Ahh, just the thought of it excites me: four complete days in nature, a hot spring soak, eating well and painting all day. And it all just happens to coincide with my birthday!

I look forward to this time to lay on the earth, sit by a stream, camp, immerse my self in color and slow down/unplug from the to do lists. Will I miss my family and work, of course! It is tough to pull away. There is always the self talk that tries to convince me that I can’t leave all the responsibilities, don’t deserve it, can’t afford it, etc. But I have noticed over the years how vitally essential it is for me to leave, and for my boys to have their own experiences–to cook and clean and hang out and who knows what else (I don’t ask and they don’t tell!), but I know it is deeply good for everyone!

This will be my 8th art retreat. I know what to expect and that alone is calming to me. I can count on solitude in my day, a pretty drive, and good conversations. I know how to open to gratitude for this time. I trust myself to speak up for what I need. It is deeply nourishing in so many ways.

I go to learn more about myself through art, to push/stretch myself, to stay alive and present to new ideas, conversations and experiences. Painting is the medium. It is fluid. It gives me feedback. It is therapeutic. It is fun and scary at the same time. It surprises me. Even though I do not paint for the finished piece, I know myself well enough to know that I want to bring whatever I start to some sort of completion; there really isn’t time to paint at home (or maybe I should say, I have had trouble making it a priority).

“A painting is never finished – it simply stops in interesting places.”
Paul Gardner

I find such joy in the process of applying paint to a canvas. It is addicting to me. I have trouble stopping once I begin. I disappear into my own world and nothing else really matters. I listen–when I am tired and need rest, I can leave it. Other times, I could go all day and into the night, playing and finding the stillness inside. Color immersion is life giving to me.

“Why Color? Because it makes the world bigger unveiling all that is possible.”
anthrowindows

I return year after year because I get so much space and restoration from playing with color and having that conversation with the canvas. It forces me to stay present to my imagination especially once I have a fully saturated canvas and it is time for a motif.

“No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination.” Edward Hopper

“When you start a painting, it is somewhat outside you. At the conclusion, you seem to move inside the painting.”
Fernando Botero

I come home not always rested, but my gas tank is filled; my battery is recharged.