Shifting Gears

In the words of my sweet Grandma:  "My STARS!?"  ...it does indeed boggle the mind that our last visit was way, WAY back in July!  I can only assure you that I have been nowhere near as idle as this blog.  Things are well and happy in HoCo, and there has been much in the way of work in all areas -- with, again, the glaringly obvious exception of here.  It seems as though I did that weird "sharing-on-Facebook-because-it's-so-d@mned-easy" thing for longer than I realized.  Mea culpa!  In the words of my own *mostly* sweet self:  "Onward & Upward!"

One of the many things that gobbled up much of my time was the finalization of work for a new show.  As is the case for so many of my fellow artists, I seem to be a pro at the 11th hour dash.  Knowing that the deadline was so far away in January seemed to have fogged my vision.  The back-burner was well out of reach until the time became crucial.  My vision cleared, and work began in earnest.  In the words of my sweet *and equally wise* Mother:  "It always takes longer than you think."  ...and it did...  I could not be more pleased with with the outcome, though!

This suite was created for the CMMAG High Tea Exhibit during SPARKcon in Raleigh this past weekend.  The Guild also has a 2-D, hanging show in the Blake Street Shops through the end of September.  Between preparation and openings for these, workshops, demos,  regular meetings for various involvements, and the day-to-day doings of TSG and home, things have been a bit hectic 'round here.  There is something magical about having so much going on, though!  I don't necessarily want to live in 'overdrive' -- but it does feel good to have the ol' machine running wide open once and while.  It's rather invigorating to blow out the cob-webs and empty the tank -- it leaves one wide open for a bit of reflection before gearing up to ready for the next wave.

The next wave is quite the literal reference, as in merely a month I will be bound for the glorious outer reaches of the Outer Banks of NC -- it is nearly time for the ReMe Redux!  We will return to scenic Ocracoke Island for our final event of 2014.  We have two spots available for the week of October 20 - 25.  Hop over to the ReMe Blog for all the details you need to grab them!

Ocracoke in the fall is a lovely time!  Being a native of NC, I am spoiled by the luxury of the nearness of the ocean year-round.  For folks from other parts of the country, a beach retreat in October may sound the height of silliness.  In reality, Autumn comes late (if at all) to the eastern portion of NC.  It is not uncommon to remain in shirtsleeves until after Thanksgiving.  The average temperature on Ocracoke in October is a daily low of 60 and a daily high of 73 -- utter perfection!

If you, or someone you dearly love, is in need of some Rest, Relaxation, and Renewal please give a thought to joining us.  ReMe Ocracoke October is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be inspired and indulged during a week by shore -- surrounded by people who 'get you' like no others.  Good food, guest speakers, top notch art instruction, grand adventures, and personal discovery await you.  What better way to be rested and refreshed for the quickly approaching holiday season?  JUMP!  We'll save a rocking chair for you :)

Should you have any questions or need any additional information, just give us a shout:  reme@remeretreats.com.  If telephonic is more your speed, please include a contact number and the best time to reach you -- we'll happily give you a call.

With that, I will take my leave -- but let's do this again, sooner than later eh?   The above is a little teaser...  How better to ensure my rapid return, than to have something ready to share with you?  *schweeet!  ...n'est ce pas?*

Onward & Upward!

Words of wisdom for today:

"Happiness often
sneaks in through a door
you didn't know you left open."

                                    - John Barrymore

Photo Notes:

    Ocracoke Rocking Chairs - by Jodi Ohl
    Ocracoke, 2013 - by PLA - taken with Nikon D-5100     remainder - by PLA - taken with Samsung Galaxy S4

Memories of May - Week 2

Hello, and welcome to the 2^nd stop on the ReMe “Memories of May” Blog Hop!  Jodi’s posts last week (on both her Blog and the ReMe Blog) had my mind a’whirl with all of the magical moments that combined to make our 1^st event in Ocracoke a smashing success.  I have written and edited, and written and edited, and pared down, and edited some more; finally coming to the realization that I will never winnow this story down to anything approaching a “condensed version!”  SO…  I decided that if a picture was worth 1,000 words I could make this easier for all involved by showing you the majority of my favorite things (‘cause telling them all would take WAY too long)!

Any visit to Ocracoke is brightened by one’s mere arrival!  As I mentioned in our kick-off announcement, there is a certain “falling away” of the day-to-day once you are on the Ferry.  After the ponderous vessel delivers you to the dock on OCR, the sense of having “arrived” is palpable – the air feels different, the screech and swoop of the gulls and pelicans like a song in a foreign language, and the sense of being on “island time” enrobes body and mind.  So I guess my 1^st favorite thing is the location itself!

You are HERE!

Our Home Away from Home

We already knew and loved the place (both the Island and our home for the week).  Another thing that made our time in May so wonderful was that we were not merely “in” place, but extra effort was put into being “of” this beautiful place for the time that we were there, as well.  In planning for this event, we included the people and places that make their lives here.  In this way, we were able to show our guests more than a vacation destination – we were able to bring them up close and personal with the ‘real life’ of the island.  From bringing special guests in as speakers at the house, to Field Trips to take in the unique character of the Village, to obtaining our shrimp for our final dinner from the Waterman’s Association – we elevated our visitors to at least one or two rungs above “Dingbatter Status”

A favorite stop on any visit to Ocracoke:
the cozy confines of Books to be Red!

Bringing together a group of women from ALL over the country added another layer of wonderment to our time together.  Only ONE of our guests had ever been to Ocracoke before.  It was very special to see each of them experiencing this place for the first time!  Who but a group of artists would turn viewing a glorious sunset into art itself?

The first of many gatherings on our sound-front beach
to watch the sun slip away

Sunset as Art

 For as long as I can remember, time in the kitchen has been a special refuge for me.  Long before there was “art,” there was this space – a space that afforded me a sense of calm, a place to relax and create, a place to serve (in the most literal sense – ha!)  This trip amplified my love of KP duty to new level.  Meal times were times that saw us all come together – unified by a table full of good food and laughter.  Another favorite thing:  mealtimes!  Not only for the food (which was SPOT ON all week), but for the joy of interconnectedness that infused each coming together. 

 

Ready for the Dinner crowd!
...BBQ chicken for 12, with all the trimmings?  No problem!

After dinner lingering...

Speaking of “connections,” my soul thrilled to see this group morph into a cohesive “being” as we progressed through the week.  It sounds unreal to say that I witnessed the creation of a virtual family in the space of 5 days by the sea – but I DID!  We had the supreme joy of watching as strangers became friends who then became sisters.  They shared their stories and themselves – never hesitating to offer a hand (to both their fellow attendees as well as to their Hosts).  Amid the fully packed schedule, they found pockets of time to do their own thing and try new things together.  It was beautiful to behold!

Crossing the Dunes
...a morning of discovery at the Beach

Spontaneous Dancing
...what's NOT to love?

Memories in the making!
...a beautiful find on our trip to the beach

Evenings in the Parlor
...one of EVERYBODY'S Favorite Things from May!

Finally *mayhap a tiny bit selfishly(?),* I experienced a true “first” – something that I long to experience again and again!  For the 1^st time ever, I witnessed my work in a new way:  someone wearing both (a) a piece they made in a class with me, AND (b) a piece I made, that they liked enough to make their own!  It made my brain do a happy dance, indeed!

Both a Favorite Memory
and a personal first!

So much for brevity in my stream of recollecting (ha!)  Want to see even more incredible Memories of May?  Head over to the ReMe Blog for the 2^nd portion of this weeks Hop!  Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to WIN my “Little Leather Booklace” – a fully functional book you can wear!  The drawing for this weeks giveaway will take place on Sunday evening (June 22^nd), and will be announced next Monday!

Comment at the ReMe Blog
for your chance to make
this Little Leather Booklace your own!

There's more yet to see!
Visit the ReMe Blog for"the rest of the story!"

Onward & Upward!

Words of wisdom for today:

"When you wish someone joy,
you wish them peace,
love, prosperity, happiness...
all the good things."

                                    - Maya Angelou

An Art-full Month Was May

Goodness, gracious!  Can you believe it is already JUNE!?  I can NOT!  It seems like only moments ago May was on the horizon, filled to bursting with all the creative wanderlust I had lovingly plotted on my calendar months and months ago.  It also seems like I was away almost as much as I was around for month of May.  I can hear my sweet Grandma, clear as bell, exclaiming "My stars!"

On the Road Again...

It was a grand month, indeed; loaded as it was with the most lovely continuation it what appears to be "The Year of Firsts!"  ...and it was as full of creative happiness as it was 1sts of all kinds!  *I marvel daily at the copious good fortune that laces my days together!*  As it seems that I am geographically removed from virtually all of my endeavors by various fractions of hours, May also included a fair amount of mileage -- what The Man and I refer to as "Windshield Time" (or WT).  In addition to the opportunity to enjoy a good audio book, I welcome WT for the respite it provides from the rush and scurry -- it is a most wonderful time to revel in the visual merriments of greenery & sky, constantly morphing clouds, and the inevitable folly of my fellow human beans as we traverse the byways heading hither and yon.

May began with a much anticipated trip to the most lovely Ocracoke, NC.  After what seemed endless preparation, the actual event was upon us; the resultant triumph of our collective efforts has Jean, Jodi, Theresa, and I still in awe of the wonderment that is ReMe Retreats!  We have hatched a fiendishly fine plot for extending the enjoyment of that magical time, and I have included more info on that a little further on...

Tools of the Trade
...for the traveling book binder

The merry month of May also marked the beginning of my return to Workshop Instruction at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh for the year.  My offerings this year number FOUR (for complete details, visit the "Where to Find Me" tab, above)!  I really like the fact that our workshops are usually prefaced by a turn at the Try Me Table a week or two before class(es).  I thoroughly enjoyed my stint in Demo Mode prior to this months class.  I love meeting folks as they come into the store, curious about the "live arting" taking place.

My workshop this month was entitled "Long MAY you Wave."  We created kinetic color wheels using the Flag Book form.  It was great fun, and I had the pleasure of meeting new folks who share my love of books; additionally, I was able to enjoy a day with an existing friend who was excited to learn a new thing!  Bonuses abounded as we whiled away the day in an exploration of color, texture, and formation of a dynamic structure.  I do love the process of sharing/teaching!
I had the further good fortune to enjoy part of the weekend with dear friends (along with fantastic dinner and wine) and fellow instructors (for an afternoon of fellowship, food, and creative free play), which all combined to make a fitting end to a month of utter marvelousness!

Here's another of those "firsts" for you!

Standing at the helm of this fresh new month, I am tickled to announce that a Re-Cap of the finest order is now underway!  I hope you will join me along with Jean, Jodi, and Theresa for our Memories of May Blog Hop, as we look back at the wonderments of our very first ReMe Retreat.  Every Monday in the month of June we will take turns sharing our favorite memories, photos, and stories from ReMe - Ocracoke, May '14.  The journey begins on our individual blogs, and continues at the ReMe blog; there we will share the experiences of our Students as they share their favorite memories, photos, and stories from the week.  If all of this doesn't have you looking forward to next Monday, there is more!  Each week will present you with the opportunity to win work from each of us in a prize drawing!  All of the details are available in this weeks post at the ReMe blog.
 

Join us for the Memories of May Blog Hop...every Monday in June!

I'll be back soon with more on all that June has in store.  Until then,

Onward & Upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

"When we give cheerfully
and accept gratefully,
everyone is blessed."

                                    - Maya Angelou

Photo Notes:

    On the Road & Tools  - taken with my trusty Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS1

    Remainder - taken with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 

    ReMe Group Shot - by Deborah Belica