Thoughts for 2012

as the new year approaches… i have been thinking about some new retreat ideas and wanted to share.

i would love to figure out a way to offer a free retreat for those who could truly benefit but could never afford it….i’ve been mulling over this idea for a while… it’s going to  take some research!!  if i can figure out how to fund it, i could take applications and offer the spots to the most deserving applicants.  any ideas??

 i was thinking it would be fun to have a choice of classes available to meet different needs.  i feel comfortable teaching altered photos, contemplative photography, art journaling, transfers, soul collage and art collage and i have friends who could provide other choices.  hmmmm…..

 i like the idea of collaborating on a presentation.  each participant, through the use of homework and prompts would share some personal words and images which i could combine into a collaborative presentation to be shared at the conclusion of the retreat.  could be powerful…. and fun!!

 last week’s solstice emphasis on releasing got me thinking that it would be fun to have such a ceremony around a bonfire with the group.  the upper meadow lodge has a special area set aside for bonfires that we haven’t yet utilized.

my word of the year has been “imagine” and i was thinking it might make a fun retreat theme.

i’ve also thought about “alone and together” as a theme.

i’d love to bring some native american influences into the retreat planning.

 just some thoughts….. always open to suggestion!!

 (all photos taken at the space between 4

"creative practice" retreat last november)

More than the Sum of the Parts

bringing women together is a good thing in and of itself.  but when you take a group of women who are actively seeking to nurture their creative instincts…. then throw in a fabulous mountain lodge and a rare fall snowstorm….. well, some amazing things can happen!

creative sparks start to fly

seeds are planted

ideas unfold

new relationships are formed

secrets are shared in a safe place

there is an opportunity to breathe deeply and soak in the surroundings

i feel incredibly blessed to have been able to witness all of these things and many more this past weekend at the space between 4 retreat: creative practice. each of the women had something unique and beautiful to contribute.  and when that happens, something magical occurs and you end up with a result that is far more than the sum of the parts. 

 (see pics from the snowstorm here.)

The Space Between

where did that title come from you ask?  well, on january 9, 2010, as the very first retreat seeds were starting to germinate in my head and i was thinking it would be a good idea to have some kind of title….. i was reading the daily page from my awe-manac and it happened to make note of dave matthews birthday and suggested using the title of his well-loved song, “the space between”, as fodder for creative inspiration.  it was at that moment that it hit me – the perfect name for my retreats!

and now that i am planning the 4^th retreat, i’m more convinced than ever that it was the right choice!  because when we retreat we do step away for a time from our lives.  we enter a space that is not only a get-away and a rejuvenation, but a space in which we can look at our lives through a different lens.  we can try on new ideas, bounce them off each other and learn SO MUCH!!

so when we leave that space return to the space that is our daily lives, it will not be the same.  we will bring something back with us.  i think this is what i love the most!

i’m heavy into detail planning, lists, emails, powerpoints, gathering materials, etc. etc. at the moment.  i love every little part of it.  for the first time, it will be a whole new group of retreaters – exciting and a little bit scary at the same time.  i have enough confidence in the process, though, to know that it is all going to be wonderful!!

still have space if you would like to join in the fun!!

(details below in previous post)

Space Between 4 - Creative Practice!!

It's just around the corner!!

crisp mountain air.  golden leaves.  rip-roaring fires.  hot tubs.  i know, i know, it’s still the middle of the summer….. but  i’m starting to dream about these things and about all the fun that’s going to happen at the next space between retreat!! 

this year of “imagine” has prompted a plethora of new powerful PRACTICES to permeate my life (wow- that’s a lot of p’s!!).  there is sooooo much inspiration out there if you look for it, but it can become a little distracting and overwhelming in terms of translating it to actual creative output.  it’s easy to start something, try it a few times, get distracted by something else, try that, etc. etc.

i’m convinced that practices can have a profound effect on the creative life.  the way i am defining practices is like this:

something you do regularly to enhance creative and/or spiritual well-being and growth

examples of practices:

• engaging in  your creative pursuit
• (apart from an actual project)
• journaling
• meditation/prayer
• inspirational reading
• visualization
• soul collage
• shiva nata
• art journaling
• contemplative photography
• brain-storming
• yoga
• working with affirmations
• gratitude journaling
• accountability relationships
• blogging
• reading/writing poetry

we'll explore the ones we are interested in and learn from each other.  there will also be plenty of time for connecting, hiking, journaling, art-making and just hanging out together or alone.

i plan to teach contemplative photography and art journaling.  i know some of the participants will have things to share as well, so the retreat details will evolve as we get closer and i will post when i have new information.

i'm super excited (it's not getting old!).  the price is staying the same.  you can register HERE or with me directly.  just $100 will hold your spot.  if you register online, you need to pay the full amount.  there has been a lot of interest so don't wait too long!!