Taking Time Out

All my life I have had the incredible opportunity to travel. Experiencing different cultures, ways of life and seeing the world broaden my own horizons and make me appreciate my home like nothing else.

And when I do travel I try and make opportunities to learn.  I love meeting other artists and watching them in action. I don’t concern myself with being overly-influenced by others work ( even if I wish i was!) because I know my own style and like a boomerang, it always comes back to me.  But I can learn from and love an others work. Watching an Artist create is like witnessing magic.

Tonja Sell is a phenomenally talented artist from Wisconsin. I will leave her website to show you more of her incredible work and her story in her own words ( click here).  Go ahead, treat your eyeballs!

Not only does Tonja create visually compelling, emotive artwork, she is an excellent teacher. She has the rare skill of being able to explain what she is doing, when she is doing it. Discussing why we make choices for colour and composition as we create is not easy, trust me! It is a talent I have taken care to develop within my own self and something I greatly admire in other artists-who teach, because it takes so much finessing to stay alert and conversational as we create and stay in that intuitive, art-making part of our being as well.

And yes, Tonja and I  felt a little bit of kindred spirit connection!
And of course we have made grand plans of her coming to The Nest next year!

I need to spend more time with Tonja, both as a  graceful, generous, gentle person
and as a talent that I greatly admire.

………….

The retreat I went on was in Arivaca in Arizona.

I had a wonderful time with my fellow students
overlooking a dry Arizona winter garden visited by 3 pairs of fluorescent red Cardinals.

It was cold at night, and blissfully warm in the day.
I took myself on a few early morning walks along dusty tracks and wide open space.

I posted images on Instagram of my trip and what I created.
( check them out here) .

 It was a restful, liberating adventure.

So if there is a retreat with an artist who’s talent you admire, go.
Have an adventure.

 xoxox

Jane/Danger

p.s. for what Events i have coming up at The Nest, and beyond, you can click here