Blog

A Gift for You!

I believe the world is better off when people make art -- it's a large part of why I spend so much of my time painting.  It's also why I'm looking forward to April 7 when 12 women will join me in San Miguel de Allende, MX for a week of "Painting for Pleasure," an art retreat for women. I love San Miguel and it's a fabulous place to paint! So it give me great pleasure to give women, who invest so much energy responding to the needs of others, the opportunity to renew and refresh themselves, using paint. I hope you'll consider giving yourself this enriching time-out.

Our retreat will occupy the entire lovely Casa de la Noche in the historical Centro of the 2017 "Best City in the World." This former bordello has attractive, comfy accommodations as well as a dedicated art studio where, with art materials provided, it will be simple to immerse yourself in art-making. All skill levels welcome! (If you've never used oil paint before, or it's been awhile, I'll provide basic instruction.) With the painting focus on self-expression, I will show you how to access your unique style. There will also be plenty of time to experience San Miguel's vibrant culture, food, and art scene.

Only 2 spots are still available! Click here for more info about the accommodations and how to register.

Please contact me immediately if you have any questions you want answered before signing up. I'd love to hear from you!

All my best,

Ellie

P.S. The painting pictured above (translated, "Living in Color") was created in San Miguel in May of this year. I was able to show it one weekend, along with four other paintings, in the Parque Juarez alongside other local artists. Believe me, this is a town that loves art and artists!

This Art Retreat is for YOU!

It's been almost exactly a year since birds flew onto my canvas. Following a a week in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, I found myself painting in a way I could not have anticipated before my stay there inspired me with new content, bolder color, intuitive gesture leading to an expansive body of work I continue to love creating. A large show, now at Michigan Medicine, Gifts of Art, in Ann Arbor was just one of the unexpected outcomes of my time in Mexico.

I know who you are! Of the many people who visit my Studio & Gallery each year, I can usually tell who are the painters (and wannabes) by the way they look with longing at my work space, my palette, the cans full of brushes. Their eyes often light upon my 7 Habits book; they sometimes pick it up or, other times, turn away quickly. When I ask "Are you a painter?" my hunch is frequently confirmed. And, there's often a story and, sometimes, tears ....

I love to hear artists' stories. At their core each one is about a deep desire of the artist, often a woman, to make the art she was created to make. Many of the stories, however, tell about how, for one reason or another, she doesn't make those paintings: She's busy; she lacks time, space, or money; she has people who need her attention; and, besides, she wonders, does she really have the necessary talent or passion to be a real artist? Ah, the stories we tell ourselves on the way to talking ourselves out of what we really want to do .....

Kindle your passion! My remedy to what ails most artists who want to paint more, better, and bigger (but manage not to) is a prolonged artist date such as "Painting for Pleasure" the retreat I'm offering in San Miguel, April 7-14, 2018. 12 women will have the opportunity to do art (materials provided!), look at beautiful stuff, eat good food, listen to lively music, and hang out with other women who are doing the same thing. No one to take care of but yourself! Find out what art wants to be made by you! All experience levels (or none) are welcome!

Something remarkable will happen. I can't guarantee that birds or anything else will fly onto your canvas if you come to my art retreat in San Miguel next April. I can promise, however, that something marvelous will occur in your life and art when you give yourself the gift of this extended artist date. 5 women have already enrolled themselves in this retreat; 7 places remain. Sign up now and you'll get your choice of the attractive accommodations (a room of your own!!!) and free roundtrip airport shuttle to our venue.

Just do it! When you register, you'll start getting energy to make art immediately (My enthusiasm for your participation in this retreat is contagious and probably as good for your health as a flu shot!) Just do it! Click here to read all about it and choose your room at Casa de la Noche.

Don't talk yourself out of this! Enough with the stories .... If you have questions, I have answers.

Ellie