This is Cut-Up Memory Walk. We take a walk near the cabin for 30 minutes; then, come back and create and write. How we see ourselves in the balance of nature...meadows of rebirth, wind howling through the trees, life in our hands, discarded/useful no more/once valued items intrude in this cycle of life. We see it- do we care enough?

As we play with molding paste on our page, I think about our Talking Stick time last night. The power of words- with courage and wisdom to speak...new found friendships and respect emerge. Positive power coming from the heart. We each share how our personal growth has effected our creative process.

First page in my journal....a tree from the kitchen window...a branch taking root...thunder and dark skies (how can we paint the thunder?)...hail leaving snow-like patches in the morning...trying to find our yoga place in the sun by the lake...

Relections, reflections....

Being creative was such hard work!

A day at the lake- 2011 Lake Alpine

Lake Alpine, California

Join Us this September:  

Lake Alpine Women’s Journaling and Painting Retreat with Elaine Frenett & Jean Warren

With the penetrating heat of summer upon us, try envisioning the air as autumn crisp, leaves begin to turn golden and thoughts turn to introspection. Such is the setting for the second annual "Visual Art Journaling Retreat", September 11 - 16, 2011 at Lake Alpine Resort, near Bear Valley, California.  The clean mountain air invites us to hike and explore, along with our watercolor journals, the shimmering lake’s surroundings where Miwok rocks line the shore. Come breathe creativity into your days ... fully packed, yet gently paced. This year's "Retreat Chef" is from the Culinary Institute of America - our meals will be scrumptious!  This all-inclusive retreat is for the spirited who love words, art, journaling and the energy of other women.  Still available is our "Emerging Artist" Scholarship! For more information: http://VisualArtJournaling.wordpress.com/

Nature Meditation

Watercolor Journaling, How Words Can Enrich Your Work

What does journaling have to do with developing yourself as an artist? I remember the first time I was asked to write my ‘artist statement’. It turned out to be a soul searching experience for me. Why do I paint? What is it about painting that is a necessary part of my life? I figured out it’s the way I see the world and how I fit-in. It’s my philosophy of life. Ah-ha! This is why I paint! The words helped me navigate and define what it was that I had to get into my work, the content in my paintings. For me it was all about the rhythms and the interconnections seen in nature.

So now, as I paint, I’m finding that painting stimulates the words to flow, the ideas, which, in turn, further expand my work. What is it that I’m trying to SAY in my work? What am I thinking? Who am I? I want this authentic and honest quality to enter my work. I want my work to have meaning, in fact, layers and layers of meaning. Meaning, the significance or implication behind the paint, can be brought forth through feelings, memories, past occurrences. Writing down these emotions can help bring forth images and techniques for future paintings. The best words are the ones that react and reflect or the verbs and adverbs.