Only 2 (yes, that's "two") Spots Remaining

Ok, all you "cabin-fever" effected ladies, it's time to toss in the towel and sign up for the two remaining "beds with palettes" slots in the Women's Mexico Retreat.

I'm so excited that we have women from different states, different walks of life, different ages, and different perspectives attending! The mix of talents and experiences will provide a whole other dimension to the group. I can't wait to see the variety and creativity expressing in all those journal entries. All you already signed up are in for a treat.

I traveled down to the Bay Area last weekend to continue plotting with my friend and co-instructor, Damaris. We clarified each of our schedules and I got to preview some of Damaris' plans. Her mandala projects are a sampling of approaches that will present dynamically on the black paper she has us working on.

Things are still developing: I'm still considering a few venues for our outdoor sketching (would you prefer a park with fruit trees, a view over a lagoon or an active family beach scene, like the one here?) Also, I'm chewing on (no pun intended) a restaurant for our final evening together - would you like to walk to repeat an inexpensive, favorite place or take a chauffeured adventure to a more scenic overlook with more expensive tastes?

You could vote for your preference IF you join us all who are signed up! Just email me at: elainefrenett@live.com - we'd love to add you to the roster!

Firming Up Our Thursday Day Trip/Dinner

I'm so excited!!! One day plan I've been working on for the "Women's Mexico Retreat" is a day trip up north of Club Santiago. We'd probably leave at a relaxed time, like noon, and our driver would travel us up to "Barra" first. Barrade Navidad, which means “Christmas Sandbar” or “The Bar of
Christmas,” is a small farming and fishing community.This sleepy little town is popular with those looking for a quiet stretch of beach without the large hotels and resorts of other larger Mexican cities. There are colorful local markets to photo, unpaved streets to sketch, small family owned stores to sample and popular beach front seafood restaurants where those interested, could have a light lunch. At Barra's beach, the scene is fascinating - between playing in the waves and enjoying the beauty of the local vendors and their wares. Later in the afternoon we will continue a little bit farther north to the village of Melaque. When I was there we stumbled across this delicious restaurant that coupled with a beachfront view" to die for". We were entertained by young surfers leaping off waves into the air while we feased on food prepared for the Gods.

So I have at last procured a gentleman to drive us on this Thursday trip. Here is his most recent email back to me:

"yes we can acomidate to all your needs our job is to make you and your ladies fell happy on your Manzanillo retreat our driver will be comited to your needs for the time period not a problem he will take you to the Barra de Navidad market to do your shopeing after that its time for a nice dinner in beautiful Melaque we will make sure you get the best out of the whole shopping, dinner, drive around town to town and back to Manzanillo" - Fredrico

So if this is something you think you could enjoy - sign onto our rooster of ladies. It's going to be a treat for all attending.

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.