Contemplative Photography Comes to the PNW!

some of my happiest moments ever have been those immersed in nature with only my camera as a companion.  the experience is all the more meaningful and memorable if i’m able to let go of the chatter that normally occupies and hi-jacks my mind.

 i’ve been longing to teach my favorite class…. and this new setting is so perfect for it!   there’s this land and all its growth in the full dress of spring. trees and plants large and small, critters, bugs, life everywhere! 

The Space Between Studio

and the bay, oh, the bay…. each day it has a different mood and attire.  the water, the sky, the clouds, constantly changing, no 2 views the same.  

then there’s the water’s edge, complete with kelp, rocks, shells and a myriad of  little sea creatures.

what better place to be drawn in by the surroundings and connect with them through our cameras?  a chance to leave the pressures behind and succumb to nature’s soothing balm. it will be a day of learning and sharing and an opportunity to begin a new practice that can have a powerful impact on your life.

i realize this may be a whole new concept for you.... a couple of recaps of former classes can be seen here and here.  please email me if you have questions.  i hope you will join us on april 11!

The Space Between Moves North!

yes, its been a while…. but you know how i feel about the space between and i’m happy to say that it still exists, though it has migrated many miles north from its original habitat....

we moved to the olympic peninsula in february.  one of the many wonderful things about the property we bought here is its separate studio cottage.  some of the first renovations we jumped into involved improving the space to make it workable and i’ve already spent many happy hours there creating.

but  i’ve felt from the beginning that this space was intended to be shared.  i feel that it’s a positive, healing space that can foster connection and collaboration.  i’ve been wanting to have some small workshops and gatherings but the time was just not right until now.

 i’m ready!  i’ve saved all my “curriculums” and am excited to share them with with new participants.  so i’m planning to host “creativity unleashed” on october 28 and it’s already full so i’m adding an alternate date on october 30.  exciting!!

this is actually a 3 part workshop, but we’ll take it one step at a time and see how it goes…. please let me know if you are interested or have any questions (contact info above).

hope you enjoy these pics from some workshops in the past.....

you can also scroll down to previous posts and see some of the fun that the space between has generated in its past life!

Another Garden Gathering - August 17!

because of its close proximity to the creative play retreat, i never got a chance to reflect on and write about the garden gathering we had in may (check the link to see more details...) so let me just say..... it was everything i hoped for and more!!  women grouping together to share their journeys, relax in nature and create is a wonderful thing.  it's nourishing on so many levels....

thanks to the enthusiastic response, i have decided to set up another garden gathering this month.  same basic format but this time we'll play with spirit sticks and painted rocks.  or if you prefer to bring your own project to work on, perfectly fine too!!

here are the details.  still just $25 all-inclusive.  my email is here if you have any ??s.  please register in advance (here or with me) (subject to minimum participation) hope to see you there!!
p.s. the garden house is air-conditioned!!

Creative Play Recap

there were so many wonderful things about this retreat it’s hard to know where to start!  first of all, these ladies came as a group.  they work together and get along so well that they like to play together too.  how awesome is that?? so a “creative play” retreat seemed like the perfect theme!

i had never been up to the lodge at this time of year before but it was truly magnificent.  the clouds below framed by shining green ferns and punctuated with lavender and purple lupine…. totally dreamy. 

 

 

 

we spent time outside and hiked in the forest, capturing the beauties of nature, as well as “playing” with it a little.

 we spent hours happily creating….. watercolor, nature prints, tile painting and mandalas. we had a “show and tell” for our beautiful creations. 

we had gourmet meals served by our amazing “head chef” elissa who is a master of delightful presentation. delicious and beautiful.  oh, and a well-stocked bar.

 

 we relaxed.  we laughed a lot.  there were goody bags and a raffle.  and there was dancing….

 we shared stories, ideas, hopes and dreams, and things of the heart…..connecting and bonding in the process.

 there is a lot of planning that goes into something like this…. but to me it mostly feels like play and not work.  i was deeply honored to be a part of it.