Anyone who really knows me knows I'm pretty random at times. I can go by the seat of my pants doing things that others have to "think through", analyze, calculate. It's more of my personality that I realize at times.
But many times, it's not random, it's a gut feeling.
It's really never wrong if you truly listen to it. It guides you where you need to be.
So. On my birthday, February 11th, I was feeling a bit, well off. Not because it was another birthday, but because my wee one was off at college doing her thing, Mr. Souers had to work until 10 that night, and I had just a twing of being alone.
Don't get me wrong, I love being alone.
But this was different.
I was missing something in my life. Was it adventure? Challenging myself to doing something "on a whim" like I use to? Wasn't sure, but when that voice in my head and the "feeling" in my soul is talking, I listen.
And then I jumped. One spot left. I really didn't have the time to leave for 4 days the following weekend. I really didn't as I had something incredible coming 2 days after. I would be rushed coming home, I had 35 ba zillion things to accomplish the following 48 hours. What was I thinking?
But again, if you know me, I jump when I should.
So I did.
And when I do, I am never sorry.
4 days of art inspired mixed media.
Playing in paints, watercolors, charchoal, matte medium, pastels (and I even worked on "using color" in my work) drawing and so much more.
I am a metalsmith.
Not a painter. (My sweet friend Lucy will be so proud of me)
Until now.
But it's what I always wanted to be challenging myself on. And this was the weekend to do so.
These girls were the cheese to my macaroni this weekend.
Everyone an artist in their own amazing right.
It's amazing what happens when you bring a group of women together in a home for a weekend.
Barely knowing anyone, we are timid, cautious, and have an interesting way of bonding.
Get a group of guys together and they are immediately comfortable.
We are wired so differently. Which I have to say, isn't always a bad thing.
But this amazing group of women were just that.
Amazing.
My little roommate Lynn from Chicago, was as sweet and fun as I thought she would be. And making her stretch out of her comfort zone was so incredibly fun.
You can see we definitely have "different personalities", but after this weekend, she is my friend for life.
Jeanne. An amazing soul, artist and friend. She was the reason I signed up as I hadn't seen her in years from her visit to The Farmchicks Show in Spokane. She was teaching. Mind you. The only one I knew as I was deciding to attend.
She and Mindy gifted us with classes of mixed media. My art is forever changed.
So sometimes, escaping reality is needed for the soul and shifting the path we are on.
It was the best birthday "gift to self".
I can't wait to share with you more.
And there may be some "colors" involved too.
Lisa
