June ArtStay 2024
Five days filled with talented, enthusiastic, fun-loving, creative people…. Glass Mosaics, Water Color Journaling, Slow-Stitching, and Secrets of the Oak Woodlands at Solstice kept every student focused on his/her selected class, absorbing the tricks and nuances of each of the amazing instructors. Acquaintances became friends, old friends expanded their circle to embrace the new, the timid expanded to become much stronger…. all in all, a comfortable group of diverse individuals learning ever so much and enjoying the heck out of themselves in a glorious environment. Afternoon entertainment while sharing some chilled libations was the “icing on the cake!”
In the shade of one of the English Walnut Trees adjacent to the Dining Room was the classroom for Glass Mosaics with well-known local artist Elizabeth Raybee.
With tray upon tray of colored glass from which to choose, these students are diligently planning their projects.
Elizabeth grouting a vase worked on by numerous folk, who each put their name in a hat, to be drawn, to see just who would be able to take it home.
Below, works of five different students, one of whom is an art teacher in Willits.
Kate Marianchild took her class roaming throughout the various landscapes…. from early morning to dusk, from the lake to the river…. She had an unending number of stories to share about anything in the natural world about us…. from snakes to snails, oak galls to lizards, dragonflies to mountain lions. She kept everyone enthralled! She’ll be teaching another in September.
A Bald Eagle made it’s appearance at the river… Western Tanager in the Linden Tree by the Dining Room…
Each class session, Heidi Iverson taught new and varied stiches… some much harder and intricate than others. Ideas for projects were abundant….
The Illustrated Journal instructor, Laura Corben, couldn’t have been more dedicated….. An artist, to be sure, but an excellent teacher, as well. Below, some of her “illustrations.”
….and some of her students!
Flowers are abundant most of the year…. here are a few that were blooming during the June ArtStay.
My grandkids came to visit at the very end of the session…. you can see Linden assisting Kashaya and me at our Cowboy Breakfast. His sister, Magnolia had been helping, but changed places just before the picture was taken! And in the foreground, a mosaic done a few years ago by Elizabeth Raybee… with a little help from former and current staff at Emandal.
Yes….. farm eggs! Pasture raised, guard-dog safe, darned delicious! And our own sausage!
Not only were there classes, but there was time for some relaxation, some games….. and even a chance to try out one of our outdoor showers!
We have another ArtStay planned for August 14-18, 2024. As you can see, it’s a delightful time for enjoying people, utilizing your creativity, having fun…..
We have 3 classes: Memoir with Susan Bono; Art Quilting with Laura Fogg; Gourds with Bobbie Yokum. Looking for 2 more people in each class.
Even if you aren’t interested in the classes offered, you may be enticed into bringing your own project to the farm, and using the time and space for woking on something you’ve been wanting to focus on, but haven’t made the time to do it! Scrapbooking, water-color, knitting, beading, writing, photography, jewelry, crocheting, whittling, quilting, ukelele strumming, yoga, poker, fishing, rock polishing…. This could work out well for all of us! Email me, tamara@emandal.com.