old time laughs

along the el camino real...

So here is part deux of my trip up north to Monterey. We enjoyed visiting the beautiful rugged coastline of California. Even though it was brisk and windy...it seemed to sweep the cobwebs away...
We also visited three California Missions...Mission San Antonio de Padua, Mission San Juan Bautista and Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soladad.

I have this fascination with the California Missions. It's not the religious affiliation but more the history that intrigues me. This is California's history...be it good or bad...history helps us learn from our mistakes...


The planning of the missions had spaced them roughly a day's horse ride or a three-day walk from one mission to the next along the highway known as the El Camino Real, which means the kings' "royal way."The missions are among California's oldest structures and are evidence of a time when the Western world was changing. The Church and government expected the missions to support themselves from farming and growing crops.
Some missions were built in more ideal situations while others experienced devastating earthquakes, winds and floods. While only a few of these historical buildings are supported by the state, others have created groups to sustain the missions. It has taken time but through the generosity of visitors many have been able to rebuild.

Some are worn down and tired, others are modest, a few are elegant...but they all make for fascinating study.

For me it is a step through time, as I meander their pathways and enjoy the peace and serenity within the mission walls.

I'm almost halfway through visiting all 21 missions.

hit the road jack...

Well my bags were packed last Sunday and I was ready to go...

Among my clothes were my art supplies for the classes I would be teaching at Asilomar on the 15th and 16th. Monday was a day off so me and my hubby were able to take a drive and enjoy the beauty of the coast...but more about that in a later post...

I want to share some of the artwork that my amazing students made. In the first class I taught we worked non stop and made a variety of backgrounds with paint, plastic wrap, implements, gesso, and other techniques that are in my book Mixed Emulsions.
Then we made small 1 inch x 1 inch pieces out of those backgrounds and created some small pieces in a big way...We were so busy and involved that before I knew it class was over and I had not shot everyones amazing art...but here are a few pieces I was able to snap at the end of the class...
The next day was my class Simpatico - the marriage of black and white photography and color. I showed everyone how to paint photographs with oils and a variety of other materials...like acrylics, markers, and oil sticks. We experimented with a variety of prints...ones professionally printed and ones run through computer printers, and discovered that even though the emulsions may vary widely any picture can be painted on successfully. We had tons of fun stamping into and onto the images and the creativity was flowing. I loved the variety of photos and the individual interpretations the artists gave their art.
Don't these pieces rock?
I had such a great time with my wonderful, eager to learn, inventive, creative, first time and experienced students in both classes. Art is inspiring when you can learn techniques and then interpret them in your own way...everyone embraced that freedom to express themselves which made it a great experience for all...thanks for inspiring ME!...
If any of you are reading this post and you see your art here, write a comment and tell us which piece is yours...
Asilomar was a relaxed and beautiful place to visit. All in all...it was terrific time.

mumma mia

Happy Birthday to my amazing Mum...

It was actually yesterday but I was on the road returning from
the Monterey coast and the Asilomar art retreat.
Will be posting about that really soon...

looking ahead...

I have been very busy...Did I hint that I am writing another book with Sarah Fishburn? There is research to do and deadlines to meet. I'm feeling on top of it now and directing my attention to Asilomar and the classes I am teaching there this coming week. Leaving on Sunday...and looking forward to the break, taking some pictures, making and teaching some art. Just getting away and breathing some coastline fresh air.
One class is about making small art and art mosaic pieces...
The other class is called 'Simpatico'...the marriage of black and white photography and color. I'm teaching how to hand paint photographs with oils and other things...
I'll share the results when I return...
....and now to pack

amazing feets or not tonight i have a headache...

I just had to share this with you...pull up your chair, pause my music on the sidebar, take a few minutes and prepare to be amazed...
How is this possible...?
It gives new meaning to the word...balance...