Me Time! Self-care at a St. Louis Art Retreat.

Me Time! Self-care at a St. Louis Art Retreat.

We are all guilty of it. Overbooking. Overcommitting. Getting stressed out because we are afraid life as we know it will come to a halt if we step out for a day or two to take care of…..gulp, me. And, from time-to-time, self-care is the absolute best thing you can do for you as well as all those around you.

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend in St. Louis hanging out with these crazy, nutty fools “At The Improv.” Mary Beth Shaw and Seth Apter concocted an art retreat months and months ago. When the email hit my inbox and I signed up immediately (knowing how cozy Mary Beth’s Studio is). There were only 12 spots available and I needed one of them for some self-care before the crazy holiday season hits.

We spent the weekend watching them “riff” off of each other’s mixed media techniques and create beautiful art. Mary Beth cranked up the tunes (alternating between Motown and a playlist she got from a Roxann Coble online class – both very inspiring). She opened up her Studio — all supplies were included. We learned new techniques, found out about some cool products (Golden Fluid Acrylic Transparent Shading Gray will change your life), made new friends, and had time to focus on our own art and learning. Heavenly.

As much as I LOVE hosting classes at Ephemera Paducah, and I love learning what I can when visiting instructors teach,  it felt like a luxury just showing up and creating.

As a tablemate, I’m not real chatty. I tend to save that for lunch and breaks. But I so appreciated the wonderful women with whom I shared space. I’ve been admiring Gwen Lafleur’s work for some time now and watching her create was as magical as her artwork. If you look up “sweetheart” in the dictionary, you’ll find a photograph of Mary Nasser. As talented as she is kind. And I met a kindred rebel in Jerilyn. As we both sport “RBFs” we almost mind-melded at time or two.

 

Sometimes I forget why coming to Ephemera Paducah is so much more than an art class for many of my patrons. What a wonderful time I had refocusing, energizing, learning, and having that be my only responsibilities for a weekend. So blessed and refreshed! If you need a retreat, take a gander at our 2018 Workshops!

Here’s what I created – Mixed Media Acrylic Paintings!