Hang out with people you can easily adore

I had my first ‘Mentor Retreat’ this weekend. My intention with this new type of event, was to have a small group, so we could really hang out all weekend, relaxing and doing art. We could craft dreams and art-wishes and I could put my years of experience to great use.

Here we are having dinner at Miss Margarita’s in Byron Bay. Laurie Caradonna, Denise Noney and Coral Lee. Each one a talented artist!

‘The Mentorees’ stayed in the newly finished guesthouse. We call that space the Sanctuary… and it really is just that. A haven. Especially with the huge wooden table we have that can comfortably fit a fair few artists all making a mess!

We worked in several places all around the Nest, catching the breezes. From my Studio, to the front deck at sunset. I made a big  outside lounge area next to the art tables full of supplies.

I found a little illuminated sign that you can customise with your own message. I planned on ‘Welcome to the Nest!’….guess who set this one up for me? Angus told me it was very difficult to change, but maybe that’s just his way of making sure it stays like this.

It’s definitely a  true statement, so I think I should leave it don’t you?

Early on Saturday morning my beautiful yoga instructor Kathy Quinn arrived and everyone got a chance to stretch and breathe. Moving under the trees and stepping out of ‘real life’. Kathy teaches so gently and never pushes anyone beyond their comfort zone. I have found that yoga has made such a difference to my own life, and I like to share this gift of breathe with others.

And it definitely worked because the artwork that flowed for our two days was fabulous!
We covered a lot of ground in the lessons, and also chatted a lot about an artful life, and being a professional artist and teacher.

These three girls are set to do amazing things with their art, and I will be cheering them on! What a wonderful thing it is to be part of another person’s journey. Especially their creative journey. It’s a connection that lasts beyond the time we spend together. I cherish seeing friendships form in my classrooms , be they digital, or real-world.

I even got a little chance to start on some artwork myself!

My ‘EPIC’ pen ( gets better and better and better) and coloured pencils ( prismas of course!).

( coloured Pencils and MEPXY markers – loving them so much I am adding them to our store!)

I loved sharing my space with easy-to-adore people. And my little doglettes loved it too.
( as you can see from the pic, Tinsel still keeps a close eye on the pup. Gesso will be bigger than her soon, so Tinsel is doing her best to show her who is the second in command now!Moo is the oldest, biggest, quietest and the boss, and she loves having a ‘pack’. )
I hope you have some easy-to-adore people in your life that you hang out with this week!

xoxox

Jane/Danger