Hi there...Back from Heber, Utah, safe and sound. Struggling a bit with a cold or exhaustion...not sure which. I'm not even sure what day it is. I think it's a work day but that's just a hunch. I did work from home yesterday because I just couldn't bring myself to facing the world beyond Art Nest just yet. :-)
To be able to put this experience into words; however, I am struggling with. Putting my feelings into words is proving to be difficult. The only thing I can really offer at this point is I feel full. Completely full. Full of love, friends, satisfaction, accomplishment, encouragement, empowerment, motivation, gratitude, and acceptance. It was a great weekend. Probably one of the top five greatest of my life.
For now, I will just begin sharing some pics. I'll have to do it over a few posts just because process can be quite emotionally exhausting! :-) I got most of them loaded onto my Flickr site so if you just want to skip to the eye candy, pop on over there and take a peek.
Julie and Candice, the Art Nest hosts and did an amazing job of making this a magical event. Attention was given to every detail, it seemed, and it was just all memorable and spectacular. It is obvious to me that these two gifted and successful women are friends to the core and that love and respect for each other was so apparent and contagious! The opening night, Candice suggested that we approach the weekend with the awareness of gratitude for where we were and what we about to do for ourselves. The first night's gathering gave us permission to be open and trust that we were in the right place.
The teachers were Kelly Rae Roberts, Mati McDonough, and Jane Wynn! What a line up of gifted artists that make beautiful things!
Before I go any further, I would like to thank each and every woman who attended Art Nest for being there. I hope you each had as tremendous of an experience as I did. I am lucky to know you and feel truly blessed that our paths have crossed.
Onward...when we arrived at Art Nest Headquarters, there were packets waiting for us, full of treasures and a handmade name tag...
I'll take a pic of the inside, although it's been ransacked already. So many treats were provided to us to use in our classes!
Art Nest was held in a private residence. And by "private residence," I mean a ginornous, exquisitely appointed home. The outside doesn't clue you in as to just how big the house was...
The views from the house were nothing short of breathtaking. I went for lots of walks so I could take pictures and be out in it.
Just a few...
Almost every view was like a postcard!
Our meal the first night was Italian and it was SOOOO good! I was so thankful that Julie and Candice went to great lengths to ensure that the vegetarians in the group had OUTSTANDING food options! Every meal was perfection! Julie and Candice had some meals catered but prepared a lot of the food themselves...sweet potato fries, quiche, Brazilian limeade, apple breakfast tarts...I could blog for days on the food alone! Julie and Candice definitely need to consider putting together an Art Nest cookbook! Oh and did I mention they had plenty of Coke Zero on hand? Yeah, I was happy. :-)
The first evening was when we traded exchanged trades. I haven't taken pix of those yet but I will and will share. AMAZING! Such gifted artists! One gal, Debbie, didn't bring trades along and so she put out a selection of her personal stash and offered it up for every one to share! And she had some fun stuff!
I'm gonna have to stop for now...being at Art Nest was like a dream and it's been hard transitioning back to my waking life...but work and school prevail right now so I must go on and prepare for those. Oh yeah, and there's the unpacking too! :-)
Big hugs to you all!
I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. Utah is beautiful in the wintertime...cold as hell...but beautiful. I miss it..just a little. I can't wait to hear more about ArtNest.
Posted by: Wanda | March 03, 2009 at 11:09 AM
It all sounds and looks wonderful. I can't wait to see more!
Posted by: Kana Conger | March 03, 2009 at 04:57 PM
I've seen several postings already about this extraordinary event. It sounds like such a dream. Gorgeous pictures!
Posted by: kris | March 04, 2009 at 08:48 AM
What fun! Just went through all your flickr pics---looks like such an amazing get-away! Can't wait to hear more about it!!
Posted by: Jana | March 04, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Fun,fun,fun!!! What lovely pix!I'm off to check it out on flickr.
Sandy xox
Posted by: Sandy | March 04, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Michelle thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures. I really wish I had taken more. My girls and I are going to start an art journal - I was soooo excited to see some of your art journal pages, i love them- great job. I'm sure we will be journaling our art nest experience?
Posted by: lorraine lewis | March 05, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Hi Michelle,
sounds like you had an amazing time! :) xoxo, Joanna
Posted by: Joanna {sweet finds} | March 05, 2009 at 02:30 PM
it sounds (and looks) blissful michelle! so glad you got to have this beautiful time :)
Posted by: em | March 06, 2009 at 12:20 PM
welcome home Michelle! glad you had a nice time- it looks wonderful!
xo natalea
Posted by: NATALEA | March 07, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Wasn't it all that and more???
Posted by: Maija Lepore | March 07, 2009 at 07:10 PM