Art… There is so much in love in art... I will share pictures of the wonderful ladies I meet tomorrow.

xoxo

 G

The Space Between Part 1

Last Friday I found myself arriving at a very special event that I had been looking forward too for a while.
I think it’s beneficial to my being to schedule a couple of weekends a year to get together with other girls and harvest the creative side of my brain...  I have found that this experience fills me with hope and joyfulness.  It also gives me something to look forward to.  I think it’s really important to plan that stuff out.  You should try it… If I had the money and the time I would go to as many retreats as possible.  

This past Friday my friend Charleen and I arrived at The Space Between Art retreat put on by a Patty Waite.  I live in Sunny San Diego, so imagine my surprise when we drove an hour and a half away to Palomar Mountain and it was snowing.  When we arrived I was so happy our beautiful Cabin.  It was so “Fancy”…  My favorite part of any retreat, once I get past the nervousness, is making new friends and looking through the goody bags. (Patty made great goody bags) Patty had put together some really great power points and we did some really fun word exercises. It was very sweet and cozy with candles lit, the fireplace burning and watching the snowfall through the huge picture windows.

By the time we arrived it was late and we went to bed soon after that. OK wait yes a couple of us stayed up and talked for hours. When we woke up the next day Patty had arranged for one of the girls, who lives on the mountain, to take us on a hike.  Terri led us on a three-mile jaunt and shared with us all the history of Mt. Palomar... It was so cool to be walking among the huge trees while walking on the crisp snow. It was a great treat for this girl. Here we are exploring...

We hiked for about 3 miles and just took it all in.

Hanging with my girlfriends is one the top ten things I love to do.
Ok I will post all about our art tomorrow.
have a happy Thursday
xoxo
G

I love Art Retreats !!!!

I love love Art Retreats !!!
I really had to get that in there.. I was lucky enough to get to attend the Space Between at Palomar Mountain. The retreat leader is Patti Waitte and she wrote a great blog post about it...
check it out here..
I will tell you all about tomorrow.
If you have the chance to attend something like this. I highly recommend it..
xoxo
G

Sweet November..

Last  night I was walking and when I looked up I saw a heart in the sky right next to the moon. Do you see it ? The first person I thought of was my friend Chrissy. She loves hearts and because of her I look for them now and its crazy there are hearts everywhere if you just look. Its amazing the friendships I have been able to keep after attending
The be Present Retreat put on by Liz.
I had so much fun and I had one of the most beautiful experiences of my life, so this afternoon I will be driving with my dear friend to the mountains near San Diego where they are expecting snow!!
To attend
 The space between Creativity Retreat.
I cant wait to share what I am sure is going to be a beautiful experience.
OK so have a wonderful weekend and I will share my journal and painting and whatever other yummy-ness I may encounter.. Have a great weekend and don't forget to look up at the moon you may see a heart..
xoxo
G

Little Mexican Village

I am passionate about how much I love the colors that Hispanics use to paint their art. I love the brightness of the art. They make me smile. Not to long ago I was invited to my moms friends ranch in Ensenada, Mexico for a surprise birthday party.  The entire ranch was bright pink and bright yellow. The decorations included bright colored turtles and day of the dead skeletons, that look to be having a great time. Every were I looked there was color.  I remember thinking oh my I love this!!!!  Living in San Diego I forget how attracted I am to Hispanic Art.  Once I see it I love it all over again.
The other day I googled Mexican art and came across so many pieces of work that reminded me of the happy Mexican village I saw.  I just loved it. I  don't know the name of the artist that inspired me but I painted my own rendition of the village I saw. 

This is it..The sweet little village.

I added some glitter because every little village in my head has glitter in the sky.

Once while walking down a street in Cabo San Lucas there was a man selling lots of sandals just like the ones on these little key chains.  The man had made the sandals by hand.  I remember all the bright colors he used.  I regret not buying a pair for myself.  I would have chosen the orange ones.. I am in love with all the bright colors... so pretty
Have a colorful day
xoxo
G

Dia de los Muertos Celebration

The day of the dead celebration was so much fun. I think this was the first one I have attended . It was so much fun. When you first walk into the Mission Grounds they let you do a chalk drawing for your loved ones that have passed then they put carnations on them. It was so cool to look at.

I did Isabella's make up before we left .. I should of done mine too..next year I will.

My favorite part was the Ballet Florclorico. It was amazing. They had a Mariachi and the dancing was so good . So what they do is tell stories through there dances.

 The girls are so beautiful with there traditional Mexican dresses. 

This girl has on the dead bride costume . Love it !!!

So much fun..

Bella and Kiffer had a great time too..

I love the bright colors and all the the Mexican traditions...It was a perfect Sunday..
Hope you had a great weekend too.