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Artist Dates
If you've read even just a part of the book, The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, you know about going on The Artist Date.
The Artist Date is a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore
something that interests you. The Artist Date need not be overtly
"artistic"-- think mischief more than mastery.
Artist Dates aren't just for artists. They are for anyone wanting to get in touch with their creativity. For me, they don't come easy.
I know, I know, I am an artist, I "should" be able to do this easily!
It seems my Midwest work ethic is a double-edged sword. It provides me with the discipline needed to make a living making art, AND sometimes it stops me from having the kinds of introspective fun an Artist Date can provide.
Last week several of my friends got together for a reunion of sorts at our friend Marilyn Radzat's house on the North Shore of O'ahu. I hadn't been up to see Marilyn in years - in part because of my busy schedule, and in part because Marilyn lives here only part of the year.
 Marilyn is one of the most authentically creative people I know, and I feel so very blessed to have her in my life ... even just a little bit. You can see two of her creations here and many more on her website.
 Both her studio and her house are filled with her magical creations.
Years ago, Marilyn held weekly sculpture classes. This outing was meant to celebrate friendship as well as sculpture. We were all a bit rusty in our sculpting skills, but what fun we had!
Using found pieces of coconut hulls, bits of beach glass, shells, beads, and silicon caulk, we began to create individual gifts from the sea.
Our gifts are still in process, so they will be shown later.
 Here you see Marcia Zina Mager and Marilyn involved in their
creative process.
Creativity can be messy at times, but it feeds
the soul. We're all adults and know how to clean up after ourselves.
While
our creations were left to dry, we took a walk along the beach, and
came upon a Green Sea Turtle basking in the sun.
Green Sea
Turtles often rest along the beaches here. This behavior is unique to
the species in Hawai'i, earning them the nickname Hawaiian
Basking Turtles.
We took that as a cue to rest a bit ... in the shade of the iron wood trees,
and a respectable distance from this majestic endangered species.
Tomorrow I go back to Marilyn's to finish my "Gift from the Sea" Sculpture. I'll be sure to take photos to share with you.
YOU can take an Artist Date too.
Take an hour, an afternoon, or a whole day to explore someplace you have always wanted to explore. Maybe there's a new craft, fabric, or wine store in town. Check it out! Maybe there is a new exhibit at a gallery or museum nearby. Maybe there is a coffee shop, movie, or park you want to experience. This is your opportunity.
Most artist dates are done solo, but for this first one, and for as many as you like, feel free to take a good friend along with you. When the date is over, be sure to spend a little time basking in your experience -- all by yourself.
Feel yourself being renewed, and don't be surprised if you feel a surge of creativity as a result!
Creativity ... a subject for another time; remember we are ALL creative beings!
******************* This FREE postcard is ready for you! Please send a business-sized, self-addressed, stamped envelope to me. I will put four postcards inside and send it back to you. Each postcard is suitable for framing OR, better yet, for sending on to a friend. This is your chance to get a great piece of art and help keep our post office in business! See more Magical Mermaid Paintings here. ******************* My Watercolor classes at Kaimuki Community School will begin on June 21 and run through July 26, 2010. Seriously, this is absolutely the very best deal in town! Classes run from 6-9pm on Monday nights. You provide the supplies and I will provide instruction and inspiration.
Register in Person at Kaimuki Community School, 2705 Kaimuki Ave. Building D, Room 101; May 15-27: Saturday, May 15 8am-Noon; Mondays through Thursdays 8am-8pm; Friday, May 21 8am-3:30pm.
Mahalo for reading my eZine and for staying in touch. Go ahead, spread aloha right now by clicking on the forward button at the bottom of the eZine. And please share this news and recipe with your friends on facebook and twitter.
A Hui Hou,
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"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."
- Annie Dillard
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 Born in Port Washington, WI and educated at the University of Wisconsin/Madison, Patrice Federspiel first visited Hawai'i in January 2000. Within five months she had found a way to quit her job, sell her home, and move to Hawai'i to paint.
Previously an oil painter, Patrice learned the joys of watercolor upon her arrival in Honolulu in June 2000. She has been painting full time ever since. It is her intention to live her "Real Life" creatively, from the inside out; and to inspire others, through her paintings, art lessons, words, and example, to do the same.
"I paint with passion, live without regrets, and move joyfully forward through life." -Patrice Federspiel
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 Patrice Federspiel
PO Box 61707
Honolulu, Hawaii 96839
(808) 392-9104
Please JOIN MY MAILING LIST
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