Off to a new "Destination"

"If at first you succeed... try not to look surprised." -- Unknown

I can't help it. There I am, words and picture, in a book written by someone I know and love...

and she even cited me as a quoted source...

... with my contact info so you can read more of my mad ravings here.

Whoa. Thank you, Ricë!

Reading Destination: Creativity makes me feel like I'm floating in space, marveling at the stars around me, with no idea of what'll happen next. Well, I'm sure the book will give me some sort of road map.

Gotta keep my eyes on the road. I'm heading into the Artful Texas! chapter.

Tell me what you think: about the retreats you've attended, the ones you've never been to, about setting up your own mini-retreat. I'll be checking for you in the comments! I'm also on Twitter and Facebook -- just click the buttons at the top right of the blog.

ICON viewing

Oh, this opening at Fraker/Scott Gallery was so much fun! I love it when people get together to talk art...

and my friends come on down to share the fun! (Say hi to my pal Sarah, art aficionado.)

For the opening of the ICON exhibit, the gallerists placed the two halves of my diptych like the sides of a door frame...

 

with another memory piece above, like a lintel at the top of the door.

Some of the "icons" were more traditional (can you call contemporary art traditional?), like Tracy Fraker's "Madonna of the New York Shopper"...

 while others leaned more obviously toward pop culture, like the reimagined flag by Stephanie Nicoll Reilly...

and this photocollage transfer print by Iskra Johnson.

Great turnout for the opening, which was timed to coincide with Seattle's First Thursday Art Walk.

Such an interesting mix of people: hipsters walking their offspring, experienced art patrons, art students with more styling product than cash.

You can see my work all this month, but the next big event will be on September 24th, from 5pm to 7pm. That's the awards reception. My pieces are "... rich in history: thoughtful, funky and totally original," according to Tracy, on the Fraker/Scott Facebook page. Come see for yourself!

Let your art freak-flag fly!

Finally, finally finally... I can talk up Ricë's new book because Destination Creativity is available for pre-order!

Courtesy North Light Books

If you've never been to an art retreat -- and that was me, until the fall of 2007 -- this book is a wonderful way to dip into the intoxicating whirl of creativity you find at the best events. Ricë Freeman-Zachery is the wordsmith; Earl Zachery is the visuals guy.

They set out on a nationwide odyssey a couple of years ago, visiting most of the big art and craft retreats, including Artfest 2010. Destination: Creativity -- The Life-Altering Journey of the Art Retreat is the result, and I've contributed a small part to this work! You can't miss me -- when you order your copy (hint hint) you'll see your very own version of me and Ricë making crazy-face, next to my thoughts about the transformative aspect of art retreats.

I met Ricë and Earl waaaay way back in 2007 at my first retreat, Art & Soul Portland. Earl offered me a seat so I could rest my feet during Vendor Night, and when Ricë saw me she decided I look just like their niece. (Read more about it here, and be sure to read the comments.) Then it took three whole years to meet again, when they braved the chilly dampness of Fort Worden to cover Artfest 2010.

It took me a while to scrape together the money and the resolve to go to my first retreat, and I know (oh God, do I know) it's a commitment of money as well as time. But think about this: many attendees save all year to go learn new techniques and see old friends they can't hang with otherwise, because it's worth it.

Humans need designated spaces and times to cut loose, be different, change things up from the everyday. It's why we have Ash Wednesday as well as Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras.

And it's a huge reason why I just signed up for Artfest 2012. You could meet me there with your copy of Destination: Creativity and we'll page through it together! Have you gone to a retreat this year, or are you planning on going to one soon? Tell me in the comments.