On Breathing....

I just returned this week from my first ever "Workcation" in the Outer Banks. I've been there once before, last year when I took a trip with some of my friends to prospect gallery opportunities, but this was the first time I was able to stay put and firmly put my feet in the sand for several days and just soak in the beauty in between more gallery hunting,  photography, and creative inspiration.
The best part was I was able to share that time with 7 other like minded friends and artists.

Talk about peaceful.

I'm not sure at what point my worries and stresses started to fade away into the wind.

I know there are some people (one or two of you) who just aren't that impressed with the beach.  But those who get it, really get it.  Especially if you grew up around the water as I did along the shores of Lake Erie.   Moving to North Carolina and experiencing the expanse of our coast just brings my love and reverence for the water to the next level. 

I really needed this break in the routine I to refill the well if  you will.  I know it may seem like if you work for yourself, that you have all the freedom in the world to do what you want to do when you want to do it. And in some respects, you do.  But then there is that part of you that also feels like if you aren't locked up in your studio all day creating and managing that creative business, your whole life and world is going to crash down around you because after all, the business is you. There's no time for a break.
At all.
Hmmm.
I fall into that trap all the time and will work weeks on end without a break and then when I finally do have time to take a break, all I want to do is sleep. sleep. sleep. 
The well gets mighty empty when you go on down that path.

Relax.
Reinvent.
Rejuvenate.
Renew.
A theme I will be sharing with you more and more as the year progresses as it is also part of a bigger plan that some of my friends and I are working on to bring to you in an exciting ways!

 From an early morning walk on a windswept beach  or an early evening rest with a glass of wine watching the sunset.  There's something to be said about reconnecting with yourself, the ground, and others in a way that heals and comforts you.

During the week I did manage to make time for art but not as much as I thought I'd do.  Perhaps it was that reconnection I really needed, that break, the time to fill myself back up with ideas and inspiration before I moved on.

Perfect timing for that much needed dose of inspiration as I will be having an exhibit in Carolina Beach at the Artful Living Group for the month of June.  My show is "Coastal Reverie", it's a melody of life both realistic and mystical along the coast from where I grew up to where I'm at now in NC. Memories, romantic ideals,  whimsical interpretations and soft moments are all apart of the experience just as it is when you visit any coast. 
The artist opening will be June 6th from 6:30-8:30 so if you are in the area, please stop in to enjoy the opening or visit anytime throughout the month.  I'll also be teaching a class there Friday June 7th (morning) on journaling, love to see you there.


So yes, the week in OBX was a lot of fun, but it was so much more.  It was an investment for the future, and by that I mean, it was that time away that gave me what I needed to continue creating from a place that is authentic and experience driven, rather than just a need to survive and make a living driven.  It's easy to go down that path when it's all on you.  You forget that taking time out is as much a part of the process as actually creating.

Try it.  It's good for the soul.

Renew.
xoxo
Jodi
******


Be sure to stop by my sale page over at Creative Workshops and take advantage of my special going on from now through Mother's Day!!