my "closet-artist" friends....

these are some of my closest friends... we meet up once a year for a "30-hour-power-retreat" which involves yummy food, chatting, laughter, chocolate, and a bit of an arty project - which they so lovingly LET me lead them in... you see, these loveliest friends of mine, do not practice art obsessively as i do... they help keep my head above water... they let me test my projects on them... and see how it turns out..

when i teach them a project - i really do not "teach" them... i usually say, "just throw some paint on the paper... and swirl it around like this..." "and hmmm, yeah, do that... that's cool..." ;) i like to let them play - show them it is not something to be afraid of, diving into this artsy mess of materials... i like to watch them explore and discover and i am fascinated by it... i am inspired by it...

artful expression really begins by letting go, by jumping in head first and letting the water surround you and engulf you and then you realize that you really can float, you can splash around, you can stand up in it... it will not drown you... it is amazing what reflections you will see when you allow yourself to play.