With the kinks worked out about reducing the dpi, making sure it was a jpg and  finally uploading the photos, I can now show you how much fun the  Glorious Abstract class had.  The photo above shows the class with our class mascot, Emma.  They are standing outside the Stables Gallery and workshop space.  What a group of great people!

The space at the Stables is roomy and perfect for creating.  The gals brought their I Pods so music saturated the air.  There wasn’t any way for people to not be creative……being in Taos, absorbing the light, smells and textures of the surrounding area.  When you have a room filled with those who are wanting to learn and are willing to put their egos aside, try new things, be open to failure so they can succeed…..you have the makings of magic.

Of course the shopping in Arroya Seco was a fabulous way to relax after a long day of painting.  Ice Cream at The Taos Cow made the afternoon perfect.  A soft rain fell as we sat outside on the porch of  The Taos Cow and shared our thoughts.

Here is the class picture from the workshop in Taos last week.  Fabulous people who joined creative thoughts and produced many wonderful paintings.  It always amazes me when a class comes together as this one did.  They were supportive of each other, painted with all their heart, each suffering silently in frustration with the newness of some of the painting ideas yet growing in leaps and bounds.  I have other pictures but am having trouble getting them accepted so will share them later when the problem has been solved.

Taos was unusually hot so we took off early one day and went  to Arroyo Seco to see this lovely town and indulge some Taos Cow ice cream.  Sitting outside on the porch of the Taos Cow  eatery we laughed and shared stories that normally would have been been left untold.

While in Arroya Seco the gals shopped and enjoyed the diverse opportunities that awaited them.  A trip like this awakens the visual spirit.

Workshops are gifts we give ourselves

I usually blog each Monday but this past Monday was my birthday.  I decided to give the whole day to myself.  No computers, no emails!  Birthdays should be a day you give to yourself the gift of celebration, belief in self while wrapping yourself in love. On my birthday I always give myself a gift. I try and find something that is beautiful and makes me feel  special…..this year it was a gorgeous soft cadmium yellow scarf with curled edges that looks and feels like spring.

My puppy Emma gave me a great gift…..she went to doggy daycare for the day!!!!

As I age I look back to see the patterns in my life.  We all have personal patterns ….  some are good, some bad.  These patterns teach us who we are.  The patterns we develop in our ever day life also flow over into our creative life.

This past weekend I taught a Collage and Design workshop to a group of gals who fed my soul. The energy of the group seemed to grow as each day progressed.  Collage papers were everywhere. Laughter, frustration, laughter, frustration.  The collages were stunning and the smiles told it all.  Some were already into creating but others awakened a sleeping giant within their soul.  Watching as a whole new world is being born is a treat like no other.

I will be teaching workshops in Taos, New Mexico this summer.  They will be posted  soon in case you are interested.

I have just moved to Taos, New Mexico for the summer and fall. I have a wonderful one hundred year old adobe home that feeds my soul. When I come here I immediately relax into the importance of life. I drove from Colorado Springs, Colorado with two dogs and a cat plus a car filled with clothes, art supplies and plants for the garden. The drive is always a feast for the eyes as I go over La Veta Pass which is stunning with its snow capped peaks and lush valleys. I then enter into the New Mexico landscape filled with chamisa and this year, with all the rain, loads of wild flowers. What a great way to start the summer.

I will be teaching workshops this summer. This always excites me. The fact that I get to meet so many unbelievable artists is a gift. The energy within each group is electrifying with each sharing their thoughts, successes and failures about their art and their journey as an artist. We all benefit from learning we are not alone.

I will be teaching an Abstract workshop, a Fine Art Collage workshop and a Design and Edges workshop. If you desire to know more about these workshops just go to my website www.gwenfox.com where you will find the workshop descriptions.

If you have never been to Taos, NM you are in for a treat. If you have been to Taos then you know what I mean. The light is different here. Artists have come to NM for ages in order to capture its magical light and shadows. One can see the glow of the light as it hits the old adobe walls. The walls seem to be filled with not only history but mystery. Perhaps this is the magic of Taos.

Below are pictures of my adobe home. I bet you can feel the love.