15-JUN-2008
Purple Flowers
For me this image really reflects Shakerag. It is peaceful and calm. Things are not in clear view as this is a time of figuring out what you want to say and do with your art. There is beauty here in the not knowing and the searching and finding. It is good to have this space and the time out of my ordinary environment to stretch and grow.
16-JUN-2008
fresh flowers
Flowers were a big part of the Shakerag experience. When the director sent me information about the workshop, she enclosed a pressed dogwood blossom. There were fresh flowers in small vases when we arrived in our rooms and the dining tables always had fresh flowers for our meals. The flowers seemed to provide another connection to nature while we were doing art.
19-JUN-2008
Benches abound
There are trails and paths to lead you out for quiet walks. There are benches to welcome you back.
19-JUN-2008
Shakerag instructor
The instructors are wonderfully supportive and make learning challenging, but fun.
19-JUN-2008
Plein Air Photography
There is a plein air photography course. This is what part of their studio looks like. It may seem disorganized, but they are producing exciting work. The participants talk of their work as fun and very freeing.
16-JUN-2008
Water Lily #1
We discussed dreams in our class. I usually cannot remember my dreams. So, I thought about how you would find your dreams. I considered, that perhaps they were under the lily pads, on the potter's wheel, between the pages, or within the pixels. But, I realized they are in your heart where they were all the time.
19-JUN-2008
Lectures by our instructors
Each evening at 7:30 there are slide presentations by the various instructors. Lots of sharing of inspiring art. It is such fun to see all of the work.
19-JUN-2008
Wonderful locally grown food
Eating is a big part of Shakerag. We have locally grown food that is absolutely delicious. I think more exercise and less food are definitely in my future. They feed our souls and our hungers here.
18-JUN-2008
Deeply into the work
This is my next door neighbor from Watt dorm. She talks of dripping dust and clay in her car and you hear the love of her work in her voice.
15-JUN-2008
Water Lily #2
I am taking a workshop at Shakerag in Sewanee, TN. We really start class tomorrow, but this is an image a took while walking around the campus. I processed it tonight.
18-JUN-2008
Turning a bowl
Turning, turning with ideas spinning in our heads. We are creating and pondering and moving forward with our work. There have been times this week where classmates hit a wall, but then moved on with a new direction. Fits and starts and new beginnings. And, sometimes returning to older ideas with new light.
18-JUN-2008
At the potter's wheel
There are several different pottery classes here. It is such fun to be around artists from a variety of disciplines. The instructors give talks in the evening and there is a gallery show of work from the instructors.