2008 Diva Retreat Recap

Since our first Diva retreat in 2006, all of us have known somehow,that our paths would cross again... and again and again. Last weekend was our 2 year reunion and 11 of us shared our thoughts, ideas, techniques, queries,inspiration and friendship. With ice and snow predicted for last weekend you can well imagine how most of us reacted to the "farfetched" idea that our creative weekend "might be cancelled". As it turned out the ice melted and sun came out to reveal the deep blue mountain skies of North Carolina. What a relief and what an amazing beginning to this deep meaningful retreat.
From "show and tell" on Friday night from most of us, our inspiration
was flowing and we were all eager to get our fingers into the paint
and begin the process.Top to bottom is a collection of some of the creative journeys that
we have been on recently.
#1 Donna Williamson collages family photos with fabric
#2 Donna also shows a "color" motivated project done
with a group that she belows to in Charlotte. Her color" John Deere Green" ...
#3. Kristi giggles over her latest Fabric Booklace. Look for her to teach
that here in June. (Yes, you can finish it one class!)
#4. Suzi Hunt's newest fabric dolls took us all by storm. Generously
she has given us all a pattern to create our own.

This was only the beginning of the weekend. After that we shared
"goodie bags" filled with hundreds of unique found objects,
papers, vintage items, fabrics and much much more.

To be continued....

It runs in the family

My sister Amy, paints! I can't believe it! When she told me that she had started painting, I almost fell over. She was/is the last person in the world that I would even think would start doing something creative. The studious type, the single working girl, the academic type, but not in anyway, an artist. Since we have been adults, she has always lived in other places such as Denver, North Hampton,MA, and now Davis, CA, so knowing what she was doing on a day to day basis was not part of the program. Needless to say I was quite surprised but hearing the joy in her voice as she talked about her new passion thrilled me. The best part about all of this is that after all these years we finally have something in common, our art.
Here's her latest work after taking a weekend of lessons in Huntington Beach, CA. from Robert Burridge.

This week in North Carolina

From cold weather and ice in Saluda to
60 degrees in Charlotte for the
fiber art exhibit...
One of my
favorite places
to stop for lunch or coffee and peanut butter cookies in Charlotte
is "Something Classic".
When my daughter lived in Charlotte
we ate at the one
on Providence and then I found out through "happy accidents" that there were a couple more locations.
While visiting the Black Lion on Park Road, there it was, right there
inside this designer showcase shop. What a pleasant surprise to be
able to shop and have a lovely salad.
On to the fiber exhibit at the Mint Museum of Craft downtown Charlotte...
This exhibits features the works of many talented fiber artists from around the world. Each unique, interesting and inspiring. You still have time to see these awesome works through Feb 24th.
Another happy accident... a Something Classic in the museum building. How lucky am I
to find this just in time for coffee and a cookie! yum yum