Inspired by a call from Fiona at Destiny Magazine, this workshop grew from the idea of finding a beautiful location in my home town of Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Featured in Destiny Magazine was the workshop – Experiencing Life Creatively – A Journey to Inner Healing which was also inspired by their call.
November 16th, 2013 was a wonderful day of art at the Country Crescent Hotel in Plettenberg Bay. we thought we might be able to paint outdoors in the beautiful surroundings but the weather had other ideas. Luckily we had the use of the small conference room.
Cathy Henderson started her first step into her glorious future in water colours.AND this is what Cathy created …. WELL DONE !From the blank page to a beautiful work of art.
Sue
OliveLynne
Pat and MeganMarie
SarahChristineRachelleCathy
And the art that came out of this group was just amazing. Many of this wonderful group had not painted before and some had not painted for many years.
My Friend, Douglas Magnus and I were sharing a moment on my mother’s bench facing the glorious beach of Jeffrey’s Bay. We were chatting about the Journey of Life and Honouring my Mom’s passing. It was a moment to be remembered and we took this photo of us smiling up into the camera held arm’s length away, hoping to capture the sense of Friendship and Quietness that settles when one stops the rush of life and reflects of the Magnificence of our Life Journey.
Douglas has been such an inspiration to so many people. He has a “terminal” diagnosis, but he is too busy being alive and sharing this with others to just let go and GO.
He GETS IT.
He sees the sunsets, the dawn the clouds and Light. He surfs in his favorite place in Jeffrey’s Bay, like he has done for decades. He has said farewell to friends who thought he would be leaving first. He blesses the lives of all those he encounters with his poems and writing.
Douglas is one of the MAGNIFICENT and God Loves him.
I am proud to call you my Friend dear Douglas and I hold you in my Heart always x
This painting was created from the Heart.
Let the Sun Shine In – by Douglas Magnus
Memorable Quotes and Sayings
Step by Step a painting is created – Moment by Moment we are Created
Happy Days! Thank you to all the participants and also to Lynne and Chris Hattingh for arranging for the use of the Ski-Boat Club. This was a superb venue with inspiring views. Also thank you to Heather Funston for getting the artists together and for the delicious eats we all shared and enjoyed.
The two days took us on a journey of highs and lows – the aspects of struggle than come with any new learning. It would be easy to simply watch participants work within their realm of known comfort, however, this workshop asked that the artists suspend self-judgement and allow for the unexpected. The delightful 80 year young Eva Taylor displayed enormous courage in working in this new style and her paintings bloomed into artistic expressions. I heard her saying “I am going home now”, and then a surprising happening occurred and she played some more. It was a thrilling and daunting process and I am so proud of all the artists for trusting the work and their creativity.
Heather made us divine Quiches for lunch – thank you xEva getting some encouragement from Ann – and that’s what friends are for
Valda Barratt managed to create a masterpiece painting in the true flow of ease. I think that most of the artists were surprised to see how a painting can grow into beauty and depth of interest.
Valda’s Painting
I am hoping that this group continue to push all aspects of their creativity in the creation of their art work. The difference in an artistic creation and a painting is that element of creativity; the unexpected that can never be repeated, not by anyone. It is the moment of feeling and being; allowing the flow and serendipity; the adjusting to the work in moment by moment awareness.
Valda began tentatively and graciously, allowing each wash to move and flow. The layers clung onto one another and created the luminous work that just seemed to appear from the soul of Creativity.
We create magnificence when we let go of the small, prescribed and manufactured painting and open ourselves to live in the realm of possibility.
Magic Happens
The method of granulation is so thrilling as each effect is the result of the properties of the paint – the opacity and translucency.
As each layer flows over the other the most incredible effects become evident.
No one in the world could ever produce this painting. Each painting that is loved into being is a spark of the Truth. We are the Lovers of the Creation and so we paint.
Fay Keevy or should I say, Fay-mous, my treasure Friend, got the concept immediately and in style true to her own, produced the marvelous effect in moments. I love the way Fay just does. No hesitating, no fear, just boldness.
Thank you Fay for being my chauffeur too.
Fay Keevy – the fast artist. Fay just “gets it” x
Let It Flow – Life is full of surprises when we Allow – Let Go and Let God
Lynne Hattingh understands this work and it is her ability to allow for this flow that has been instrumental in her creation of wonderful art.
Lynne’s beginning painting – glowing with life
Maureen was new to water colour painting so this was a big step in bravery. It was thrilling to watch her bravery. The lack of constricted previous learning was helpful in allowing Maureen to just enjoy the adventure with no preconceived ideas. Maureen just loved watching the color and movement unfold.
Maureen captured magic
Maureen’s incredible painting
The process of creating the density and luminosity with the granulation technique depends on the colors one chooses and the way in which the paints are applied. This technique is a fabulous way to create texture and interest in landscapes.
Luminous beginnings for a landscape using the granulation technique. Colours used were yellow ochre, sap green, purple lake and dioxazine purple
Ann Andrews opened up to the idea of the creative flow work and the translucency that developed in her work was delightful to see. What is so exciting to see is the way the washes change moment by moment.
Glenda worked with the idea of flow and the process was just a tad challenging as the holding on and waiting for the effect to “happen” makes the artist stay with the process and not run ahead trying to find a defining form or “picture”.
Glenda just allowing
Glenda being brave and holding off “making a picture” and allowing the unique effects to emerge.
This is the magic of Flow – when we are being our True Self we too Flow with the Creativity of Life
Beautiful, unique work.
Sample of granulation technique by JoyHouses by Joy Truscott
