Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Art Unraveled

The air is full of electricity... creativity and sharing abound, smiling faces full of eager anticipation were the constant during my time spent at Art Unraveled. I expected nothing less from my days... what fun, what adventures to be had.

Although my trip started out a bit bumpy with a phone call in the middle of the night on the eve before my journey. My flight had been canceled due to bad weather in Denver. Suffering from a sleep induced fog, I could barely wrap my mind around the caller's words. All I could think to do was cry.

However a knight in shining armour quickly stepped in, my husband gently took the phone from my hand and spent the next two hours working with the poor airline representative, that must have picked the short straw and had to call me, to find a solution.

By 2:00 a.m. the tears and panic had subsided and there was a plan. Instead of flying from Wichita, I had to make a mad dash to Kansas City and hop on the next available plane. Luckily, my husband was able to go with me so that he could drive the car back home.

Let me tell you, I have to admire the many brave souls that fly stand-by because I am not one that can do this without having stomach in knots, waiting and worrying the entire time, which seems like an eternity by the way, until I am comfortably or uncomfortably in a seat on the jet.

After several kind individuals, or angels in disguise, and a few lucky breaks, I finally arrived in Phoenix right before the airport closed due to a nasty storm that engulfed the city around 10 p.m.

Poor Marylin had to fly to Phoenix all by herself, gather bags, gather boxes, pickup the car, find the hotel, and then come and retrieve a rather frazzled daughter-in-law later that evening, all the while driving in the dark in a strange city.

BIG KUDDOS to this very brave lady. I am not sure I could have managed the same feat.

If I slept a solid hour after a full day of wondering whether I would even make it to Art Unraveled, I would be greatly surprised. But lack of sleep, fretful expressions, and this nagging cloud of worry disappeared when I arrived in class on Friday.

How could I not be completely enchanted with such incredible students that dove head first into the Portraits of Nature Workshop and created the works of art you see below. Like a bird released from its cage, I felt like I was soaring right along with my students as they painted.







This magic did not stop on Saturday, no indeed.... I was overwhelmed by the beautiful spirits that came to my vendor table. I felt so close to crying tears of joy all day. Affirmation after affirmation kept coming in waves that washed over this weary soul. How could I be anything but utterly grateful to those kind individuals that stopped to talk and/or purchase one of my treasures.

Sunday's workshop was just downright fun... this group picked up where Friday's workshop left off, creating the most luscious vintage journals. It was the perfect class for a last day of a week long retreat. All the books were so charming. I could have easily stacked them all up and stuffed them into my bag to take home.




I missed a few of my students... I know some are camera shy and that is ok, but I want to thank them just the same for spending their days with us.

Many, many thanks to Linda for coordinating such a wonderful event. I look forward to visiting again next year!

3 comments:

Angie in AZ said...

And I'm still standing by my assessment... you sell your art TOOOOO CHEAP! I can't wait to give my mom the little book of images and poetry. I'll be seeing her Friday. She'll be so happy! Your work is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Your classes look fabulous, and after talking with some of your students, I know it is just that way. Your beautiful spirit comes out in your art and I'm sure in your teaching. I look forward to seeing you again next year! Hugs, Fran

Rella said...

It was never obvious all the turmoil you went through to get here....what a precious soul you are and it was wonderful to meet you and speak with you even for a few moments on Saturday.

Warm hugs ~ xoxox Rella