What Is Life But One Big Adventure?

I had to double check my calendar, make that triple check my calendar and see if it was accurate...could it really be almost a month or so since I last posted on my blog?  These last few weeks have been full of  creating...I mean TONS of creating,  adventures on a remote island (Ocracoke) with our May 2015 ReMe class, and several other projects in the works that will be unveiled over the next few weeks.  

This month more than ever has taught me a huge lesson:  one  needs to expect the unexpected in all possible ways because it all can happen in a blink of an eye.   Our small ReMe family of hosts has had it's share of life trials over the last 2 months, so for it all to come together as  seemingly flawless as it did, is nothing short of incredible.   Penny, Jean, and I dealt with loss of close loved ones,  health issues, injuries,  parents with rapidly declining health, caretakers with issues, work demands with deadlines shortened...and more..much much more prior to the event, during the event, and right after the event.   Anyone of these life obstacles could have throttled our retreat,  but we knew this was bigger than ourselves or our personal crisis's, we were called to create ReMe and it would carry on this time around guided by our faith and determination, and of course later on once the guests arrived--they fueled the already burning fire with love, kindness, generosity towards all, and tons of laughter (laughter we decided was indeed, the best healing medicine of all).

With all that said,  ReMe's mission is to facilitate one's recharging of your soul. Rest, Relax, Renew is our mantra and at the core of what we teach, and provide to our guests.  Whatever is going on behind our own life scenes, it did not take away from the magic we saw develop with every minute of the week as it progressed with our guests.

We saw returning guests reconnect and new guests find their voice in the group  while peeling back their layers and develop new friendships with all.   It's always a bit scary doing something new and unknown, yet when we open ourselves and up, very often  the winds carry us through each moment like wings.  That sense of release also opens us up to  allow the gifts of the journey to present themselves to us all.

With hundreds of pictures taken over the week,  I will share more as time goes on.     Today I just wanted to give you a sprinkling of the pre-arrival shots and part of the first full day. With the day beginning as early as 5:30 am  for me and ending at 1:00 am after everyone was tucked in at night, you can be sure there was lots going on in between those hours!!   

The stage is all set...we were just waiting for the first car to pull up and the sound of happiness to fill the air.

Looks like we are missing a couple of peeps from this picture but had to share anyway--our first night was a grand fiesta of Mexican treats from Eduardo's on the island....can you believe he hand delivered all this gorgeous food on the festive platters?? Now that's delivery service at it's best!

I think you can tell by the smiles...there was lots of fun already being had by all..it was just the beginning of an awesome week at ReMe.

Our first full day of classes began with my workshop,  "Dirty Flirty Birds" ...and oh my, did these girls rock it out!  The work was fantastic and a fun day was had by all!

 We couldn't have asked for better weather on Ocracoke despite the looming storm out at sea, we had a grand week full of sunshine and moderate temperatures.  Perfect weather to have the window screens open and create with the whispers of the water lapping in the sound outside our backyard.

Details details....students lost in their own creative process--it was incredible to see their compositions come to life with every brush strokes.   We all were so proud of each other and had a great time designing our own "Dirty Flirty Bird" creatures.

While this is just the tip of the iceberg  for our ReMe adventures.  With out a doubt, there were surprises and island gifts at every juncture.  

  I hope you could get a taste for the wonderment we experienced through out the week.

I have gained such knowledge over the last year since we started ReMe, and this event is no exception.   One big life lesson I've learned through my own experience and that of others,  is that there are times when the mountain seems insurmountable,  the obstacles too  hard and the road too long to navigate, but you will never know your own strength or courage unless you are tested and begin to tackle all the life handles you with grace and faith that you have what it takes to face what's next, as long as you don't look too far ahead and just greet each moment as it comes at you.

A big thank you to our house Mother, Theresa who has volunteered her services to us the last 2 years by coming down from Pennsylvania to help us in numerous ways over the week.  Her support has been invaluable, her sense of humor and way of making everyone feel at ease has been the the exact ingredient needed to make May 2015 ReMe as special as it was.

Last but not least, thank you to all of our guests...for without you, we are merely a dream.  With you, we are bigger than words can say.  Our connections have turned friends,  old and new into something more---we are now forever, family.

And that is just a part of what ReMe is to us.

In Memory of Kevin Arrowood,  beloved husband of ReMe co-founder, Penny Arrowood who passed away unexpectedly prior to ReMe.

In Memory of Mary Kessler,  beloved Mother of ReMe co founder, Jean Skipper, who passed away after an extended illness, just  days after ReMe May 2015.

Our ReMe family is  deeply saddened and forever changed by the loss of  Kevin and Mary. On behalf of Penny and Jean, thank you all for the love, support and prayers you  have all sent.  We all can feel the power of such faith  guiding us through the this difficult time.

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To join us for our October 2015 ReMe, please check out the left sidebar of the ReMe Blog.  We have only a few spaces left.  Be a part of the magic this year, too and join us on the adventure!

She's A Girl That's Untangling

A few months ago as I was preparing for my first round of classes at Art Is You in Memphis--I took out my watercolors and practiced working on my "Girl Untangled" and couldn't help but notice how delicious these colors were sitting on my palette almost like little jars of hard candy ready for consumption.   Watercolors were my first love when I started painting years ago. I loved the free flowing movement you could achieve that was somewhat unpredictable and a bit softer around the edges.   At the time, I just needed to flow with out barriers. Working in that medium allowed me to do just that. Funny how you are drawn creatively to exactly what you need when you need it (if you are open to that type of inspiration)

You can see from my original sample that the background is a melding of many different colors but the added surprise elements come from the doodles and candy like colors surrounding this "Girl Untangled".   In addition to first loving watercolors, I have always loved doing portraits and have seen an evolution of myself with each and every one that I do.   Creating portraits whether realistic or stylized can be another way to immerse yourself into an almost meditative state of creativity. At least for me, I almost make up stories about my subjects.  I've been told that many look like me. Not that I go around with head dresses or crazy jewelry or outfits (well maybe sometimes), but it's hard not to capture your own likeness at times even in the smallest of ways.

Not all watercolor artists use pen in their work, but we aren't regular artists, are we?  As a mixed media artist, I tend to try new things a lot, see what works, what doesn't, and push the boundaries from the traditional method of operation.    Doodling and watercolor seem to go hand in hand to me.  It is fairly portable, a great way to get lost, and most definitely a fun way to de-stress while still creating beautiful pieces of art that aren't exactly 'traditional'.

I'll be teaching this class again in October at Art is You in Stamford, Ct. If you are looking to explore watercolor (we will be using Twinkling H20's that I will be providing for you!!),  doodling and portraiture, consider taking this class with me.  We touch on drawing facial features so that you have a well rounded understanding on how to not just paint, but draw your "Girl Untangled" as well. I step out each of the steps for you and with you before we go on to our main project.

As you can see from this picture and my sample projects, I am one that uses a lot of color, even in my faces.  I don't know about you, but even without makeup, my skin tone is about 40 colors. :)  I can help you think outside the box and explore the 'not-so-traditional'.  You don't have to follow a formula.  You can just be you.  We will be working on traditional watercolor paper for this class, and truly, other than a few brushes and some pens--I have most everything taken care of for you.
Consider joining me and see how you can combine Twinkling H20s (watercolors), doodling, and portrait work in a relaxing atmosphere full of creative types just like you.  You'll walk in the class room by yourself or with a friend and walk out a new person with a new sisterhood of people just like you (oh and a super cool work of art, too!).

Take a look at some of the lovely students from Memphis and their girls in progress.  You can do this, too!    To find out more information on this class offering: Girl Untangled  click HERE.


UPDATE--PLEASE NOTE:  Registration for Art Is You this October in Stamford, CT  closes September 15th!!!! You need to register before then to get the classes of your choice and participate in the event.  (You can add on classes later if avail and not sold out..but you have to pick your main selections before the closing date of September 15th).
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My other classes at Art is You:
Pod-Tastic

My Gellis-HeART