Hydrangea Block 
6 x 6 inches Acrylic on Watercolor Paper © Laurie Pace Graphics One Design 1998-2011
Contact me to Purchase: Laurie
SUNDAY LAST DAY OF MY WORKSHOP
Today is the last day of our workshop. God would say…”this is not the end…but only the beginning of the new pieces you are putting together.” All endings start something better. This inevitable change is constant in life.
Life always proceeds…it never recedes. Life always progresses, it never regresses. Death does not end anything; it is a continuation day to progress on to the Father. When doors close, more open to life and we continue in forward motion.
Today write about this new dawn breaking across the sky and in your life. Write about new beginnings and realize that is what is happening right now all around you. You have given yourself permission to enjoy life. You are moving forward with change and not going to limit or be afraid of the journey. You are going to embrace life moving upward and trust in God’s purpose and plan.
Do not try to figure things out… focus on what you wish to create in your life. Write about it and sketch the view outside your window. Do you read this to be physically what you see outside your window where you are staying or do you read this to sketch what you want your life to be as you gaze at your life outside the window?
I cannot wait to move images from my laptop at the Ranch home to my big Mac in the office. This experience has been incredible. Artist Jane Crosbie from New Zealand brought so much love and compassion to our group of painters... that I cannot imagine life without her being here. Jane has pure heart and her art reflects the depth of her passion. Kristye was from Louisiana (also Texas and South Carolina), I fell in love with her the night she arrived on Thursday just about 30 minutes late after we started eating dinner. She brought to our group spontaneity and strength and a genuine smile with warm laughter. Lori came in from Indiana with her broken foot in a cast surviving a plane trip, car rental and a two hour drive from the airport. She too was blown away by the accomodations and the sheer wonder of Selah Inn. To our table she brought many inquisitive questions and a firm sense of direction for what she wanted to accomplish.
Belita, Wanda and Barbara B were all guests from surrounding counties representing their art league groups. Belita has a sharp eye and a dry sense of humor; Wanda was probably the quietest of our artists, but her gentle laughter was always brought a smile. Barbara B wowed us with her painting techniques always giving credit to God for His wonderful gift of painting.
Kathy I have known a few years as one of my collectors and to have her as a student has blessed me richly as she surprised me totally with her touch of carving gently with her ebony pencil depicting two dimensional form and then blowing our minds with her palette knife handling on a landscape painting. Nancy is a local and a member of the Franklin County Art League. She has been a love to know from the day I meet her at the Tall Tree Women's club and to have her participate in my class was an honor. Her gentle voice and her obvious love for painting and creating was contagious to all of us.
Fellow artist of Texas Barbara Haviland was a guest member at the workshop. I have known Barbara for a little over 10 years and have admired her artwork from the very first day. She contributed both her working knowledge with painting with the others as well as her obvious care and concern with each artist to have a positive experience. (Thank you Barbara!) Ann was new to art and was soft to touch with both her knife and her brush. For someone who had never done it... she is pretty darn incredible. She painted several horse pieces of very high quality. Ann has such a loving giving spirit and she gently reached out to capture all of our hearts. The two younger artists Neeya and Kate are only 14...but there was no ONLY about their art. They brought youthful laughter and beautiful moments to each of our days so far. They have no rules binding them in creativity. They only know the honesty of coming to canvas with an open spirit and that same open spirit has blessed our painting group. The last lovely artist was my Gladys, my mother. She was our healer and giver of the heart. Through her teachings shared with each us, came movement and healing for all of our aches and pains. She enlightened and served each of us individually.
Today wraps up the workshop... I am heading out the door craving a good five hours of hands on with this wonderful group of artists before we part. We have shared emotional bonding that will bring us back together each year. Mentoring that will carry through the miles and new friendships forged in this discovery retreat.
I wish you had been able to come! I give thanks to God for these wonderful women that have touched my life and made such a difference. Kudos and thanks to Candy and Dave at Selah Ranch and a huge hug to my wonderful husband and his support. Watch for our new blog for artists that do my retreats. I will share the link in the next few days.
God Bless,
Laurie
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - Psalm 139:13-14
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