Back from Doing What I Love!

“How beautiful it is to fit art into your everyday life” – Flora Bowley

Well I got back on Sunday from the Do What You Love art retreat, and wow, it really was fantastic.

I have not had time to collect my thoughts, but have just finished uploading my photos and so here’s a few highlights and memorable moments that spring to mind.

Natural retreats lodge

Several people climbing up *that* hill carrying a half bottle of wine

Sparklers

“Our teacher sings to us!”
“Well. Ours makes us run around a field after her like a flock of sheep!”

Cream tea

Rachel Hazell singing a moving, gentle song about tea, and after a respectful pause Hannah asking “Have you got a song about biscuits?”

Juli’s hilarious tea spilling escapade which ended up with the tea cup balancing over the tea pot spout. I hate to break it to you that’s not how we drink tea in England!

Stunning retreat views

*That* view.

“No fannying about: grasp the brush with a firm grip!”

My book in progress

Witnessing the shock of American and Canadian attendees when all the Brits poured cream on our lemon tart, turning to horror when we explained there’s almost nothing we won’t pour cream on (crumpets and ice-cream were the ONLY exceptions)

Tipi

Going back to our classroom and playing with book making until 11pm, drinking wine, laughing and discovering the “full face dab” (that time of the evening where it becomes necessary to apply the back of the hand to a flushed face…)

Student work in Flora Bowley class

Being blown away by the other classes’ work at open studio night

Student work in Pricilla Jones class

“It’s brilliant, if you make a mistake, just put a button on it”

Paper explosion

Mexican waves around the book binding table when one of us finished their book cover (a big moment)

My book in progress

My lodge buddy being moved to tears after looking through our in-progress books; “it was like looking into your souls”

My mini stall at DWYL art retreat!

Having my first ever little stall at the shop night!

Heart

And last but not least, meeting some wonderful, lovely, inspiring creative people.

And I’ve already been to the book binding supply shop…

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