Collage Journeys in Vermont: The People
August 23, 2012
This is part two of my Collage Journeys in Vermont adventure. To read part one, click here.
I think one of the largest components of any class experience is the people who take the class. That's especially true when the class is five days (3 full days and 2 half days) long. Today I want to share a bit about each of the very talented women who influenced my Collage Journeys experience.
Joan is eighty-one-years-old and so full of energy that she made me feel ashamed of being tired or grumpy. She's a super talented artist, who had a long career as a graphic designer! She impressed the whole class with her drawings done with a stick! Here is a peek at Joan and her work in class:
Elizabeth came all the way from Puerto Rico for class! I had the pleasure of sharing a table with her for the first three days of class. She is a very successful ceramic artist and is now branching out into mixed media painting. She has a very brightly-colored, doodly, whimsical style that you know I love!
MONA
Mona is a very talented artist. She was a bit on the quiet side and sat far away from me, so I didn't get to know her as well as I would have liked. But I certainly admired her from afar. Her work is a wonderful mixture of freedom and attention to detail. Take a peek at Mona in action:
KATHY
Kathy (with a K) is my kind of gal. She is funny and silly and full of energy and enthusiasm. She and Mona came to class together (from Canada) and she is a loyal and supportive friend. She couldn't stop saying enough good stuff about Mona and her work. Kathy didn't talk a lot about her own work, but I think she made some amazing art! Take a look for yourself:
LOUISE
I liked Louise from the moment I met her. She was quiet and kept to herself, but her work is full of abandon. I appreciate her love of autumnal colors and she is a gadget girl, like me! She had this super cool black spray webbing and huge paintbrush faux finishing thing that made giant circles. Lots of cool stuff!
And I just have to mention Louise's fabulous idea of caging her art supplies to make them easier to transport. They don't roll around!
MARY
Mary and Louise commuted to class together an hour each way, every day. They are part of the same women's group that does a ton of (mostly) fiber art. Mary was my table companion for the last day-and-a-half of class and I loved sitting with her. She was so calm and relaxed and filled with positive energy. And whenever I turned to her with a question about where to go with my piece, she had excellent advice! She's a natural caretaker. Despite her protests, I thought that Mary's work was absolutely sublime.
As I mentioned the other day, Sharon was one of my housemates and a frequent late night driving companion. She doesn't give herself enough credit. I felt that her class work was super powerful. Strong images full of brushstrokes and strong contrast. I think she puts a lot of herself and her emotions into her work and I really appreciate that.
LOU
Lou is a therapist, planning to use some artistic expression with her clients. I thought it was a fascinating reason to come to an art retreat and she was a very interesting woman. I really like her intensely scribbled and tightly wound artwork. Check it out for yourself:
Cathy (with a C) was my second housemate. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a more easygoing and positive person. It was a great joy to get to know Cathy and be present for this leg of her artistic journey. She is super hard working and truly dedicated to learning, exploring, and pushing her personal artistic boundaries. That is something I aspire to as well.
The only person left to talk about is Jane (our fearless leader).
I really respect Jane's knowledge, her beautiful artwork, and her sense of adventure. I felt that all of her suggestions to me were both accurate and helpful. She's a happy, easygoing soul and loves teaching (and her chickens), and it makes for a very pleasant classroom atmosphere.
I'll be back next week with photos of some of the artwork I made and reflections on the journey.
Thanks for stopping by!