Share the Joy Thursday–Ask for the Magic

So how does one end up spending 4 days in a house like this :

with an amazing arty hostess like this :

with beautiful views of Lake Champlain like this :

and get totally immersed in the creative process so as to produce smiles like these ?

Well,  you Ask !

My brave and beautiful friend Colleen proposed such a gathering to artist Elizabeth Bunsen  just at a time when Elizabeth was working on fulfilling her own dreams of hosting small groups of artists for intimate “e.b. immersion workshops” at her family’s lake house in Charlotte, VT.

Don’t you love it when things just come together so well ?!!!

So Colleen and I headed 3 hours north of home and had a dream play time with an amazingly talented and extremely generous teacher in a beautiful and inspiring setting.

We learned about dyeing natural protein fibers like silk and wool in bundles of eucalyptus and other treats :

that resulted in beautiful fabric bits to die for !

We learned that rusted pieces of metal of all kinds

can create treasured pieces of fabric

and paper to fill your stashes.

And so can ordinary bleach, with some simple tools at hand, and some imagination.

We gathered stripy rocks on the lakeshore

(You know how much the Rock Fairy adored this !!!)

and brought them home to give them some special treatment.

And then for the grand finale,

we gathered all the sweet bits and bobs we had created,

and with some beeswax and loving guidance from the teacher of my heart, Elizabeth,

we created

our own little masterpieces!

Meet

 “Home of  Eucalyptus and Rust ” ,

my little pamphlet bound journal.

The front cover of  fabric, leaves and rusted pieces sealed in bees wax

and inner pages of painted papers and rusty results,

were all inspired by the wrapped rock posing in the center.

The back cover is sealed in wax as well, with bits of fabric, chinese lantern pods and a rusted coffee filter.

The lovely piece of eucalyptus dyed silk on the right will serve as the journal’s covering.

I am so inspired by the process, the materials and the results of my time with e.b., that I have already purchased eucalyptus, bees wax and an electric skillet,

as well as started making rock wrapping a new part of my Rock Fairy love !

And believe it or not, the art and creative time was only part of the magic that our threesome shared.

The safe and inspiring environment, along with Elizabeth’s generous and open heart and mind, allowed for some wonderful sharing of our life experiences and a great bond of trust to develop. Our time together was so very good for the mind, body and soul.

So perhaps you find yourself in need of this kind of amazingly creative and spiritually uplifting art adventure ? Maybe the beautiful nature and shores of the Lake Champlain,Vermont are calling you ?

I wholehearted suggest you get in contact with the beautiful Elizabeth and  ASK.

There may just be a magical  room with a view waiting for you too.

 

**************

I love you, Colleen. Thank you for helping me to say yes to this once in a life time adventure.

I love you, Elizabeth, as a master teacher and most of all, as a kindred Heart.

 

For more of this week’s joy, visit Meri’s Musings