michelle ward

report from valley ridge

I remember getting ready to teach my first workshop about eight years ago.  I was a wreck.  I packed too much.  I was worried I wouldn't live up to the expectations of my students.  I was sure I would get off track and forget something important.  I had stagefright. 

Nothing much has changed except that now I have the experience to know what really matters ~ show your true self, fire up some confidence and enthusiasm in your students, and get them to realize they have it within them to make cool stuff.  It doesn't even matter what the class is - the point of it all is to relish in the time set aside to honor our creative selves. 

Valley Ridge is the kind of place that makes that time even more special.  The atmosphere is unmatched.  There are not many venues that provide two and three day classes.  Having that second day is such a gift.  You get to stroll into the workroom where your supplies are already unpacked.  You get to pat yourself on the back for what you've accomplished and then you get to take advantage of another whole day to dig in deeper, ask more questions, learn from your instructor and your neighbors. 

These two classes were an absolute blast.  Such a great group of artists!  I left VR feeling fulfilled in every way.  It felt good to be intense and deliberate in creating.  It was rewarding to see the fabulous work.  I loved seeing old friends, and made some new ones.  My spirit is soaring!

 

 

 

 

I can't believe I don't have any detail shots of the Parlor books!  Hopefully some friends will share their pictures with me - I know Kathy will have some....there were terrific tricks happening in our parlors!  Here is a cute story....The first night Kathy and I were remembering the first time I came to VR to teach Roll With It (2005).  We were thinking of the students and I was asking about some of the ones I hadn't heard from in a while.  We mentioned Cindy.  Two days later SHE CALLED at 9:30 pm to ask if the there was room in the Sat/Sun class.  She arrived from Iowa the next morning!  <enter twilight zone music>  I met her at her car....in the backseat was her pillow....No way!  I had just made a sign for my Parlor Tricks book, see below.  Lyrics from Hotel California!  Love that kind of synchronicity!

 


 

 

Terrific to spend time with Kathy.  So special to have Mom playing along with us.  I think she the most 'commitments' by adding content in her book.  (Of course she was the teacher's pet *grin*) Loved every minute of it.  Crossing fingers we can convince Kathy to emerge from sabbatical next fall for another gathering at her amazing place.

Thank you.  * blows kisses*

*waves*

I'm off to Valley Ridge!  Looking forward to seeing old friends, and to make new ones.  Mom will be joining me - always a fun event.  I promise to report when I return next week.

I'm sorry to say I have no update on the rubber stamp arrival.  I can't believe the new collection isn't here and apologize for the extended wait.  Thanks for your patience.  I will post here as soon as they get here. 

*crosses fingers* & *blows kisses*

step into my parlor

It's crunch week.  I'm busy packing all the kits and supplies for my workshops to send to Valley Ridge.  This is such a fun time!  I may be quiet here but I am a tasmanian devil behind the scene.  Not only is there alot to get done but I keep distracting myself by adding things to my sample journal.  Here is a test drive a few images I've prepared for Parlor Tricks.  No time for RubyTuesday-ing at the moment.  I will be back on task soon.

completed

 

The original bathroom had pepto bismol pink tub and tiles.  When they ripped it all out they found green and black METAL wall tiles.  Kinda funny that the paint we picked ended up being almost the same green.  I love this new room - so calming.  Love how the edges of the glass in the light fixture on the wall, the ceiling, and mirror have that same bottle green when the light shines through it.  The accent tile in the shower is glass - hard to see in this photo, but very cool.  I have a cigar box of sea glass I will use to make another piece of art to go in here.  The hamper on the side of the vanity actually has the bottom cut out, sits over a framed hole in the floor, and acts as a clothes shoot chute* to the laundry just below.  A clothes shoot chute* !  Just like when we were kids.

I've posted a new crusade over on the street team blog.  This month we are painting without brushes - adding layers of paint with an old credit card.  Come over and play!  Crusade No. 44.  Below is the beginning of the piece that ended up going up in the bathroom.  After testing out some ideas in my journal I tried it on watercolor paper.

 

The kids are back in school so I am fending off the blues by getting my kits and supplies ready for the workshops later this month.  Looks like Earl has subsided enough that we have nothing to worry about, whew!  I'm still waiting for the rubber to arrive.  I'm sorry for the delay.  All orders are labeled and packed with index sheets so I can send out as soon as the inventory arrives.

* EDIT:  after Tina's comment I scratched my head and wondered if I had spelled chute wrong.  I did!!  It is pronounced shoot, but spelled chute.  She used *shute* which is also correct.    Thanks Tina.