some snippets from florida

i spent a delightful week last week at the atlantic center for the arts' first annual retreat.

i almost hesitate to post about it cus once the word gets out, next year's will be filled in a heartbeat, and i didn't reserve my spot yet! (mary....write me in.....)

it was a little slice of heaven!

No Schedule. other than mealtimes, we came and went as we wanted... that alone was worth the price of admission! but we also had got to work in a beautiful location with light filled studios, good food, and even better, a really great group of women to share it all with... did i mention it was a little slice of heaven?

we had 2 studios set up: a wet one for painting, dyeing, and felting; and a dry one for composing, stitching, and hooking..... er...rug hooking that is...

they rang with the sounds of laughter from early on in the morning (so i was told...) till late at night.. we fueled ourselves with good wine, and dark chocolate, and talked and laughed as we worked.

one week was just not enough..

here a few photos of the wonderful setting:

isn't this just the coolest thing? now named the *escape pod* it's a tree house like structure hidden amongst the trees and palmetto. i want one in my back yard! it was a great place to sketch, and sit and soak in the surroundings.... and here are a few of the nuts, er.... artists, with their work: rosemary claus-gray celebrated a special birthday in style while we were there, but also got some wonderful pieces started...

and pamela allen not only kept us entertained but made several wonderful pieces as well...

sharon ahmed did wonderous things with felt, including the coolest faces:

linda mathews was extraordinarily generous and a fun table mate...unfortunately i didn't get any photos of the wonderful work she was doing....

and there were many more! to be continued