The last morning I caught the shuttle to the airport, to catch the flight back home. I got up really early, due to an alarm clock time setting malfunction on my part.
There was no coffee or tea, nothing was open. No car available to zip into town for something before breakfast. So I went for a walk to take some early morning photographs.
I'm an early riser normally, due to the time zone differences this was extremely early in my home time of Central Daylight Time.
This is the view behind the dorm I stayed in.
This is Dorm 225 with the lights still on, and the color from the sunrise shining on the front of it. Only a few people were stirring, so early in the day.
The fort buildings are historic looking and interesting.
There were ships going by, out on the still morning waters.
Later in the day, the sun came up and the sky was clear and sunny. This was the fleeting view of the mountains I saw, as the bus went whizzing down the highway. If I had been in a car I would have pulled over and taken more pictures of them, it was a clear day and they were very visible as I left for home.
Creating this blog has been my effort to keep the memories and excitement of Artfest and the through-the-looking-glass experience alive.
To give folks who haven't attended before, as I had not, an idea of the picture-postcard experience of what it's like to be there, and maybe give them that little push to attend the next one.
To meet in person, possibly take a class in person, from someone they have admired, to learn from them and get to know them slightly, and at vendor's night to make their book or an example of their artwork part of a personal library or art collection.
On the last night, everyone who wants to do it, brings their class results and puts them out for Show-And-Tell. That's my roommate Stacie on the right, heading through the doors to see everyone's displayed art feast.
This photo is of my roommate, Stacie, with her instructor for the "What A Relief" class she took, that's Michael deMeng on the right next to her.
Many of Michael deMeng's students had their work visible in Show-And-Tell, for the Relief class and also one named "Demented Toys" - the results were both humerous and thoughtful.
Where did this current of dark, ironic imagery spring from? Pondering ...
No amount of pondering would cover everything that came from those classes, but one outstanding effort was this theatre box with dancing skeletons. (**Update: I've been told since that this came out of the Paper Theater class and not deMeng, I guess I was seeing deMeng inspiration everywhere that day)
Self-lit from the inside, it had an eerie but facinating glow to it.
The photos are not perfect, I apologize for the grainy pictures. But it adds even another element to the visuals, so I hope you can see the fantastic details. If this is your work of art and you've found this blog post, I hope you'll leave a comment! And if you've seen better photos of this piece somewhere please let me know ... (**Update: I've been told since that this came out of the Paper Theater class and not deMeng, I guess I was seeing deMeng inspiration everywhere that day)
This is a piece from the "What a Relief" class, I really like the colors, the use of texture and the imagery.
In this room the natural light was a little better, so I was able to get better photos. The colors and wood textures were beautiful. The assemblage made very good use of the original pieces that were collected. The parts from a musical instrument, the worn wooden texture and colors.
This last one is from Michael deMeng's "Matchboxes" class.
My hubby loaned me his digital camera to use. When I got back he asked me why the photos were so dark. I told him I didn't take the flash with me. That's when I found out that the flash was built in. But turned off. All I had to do was turn it on.
If you've ever used a camera you're unfamiliar with, you'll understand why I was reluctant to change the settings. What if I couldn't get them back again?
So I apologize for the "atmospheric" photos of Show-And-Tell, it was after 7:00 pm and the dusk was falling. Use your imagination and think of it as an after-hours tour of a secret art collection!
It was eleven years ago, on April 9, 2010, that we closed on the house here in Central Louisiana, leaving a Midwest middle management corporate day job in the big city for a small town life with family
I have been known as a creativity-craving
left-brain / right-brain blended
artsy type native Texan
Sometimes mixed up in creativity using paper, acrylics, inks, watercolors - an expression of the mental landscape finding its way into handmade cards and coloring pages
Sometimes seeking a creative solution to aging gracefully
Currently in the 9-to-5 world at a small casual law office, enjoying the fact that family is close, the pace is slow and there's time for gardening, cooking and sewing again
- Enjoying LIFE...
With a 10-year old grandson!
And an almost 13-year old granddaughter!
And the most wonderful daughter in the world!
Artfest was a concept that consumed my every thought roughly 10 years ago. It was right after I went through a period of asking the universe “What am I here to do”. When the visions started unfolding, I was excited and scared a little. But I knew that until I set the wheels in motion, my thoughts would not leave me alone. So I stepped through the first door and 10 years later, all the rest of the doors have been flung wide open for me.
It is one way of knowing I am on the right path. The other way of knowing is the warmth and love that emanate from so many of the attendees year after year.
I am realizing in this day and age, this is needed for so many reasons. I feel truly blessed to get to be at the helm of such an exciting adventure that has made a difference in people’s lives. I was an artist with no training but a deep desire to help others be artists too. Thankfully I had a troupe of really great teachers and friends and family who were willing to stand behind me and all pulled together to make Artfest what it is today.
We work hard to create a nurturing event where everyone feels accepted regardless of where they are in their creative journey and also to show each person just how much capacity they have for creating.
Taking time out for yourself is one of the best things you can do in this busy, crazy world. Everyone needs time to just be in nature, play, be silent, gather ideas, commune with other artists, and get away from your everyday lives for a few days.
It allows you to refresh and pinpoint directions you want to go in your life. The whole experience of Artfest from the drive up, the beautiful Fort on the beach, the inspiring workshops, the caring teachers, the groups that form, and your fellow attendees makes it the perfect place for this to happen.
The last morning I caught the shuttle to the airport, to catch the flight back home. I got up really early, due to an alarm clock time setting malfunction on my part.
This is Dorm 225 with the lights still on, and the color from the sunrise shining on the front of it. Only a few people were stirring, so early in the day.
