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At the September SoulCollage® gatherings in The Down to Earth Studio, we took the concept of Kintsugi, finding beauty in broken things (What is Kintsugi?), and applied it to SoulCollage®. The results were stunning, both visually and in the way it opened up our hearts and souls for deeper connection with one another. It still brings tears to my eyes when I reflect on what we shared together. I took a chance with this idea of Kintsugi for SoulCollage®, not at all sure whether it would work. I was soon reassured by the openness and willingness of the 17 women who came together for this unique experience. It was a gentle reminder to trust my instincts. Thank you, beautiful spirits, for making lastFriday a memorable day. Here are some photos of the cards we made, tore apart, and mended with gold ...
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I have a wall hanging in my home that says "The earth says much to those who listen," and I believe it's true because I've experienced it through many hours spent in intimacy with the natural world, listening and paying attention. If you stop and think about it, you probably have too. When you look out at a glorious sunset or see a sweeping vista of mountains and your heart aches a little in joy and melancholy, that's your connection to the voice of the earth. more... ...
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"The highest calling for a human being is to be a soul friend for another" Brigit of Ireland 5th Century. That's exactly how it was for nineteen women who came together with open minds and hearts to explore the magical imagery of SoulCollage® at the Breitenbush Hot Springs SoulCollage® retreat. We spent time together in sharing circle, meditating, moving, journaling, making and reading our SoulCollage® cards and sharing rituals to connect with one another in community. We used the Four Shields of the Wheel of Life to deepen our connection to the natural world and honor the Summer Solstice. The creative juices were flowing and the cards were spectacular. These pictures say it all.Retreat dates for 2019 are June 9th through 12th. Come join us next year!! ...
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Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. This is especially true after a class like last Saturday's NPAF Collage Reveal technique. The participants were upbeat, kind and fun; and they created some amazing works of art. I loved every minute of moving around the room like an art doula, helping them birth their creations -- so fun for me! We started the day off with setting some intentions for ourselves: Here are the words they shared: Supportive, Creative, Open, Peaceful, Playful, Open to being Open, Playful, Explore, Explore, Inspiration, Brave, and Brave! And here is the art they made. Some of these are still a work in progress, but you'll get the idea of the beauty that was blossoming forth ...
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I’m writing this note to you from a hotel in Beatty, Nevada, just outside of Death Valley. A mourning dove coos a rhythmic chant outside the window. A not-so-wild burro woke me at 3 o’clock this morning rummaging through a garbage can right outside my hotel room. I opened the door to see what was going on. The beast looked up and brayed rudely at me, then went back to foraging. I came here to visit my first questing site from sixteen years ago in Hanaupah Canyon. Last week I was in New York City, surrounded by massive glistening man-made structures and too many people who refuse to negotiate passage on the sidewalk; they hold their ground fiercely. This week in Death Valley I’m in the company of stones and mountains which also, by the way, refuse to move aside to let anyone pass. They have been here for thousands of years and, by all rights, they do have the territorial imperative. There are very few people here. What there is, is an unfathomable number of rocks-- a crash of stones. The billions of stars in a clear Death Valley night sky are mirrored by the billions of rocks on ...
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Many of you have asked how the writing is going. "Two Girls in the Modoc" is a sample of the stories I've been working on. I have a whole new respect for writers these days. William Faulkner said, "If a story is in you it has got to come out." And they are coming out...let me know what you think! Read more After my experience in the Modoc, this 10 minute documentary brought tears of awe and gratitude. I want to go there! herdfilm.com Coincidentally, my art piece titled "Dark Spirits Roam Free" was just accepted by We'Moon to be included in the 2019 datebook. Two horses are featured in my story and in this art, which was painted four years ago! ...
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It warms my soul to sit back and look at the whole year as a book telling a story of who I am, and how I am creating myself. 2017 marks a crossroads in my creative path where the currents of the Divine Muse took the reigns and steered me towards deeper expression through my visual art and writing. I was moved to begin weaving the stories of my ten vision quests into a book, which I'll continue to work on in 2018. Here are my Top 10 Highlights from 2017, may these inspire you to ponder what shaped your year. Learning about the Kintsugi Bowl Ceremony and making the bowls for my Wild Hearts Women's Group (to break and glue back together with gold paint in the fault lines) made my heart sing in 2017. Read a Poem about Kintsugi here A trip to New Mexico brought me the inspiration to write a short story titled "Coyote on the Fence". The scene wouldn't leave me alone until I wrote the story. Read the short essay here Two art classes with Ruth Armitage catapulted me into the realms of abstraction. Now I'm obsessed with painting rocks. Rocks under water, ...
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Another exquisite shrine building workshop on Saturday, December 9, 2017! What a joy to bring people together and act as a midwife to help them birth new beauty in the world. A group of five noodled, chose, cut, glued and placed for hours to create their unique pieces. Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky to be doing this? I must have done something really good in a past life. And the world is a better place for their efforts! ...
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I realized I hadn't posted pics of the third shrine workshop we did back in October. Another amazing day of open-hearted creativity. More, more, more! We just can't get enough of these sweet temples of delight. We had a full house here in the Down to Earth Studio that day. Creativity vibes were floating in the air. The Muse was present and working Her magic ...
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Humans beings are inherently creative. It's true. Every time I teach a collage class I become more amazed at how students tear paper, dab paint and combine shapes and colors and create beauty where just minutes before there was nothing. Art is very personal. Each person takes what's in the heart and puts it out onto the canvas to express a longing or a knowing. Miraculous! And so fun to witness. I get to be the midwife who sets up the tools and instruments, encourages deep breathing and watches something be born from the Soul. Lucky me! ...
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