New  students arrived this week for the Color, Design and Edges Workshop and quickly became close friends and workshop buddies.  Coming from Canada, North Carolina, Texas, Colorado Springs, Arizona, New Mexico and California they joined forces and became “The Family”.  They also became what I call “the party group”….which means they took advantage of everything Taos has to offer….including a lighting show. They drove to Blueberry Hill ( a  road high on the mesa) to watch this spectacular event.  This group of students  graciously included everyone in their adventures.  When one student got sick they purchased a card, each signed it to let her know they were not only thinking of her but wishing her  Get Well Soon.  It is little the things like this that really count.

Each class is different yet the same.  They come to learn , grow and accept  the constant frustration of not being able to capture the ideas and thoughts that fill their head.  They watch the demos, listen to the topic of the day then go back to their tables ready to paint with enthusiastic vigor.  Each person in the workshop was filled with true artistic expression.

During this workshop a beautiful stray dog wandered into our space.   The dog was a nine month old female husky/wolf mix that was sweet through and through.  Her name was Moe.  She stayed with us for two full days, one student took her home for the night, and she was then reunited with her owner at the end of the second day.  I find it interesting that one of the students, Sarah Fricke, a professional dog trainer just happened to be in this particular workshop.  Great timing!!!

Late Wednesday afternoon we went to Arroya Seco to enjoy this delightful little town and , of course, Taos Cow beckoned so we all indulged in their delicious creamy ice cream.  I don’t know what the students enjoyed most….getting out in the soothing New Mexico sun, looking at all the eye candy in the shops, the tasty ice cream or just relaxing with their new found friends.  Being able to talk art constantly is real a treat!

It is always a pleasure to teach such artists.   We all come from different areas in the world, different walks of life, have different thoughts and beliefs yet when we get down to the essence of who we are….. we discover we are all beautiful spiritual human beings.

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

Time to witness the birth of an evening.   Time to become one with the universe.

When we take this time to become part of the universe we become  more real as an artist.  We actually see…we look….we are aware.  This is when we are whole.

Take time this week to look….beyond what is normal…..be silent…be still….absorb and breathe.

Enjoy the journey to the inner part of YOU.

Much love

gwen

I teach workshops in Taos, New Mexico each summer and I LOVE IT!!!

Workshops require a commitment.  Travel, money, time,  and effort…..all part of the growth process.  With this commitment comes  the knowledge you are doing something for yourself.  You are fulfilling  a desire that has perhaps been dormant for years.  In doing this you are honoring who you are.  You are no longer going to wish…you are going to DO.   This workshop may be in writing, quilting, meditation, painting, drawing or yoga.  The key is what is screaming inside of YOU.

Here is my philosophy as a teacher:

My most important job is to provide a safe environment for the students to learn while failing….yes failing.  As we all know, we must fail our way to success.  The key is being able to create in a space where judgment and expectations are put aside.  Workshops are for growing, being uncomfortable, trying new ideas, techniques and ways of applying the paint…… not repeating what we have always found successful.  We seldom learn from our successes…..we learn from our glorious failures.  They are to be cherished as they get us to the other side.

I always say at the beginning of each workshop….If I see fabulous paintings I will be disappointed.    My reason for saying this is  two fold.  One:  the students immediately relax..the pressure is off…they can now play.  Two: to give my students permission to “get out of their box”.  We can’t do this if we feel we must produce wonderful pieces of art.  If great pieces come from “getting out of the box ” that is wonderful.  Creating incredible pieces of art is not the goal….growing beyond where you were when you arrived is the goal.

Here is what I try, as a teacher, to offer during a workshop:

• Discover  a new confidence in yourself
• Provide  inspiration
• Present usable knowledge
• Artistic fear is normal and good
• A safe environment
• Create curiosity
• Freedom to explore new ideas, techniques and  thought patterns
• Instill belief that your artistic journey is of utmost importance
• Give permission to go within and find that quiet place where courage lives.

My question to you is…….What do you  look for when selecting a workshop?

What do you want it to give you?

The truth is you are an artist…that is your JOB.  You are blessed with that creative gene that gives you insight into a design that hasn’t been used before, a way to put color and light together that makes people stand in reverence when looking at your work.  You are an artist.  That “feeling”  we so often refer to as essential when painting is not the essential item….it is your thought about the “feeling”.  Having to be in the “feeling” is an excuse to play hooky. The truth is, it is fear that is hiding behind the word feeling.  Don’t confuse these two words.  They are sometimes the same and fear will rear its ugly head as many times as we allow it.

When it is time for you to go into your studio……GO!  Don’t ask why or what will I paint today, or maybe even….I need to reorganize my studio……PAINT FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!!

So what has brought on this ranting of time and excuses?  My mentors wife, Margie, (my mentor died several years ago) is now dying .  She is 93 years old.   She is in hospice.   I go see her almost everyday and she seldom knows I am there.  She talks of events of long ago, sings opera, and laughs…..all to herself.  She is a beautiful lady.  Today she is still and quiet.  She is withdrawing and getting ready to let go. For both of us it is a quiet time filled with memories.

Being with Margie has given me another opportunity to reevaluate my own life.  I have reevaluated my life many times and I am always thankful for the opportunity as it keep me honest.  I look at  how I spend my time, how many excuses I make to not go into the studio……all these thoughts have hit me square in the face as I am guilty of everything I have just written about .

So what is the answer?  The answer for me is to be aware.  Aware of not only my thoughts about my career but about how I chose to spend my time.  Our time is a commodity that has immense value….chose to spend it wisely.

The fabulous photo is by Joseph Gascho    website     http://www.jgascho.com

Erin at the shelter told me that often times it takes Pit Bull types longer to get adopted because of their bad reputation. This reputation is caused by improper breeding, lack of socialization and owners teaching them to be mean and aggressive. In truth Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs that make great family pets. If I am not mistaken Helen Keller had a Pit Bull as her dog.

As a Abstract artist one would find it difficult to imagine me doing portraits of dogs….some cats. It all started with the loss of my German Shepherd, Annie. Annie was my rock. She knew me inside and out. She never failed me….she saved my life twice. Yet in  her emergency I could not save her.  Those deep dark eyes were able to see into my soul.  Her love for me surpassed my wildest expectations. We were a team, Annie and I.  We  traveled, witnessed loss with the death of my husband, experienced the frustration of a new puppy named Abner, and enjoyed the amenities of just being. I decided to do a portrait of this gorgeous spirit and discovered I could translate the feeling within the dog. In other words, I painted its personality.

With Abstraction one is painting loose and free while the under structure is strong in design. I had to look and paint with different eyes in doing the portrait. There were the shadows. What colors were there? The facial structure, the anatomy of the face. All these things were essential in showing the personality. My world opened up onto new horizons. I loved my new life.
This is when I decided to do the portraits of shelter dogs. I went to the local Humane Society and walked down long rows of lost souls. Some forgotten on purpose while others were sure their owners were coming any minute. The one I have posted for you to see caught my eye because of its fabulous ears and facial expression. How could anyone not love this dog?
Doing this series has been a huge blessing. What have I learned? I have learned that dogs speak.  They are proud, they are scared, they are screaming for us to care. The young ones just look and say “let’s play”….. totally unaware of their circumstances.

As artists I challenge you to take on a project that is not comfortable.  Get out of your comfort zone….give your confidence a challenge.  Share your experience.

Live out loud.

I don’t fight this feeling anymore. I just recognize it and respect it as part of life. When I fight it the paintings are such a struggle.  Then there is the downward spiral into the “pity party” attitude. That is when I take off for a long walk.
Our thoughts really do affect how we create. It puts us in a lower energy vibration that slams the door to our true creativity.

How do you handle those low moments in the studio?

For now I know:

Touch each piece of paper once
Purchase a pretty container to place your bills when they arrive so they don’t get lost
Make a list of your business goals for the week and tape it to your computer
Don’t wear a patch on your eyes so you can’t see the paper taped to your computer
Keep notes in one, yes one, notebook….this way you can always find them as they are not scattered everywhere.
Start a file system that makes sense to you.
Purchase a tab maker to print your headings for your files
Drink lots of water

What are your greatest fears about your art career in this economy?  Let’s have a conversation ….maybe it will help us all.