What an amazing Spring we have had in AZ! We were so blessed with lots of rain and cool weather. I love to garden and it’s been lovely eating meals out of the back yard. Sending best wishes to those of you in harm’s way with crazy weather patterns, so many tornados and flooding! As summer kicks off I sure hope you enjoy some family fun and backyard bbqs, whatever makes your heart soar.
Grand Canyon Trip
I crossed an item off my bucket list by rafting the Grand Canyon for 8 days! The best part was that it was a painting trip! So I got to bring my painting equipment and hang out with other artists while immersed in the gorgeous setting. This trip was organized by Cody DeLong and our outfitter was AZRA. I highly recommend them! Here are a few of my paintings from the trip. I will continue to post more on my website as I complete them. I loved meeting other artists and formed new friendships. I also did a lot of soul searching and read on for some changes in my life.
Teaching
I have taught art for many years and I thoroughly enjoy sharing my love of creating with others. So many of my dearest friends were met by my teaching them some type of art. Most of you know my commitment to Free Arts for Abused Children of AZ is important to me and I’m proud to still be involved after 20+ years. As I try to live more intentionally I’ve decided this summer to teach for Free Arts at their MAC camp the first two weeks of June. These kids live in shelters and group homes and I hope to help them feel safe, learn new skills which will result in their developing hope and resilience. I will still teach the Youth Academy at Scottsdale Artists’ School for sessions 4, 5 and 6.
My first week of MAC camp just ended and I can’t tell you how moving it was to see abused and neglected teens find their voice and share it with pictures and spoken word! I am definitely living my purpose right now.
I’ve learned from over 25 years of teaching art that no matter what your upbringing, we all have feelings of unworthiness and the simple act of creating can shift you into feeling worthy and full of joy and hope. There is something very magical that happens when you immerse yourself in the process. I will take a break from teaching this Fall to develop some new, exciting retreats and expand my painting skills.
To that end I am letting go of my paint party business as I think it devalues me as a serious artist. I will instead be offering small retreats in beautiful settings that nurture the artist within as well as the spirit. It’s so important to me that I combine spirituality with my art lessons and live my purpose! I will also be closing my Etsy shop at the end of July and I will be securely selling originals from a shop directly on my website. Evolving . . .