Art Unraveled 2007

My name tag - Art Unraveled 2007

This past August I walked through my fears of not knowing how to do something and not being good at it and thanks to Linda Young signed up for an art conference called Art Unraveled - www.artunraveled.com - that she started several years ago. I had no art experience and knew no one at the conference but felt drawn to go the more I read about it. I only signed up for three classes since this was my first time and I didn't want to be overwhelmed. From the moment I signed on to their website and met other artists online who encouraged me and welcomed me, I felt like I was home. When I arrived in Phoenix in the middle of the summer and met in person the friendliest, most generous group I have ever met in my life. It didn't matter that I was a beginner. It didn't matter that I didn't know anyone. All that mattered was that I showed up and was willing to try.

I had three extraordinary teachers:
First, I took Marney Makridakis' class - The Blissful Journal which fit right in with my Creative Coaching. She's a wonderful, warm, supportive artist and teacher, who has created a wonderful creative business called Artella - check it out at: www.artellawordsandart.com


Marney Makridakis and husband Tony

Next I took Art Lab 101 from the amazing Sas Colby - www.sascolby.com - she had us think outside the box in how we approach art and the materials we use - like painting with ink and a stick we found or a feather - I loved how she was able to meet her students where they were in their art backgrounds and make everyone feel comfortable - especially me! I served as her assistant for this class. I believe in always giving back so volunteered to help before I traveled to the conference.



Sas Colby, artist/teacher - Art Lab 101














Classmates - Art Lab 101 with Sas Colby

And my last class was with Anne Grgich - www.annegrgich.com - self-taught rebel painter extraordinaire - this was the first time I ever picked up a paintbrush or worked with paints - again, another teacher who said there are "no mistakes in art" and I took that to heart -





"House is not a Home" - my first attempt at painting w/collage embellishments











Experimenting with brush strokes and other painting techniques with collage added





Colorful Sunflowers

AU changed my life forever - I found a part of me that I didn't know existed - something I never would have found if I hadn't taken that initial leap of faith when I felt art tugging at my heartstrings - I am filled with gratitude to Linda, all the teachers and artists who touched my life and continue to do so. So take a chance - walk through your fear and see what's on the other side - sometimes fear is just excitement turned inside out. Please let me know about your adventures.