So, way back when, I received an email from Jenny Doh, inviting me to contribute to a new book she was working on about art retreats and the instructors who taught at them. The working title was Creative Pilgrimage and I sent in a new project (developed specifically for the book) and filled out the questionnaire. Months later, I was at ArtFest when I received an email containing the beautiful preliminary layout for my section of the book. I thought to myself, "This is going to be a book full of eye candy! And informative to boot!" I couldn't wait to see the rest!
Well, the book was released on January 1st of this year! Jenny decided to host a launch party at her new studio space in Santa Ana, CA and I decided that I just had to attend!
I flew in and Jenny and her friend, the lovely and talented Cynthia Shaffer, squired me around downtown for the day. We did some antiquing and had dinner at an incredible Mexican food restaurant. By the end of the day, I felt like I had known these two amazing ladies for years...or maybe that had something to do with the amount of tequila imbibed! The next afternoon (after a silk-screening class and romp through an art supply store), we set up for the party. Here is a peek at the studio space...
And here is Jenny, designing a new welcome sign on the chalk board...
Kim Caldwell of Artistic Bliss was in attendance as well, conducting a fun and beautiful make-it-and-take-it bracelet. Here is a shot of the three of us before the festivities began. Thanks for the photo, Cynthia!
I owe a huge thank you to Jenny's beautiful family for making me feel so warm and welcome in their home during my stay. And that is a potato tornado Jenny's husband is holding, just in case you were wondering...
I wasn't prepared for the sheer number of people that came through! The launch party coincided with an art walk that was taking place that evening in the building where the studio was located. We were packed most of the evening...
I met so many new people and had a great time chatting about art. Here is a picture of Cynthia and Jenny taking a well-deserved break outside of the studio...
The next day, Jenny, Cynthia and I ran around the town gathering a few necessities for an encaustic wax set-up. We then proceeded to spend a few blissful hours playing with wax in Jenny's home studio (I COVET her studio room!) I think I might be coming back out later in the year to teach some classes at Jenny's studio, so keep your ears open...and don't be afraid...
Oh, and remember that February is my blog-iversary and give-away month. I am thinking that a copy of Creative Pilgrimage needs to make its way out into the world...
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