Hey sweet lovely friends! Yes I know.. another week gone by without a blog post. BUT i have really good reason! Last week, (as I mentioned the week before).. I was hosting my first ever Art Retreat at my studio! A few months back, long time friend of mine, emailed me and asked me what the possibilities would be of me doing a "mini" retreat for her, her sisters and her mom! Of course I had already planned my two big retreats at my house/Studio for the year and didn't have any intention of adding anymore, but I also knew her and knew her family and thought, well.. this actually could be fun and a good time to get my "feet wet" so to speak as it would be the first retreat here at my new/old house and my art studio! So I said yes and as it got closer and closer, I can't tell you how NERVOUS i got! Seriously nervous and sick to my stomach! lol. I mean I was okay with the "art" side of things, but I also wanted this to be a magical experience for them as well, as they were spending their time, money and being away from their families and jobs to come have an experience that I HOPED would change their life. Most of them did not currently create Art or do any type of mixed media at all. However all of them are so talented creativity in some way.. I knew they would pick it up right away!
Day one: I headed South, to my meet them in a town about 45 mins away from my studio.. for a little shopping excursion to one of my FAVORITE vintage stores, Vain & Vintage. I was nervous but SUPER excited and ready for this adventure to begin!
When they first got out of the car, I got even MORE nervous and overwhelmed,
and when they introduced each other, I couldn't even remember their names and right off the bat, called one of them by the wrong name. AND not even the name of any of their sisters! lol. Just completely off based wrong! lol. Which is normal for me, but I think the nerves were also making it worse! So we shopped and had lunch at this amazing little place next door, and then headed north to my new/old House and studio to get started creating for the day!
When we first arrived, Ben gave them a tour of the new/old house, as well as the 6 acres.. and the warehouse (where we ship all of our mixed media products from Scarlet Lime). That was actually pretty fun and casual and helped set my nerves a little bit.
Then we headed into the studio where I had little gifts and goodies waiting for them.. (fun little treasures they could use during the week, but also take home at the end).
It was fun to do little things here and there, that hopefully made them feel special. I wanted this retreat to be all about them!
So we jumped right into backgrounds and paintnig faceless girls! We spent the entire day painting, getting messy, eating tons of delicious snacks that Ben had put out for us.
He was awesome by the way. He seriously made everything go so much smoother for me, always popping into to see what we needed, kept the food bar stocked with new goodies all the time. Would put out the blankets and pillows everyday for the outdoor creating area.. and light the candles that were in the mason jars, each night, that lined the walkway to the studio.
We finally decided it was time to get dinner around 7:00 pm, and they headed to check into their hotel, while I ran home to put on Pj's and see how kids were doing lol. Then we met back up at the studio for just a fun "creative" night of painting and working on what they had learned during the day. We stayed and played until around 11:30! Just a magical day!
Day two we started out finishing our faceless girls from day one, then had a delicious lunch outside on the blankets, under the lights, ben had provided for us. One of the requests Liz wanted, was to not only do a She Art girl, but to also do something a little more abstract. So I decided to take this project outside and we worked in the beautiful yard, surrounded by the trees and views of the mountains!
Ben even made us a couple of impromptu "easels" out of Old doors we had left over form our "new/old" Old. It was awesome.
Seriously he made them in less than 5 mins. He just rocks. We painted all day
and then again that evening we met up and created and painted and worked on more backgrounds and girls until 11:30 again! I was shocked at how well my body was holding up, being up so early and staying up so late.. Plus just being on my feet all day long! I really was having an amazing time. I also think that finally having this DREAM of mine.. to teach at my own studio and be surrounded by the quietness of where we live and the beautiful outdoors and the fun bright colorfulness of my art studio.. I think it just pushed my body into hyper drive and gave me amazing stamina despite my fibro.. for the entire week! It was crazy and awesome!
The last day, they took a chance with me and decided to be bold.. and let me teach them how to do a girl with a face!
Its a lot more intimading than a faceless girl, but I really wanted to show them the techniques and give them the confidence to go home and really try something new! To really feel like they walked away with creating something they didn't think they could do. AND guess what? They did freaking AMAZING!!
i was blown away by their creative talent! Most of them had never painted before but like I said,, creative women. And they just hands down, created the most beautiful inspiring women on canvas. I was so impressed and happy they decided to take that leap!
For lunch I took them to my favorite "hometown" burger place, to have just good old fashioned burgers, homemade fries and the best shakes you'll ever have. THen headed back the studio for an impromptu yoga session on the lawn (led by the awesome cutie, Rochelle).
( loved that most of them were in long jeans and long sleeves and sweatshirts. For me, it was SUMMER weather, and I was in short sleeve shirt and carpi's! lol.. but they are from Arizona and our weather in the 70"s was more their "fall" or spring weather.. but it was PERFECT weather for being outside!)
It was awesome and MUCH needed, because we spent the new 5 hours finishing our abstract paintings outside.. going from this..
to this!
They had planned on leaving earlier in the day, but I talked them into staying as late as possible on Friday, so we could get as much painting in as possible. I really wanted them to walk away with finished pieces and feeling like they had accomplished something wonderful! I just didn't want them to leave. I had made new friends for life and honestly told them, they were welcome back ANYTIME to just come and hang out and paint with me! (i hope they will too!)
I know for me, the experience was magical. I felt at home, at ease and at peace in my own studio, just being surrounded by my creative "home".. you know?
I loved having Ben and my kids there to help and to bring in little doses of love throughout the week. I loved being able to share with them my favorite shopping places and my favorite places to eat. I loved being able to share my home with them and where I live. It was just as I had envisioned it. and I can not WAIT to do it again! I already have plans to open up a few more "mini" retreats this year.. mainly geared towards "families or Girlfriend groups", meaning that the group that comes in, all know each other and come as a group of friends, or family. I think that also helped create a safe, inviting and neat experience for them. They were able to bond in a way they hadn't before and also were very supportive in helping each other through the creative "jitters".. I loved that about the experience. My larger, week long retreats will still be geared towards, just women from everywhere coming together to bond and create, and some of the mini ones too, but REALLY i would love for the mini ones to be geared towards small groups of friends or family who want to come, have a creative experience together. I have already have several emails with groups of sisters or friends who want to host one this year.. and my mind is already racing on how to make the retreats even MORE magical for each one! I can't wait..
BUT i have to wait.. lol.. because guess what? Our HUGE family reunion.. where we will be hosting over 100 people at hour new/old house?? Its NEXT WEEK!! and we still haven't painted trim, walls, don't have carpet, don't have any of the bathrooms done or the kitchen in working order. lol. Poor ben, had big plans and schedule last week, to get all the trim and walls painted, because carpet is comes TOMORROW (and we need carpet to put beds down).. and I think I may have sidetracked him just one too many times needing his help.. so we are a bit behind. lol. So today, and the rest of the week, we will be working our usual, all day, and ALL night schedule to get the house ready for guest. Most of them will be sleeping in tents on the lawn, but we wanted a nice, clean, warm place for the young moms with newborn babies to sleep at night. Plus have more than one bathroom (we have a bathroom in my art studio and one in the pool house).. but with 100 people.. I think we need a few more to accommodate potty breaks and showers lol.
So.. with that being said.. sounds like I better get my but in gear and head over to the warehouse to help ben. Poor guy was up until 3:00 am this morning working, then woke up at 8:00 and got up to head over there to work again! He seriously rocks, SERIOUSLY rocks!
Anyhow.. I just had to come on here and share this awesome experience from last week with you all! Not only was it a magical week for me, but it also lit the creative bug back in me again! Now all I can do is think about painting! lol.. but It will have to wait until the next few weeks is over.. because after the reunion.. then we still need to move into our house! BUt don't worry, I know I will find time to sneak in a few painting sessions here and there. I just have to.. ive realized its SOO important for me to paint just for myself! Not for a class, not for someone else.. but for myself. you know? You do know :) right.. you know exactly what I am talking about.
So.. I better get! I would love to say I will be back later this week to do another blog post.. but seeing as how my past record for the last month has gone.. I probably will be back next week lol. Wish us luck!! And thanks for letting me share this awesome journey and experience with you here on my blog!
xoxox
Happy Monday!
good post i loved it..
Posted by: gmail hacking | August 06, 2013 at 12:51 PM
Christy, Love the easels and I would love to do a retreat where I actually get to meet you! I want to get all the supplies so I can take the She Art Workshop 1 class and looking at the supplies, I can't find NeoColor Crayons anywhere, any sub. you recommend? Thanks!
Posted by: Shan | July 06, 2013 at 08:47 AM
Oh how wonderful that it all went so well.. it all looked like everyone was having a wonderful time.. Hope you have a wonderful reunion and get everything you want to get done, but dont worry everyone will manage no matter what you get done..
Sandy :)
Posted by: sandy :) | July 06, 2013 at 06:03 AM
I just love you energy and enthusiasm!! It sounds like it is catchy especially in such a wonderful atmosphere - oh, I would love to spend some time with you! I have been checking things out on your blog and classes for the last 8 months and I can say I am in awe!! Perhaps one day we shall meet!! Enjoy your new/old house!
Posted by: Melanie P | July 05, 2013 at 02:45 PM
I loved reading about this. And the fact you were nervous...you are soooo humble Miss Christy!! That is what we all love about you!!!! BEAUTIFUL days and paintings and women. Love it!!!!!!
Posted by: Leslie | July 01, 2013 at 11:35 AM
Amazing!! you realy are an inspiration. Ben seems to be pretty fantastic to!
Posted by: Beth Williamson | June 30, 2013 at 12:28 PM
Sounds like it was a fantastic retreat. Those clay hearts in ornate frames are a delight. I absolutely love them!
Posted by: Sharyn | June 30, 2013 at 04:12 AM
Wow - looks amazing!!!! I think I prefer Ben's easel to any I could buy!
Posted by: Carrie/scrapchick | June 28, 2013 at 11:02 AM
Loved your story about having the girls for an art retreat....but I can't get over you hosting 100 family members for a reunion?!?!? *shocked*
Posted by: Retta | June 26, 2013 at 10:08 PM
Oh, how I envy all of you. I miss painting with other painters and creative people. It has been too long. I would love to come over and paint with you. My husband's family lives in Milwaukee, not that far from you. Right?
Have a wonderful family reunion, relax and enjoy!
Posted by: ursula wollenberg | June 26, 2013 at 04:04 PM
Wow. That seriously sounds so amazing. Someday I want you to teach me to paint. Someday.... :) xo
Posted by: Ginger John | June 26, 2013 at 11:08 AM
I'm so impressed with the lovely paintings the women created! Good luck w the family reunion! You go, girl!
Posted by: Eniko DeLisle | June 26, 2013 at 09:34 AM
I am sitting here with tears. I can't wait to get there in September!!!! This is going to be epic I just know it. My first real big girl trip in years. I can't think of a better gift to myself then this.
Christy you are just magical!!!
Posted by: Laurie | June 25, 2013 at 04:51 PM
This looks like lots of fun! I saw some on the photos on Instagram - I would have loved to be there with you!
Posted by: Janna Werner | June 25, 2013 at 03:30 PM
Sounds simply amazing! I hope one day I can budget enough $$ to experience a retreat with you! Good luck putting the finishing touches on the new/old house & sit back & enjoy your reunion!!!
Posted by: becky voth | June 25, 2013 at 06:22 AM
What a dream to create with you! And especially in your new studio we all watched come together! Having Fibro myself, (as well as RA), I am always amazed at what you can do and it gives me inspiration!
Posted by: Amy Shepard | June 25, 2013 at 05:07 AM
My favorite photo was the jumping one - what a perfect expression of their joy in themselves, their art and the time together. You were a huge inspiration to them all, I am sure (and vice versa, I imagine). I recommend all future blogs start with a "jumping with joy for art" pic!
Don't worry about the renovations of your home for the family reunion - once we finish we just start over again, so our homes are constantly in fabulous flux - just enjoy the times together and the people. Love you!
Posted by: Carla Bange | June 24, 2013 at 09:46 PM
Christie - you take Brave Girl to a whole new dimension. You are an inspiration and a blessing. Your family reunion is going to be amazing. I so wish I could meet someday. You have meant so much to me in the last year. Thanks so much for being brave and vulnerable and willing to take a risk. We - your online buddies - are absolutely the beneficiaries.
Posted by: Lori Follis | June 24, 2013 at 08:33 PM
you are an amazing inspiration...way to go girl! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Margaret | June 24, 2013 at 08:26 PM
This is my dream...and you did it so well. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Mary Anne Perlmutter | June 24, 2013 at 08:14 PM