It’s been a very busy couple of weeks, trying to finish projects at home before I head off tomorrow for Menucha. I’m getting so excited about spending the whole week making art, renewing friendships and soaking in the quintessential beauty of this retreat center in the Columbia Gorge. Some of my favorite artists will be instructors as well: Susan Cowan, Sue Jensen and Sandy Roumagoux. I’m looking forward to making new art friends and seeing some familiar faces. My friend Susan Greenbaum will be there with her husband Ken. These two met & fell in love at art camp!

I’m packing and trying not to forget anything… and trying to get our two ‘two week daughters’ (Chinese exchange students) ready to move to a new host family. They have been a joy… it is always interesting to learn about different cultures. We’ve learned more about Chinese cooking and education and they’ve learned to love potato chips and farm animals! I wish I could be here for their final week.

Here is a partial list of what I’m bringing for my week away:

Paints: Watercolor & Acrylic & Gouache
There are NO "Mean Girls" at Art Camp!
Paper: Watercolor Paper & Yupo, sketch books, tracing paper
My new French Easel & support boards
Display Mats
Paper Towels
Texture Tools
Camera
Laptop
CD for my Evening Presentation
Printer
Magazines for collage and Catalogs
Handouts
Hat for evening ‘Hat Night’
Props for the model: Watering Can, Umbrella, other?
Swimsuit for the pool
Walking shoes
Artwork for the Gallery
Book for the off hours
Bug spray
Flashlight
Hat
Sunscreen

If you’re wishing you were headed to camp too, it’s not too late to sign up for my “October Spark Session.” I still have two spots open!

Today we are expecting a ton of hay from our neighbor across the road, looking forward to enjoying the new deck, and priming the support posts to prep them for paint. I’ve had a little fun with photoshop on this photo… trying to give you an idea of how much I love our deck now that we’ve finished painting the floor & put out our new furniture. It is such a peaceful retreat at the end of the day!

Also today I need to get my painting ready to ship to the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia show in Golden, Colorado. I’m very excited to be included in this show again this year! But that means I need to re-frame the painting with Plexiglas, fill out all the data sheets, crate it up in my old Airfloat box, schedule a pick up and print off shipping labels.

I hope whatever your weekend holds, it includes some time for soaking up the beauty of your natural surroundings!

6 Comments

Amelia on July 30, 2011 at 12:54 pm

The deck looks great! I wish I could be there to soak up the sun and lounge on your awesome patio furniture!!! My porch is shaping up 🙂 I planted rosemary, sage, mint, and a trailing petunia in a pretty pot that I got at a yard sale. Love you and hope you have a blast at art camp! Xoxox
- Ruth on July 30, 2011 at 2:21 pm
  
  Thanks honey! I wish you were here too 🙂 Looking forward to seeing your front porch…. xoxox Mom
Blenda Tyvoll on August 8, 2011 at 8:50 am

Hi Ruth,
What a great combination, painting, camping and of course good friends.See you soon and can’t wait to hear all about Menucha.
- Ruth on August 8, 2011 at 8:52 am
  
  Thanks Blenda! You’d love it up there 🙂
Carrie Holst on August 12, 2011 at 7:26 am

Hey, You know now that Dick Blick has bought Art Media these Menucha retreats might be as good as sliced bread! Hope it was a good working vacation.
- Ruth on August 12, 2011 at 8:03 am
  
  Hi Carrie,
  I was sorry to hear about the buy-out… I will miss the old Art Media store in Clackamas for sure!