Another face + flood of memories

This is an image from my personal journal entry on April 15, 2008. I'm very acquainted with it because I've been using it on my fliers advertising this wonderful "Women's Mexico Retreat".

I was especially happy with the sketch, which I completed in the Club Santiago condo, during quiet time, because I captured the intense focus this beautiful young girl held as she poured our "juice drink".

But what comes along with the face, hopefully suggested by the busy atmosphere behind her, was the flood of memories. The swirl of activity there at the Manzanillo Saturday Market was exciting. Everywhere there were colorful masses of everything imaginable - for sale. There was underwear, high-heeled sequined shoes, tomatoes, pottery, toys, and even a wheelbarrow full of candy, nuts and dried fruit. The wheelbarrow could follow you anywhere! And all the vendors had "deals" for you or "the best". It was intoxicatingly fun and exhausting.

So that's what floods my mind when I see this image - just thought I'd let you in on the fun! And that's what you will get when you catch a glimpse of an entry from your journal - when you come along and sketch with us on the retreat.

About Our Guest Instructor

With Damaris Pyle's specialized mandala work and to make available, to any participant who might desire, inquiries or delvings more deep, I knew she'd be a perfect "Guest Instructor". She compliments her BS in Counseling Psychology from JFK University, CA, MFT license, with sensitivity, creativity, spirituality and playfulness!

When I asked my friend, Damaris, for a short blurb summarizing her participation in the retreat, she responded with this: "While working in the field of psychotherapy for the past 10 years, my journey has taken me into the healing domain of the imaginal realm. Psychological growth is enhanced when we enter the right brain hemisphere through art, creative writing, music and other symbolic avenues. During our time together I hope to open these channels giving you greater access to your innate creative self."

Damaris and I have been chatting about ways to place the mandalas you create during the retreat into journals. Usually she works in pastels. And as many of you artists know, that medium has some "fall out". We're considering, after applying a fixative, attaching a tissue or wax paper cover sheet into the journals. Or also, there is the potential of working in watercolor colored pencils. Lots of endless possibilities, I'd say.

If any participants have suggestions or requests for WHAT and HOW you'd like to express. Damaris & I are very open to hearing them too.

So it sounds like we will all discover insights and have alot of fun - come on and join us!

The Faces You'll See

This photo was taken at just one of the local markets held in the Manzanillo area. I was first fascinated with the individual making of every "snow-cone" with the specially chosen flavors, then while being mesmerized by the twirling colors, I realized I was not the only one entranced.

His lil' face was just adorable and each moment that passed brought different animation to his large brown eyes. My camera allowed me to take a series of quick shots and this is just one of the many sweet exposures.

Now I'm not one to be pristine about my journal "keeping all my images to ONLY watercolor" or, say, entries of my own "sketches"! Heck no! I'd even remembered this small printer I saw at a workshop which allowed one to plug in one's digital camera's individual "card" and print out, on site, your own images on photo size color paper. I reflected back thinking - anyone who loves to collect on the spot photos to insert into their Journal on site - is welcome to bring along just such machinery!

I encourage everyone to express in exactly THE WAY that is their expression. Who would I be to limit or judge your own beautiful idea or process. Create anyway that pleases you - and - wow - look at the face you could image into your Journal. I'll include some other "beautiful faces" soon for you to enjoy. For now . . . I'm off to bed.

Happy Creating!

My Personal Journaling Experience

I want to share with you my beginning experience journaling as well as the essence of what I feel is the value of continuing to journal. I hope you enjoy!

Your "Typical" Retreat Day

Upon rising in the privacy of your condo, shared with intriguing women, you pull on a loose, airy outfit then meander across the cobblestones to the Retreat. You arrive just in time for slow, quiet stretches and "Sun Salute" on the rooftop as the sun comes up.

With coffee in hand you join everyone who has gathered with paint & pen materials 'round the large table for a watercolor sketching demonstration by Elaine. Today, we're watching how to use wax crayons in conjunction with watercolor painting. We wander down to the nearby beach for some solo sketching & writing. After a period time, our teachers check in on each one of us for some one-on-one encouragement, reminding us to meet after the lunch break. As ladies share their "journaling experience", we all listen and learn technique tips. Then, we move on to a playful word game.

For dinner, the adventurous may join the group taking the local bus into town, while others walk down to the nearby cafe overlooking the beach.

After sunset, we had options to walk the beach or return to the workshop space to experiment with "telling our personal stories" or "imagined dreams".

Bedtime is sweet, and satisifying. Ahhh.