12 teachers, 3 full days of classes, 125 women (and a few guys), 2 book launches, 11 meals I didn't have to cook or clean up after, and almost a hundred hours to play = Squam Art Workshops and a wonderful time!
Originally it was to be Robin and me going but when Robin was sidetracked I called Linda at 3:30 in the afternoon and asked if she wanted to have an art adventure. True to her intrepid nature she said "sure."
"Great!" I told her, "just be here at 8 am tomorrow morning." So with a car packed to the gills with plenty of art supplies, play clothes, pillows and flashlights, electric tea pot, folding chairs and wine...and in the spirit of adventure, we took off for a workshop in the woods.
It was thirty-nine degrees the first night there and we were so happy to have a fire place. The two glasses of a very good red wine surely added to the warmth. But the warmth of the room was nothing compared with the warmth of the people that we met!
I work alone most days.It’s the nature of freelancing.My day job is designing and building websites and my passion is art – both mostly solitary by nature. I know there is an art community "out there" but mostly we know each other by writing a few lines on the internet late at night when we are done with the rest of our day.
And there we were deep in the woods surrounded by over a hundred kindred souls that came together to spend three full days participating in community and art.
Our roommates - the Ladies of Easterleigh - were the most amazing bunch of women I've met in a long time! The best Squam had to offer! Nine women, one shower and one tub. We worked it out with kindness and compassion. We became a community while we waited for Hurricane Ike to hit Texas - everyone praying for Roxanne's husband and animals sheltering in their home. We watched the fog roll in on the dock in the early moring and shared hopes and dreams as well as meals and our artwork.
And what are the odds of two people having business with almost the same name? Pretty good if you were in cabin 99. Bad Cat Graphics and Bad Cat Studios. Great name Tara!
Our class was with Nina Bagley and it was fabulous fun! I expected to enjoy her class but not nearly as much as I did. Nina you are over the top in all the best ways. Sweet and sarcastic, funny and bright, irreverant as a New Yawker, and really, really good at what you do! And now you are a friend. It was a pleasure! Take a bow!
And our class? Artists that blew me away with their creativity! (Ladies, there will be more class pitures going up and a video that will make you laugh... but for now, I need to type out that list that you are all waiting for! )
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who was a part of this. You warmed my heart, inspired my creativity, and enriched my life. I wish you joy!
Note** Elise called Linda and me "Chip & Dale" because of our little half sentence chatter... when she imitated us - we cracked up! Check it out... next stop Sundance Film Festival.