Here I am at Asilomers Art & Soul Retreat, draped with my camera and enjoying the brisk clean air of Pacific Grove near Monterey. Though brisk...I function well in this kind of weather...clears out my head. Must be my British roots that surface when surrounded by the fresh air of the sea. 
Upon arriving, as we unloaded our suitcases...we saw deer...several of them...spurting past us on our way into the woods....You don't see that very often in LA....and it was kinda magical...
My husband and I went to the nearby Trader Joes and stocked up our fridge so at night we could light our woodburning fireplace and enjoy the peace and quiet of being away from home...
Right from the beginning I felt this Art and Soul venue was more laid back then the events at the hotels. Probably the intoxicating fresh air and not a hotel desk in sight. I was looking forward to the two classes I would be teaching.
My first class began with a group of eager, kind hearted, lovely artists and we began by making an explosion of different backgrounds of all sorts...gessoed, painted, notched, saran wrapped, we covered alot of bases that can be used in future projects...After lunch the artists cut up their papers and created small pieces of artwork with an array of images placed mosaic style. We then embossed them onto our 6x6 canvases.
We worked hard...moved fast...acted unruly...Everyone was immersed in their own creations...I love it when there is such creative energy and you see the wheels turning....
Tuesday night was vendor night and it was busier than I ever imagined...

Wednesday I taught 'Simpatico', my hand painting with oils and other things class...It's about learning all sorts of fun and cool things one can do with their photographs.
It was a blast...and I loved the results. Each image different and an extension of the artist that created it. Looks like I'll be teaching this class up in Fort Collins, Colorado come June.
It was great to get away to such a beautiful place and indulge in art...We used the time I wasn't teaching to drive around and enjoy some of the sights...nice break and I needed it. Now back to the zillionth thing I need to get done...
cheers ac